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GuiltyFeat
Добавлен 13 янв 2020
Coming out of lurk mode.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney - book review
Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in. After the whole question mark debacle of Ms Rooney's last novel couple with her boycott of Zionist institutions, I thought I was probably done with this author. But I was intrigued by the overwhelmingly positive reviews and an Amazon deal, so I went for it. Also the UK cover is so much stronger than the US one.
Anyway I tried to hate read it and failed. I really bloody enjoyed it. I hope that comes across in the review, although the last few minutes take an unpleasant turn.
Stay safe, be well. This too shall pass.
Anyway I tried to hate read it and failed. I really bloody enjoyed it. I hope that comes across in the review, although the last few minutes take an unpleasant turn.
Stay safe, be well. This too shall pass.
Просмотров: 339
Видео
Victober Wrap Up
Просмотров 35821 день назад
Two Victorian works and everything else I read in October. Tough month all round, but we're still here and I'm still reading. Sending love to all. #victober
September catch up - Mukherjee, Patchett, Christie, Waugh, Rory Stewart and so much more
Просмотров 5292 месяца назад
All the books I’ve read since I last spoke about all the books I’ve read. Busy month all round - work , weddings, funerals. Real circle of life shizz. Hope you're all doing well and looking forward to Victober. I may get a head start tomorrow. Scheduling this post to launch on shabbat in case anyone looks at the timing and wonders. Figure I would try to pull attention away from my last post as ...
Outing Myself and Making Myself Available to the Curious
Просмотров 5002 месяца назад
Hi, I'm Daniel. You can email me at any time - guiltyfeat@gmail.com This is the original tweet which alerted me to this story - x.com/JoniKletter/status/1837099214666354732 This is the first bit of news reporting I found - www.wamc.org/news/2024-09-20/albany-book-festival-panel-scrapped-amid-apparent-disagreement-over-israel This is the response from PEN America - pen.org/press-release/pen-amer...
What do I mean by "Books in Conversation with Each Other"?
Просмотров 5322 месяца назад
I really try hard not to be prescriptive. There are books I love and books I do not and I'm happy to talk about them all, but I do so knowing that there will be others who feel the exact opposite about any opinions I can express. This is a video about books I have found to be in conversation with each other, either because the author / publisher has explicitly made the connection or because I, ...
Reading catchup: Orbital, Salman Rushdie, Tarantino & Chanel Miller
Просмотров 3813 месяца назад
A whole bunch of books that I’ve read in the past couple of weeks. I’ve left out all the graphic novels this time as I’m not sure how many of you care about the marriage breakdown of Reed Richards and Sue Storm during the Civil War. I hope you’re all keeping well.
James by Percival Everett - Review - 2024 Booker longlist nominee
Просмотров 3653 месяца назад
If you're watching this, you've probably already made up your mind about reading this book. James has been widely reviewed, widely read and almost universally praised and justly so. This is my fifth book by Everett and I think I have discovered one of his flaws, but it's not big enough for me to stop reading him. Highly recommended.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar - Review - Missed the Booker longlist
Просмотров 2883 месяца назад
A super debut novel from a published poet bucking the trend of poets who should never be allowed to publish novels.
The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter - Review
Просмотров 5623 месяца назад
I was sent an ARC of this new release by the kind folk at Jonathan Cape in London. They have had a terrific year landing four titles on the Booker longlist. This was not destined to be one of them. I hope more people will review this novel after it is published as I'm interested to hear what others make of it. I think it was written to a formula that someone told the author would work. I'm not ...
The only Booker longlist 2024 recap you will ever need
Просмотров 1,6 тыс.3 месяца назад
I've veered away from the Booker Prize for that last few years, but I kinda like the look of this longlist. I won't be reading the entire thing and I probably won't read the shortlist, but I've read one of the list and I already own two more which has me more involved than recent times. I'll be reading everyone else's recaps, but now that you've found mine, you don't have to. My review of Enlig...
Everyone's Top 10 Books of the 21st Century
Просмотров 5273 месяца назад
In the last few moments before everyone goes Booker-bananas, I am milking the New York Times's list of top books of the 21st century one last time. This is me going through the 53 individual top 10s that were sent in by authors, academics and other bookish people to call out books that did NOT make it to either the original top 100 list OR the Readers' list that was compiled subsequently. If yo...
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri - Book review
Просмотров 2963 месяца назад
I'm a long-term reader of Lahiri. I find hers to be one of the most fascinating author arcs of any of the authors I have been reading regularly over the past 30 years. Beginning as a clear-eyed recorder of the immigrant experience, she has added a layer of alienation by moving away from the country her parents immigrated into and writing in a foreign language which is then translated into Engli...
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama - Review
Просмотров 2934 месяца назад
It was not quite the book I was expecting, but that is never a legitimate criticism. First published on October 3rd last year, this book about a very human tragedy in the Occupied Territories was launched into a tough market. This year it won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. I think the book includes 100 pages of padding which is a lot when the whole thing is only 200 pages long. It's...
Top 100 books of the 21st century - 50-1
Просмотров 6684 месяца назад
This is video #2 of 2 The NY Times recently published a list of the best 100 books of the 21st century so far without any further qualifying criteria. They asked hundreds of professionally bookish peeps to weigh in with their top 10s and collated the results for your consumption here - www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/best-books-21st-century.html Then they opened it up to the public who c...
Top 100 books of the 21st century - 100-51
Просмотров 6094 месяца назад
This is video #1 of 2 The NY Times recently published a list of the best 100 books of the 21st century so far without any further qualifying criteria. They asked hundreds of professionally bookish peeps to weigh in with their top 10s and collated the results for your consumption here - www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/books/best-books-21st-century.html Then they opened it up to the public who c...
Visiting England and a book haul, obvs
Просмотров 1,1 тыс.4 месяца назад
Visiting England and a book haul, obvs
Friday Reads: May 3, 2024 - Carson, Melchor & Clark
Просмотров 3436 месяцев назад
Friday Reads: May 3, 2024 - Carson, Melchor & Clark
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry - a book review
Просмотров 6626 месяцев назад
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry - a book review
In Memoriam by Alice Winn - Book review
Просмотров 1,2 тыс.7 месяцев назад
In Memoriam by Alice Winn - Book review
Which Trollope should I read next?
Просмотров 1,2 тыс.7 месяцев назад
Which Trollope should I read next?
Why do people buy these Penguin Clothbound Classics?
Просмотров 13 тыс.7 месяцев назад
Why do people buy these Penguin Clothbound Classics?
What's in a name? My Top 6 Author Names
Просмотров 2229 месяцев назад
What's in a name? My Top 6 Author Names
Finished this one a couple of weeks ago. Took a while to get going but ultimately I loved all the intersecting stories. Reminded me a lot of Ulverton by Adam Thorpe, which I read about 20 years back. The history of a place.
Ooh, I never read Ulverton. Thanks for the tip.
Hilarious take on this book. Very fun!
Thanks!
Always good to see you. I think I’ll give Rooney a miss, too many books not enough time.
I hear you.
I'm so sorry that you and your loves ones as well as your country is having to deal with what you are. I cannot even begin to imagine it. Prayers for all involved.
You're very kind. We are all fine and praying for anyone who is suffering.
I'm older than you and liked Normal People, less so Conversation..' and really didn't like Beutiful World. I'd put Intermezzo 2nd behind NP. On her anti-Zionism I think you're misrepresenting her position. Her objection was about the publisher and she was quite prepared to have her work published in Hebrew if an acceptable publisher could be found. Thanks for another honest review.
Her position is that SHE gets to decide whether or not the publisher is acceptable to her. She doesn't meet with them, she doesn't engage with them in any meaningful way, she judges them based on 3rd party information and decides whether or not they are pure enough for her to be associated with. It's an ugly, hypocritical way to approach the world.
Of course SHE decides, it's her right. Whether it's correct is another matter and I don't have the information to judge.
I'll also have to revisit the swampy world of humid Rooneydom when this novel eventually ends up, oranged by time, on second hand book shelves! It sounds suitably banal and a little overegged by critics who, contrary to their guiding principles, love being in on the industry-wide 'Rooney' clique! I was astonished to hear you'd ENJOYED 'Normal People'. How you weren't apoplectic with fury over her treatment of so-called 'zionism' I just don't know🤣
I read a fair number books that contain casual antisemitism and not-so casual anti-Zionism. It comes with the territory. If you didn't like Normal People, you may not find anything here to hang you hat on, but I thought it was good work.
Your review confirms that she's not for me 😅 even though I'm an older gen z, almost millenial, I never felt I was the right target for her books, which gives me FOMO from time to time. I've always thought that this whole "boycott Israel" by authors and artists was all a marketing strategy. They get people talking about them, they get the reputation of "politically invested intellectuals" without doing any actual intellectual work and, at the end of the day, they still get people in Israel to read their books. I think they truly believe in what they say to some extent, but I'm 100% sure they wouldn't do the same with any other country: their editors would never allow them to lose the russian or the chinese market. Anyways, that's just my opinion. Thank you for your review and greetings from Italy 😊
There is a distinctiveness to the boycotting of Israel that feels unpleasantly familiar. It's a very small market for a litfic author, much smaller than the size of the gesture being performed, certainly.
I often think of you, and am always glad when you post, to know that you’re ok. You’ve tempted me with the Sally Rooney - I quite enjoyed Normal People and then was bewildered in a ‘What’s the point of all this?’, kind of way when I read Conversations with Friends. I wasn’t going to bother with Intermezzo, but you’ve made it sound intriguing…
I think it's her best work. I am still trying to wean myself off millennial fiction, but having now read all of her work, I may continue to do so for a while.
Curses! I had written Rooney off and now, thanks to your open mindedness, generosity of spirit, and intelligent insights, I find myself once again tempted.
Mwah ha ha! My evil plot revealed!
Me too! Am now very tempted to read Intermezzo
I have one Penguin Clothbound novel. It's shelf candy. I think if i ever buy more, I think I will buy a used, well-worn, copy ... Because they are still beautiful and the anxiety of "ruining" them is past.
The Moonstone was a really good time. I didn’t always know what was going on but really enjoyed the characters, especially Betteredge.
Agreed. I think the detective novel as it evolved got leaner, discarding things that weren't driving towards denouement and caring less about character. The Moonstone gives itself room to explore character with a more Dickensian playfulness.
I've got a second edition of the Moonstone, three vols in the original publisher's cloth. Gorgeous! 😘
Ooh how fabulous.
@@GuiltyFeat 😄The first is somewhat out of my reach... The last one in the cloth, sold for 6500 pounds, in 2023, at Dom. Wint. Aucs.
I’ve read The Moonstone and The Woman in White, but that’s it so can’t give any other suggestion for your next Collins. I hope you are well!
All well here, thanks. I think The Woman in White is the obvious next choice.
I too read Wilkie Collins The Moonstone recently and really loved it. My first Collins.....wont be my last. So enjoyable and I thought wonderfully and somewhat surprisingly contemporary in its language . I have been telling everyone I know to read it. By the way your channel is really great. P.S. I do have rhythm. Cheers. Paul
Thanks Paul. I agree about the language in The Moonstone. It's one of the least Victorian-y reads of the Victorians I have read.
I think The Woman in White is the other novel most people think of when they think of Collins?
I would agree with that. And the superior novel of the two in my view. But so glad you enjoyed this, Daniel!
Thank you both. It seems to be the way to go.
Did you know that he wrote a history of Cicero ? Pretty good actually.
I think he mentions in in the autobiography, but I know so little about Cicero so I don't know if it would be the best place to start.
I absolutely loved Trollope's Autobiography! One of the few books in which an author's kitchen table presence is conveyed! He strikes me as an ostensibly bungling fool with a few snide remarks in his armory also!
"an ostensibly bungling fool with a few snide remarks in his armory" was my original choice for naming my RUclips channel, but it was already taken.
Great to see you! Looking forward to your thoughts on the new Rooney. I still feel compelled to try her, though I haven’t loved or even liked the two books of hers that I have read.
I've blown hot and cold on her work, but this has had such great reviews that I felt compelled to give it a go. I'll report back when I'm done.
No you're spot on. The book was written and nothing was felt at all. Book is very very overrated.
That was my experience for sure.
Yes. You’re so right. Peter Carey is a brilliant writer yet few know of him. I picked up Illywhacker by accident at my weekly visited local used bookstore. For some reason Carey reminds me of Myles na gopaleen (Flann O’Brien). Anyway. You’ve inspired me to read more Carey. Thanks for the review Cheers!
Now I'm ashamed to admit that I've never read any Flann O'Brien.
@@GuiltyFeat you’re in for a real treat. I started with At Swim Two Birds. Top five writers of all time.
@@jeffsmith1798 Great recommendation, thanks. I've added it to a basket somewhere and I will try to get to it in the next year.
You're entitled to your opinion but you appear not to have read the book carefully [e.g. you don't know what kind of politician Prieto is] or looked at the author's biography. You probably know little about Puerto Rican history and politics. Unpleasant? Sometimes novels deal with unpleasant things that are actually based on true events. I am sorry that people are being discouraged from reading this book by your cavalier opinions.
Other opinions are available. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you. This was a great introduction to PR history for people who would not seek a more serious, in-depth book.
My theory is that I have the Brontë ones and this adds a kind of faded elegance I don’t mind, plus I paid a good price for them. Because of this issue however I will only buy ones I really like just occasionally, because after all, the penguin classics are nearly as pricey and not much cheaper. Still a solid choice for me are the Everyman, these have everything going for them, no downsides and a good price
I find I can buy second hand copies of Penguin Classics at very affordable prices.
Turn up the volume of your video, for the love of Yahweh.
Speak up, I can't hear you.
This is a bit bonkers. You can certainly object to actions of the Israeli government and the Israeli military. However, that has nothing to do with sitting down with a Jewish person to discuss books.
Yes, that is almost exactly my take on the situation.
They decided not to appear, which they had every right to do, where's the problem?
What if you're not sure whether the person appearing on a panel is a Zionist or not? Are you allowed to question them before agreeing to appear? Would you question everyone or only Jews? What if you're not sure whether the person is a Jew? Should you question someone about that? They absolutely have every right to choose where and with whom they appear, but if nothing about this gives you the ick, then we'll just have to agree to disagree. Cheers.
Thank you for posting this. It's a complex topic and the willingness of people to jump into poorly veiled, if veiled at all, antisemitism has been very upsetting (some vile stuff posted by Jewish supporters of the Israeli government has been as well). "Zionists" is just becoming a short-hand for "evil Jews" like "freemasons" used to be in the pre-WWII period.
Thanks.
Reading about this cancelled book event saddened me but, given the current environment, did not surprise me. Jews are being « cancelled » in all artistic fields, but book events and book prize incidents really hurt for us book-loving people who also believe Jewish people have a right to a homeland in their ancestral land.
Agreed. Thanks.
I'm reading my first Trollope in October, The Warden. We'll see if this starts a years-long quest. Good to see your video.
Lovely place to start. That was my first Trollope also. Enjoy.
You should read The Case of the Poisoned Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall. Wish You Well by David Baldacci
Never heard of Tarquin Hall, never read Baldacci. Thanks for the recommendations.
@@GuiltyFeat Baldacci usually writes thrillers, this is different.
Please keep dojng thaes spotlights.... I've always been interested in Peter Carey...and weirdly, some of his stranger ones have been made into films.
Some of the books are definitely weirder than others.
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of “Tom Lake” which was beautifully narrated by Meryl Streep. It was as if Patchett created the mother character specifically with Streep in mind. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if I had read the printed novel.
I don't think there are any good arguments for Zionism. The fact that reasonable, sensitive people like yourself vouch for it illuminates many striking social phenomena.
I respectfully disagree, but I'm not sure that you and I are operating from the same definition of Zionism. Happy to discuss further. I'm not looking to convince you of anything. Cheers.
Thank you for the poem. You read it very well. 👍
It's a good one, that I will probably return to over time. Thanks.
The Finney version of Orient Express is far superior, I've watched both recently. It's the one Christie book I'm not that bothered about reading because the solution is so memorable that I will never forget it.
It's an astonishing end. Even when I knew it was coming, it is managed with such deftness, precision and sensitivity.
Great Intro 😄
Thank you!
I read 'The Places In Between' by Rory Stewart. He is quite a character and his experiences before being an MP made him a well suited parliamentarian regardless of one's politics. If he had been elected leader, the Tories, and the UK, would have had a serious figure at the helm rather than the succession of clowns they had. He does write well as you say.
I can't imagine a scenario where he would have been elected, and I'm sure he's pleased that he's well out of it now.
Mukherjee's book The Gene is also outstanding. Even better that Maladies
That's a very strong recommendation, thanks!
I hope you enjoy The Moonstone. It’s a good read! Happy New Year!
I just read Anthony Burgess's introduction to the edition I have and the first 20 pages or so and I can tell that I'm going to enjoy it. Shana Tova!
Your thoughts on Tom Lake were much the same as mine.
It's just a novel. A good novel with characters and plot and everything in between. When did that stop being enough?
@@GuiltyFeat Not sure. I enjoyed the book particularly because I listened to the audiobook and had Meryl Streep talking to me for a few days.
You’re a brave soul Daniel. I’m in full agreement with you. Anti-semitism is so prevalent now it’s become acceptable to the mainstream. I’ve always hated any kind of cancellation as it’s usually based on ignorance and is fascistic in nature. Take care x
Thanks. I am anything but brave, but thanks anyway.
We come in the ages most uncertain hour and sing an American tune (hope I got that right - digging deep in the old memory banks!)
Spot on. Amazing that every generation seems to exist at its most uncertain hour.
I actually gasped when you read us the comment about cancelling the book review. What the heck one has to do with the other, I do not know! I am not a Zionist AND I have enjoyed your presence and comments ever since you started your channel. I am a regular here and have taken your advice many many times about different books. Thank you for sharing yourself with me and all of us on Book Tube. The only thing I can do is refuse to purchase their books and tell you how much I appreciate you and your family. You have certainly taken the 'high road' and I intend to follow you. Regards, Lee Kempter
Cheers, Lee. I'm not looking to get anyone canceled. I'd much rather talk, disagree, and shake hands when we part with any author.
Disappointed to hear about Lisa Ko. I read The Leavers and loved it. As always, Daniel, you are a real mensch! God bless!
I only heard good things about The Leavers. Thanks for your kind words.
Thanks for making this video Daniel. I grew up in a right-wing Zionist world, my family is still in that world and (institutionally) I still have one foot in that world, so this topic is very near to my heart. Do you think it's possible to be anti-Zionist without being antisemitic?
This is a good question. I sort equate the two, but maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. Maybe I'm not totally clear about what Zionism is.
No.
Yes it is possible. Anti-Zionism amongst Jewish people was widespread until the 1930s. There are many reasons for Anti-Zionism, some Orthodox Jews are Anti-Zionist because they consider the creation of Israel as preempting the Messiah. Are there antisemitic Anti-Zionists? Absolutely. But not every Anti-Zionist is antisemitic. Also there are antisemitic Zionists too.
@Ami1649 I think it's possible to be anti-Zionist without being antisemitic only if working off a different definition of Zionism than the one I use. Being opposed to the policies of the Israeli government is not anti-Zionist. Being opposed to the actions of the Israeli army is not anti-Zionist. Being opposed to EVERY state with an ethnic majority that defines itself in some way according to the traditions and values of that majority is not specifically anti-Zionist. But if the ONLY group of people to whom you deny the right to self determination is Jews, then you are probably a bigot. Similarly, if someone identifies as a Zionist but denies Palestinians the right to self-determination then they are a hypocrite AND a bigot.
@@GuiltyFeat thank you for the response! One day I'd love to chat more with you about this kol tuv!
The rise of anti-semitism is alarming. As is a climate where discussion and disagreement are no longer options.
Discussion and disagreement are always options for me. Thanks!
Hello Daniel, Shabbat Shalom. Is there a hidden meaning to Zionist? If a person of Jewish descent lives in Israel, aren’t they all Zionists? If you believe Israel should exist are you a Zionist? I assume most Jewish people believe this. so even though most people would deny it, Zionist means Jew. This is not a new occurrence in history, that Jewish people Are ostracized for existing. John Lennon wrote “all we need is love“ aloha
If you believe Israel has the same right to exist as any other country and that Jews have the same right to self-determination as any other group, then yes, I believe you are a Zionist.
@@GuiltyFeat yes, yes, Daniel I am. Aloha.
Since Marquez is from South America you dont use the "th" emphAsis they use in Spain. 😊
But I like the feel of it in my mouth so much better that way! Drat. Thanks for letting me know, though.
I am a Zionist too. I appreciate you putting yourself out there in the very hostile environment of our current twisted world.
This too shall pass. Thanks!
Excellent review! I loved the book.
Me too. Waiting for news of the sequel.
I tried holding on in a bookstore, just to see how they felt to hold. And honestly? Some of the least comfortable clothbound books out there. I wanna be able to, you know, comfortably hold the book I'm reading. Paperbacks tend to give the most information but I do sometimes pick up new hardbacks cause I wanna read the story and it's not had paperback release yet or there just isn't a paperback option in English (I do read manga and sometimes they just have the special release card hardbacks of some series. Rose of versailles for example, I've never come across an English paperback version of that.)
Yes, I just can’t see a case for these editions.