This was just...just...one of the most ridiculous books I've ever half-finished. I don't know what to say, except that if people really want to read t...moreThis was just...just...one of the most ridiculous books I've ever half-finished. I don't know what to say, except that if people really want to read this sort of ill thought out, cliche ridden parade of offenses, I despair. (less)
Alas. I only got a little more than half-way through before abandoning this. The forward was my favourite part of this book. I got it, I just didn't c...moreAlas. I only got a little more than half-way through before abandoning this. The forward was my favourite part of this book. I got it, I just didn't care that I got it. The grotesque cavalcade was relentless and depressing and I just couldn't hold on long enough to see it played out. (less)
One of my favourite books-- really a book I shouldn't like at all-- from the outside it seems reactionary, tedious-- an indulgent, unexamined portrait...moreOne of my favourite books-- really a book I shouldn't like at all-- from the outside it seems reactionary, tedious-- an indulgent, unexamined portrait of the ruling class. But the journey of this book is something much different. I think now that I live in England, I understand it better than I did the first time I approached this book. It is so human, so deliciously gossip-y, funny, profoundly tragic and full of life. I could read it again and again and never tire of it. (less)
I love this weird book, which is tedious in parts, unlikable sometimes and ambitious. I love that it devolves into this meta-spectacle, a celebration...moreI love this weird book, which is tedious in parts, unlikable sometimes and ambitious. I love that it devolves into this meta-spectacle, a celebration of DIY stagecraft and political happenings. It seems very much to me a celebration of something we have lost, this ability to create reality in real time, IRL with others, in a Temporary Autonomous Zone-- to make your own fun, without having to plug it in. Greasepaint, cardboard landscapes...
Also, the politics here, the meditation on the hybrid identity of the sons and daughters of immigrants, it is so different in the UK, which kind of stunted as far as these arguments are concerned. It makes me homesick for the vibrant identity politics of the US.
Not sure who the audience is for this book. Serious practitioners will find it all a bit superficial and scatter-shot, curious skeptics will find it e...moreNot sure who the audience is for this book. Serious practitioners will find it all a bit superficial and scatter-shot, curious skeptics will find it equally frustrating. It is poorly edited as well. The activities sections struck me as humorous-- as if they were written for children or perhaps it was going for some kind of Martha-Stewart style occult advice? I wish I could recommend this book, but I really can't. (less)
It's been a long time since I've been genuinely startled by a book. I found myself reading wide-eyed, my inner OMG firing. There is a lot of wonder an...moreIt's been a long time since I've been genuinely startled by a book. I found myself reading wide-eyed, my inner OMG firing. There is a lot of wonder and humor here-- I expected something wooden and maybe corny, given the premise is primarily historial anthropology and theoretical conjecture. But Wulf will remain in my mind as one of the most vivid characters of any fiction I've read. I can still hear his voice. The ending is bittersweet, given the fate of pagan mystic traditions-- not just on this island but all over the world. (less)
Jesse has done it again-- it's like a wild ride through a Breugel-Bosch fun fare attraction, but somehow manages to be deeply human at the same time a...moreJesse has done it again-- it's like a wild ride through a Breugel-Bosch fun fare attraction, but somehow manages to be deeply human at the same time and rooted in rich historical accuracy. Jo will be one of my favourite literary characters for many years to come-- maybe always.(less)
Despite its overwritten moments, I loved this book. I am not a big fan of Ballad, having read the companion to this, The Drowned World and Crash-- I f...moreDespite its overwritten moments, I loved this book. I am not a big fan of Ballad, having read the companion to this, The Drowned World and Crash-- I found both cold, alienating and hard to get through. But this novel is full of engaging characters put in fascinating situations. It is very cinematic and convincing. In the second half, I couldn't put it down. Now I see these thirsty characters every time I go to Waitrose or stand in line at the post office. How we would not help each other. (less)
I enjoyed this book-- it's world was very inviting and familiar. The protagonist reminded me very much of my younger self. The ending seemed odd to me...moreI enjoyed this book-- it's world was very inviting and familiar. The protagonist reminded me very much of my younger self. The ending seemed odd to me-- I felt I had missed something-- the hinge between reality and imagination remained creaky. (less)
I finished it, but found it absurd, and not in a good way. I initially enjoyed seeing the city where I used to live rendered so vividly, and there wer...moreI finished it, but found it absurd, and not in a good way. I initially enjoyed seeing the city where I used to live rendered so vividly, and there were some laughs but the plot made no sense to me and now, I couldn't figure out what the villain wanted or why, and a month or so after reading I actually forgot that I had read it. Alas, it showed so much promise. (less)
I loved this book-- a beautifully disturbing collection of fragments, writhing and intertwined, creating a mediation on love, suicide and desire. A br...moreI loved this book-- a beautifully disturbing collection of fragments, writhing and intertwined, creating a mediation on love, suicide and desire. A brilliant use of imitative form, a siren song about sirens, and in the most meta sense, the madness of writing a novel. (less)
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