book data
84 ratings,
4.18
average rating, 15 reviews
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published
July 6th 2004
by Pantheon
binding
Hardcover, 432 pages
isbn
0679442707
(isbn13: 9780679442707)
description
From the master chronicler of the marvelous and the confounding–author of Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder–here is a much-anticipated new collection of ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 125)
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5 stars (31)
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3 stars (11)
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1 star (1)
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avg 4.18
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
This is a rich collection of essays by a writer well-known to readers of the New Yorker. They mix issues of politics and the arts, opening ways of thinking about the value of the humanities. The opening essays are the strongest--probing the stillness of works of 17th-century Dutch painter Vermeer, whose work Weschler explores while covering the Bosnian genocide trials in the Hague; or examining Shakepeare's Henry V, and what is had to say about the treatment of prisoners of war, from the vantage...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
this is a great book. weschler is at his best in this sort of presentation: essays of variable length on pet topics that also somehow explore other pet topics (see also his phenomenal "everything that rises"). if you happen to be entranced by all things balkan (like myself), this book has the added bonus of dwelling often on post-yugoslavia issues and history. if you happen to be an artist or interested in the arts (like myself), this book has the added bonus of several extraordinar...more
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2 comments
Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
those bored looking for orwell in burma
A lot of these essays I could sort of take or leave, thus the three stars, which I guess is a rough average. There is some unbelievable five star quality stuff in here, though: the first section -- A Balkan Triptych -- is incredible, and there're some other very memorable things that I took to, like an essay about the specific quality of light in Los Angeles. The one on Jerzy Urban's good, too.
This is one of those books that reminds you of the world's hugeness and complexity, then so...more
This is one of those books that reminds you of the world's hugeness and complexity, then so...more
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Just shy of perfect, this book of essays is strongest at the beginning as it sets art in contrast to war crimes, and very gracefully describes how the creative act really does change the world, even if by the simple negation of a destructive act.
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Read in May, 2006
This book is a series of essays on different subjects. There is one on Roman Polanski that is very interesting, compelling and well-written. The human aspect of these essays give them their poignancy. The essay about the author and his daughter involved in a situation where he plays into her fantasy (she is about seven at the time) is very touching. The essay about the light in Los Angeles is enjoyable. The essay about the LA earthquake, Northridge in 1994 is intriguing especially concerning the...more
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Read in April, 2009
This book is certainly fascinating, but it helps if you already have a pretty solid knowledge of art and film (which I do not). That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Read in September, 2008
Interesting collection of essays that are thematically related. If you've never read this author before, this likely wouldn't be the choice for a first book. Wish I would have found a copy of Mr Wilson's Cabinet of Wonders to start with. However, if you like the kind of journalism that is regularly featured in Harpers, you will get something out of this book. Subjects covered include war, family and California artists.
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Read in September, 2007
I'm becoming a big Weschler fan -- I loved Everything that Rises. There are some excellent essays in this book, and I plan to read more Weschler soon. It also introduced me to the work of David Hockney -- fascinating stuff. And who doesn't love a transcript of a This American Life episode about the Borrowers?
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I went to hear Weschler speak right before this came out. He read the title piece, and it was very moving.
Afterwards, I went up and chatted with him. He said, "well, you know all this is pretty silly anyway. Really we should be talking about climate change, that's what will matter in 20 years."
Afterwards, I went up and chatted with him. He said, "well, you know all this is pretty silly anyway. Really we should be talking about climate change, that's what will matter in 20 years."
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Read in January, 2006
The author is a journalist, and this book is four different stories ranging from his experiences covering the trial of Slobodan Milosovicz to a retrospective of Roman Polanski. Great Read.
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Read in January, 2005
If you love reading good writing, then Lawrence Weschler is a MUST! Weschler makes non-fiction look easy. High Five, LW!
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super insightful book... filled with short stories, the most memorable one is the namesake 'vermeer in bosnia' for me.
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04/18/07
Colleen
is currently reading it
Read in January, 2007
I am a little less than half-way through this and I am completely fascinated....will update once finished
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Read in November, 2005
i would recommend reading weschler in small doses, reading this straight through gets old fast.
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Read in July, 2006
If I could write about art like Lawrence Weschler I could die a happy woman.
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