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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 14, 2013 11:45:00 GMT -8
I just finished reading, only moments ago, George Saunders' new short story collection, Tenth of December.  I am usually pretty vocal about not enjoying short fiction; even the short fiction of my favorite writers tends to leave me cold. But George Saunders is nothing short of miraculous. I know I am the King of Hyperbole, but I mean it from the top of my heart when I say that there isn't a recommendation that I would give -- in terms of music, film, literature, anything -- with as much confidence and enthusiasm as I would recommend George Saunders. His writing is profound, hilarious, sad, sexy, powerful, and important. Tenth of December made me feel bigger than myself; made me understand myself better than I did before I read it. I can only hope to ever write even the tiniest fraction as well as George Saunders. Everyone, all of you. Read this book. Holy shit I feel like I just jumped off a cliff and landed, smiling, on my feet. |
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Post by Cysquatch on Jan 14, 2013 11:53:27 GMT -8
I think I will buy this book. I think some good short stories would be great for me right now, because I don't really have time to get in to a lengthy novel. In the last few years I have put all of my time into reading technical text, and that shit can be mind numbing.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 14, 2013 11:56:31 GMT -8
Do it. For all of its emotional heft, it is a very quick and 'easy' read. Saunders' prose feels like some crazy bastard just ran into the room, breathless, trying to tell you as quickly as possible all of the shit he just saw go down on Mulberry Street.
I've been waiting for this book to drop for a good five years and it took me all of four days to read it, and that was with me doing my best to make it last. Let the waiting recommence, I suppose. And if you do read it, cy, let me know what you think.
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Post by Drew on Jan 14, 2013 13:45:46 GMT -8
That was the most hyperbolic statement you've ever made, EVER.
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Post by Cysquatch on Jan 20, 2013 20:30:57 GMT -8
I came home on Friday to find my copy of Tenth of December. I'm almost through The Semplica Girl Diaries. I'm finding it to be a pretty interesting read. It seems like in most of the stories he throws in some fucked up twist, but then sheds some light on it, so it's sad, but not sad. It's like you don't know whether to laugh or cry at the turn of events. He really helps you step into the mind of his fucked up characters too. I think I'll check out some of his other books of short stories.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Jan 20, 2013 20:33:11 GMT -8
About 100 pages into The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I haven't felt strongly about the world-building so far, but the character development is incredible, and the voice of the book is impressive.
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Post by Drew on Jan 20, 2013 20:47:30 GMT -8
About 100 pages into The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I haven't felt strongly about the world-building so far, but the character development is incredible, and the voice of the book is impressive. I liked this book a lot, but the second one disappointed me. What I like about Rothfuss is that he's melding old-school fantasy with the fairy story, and he's talented. But frankly, if you're not Susanna Clarke, you didn't write the best fairy story homage ever. |
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 20, 2013 20:47:48 GMT -8
I think I'll check out some of his other books of short stories. is particularly excellent. 'The Semplica Girl Diaries' fucked with my head. |
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Feb 8, 2013 7:36:56 GMT -8
Just finished The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, hot damn what a story. Gotta grab book 2 today.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Feb 8, 2013 12:22:05 GMT -8
I checked the local paper -- which I usually forget to do anymore -- and I see that George Saunders is doing a reading at Powell's tonight.
I'm really glad I checked the local paper.
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Post by Nadine Hurley on Feb 8, 2013 12:40:39 GMT -8
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Post by Horned Gramma on Feb 8, 2013 12:46:12 GMT -8
Man, I love David Sedaris' writing but one time that dude was the most tremendous asshole to me and I simply cannot read him anymore. Makes me sad.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Feb 8, 2013 12:49:15 GMT -8
He all writes about the humor and good grace with which he deals with difficult and painful situations, but I brought him the wrong kind of coffee at a reading he did in a store I worked at and he flipped his fucking shit and tried to get me fired.
Two weeks later, Courtney Love's mother came into the store and somehow managed to be a more decent human being.
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Post by Nadine Hurley on Feb 8, 2013 13:05:38 GMT -8
He all writes about the humor and good grace with which he deals with difficult and painful situations, but I brought him the wrong kind of coffee at a reading he did in a store I worked at and he flipped his fucking shit and tried to get me fired. Two weeks later, Courtney Love's mother came into the store and somehow managed to be a more decent human being. Ick! I've seen him talk in interviews about how he would never be friends with someone like himself. It's a shame that there seems to be a trend amongst seemingly hillairous/fun famous people being super douchey (Jim Carrey, Mike Meyers, Will Farrell, etc.). |
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Post by J. Walter Weatherman on Feb 9, 2013 10:44:26 GMT -8
Drew! I must know if you've read A Memory of Light!
Also, on the sci-fi front, I just finished Dan Simmons most recent work, Flashback. Its pretty much a hard-boiled detective/dystopian novel in 2045, about 25 years after The Day It All It the Fan. 365 million americans are addicted to reliving the days prior to that by using flashback, and the whole world has gone to shit.
I highly recommend it.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Feb 9, 2013 14:06:50 GMT -8
I didn't even know there was a new Simmons, that's awesome. I loved the Hyperion/Endymion cantos and Ilium was so fucking insane it was great. Still need to read The Terror, though.
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Post by J. Walter Weatherman on Feb 9, 2013 15:02:29 GMT -8
Oh my god yes!!!! The hyperion cantos is my favorite book series, with Ilium and Olympos coming in not too far behind. Plus I work at a used bookstore so I get to collect all the original hardbacks. You should totally read Flashback. Its funny that he went to near future after writing three historical fiction novels.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Feb 9, 2013 15:04:51 GMT -8
I'd welcome him back with open arms, SF always seemed to be his strong suit.
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Post by J. Walter Weatherman on Feb 9, 2013 15:06:37 GMT -8
Absolutely, but I've loved everything I've read of his, even the Joe Kurtz novels. Nothing will ever topple Hyperion though, the universe is just too fucking cool, not to mention the story.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Feb 9, 2013 15:08:26 GMT -8
The Fall of Hyperion is probably in my top 5, and Hyperion/Endymion are both top 15 easily. Such a rich, detailed universe and an amazingly compelling narrative.
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