tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post2319860441021376879..comments2023-10-05T20:30:21.364-07:00Comments on Things That Don't Suck: Stuff I've Been Reading: DecemberBryce Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-46203325865530046202011-01-05T23:40:25.421-08:002011-01-05T23:40:25.421-08:00True. I think it really comes into sharp relief wh...True. I think it really comes into sharp relief when you compare him to Chabon. Who A) Has just as much geek cred and B) Can be just as Post Modern. But doesn't come off so relentlessly self satisfied. <br /><br />I'd have a hard time believing Lethem could have written Manhood For Amateurs.Bryce Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-19457078559065473272011-01-05T19:13:18.480-08:002011-01-05T19:13:18.480-08:00With Lethem's nonfiction, I sometimes feel tha...With Lethem's nonfiction, I sometimes feel that he's been stuck in a sort of rut since he was a teenager. He's still writing about cult films and Jack Kirby and PKD and he's in his forties now. As accomplished as his analyses may be, one wishes he would expand his range a bit.Matt Keeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06879233228833576188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-48977829307082350722011-01-05T17:26:00.279-08:002011-01-05T17:26:00.279-08:00His fiction is just fine. It's his just his no...His fiction is just fine. It's his just his non fiction that I find a little... over thought.Bryce Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-47987683825701851932011-01-05T15:24:25.108-08:002011-01-05T15:24:25.108-08:00I like Jonathan Lethem...I like Jonathan Lethem...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08085105568601878075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-92001081194631580582011-01-05T08:37:56.817-08:002011-01-05T08:37:56.817-08:00@ Rob: It's not so much that the book isn'...@ Rob: It's not so much that the book isn't funny, it's just that I can't believe that Dennis Leary of all people expects people to pay 22 dollars for a book of tweets. <br /><br />That's nice to hear about Black. I'm a bit more conflicted about that book. There are funny bits, and it's appealingly personal. But it also just feels like B material. <br /><br />@ Emily: Actually Em I'd be more apt to recommend Dimiter to you, the book he published earlier in the year. A strange interesting piece of work. <br /><br />And don't get me wrong, I really did like The Corrections quite a bit. But I'm recall Ebert's comment that Great Art looks like play, while almost Great Art looks like hard work. You might as well use The Corrections and Freedom to illustrate the difference between the two.Bryce Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-44069708323211288452011-01-05T04:34:12.927-08:002011-01-05T04:34:12.927-08:00I read The Exorcist and Legion over the summer and...I read The Exorcist and Legion over the summer and will definitely put Crazy on my list. I like that Blatty. <br /><br />And I finally took in The Corrections a few months back and really loved it, though I totallly agree about some of those 'showoffisms' he uses. I definitely need to check out Freedom when it hits the bargain bin or paperback rack!deadlydollshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06061028044836745499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-13154629127083496052011-01-04T22:56:38.572-08:002011-01-04T22:56:38.572-08:00I love Denis Leary almost as passionately as I loa...I love Denis Leary almost as passionately as I loathe Joy Behar,but I watched her show the other night when he was on promoting this book.Damn,is he smart, and he took no crap from her(he may just be my favorite person in the world)! Sorry to hear that the book itself isn't that great.<br />And Lewis Black...I've seen him doing promos for his book too, but your review echoed what I was already feeling. (BTW, I talked with him briefly when I worked room service a few years ago, and he really isn't all that apoplectic--at least post concert--he's soft spoken and rather sweet). Two smart, funny people I really admire. Thoughtful reviews.AKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02084216883655540363noreply@blogger.com