I think I get the point of the book.... I think.... I could be completely wrong though, but here's my take on it:
The curse that the book refers to that anyone who hears or says the name of a certain ship captain who (hint) "sailed the ocean blue", I think has to do exactly with the concepts that came along with him. Another website says about him, "He was the original frontiersman who challenged the unknown sea and brought back stories that fired the imagination of a new beginning where all would be possible."
Well, haven't you felt a bit cursed too since you got the history lesson in Elementary school? When you felt you lived in a world with little left to be discovered, but somehow you had to discover SOMETHING? I don't know about you, but I have. It's like the main theme in "The Cheese Monkeys" by Chip Kidd, the human condition means always looking for the next best thing, trying to be the best you can possibly be, not settling for anything less than BETTER. Suddenly, good is never good enough. We live in an age where "Good is dead". Great is the only option. And perhaps it's that same condition that creates the curse. Once we realize good is dead, and we want something more, that we might deserve something more, we will never be able to let that go, never be satisfied until we die.
And as a result, the more people we come in contact with with our "be somebody" mentality, the more we spread the curse to affect them as well. Sorry, reader. I may have cursed you. But Junot did it to me, so blame him. Again, I could be wrong though.
Overall, great book, but I could also see it as the equivalent of a Jackson Pollock painting... Only great if you chose to interpret it as something moving. I'd like to think that I took something from it, if not just a new interest in the history of the dominican republic.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Problem with Redheads
according to Tom Robbins' "Still Life with Woodpecker":
"The 12 Most Famous Redheads:
1. Lucille Ball, comedienne
2. Gen. George Custer, military maverick
3. Lizzie Borden, hatchetwoman
4. Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary
5. Red Skelton, comic
6. George Bernard Shaw, playwright
7. Judas Iscariot, informer .... aka, Judas Iscarrot-top
8. Mark Twain, humorist
9. Woody Allen, humorist
10. Margeret Sanger, feminist
11. Edna St. Vincent Millay, libertine poet
12. Bernard Mickey Wrangle, bomber
From this list, the analytically minded might conclude that persons with red hair tend to be either dangerous or funny."
"redheads are the result of sugar and lust"
after explaining the possible origin of Redheads:
"So redheads are either descendants of the demigods or are potential demigods. That's nice. I like that."
I like that, too, Tom.
I've decided to start dedicating an individual post to each book from now on. I rate 'Still Life with Woodpecker' an easy 10. Any book that successfully makes redheads out to be simultaneous outlaws and heroes, while claiming that Blondes are terrorists from the planet Argon is a winner with me. Tom Robbins is absolutely an absolutely hilarious genius. This is the first author I've thought I have to meet this person, hear them speak at a conference or somehow find an upcoming booksigning. He's also the only writer who has made me laugh out loud. I'll definitely be reading more of him.
"The 12 Most Famous Redheads:
1. Lucille Ball, comedienne
2. Gen. George Custer, military maverick
3. Lizzie Borden, hatchetwoman
4. Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary
5. Red Skelton, comic
6. George Bernard Shaw, playwright
7. Judas Iscariot, informer .... aka, Judas Iscarrot-top
8. Mark Twain, humorist
9. Woody Allen, humorist
10. Margeret Sanger, feminist
11. Edna St. Vincent Millay, libertine poet
12. Bernard Mickey Wrangle, bomber
From this list, the analytically minded might conclude that persons with red hair tend to be either dangerous or funny."
"redheads are the result of sugar and lust"
after explaining the possible origin of Redheads:
"So redheads are either descendants of the demigods or are potential demigods. That's nice. I like that."
I like that, too, Tom.
I've decided to start dedicating an individual post to each book from now on. I rate 'Still Life with Woodpecker' an easy 10. Any book that successfully makes redheads out to be simultaneous outlaws and heroes, while claiming that Blondes are terrorists from the planet Argon is a winner with me. Tom Robbins is absolutely an absolutely hilarious genius. This is the first author I've thought I have to meet this person, hear them speak at a conference or somehow find an upcoming booksigning. He's also the only writer who has made me laugh out loud. I'll definitely be reading more of him.
Monday, March 9, 2009
2009 Book list
My New Year's Resolution this year was to read 5 books, as I couldn't remember the last time I had read. Well, it hasn't even been 2 months and I've met that goal. I've caught the reading bug now and can't imagine giving it up. I might as well keep a list of the books I've read this year.
In order of read:
(enjoyment rating scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest)
Firmin by Sam Savage (4) - The story of a mouse that lived in a used bookstore in a rundown urban area, learned to read, and became aware of his mortality and the his crumbling surroundings. I liked the author's humor in his writing style, and the book was entertaining at times. The subject of poverty and mortality was a bit morose, but realistic. I'd recommend it to someone of dark humor that enjoys literary references that doesn't mind continually being asked, "what does it all mean?"
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (10) - Of course you know what it's about, and why wouldn't it be a 10? An author cool enough to have 4 initials is inevitably going to produce coolness. I realized there's actually a bit of a science fiction nerd in me after all. I will definitely be reading the Lord of the Ring books, but decided not to jump into them immediately afterwards in order to give a sense of 'lapsed time' just as intended between the two works.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (10) - Okay, so, I'm a sellout and read a bestseller chick-lit paperback, I kinda hated myself when I bought it too. But seriously, if you're a 20 / 30 something woman trying to find your "career path", You'd understand why this book became a bestseller. It's hilarious, just girly enough while maintaining a bit of "hear me roar" feminism, a really easy read, and while it didn't change my view on the world, it made me feel good to be reading a book for entertainment rather than watching the "mass appeal" equivalent on tv.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (8) - When I sell out, I go all out. The way the first book ended MADE me go out and purchase the next one. You literally fall in love with the characters, they became like great friends, and I didn't want to let them go with the first book, so I got the second in the series. The characters were all still there, so I was happy, the situations were as equally entertaining/embarassing, but I will admit, I felt like how much more credit card debt can this girl take? So, the main theme got a little exhausted with me. I will eventually read the next book in the series, but because this one wasn't a 10 like the last, I thought I should take a break from it.
The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd (10) - About a male Freshman Art Student in the 1950's taking one of the first Graphic Design courses offered at a Pennsylvania college with a professor who is the equivalent of Simon Cowell. Although it was based in the '50s, it took me back to some of those same freshman year feelings as a music major. The fact that I'm interested in graphic design didn't hurt either, oh yeah, and I caught all of those PA references in the book. Also, I figured out what a 'cheese monkey' is, and that makes the book an instant classic to me. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any adult with a background/interest in the arts.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (10) - Gotta love the classic chick lit! I thought it would be a much harder read due to that fact, but I think I'm more Victorian era fluent than I thought. I've always been told I have an old soul, and I think it founds its origin. This book reminded me a lot of the Sound of Music, but without the Nazi's and the music. So, probably not like the Sound of Music at all, but to each their own.
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins (10)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (8)
Next up, Fool by Christopher Moore
To come:
The Soloist - Steve Lopez (own it)
Lush Life - Richard Price (own it)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (own it)
Flatland / Sphereland / Flatterland
The Awakening - Kate Chopin (own it)
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Northhanger Abbey - Jane Austen; after I've gotten in some more victorian gothic
The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien (own it)
The Road
Wicked (own it)
some David Sedaris *recommended by jus
some James Joyce
...and counting. open to suggestions. let's talk books.
In order of read:
(enjoyment rating scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest)
Firmin by Sam Savage (4) - The story of a mouse that lived in a used bookstore in a rundown urban area, learned to read, and became aware of his mortality and the his crumbling surroundings. I liked the author's humor in his writing style, and the book was entertaining at times. The subject of poverty and mortality was a bit morose, but realistic. I'd recommend it to someone of dark humor that enjoys literary references that doesn't mind continually being asked, "what does it all mean?"
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien (10) - Of course you know what it's about, and why wouldn't it be a 10? An author cool enough to have 4 initials is inevitably going to produce coolness. I realized there's actually a bit of a science fiction nerd in me after all. I will definitely be reading the Lord of the Ring books, but decided not to jump into them immediately afterwards in order to give a sense of 'lapsed time' just as intended between the two works.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (10) - Okay, so, I'm a sellout and read a bestseller chick-lit paperback, I kinda hated myself when I bought it too. But seriously, if you're a 20 / 30 something woman trying to find your "career path", You'd understand why this book became a bestseller. It's hilarious, just girly enough while maintaining a bit of "hear me roar" feminism, a really easy read, and while it didn't change my view on the world, it made me feel good to be reading a book for entertainment rather than watching the "mass appeal" equivalent on tv.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (8) - When I sell out, I go all out. The way the first book ended MADE me go out and purchase the next one. You literally fall in love with the characters, they became like great friends, and I didn't want to let them go with the first book, so I got the second in the series. The characters were all still there, so I was happy, the situations were as equally entertaining/embarassing, but I will admit, I felt like how much more credit card debt can this girl take? So, the main theme got a little exhausted with me. I will eventually read the next book in the series, but because this one wasn't a 10 like the last, I thought I should take a break from it.
The Cheese Monkeys by Chip Kidd (10) - About a male Freshman Art Student in the 1950's taking one of the first Graphic Design courses offered at a Pennsylvania college with a professor who is the equivalent of Simon Cowell. Although it was based in the '50s, it took me back to some of those same freshman year feelings as a music major. The fact that I'm interested in graphic design didn't hurt either, oh yeah, and I caught all of those PA references in the book. Also, I figured out what a 'cheese monkey' is, and that makes the book an instant classic to me. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any adult with a background/interest in the arts.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (10) - Gotta love the classic chick lit! I thought it would be a much harder read due to that fact, but I think I'm more Victorian era fluent than I thought. I've always been told I have an old soul, and I think it founds its origin. This book reminded me a lot of the Sound of Music, but without the Nazi's and the music. So, probably not like the Sound of Music at all, but to each their own.
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins (10)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (8)
Next up, Fool by Christopher Moore
To come:
The Soloist - Steve Lopez (own it)
Lush Life - Richard Price (own it)
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (own it)
Flatland / Sphereland / Flatterland
The Awakening - Kate Chopin (own it)
The Mysteries of Udolpho
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Northhanger Abbey - Jane Austen; after I've gotten in some more victorian gothic
The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien (own it)
The Road
Wicked (own it)
some David Sedaris *recommended by jus
some James Joyce
...and counting. open to suggestions. let's talk books.
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