Just started “Butcher” by Joyce Carol Oates. She is such an amazing writer. Describing a gathering in a parlor room, she captures the unease of the characters and the stuffiness and oppressive awkwardness. You can feel the sensation of being in a room with all the windows closed.Daphne Merkin writes about Oates in her review of the novel in The New York Times “she has always been interested in intimations of the sinister, the way it suddenly hoves into view on an ordinary summer day.”
Great recap video. I've just started Kairos, it's dense, that's for sure. I'm yet to see one positive review of the Pulitzer winner, so I'm not going to bother. I appreciated The Details, I can't say I loved it. I'm keen on reading Not A River.
If you enjoyed Not a River you may love Brickmakers even more. Almada's delicate explorations of masculinity are brilliant I think. I am so glad you said that The Details faded fast for you. I was almost perturbed by how quickly it melted away in my memory despite being quite engaged as I read it.
Ah great, I’ll look for a copy of Brickmakers next time I’m in a book shop. I’m glad you felt the same way about The Details too - odd that it’s touted as this major bestseller and strange it was on the Booker shortlist.
Great reading month! I loved The Details and Not A river. I’m interested in Ministry of Time but trying desperately not to buy at the moment(aren’t we all!). My library does not have it yet. Your admiration of JCO is amazing. I’m sitting listening and smiling at your enthusiasm.🤗
My favorite book read in the first half of 2024 is Mark Doty's book, "What is the Grass: My Life with Walt Whitman." I may have told you about this a couple months back when I read it. If you haven't read it, do so. Doty is a poet. His prose is delicious! The book is a deep dive into Walt Whitman who is an utterly fascinating character in Amer history. Additionally, it is a coming of age memoir that shows how Doty moved from married midwestern teacher to gay NYC poet. Its a smart and uplifting pride month read! Happy Pride Month.🏳🌈
Hi Eric, I started Night Watch and was really enjoying the first half, but the second half almost did my head in which was so disappointing. So I thought I might try a Joyce Carol Oates novel, not so easy to do here in Melbourne (Australia). I went into 5 bookshops and only 1 of them had 1 of her books!!! So I'm 4 chapters into 'Babysitter' and loving it so far.
I read 8 books in May. Most of them were good. In particular, John Boyne:Earth, Megan Nolan: Ordinary Human Failings, Harriet Baker:Rural Hours and Jackie Kay's new poetry book May Day. Excellent. Read Sarah Perry 's Enlightenment - not too sure what I made of this. I think a lot went over my head.
Hello Eric 👋 I’ve been really enjoying your very informative videos! Would you happen to know which book was adapted for a Martin Scorsese film but never made it to production?
Thank you Eric. You are one of the best RUclipsrs out there.
Wow, thanks so much!
Just started “Butcher” by Joyce Carol Oates. She is such an amazing writer. Describing a gathering in a parlor room, she captures the unease of the characters and the stuffiness and oppressive awkwardness. You can feel the sensation of being in a room with all the windows closed.Daphne Merkin writes about Oates in her review of the novel in The New York Times “she has always been interested in intimations of the sinister, the way it suddenly hoves into view on an ordinary summer day.”
Just purchased a copy of Butcher at my little local book shop , also the Kafka diaries .
The Alternatives sounds like a book I’d like. The Ministry of Time too sounds great. A bit nervous about Long Island. I loved Brooklyn.
Great recap video. I've just started Kairos, it's dense, that's for sure. I'm yet to see one positive review of the Pulitzer winner, so I'm not going to bother. I appreciated The Details, I can't say I loved it. I'm keen on reading Not A River.
If you enjoyed Not a River you may love Brickmakers even more. Almada's delicate explorations of masculinity are brilliant I think. I am so glad you said that The Details faded fast for you. I was almost perturbed by how quickly it melted away in my memory despite being quite engaged as I read it.
Ah great, I’ll look for a copy of Brickmakers next time I’m in a book shop. I’m glad you felt the same way about The Details too - odd that it’s touted as this major bestseller and strange it was on the Booker shortlist.
Great reading month! I loved The Details and Not A river. I’m interested in Ministry of Time but trying desperately not to buy at the moment(aren’t we all!). My library does not have it yet. Your admiration of JCO is amazing. I’m sitting listening and smiling at your enthusiasm.🤗
Thanks! Hope your library gets a copy of Bradley’s novel soon. And I can’t help my excitement when talking about JCO 😊
My favorite book read in the first half of 2024 is Mark Doty's book, "What is the Grass: My Life with Walt Whitman." I may have told you about this a couple months back when I read it. If you haven't read it, do so. Doty is a poet. His prose is delicious! The book is a deep dive into Walt Whitman who is an utterly fascinating character in Amer history. Additionally, it is a coming of age memoir that shows how Doty moved from married midwestern teacher to gay NYC poet. Its a smart and uplifting pride month read! Happy Pride Month.🏳🌈
Hi Eric,
I started Night Watch and was really enjoying the first half, but the second half almost did my head in which was so disappointing. So I thought I might try a Joyce Carol Oates novel, not so easy to do here in Melbourne (Australia). I went into 5 bookshops and only 1 of them had 1 of her books!!! So I'm 4 chapters into 'Babysitter' and loving it so far.
Oh no I was very interested about The details
Might still give it a try
I read 8 books in May. Most of them were good. In particular, John Boyne:Earth, Megan Nolan: Ordinary Human Failings, Harriet Baker:Rural Hours and Jackie Kay's new poetry book May Day. Excellent. Read Sarah Perry 's Enlightenment - not too sure what I made of this. I think a lot went over my head.
Crooked plow! ❤🇧🇷
Hello Eric 👋
I’ve been really enjoying your very informative videos!
Would you happen to know which book was adapted for a Martin Scorsese film but never made it to production?
Oh I found it! 🥳
You Must Remember This
Can you advise if it's necessary to read Brooklyn before picking up Long Island?
have you read Whale Fall yet? best book i’ve read in a while!
Not yet
I was also disappointed reading Night Watch. Loved Kairos.