This is Post-modern with a big capital P. Trey has gone to great lengths to try and cram (or ruin if you will) this book with upside-down bits, things...moreThis is Post-modern with a big capital P. Trey has gone to great lengths to try and cram (or ruin if you will) this book with upside-down bits, things like a whole multiple choice test paper as a character sits an exam (didn’t read) and a complex structure; two fictional writers writing one story which is the novel ‘platitudes and sharing ideas with each other thing. It sort of works only because Trey Ellis can actually write good prose under both these guises and the characters are still sort of likeable. I found the exchanges between the two writers the lowlight, especially the feminist chick who always seems to come in just as things get going…but that’s the annoying thing about po-mo; you’re not meant to get comfortable right? The Black Aesthetic essay at the end is interesting and it is refreshing to read a hip young people’s novel from the black middle class which is what this is 80% of the time. Worth a try if you find it in an op shop somewhere and the above musing don’t put you off..(less)
It takes a lot of skill to write a book with an unlikeable character that people still want to read. Austen did it with Emma and Bret Easton Ellis’ Am...moreIt takes a lot of skill to write a book with an unlikeable character that people still want to read. Austen did it with Emma and Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho also comes to mind. Nicholas who won’t be in photos and controls/manipulates all aspects of his image compulsively is not quite in the same league. This combined with a very tired ‘brother with the flashback’ structure make for a trying, if brief read.
This book contains way too much pointless jet setting and foreign culture references. Asia was quite in vogue in the 80s and one can’t help but cringe at how basic and shallow these references now seem. Jay Mcinerney’s Ransom is guilty of a similar indulgence but his wit and genuine passion for the culture redeems when read in context. Can’t say the same for Coe who drops way too kimono and netsuke references but also uses the unflattering terms ‘chink’ and Jap 6 and 4 times respectively on just one page (not just by the vain annoying brother either).
Where this book earns its two stars is in its reflections on the queer lifestyle. The side of Nicholas that I found interesting is how his life as a picture of beauty and constantly kept man gradually reversed with age until he finds himself paying for sex. The casual nitrate references and playful queer banter rang a lot truer than another Vintage Contemporary book I read: Dancing in the Dark although I liked that one more for its ambition and retro 80s feel. Coe’s physical descriptions of Nicholas somewhat remind me of Orlando Bloom as Legolas which is another interesting point you might like to reflect on before picking this up. It’s a shame he wasn’t able to make a more potent literary statement before his passing from Aids a few years after writing this. (less)
To be fair war/historical novels are not my usual fare. The copy of this I read used to belong to my grandfather, a WWII veteran (not sure if he ever...moreTo be fair war/historical novels are not my usual fare. The copy of this I read used to belong to my grandfather, a WWII veteran (not sure if he ever opened it though) and having read Crash I was interested in how Ballard would tackle the subject.
I tried and tried to like this novel. Unfortunately I couldn’t help finding main character Jim’s account of the war around him repetitive and rather annoying. Endless examples of his innocence distorting the realities of his situation throughout the novel ensue as he observes bargirls & beggars & the Japanese. There were patches where I managed to get drawn into the story but considering how much personal experience Ballard had to draw from I was ultimately left under whelmed by what could’ve been. (less)
Rubicon Beach is a book that will divide opinion (or would’ve in the 80’s before it faded into obscurity). Sometimes Erickson creates haunting and sur...moreRubicon Beach is a book that will divide opinion (or would’ve in the 80’s before it faded into obscurity). Sometimes Erickson creates haunting and surreal scenes that stay with you hours after you have read them and other times the passages feel flat as if he is simply recounting his dreams in a ‘this happened, then this happened’ kind of way. Sometimes it feels like Erickson knows exactly what he is doing and is building up to a greater purpose, dropping scenes so vivid and twisted they will melt your brain. Other times this book feels like three novels worth of ideas, all of different genres, mashed together in a way that just happens to come across as deep and clever. Whatever the point of the book is it feels unique and has enough common threads to hold it together as a compelling read. Just when you think you can pin down his literary references eg ‘William S. Burroughs with an editor’ or ‘1984 meets Pocahontas’ he switches it all up again to a totally different decade and genre. Not the sort of book I would pick up if not for the reliable vintage contemporaries cover but I was glad to go along for the ride all the same.(less)
I was so sure I would like this book. Countless books I have read this year have made reference to it and the story of a 15 year old French girl in In...moreI was so sure I would like this book. Countless books I have read this year have made reference to it and the story of a 15 year old French girl in Indochina taking a much older Chinese man as her lover had potential. Its very abstract in its structure and trades heavily on emotion. Unfortunately I failed to make any sort of emotional connection meaning there wasnt much else for me to enjoy. Im still convinced there is something good here and maybe I will try again in a few years..(less)
This book is definitely a product of its time and should be read in its 80s context to be enjoyed. The central focus of this novel is a marriage betwe...moreThis book is definitely a product of its time and should be read in its 80s context to be enjoyed. The central focus of this novel is a marriage between Isabella and Morgan that has welcomed a third party; homosexual Claudio into their everyday domestic life. Hobhouse’s writing style is unusual but not exactly in a good way, coming off as a reporter describing a scene rather than a writer creating one. This seems to give her characters a lack of depth and she uses racial and limp-wrist stereotypes a little more than necessary. That said the book does a fair job of chronicling the social change of the 80s that saw homosexuals become more accepted in general society (albeit with lingering unease for some) as well as the perceptions of sexual freedom in the gay community. The nightclub/gaybar scenes are pure 80s and make me wish this got filmed as a movie..even a telemovie (except maybe the gay-fucking room part).(less)
This is the first time I’ve been disappointed by a Murakami book. It wasn’t terrible...I just didn’t feel like I was floating on a cloud like I did ev...moreThis is the first time I’ve been disappointed by a Murakami book. It wasn’t terrible...I just didn’t feel like I was floating on a cloud like I did every other one of his books. I notice that this is an earlier work so it is possible he was still getting comfortable with his style. Also the translator Alfred Birnbaum is different to all the works I have read previously so that could have something to do with it. I didn’t dislike the plot but found there to be a few too many coincidences and the ending to be quite poor… There were still glimpses of what has since come in Murakami’s superior later works but unfortunately this one wasn’t as great…(less)
This collection begins with a handful of Carver’s essays on writing that touch on how he refined his craft, influences, mentors etc and that leave no...moreThis collection begins with a handful of Carver’s essays on writing that touch on how he refined his craft, influences, mentors etc and that leave no doubt he knew what he was doing with every word in every sentence. Next up are poems – while I’m not very well equipped to review these critically I definitely enjoyed them – covering a variety of topics from salmon to old photographs, even one as a sort of parody of contemporary Charles Bukowski (a highlight). The final pages comprise several of Carvers short stories including earlier versions of what would be published in ‘What we talk about when we talk about love’. No short story is quite like a Carver short story and I can’t help but gush at how much I enjoyed them. ‘Fires’ is both a great introduction to Carver and a great excuse to explore his work further for those who already know what to expect.(less)
The first half of this collection focuses on the adventures of southern junior Sugar Mecklin while the second is made up of varied stories each with i...moreThe first half of this collection focuses on the adventures of southern junior Sugar Mecklin while the second is made up of varied stories each with its own set of characters. Some of the Sugar stories were a bit boring but otherwise Nordan managed to make me grin, snigger and feel physically grossed out as I made my way through this slender volume. Essential stories are 'John Thomas Bird' and of course 'The All-Girl Football Team'- not just a ripper title but so arresting I had a dream about it the night after reading. With a fair blend of unpredictability and harmony across the stories it’s worthwhile tracking down despite its flaws. (less)
This is not really about breaking an entering as much as it is a slow, lingering study of certain characters existing in sunny Florida..you know like...moreThis is not really about breaking an entering as much as it is a slow, lingering study of certain characters existing in sunny Florida..you know like your standard arhouse cinema fare but in book form! I think i was expecting too much here. Florida is in my top 3 dream holiday destinations thanks to Miami Vice and whilst there are plently of big mansions, swaying palm trees and other exotic fare..I wish I read it on a beach not commuting on a train. Joy is a unique writer and the story was punctuated with many witty phrases and quirky ideas but the central characters willie and liberty just didnt draw me in as needed to justify this books lenght. Im sure similar insights couldve been given in a 30 page short story and while I think her short fiction is likely to be more rewarding given her strenghts here this book hasn't done anything to inspire me to seek it out..(less)
Sometimes I like to read long forgotten books in the hope of discovering a hidden gem, especially if they have that delightfully retro white Vintage C...moreSometimes I like to read long forgotten books in the hope of discovering a hidden gem, especially if they have that delightfully retro white Vintage Contemporaries cover. There is no doubt Robert Olmstead is an extremely talented writer but sometimes that just isn’t enough. It was enough to make me read this in two sittings hanging off every word but that was only to find that nothing much happens and then feel rather cheated. It’s a small rural town in New England and the pace is certainly country style. There are just various quirky characters that interact for most of it. You have to wait 200 pages for some real complications and they are resolved way too quickly and cleanly in the last 30 or so. I’m sure Olmstead’s work has improved from this early effort but it’s not high up on my to-read list to find out any time soon.(less)
Certainly not a light read but Carver is still as sharp and precise as ever. Favourites for me were the title story and in particular; fever. Fans of...moreCertainly not a light read but Carver is still as sharp and precise as ever. Favourites for me were the title story and in particular; fever. Fans of What we talk about when we talk about love will enjoy an expanded version of The Bath about little Timmy and the cake baker. Not quite as perfect as the afore mentioned Carver classic but not by much. Fix yourself a scotch & water and immerse yourself in these perfectly rendered tales of broken marriages and broken dreams.(less)
Sometimes I was really enjoying this. Its about 100 pages too long and all the young men with throbbing erections ingesting opium and having anal sex...moreSometimes I was really enjoying this. Its about 100 pages too long and all the young men with throbbing erections ingesting opium and having anal sex got a little repetative. When it was good it was good though - worth a read if you're into WSB or don't object to books with no real plot.(less)
Hobhouse has a reputation amongst those who would even remember her to have produced some patchy novels. I made it through her first Dancing in the Da...moreHobhouse has a reputation amongst those who would even remember her to have produced some patchy novels. I made it through her first Dancing in the Dark because despite its flaws she preented many interesting ideas about marriage, homosexuality, moral boundaries and attempted to address some of the cultural shifts during the 80s. Where this book failed is thats its about not much and just makes you want to sleep instead of reading it.. Also the lead character is a man without a country which according to my friend Art is a sure sign of a bad novel..this is the second time the phrase has rung true!(less)
Fans of the previous 2 rats books may be disappointed by the lack of elaborate rat killing scenarios as Herbert tries (and fails) to develop his story...moreFans of the previous 2 rats books may be disappointed by the lack of elaborate rat killing scenarios as Herbert tries (and fails) to develop his story and characters instead. Has its moments but don't expect another rats 1..(less)
Bright Lights Big City is a very funny book despite its sometimes dark subject matter. Jay uses second person narration to great effect without it com...moreBright Lights Big City is a very funny book despite its sometimes dark subject matter. Jay uses second person narration to great effect without it coming across as a gimmick. This is the original 80's novel, a must for fans of the decade or those interested in modern literature.(less)
A sometimes interesting, often uninspiring and particularly brief collection of short fiction. One or two of the stories were ok but mostly it was jus...moreA sometimes interesting, often uninspiring and particularly brief collection of short fiction. One or two of the stories were ok but mostly it was just fluff. For good Australian short fiction from the 80s read 'The Bodysurfers' by Robert Drewe instead.(less)
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