Barry Stewart Levy's Blog, page 13
June 11, 2018
Book Review #48
Letters to a Young Poet
by Rainer Maria Rilke
I read this book years ago. I recently reread it. And then, because there is so much in this slim volume, I read it again. The letters to the young, aspiring poet are lovely, passionate and heartfelt. Funny how a book you've read earlier in your life can take on an entirely different meaning later on. There are passages that I found particularly moving, as if Rilke were speaking directly to me. I am sure that I am not the only reader to feel that way and to feel that connection.
by Rainer Maria Rilke
I read this book years ago. I recently reread it. And then, because there is so much in this slim volume, I read it again. The letters to the young, aspiring poet are lovely, passionate and heartfelt. Funny how a book you've read earlier in your life can take on an entirely different meaning later on. There are passages that I found particularly moving, as if Rilke were speaking directly to me. I am sure that I am not the only reader to feel that way and to feel that connection.
Book Review #47
Leaving the Atocha Station
by Ben Lerner
I do not understand the raves for this book or why readers found it hilarious. I found the first half of the novel tediously written with repetitious, arch and awkward sentences which came across as if they had been badly translated from a foreign language. The second half picked up when I learned that the narrator was bipolar. I laughed a few times and cringed when he had to read his poetry in public. So I finally did develop some empathy for him despite the fact that he was unlikeable, lazy and perpetually stoned. I also liked the uplifting ending which seemed earned and not tagged on. However, if I could have, I would have given the novel two and and a half not three stars. But, to paraphrase the main character, "whatever..."
by Ben Lerner
I do not understand the raves for this book or why readers found it hilarious. I found the first half of the novel tediously written with repetitious, arch and awkward sentences which came across as if they had been badly translated from a foreign language. The second half picked up when I learned that the narrator was bipolar. I laughed a few times and cringed when he had to read his poetry in public. So I finally did develop some empathy for him despite the fact that he was unlikeable, lazy and perpetually stoned. I also liked the uplifting ending which seemed earned and not tagged on. However, if I could have, I would have given the novel two and and a half not three stars. But, to paraphrase the main character, "whatever..."
Book Review #46
The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar
by Robert Alexander
This is a highly readable and suspenseful story with an undercurrent of dread running throughout, as we await the killing of the Romanovs. In fact as the time of their execution approached, I put down the book several times as if to ward off their imminent deaths, which, when they finally arrived, were described in surprisingly coarse language, as if seen through the eyes of their killers. The brutality of their murders was all the more disturbing due of the empathy shown towards the royal family throughout by the author and the kitchen boy who narrates the tale. Also, the book concludes with a ridiculous twist that nearly ruined my enjoyment of this otherwise compelling and well written historical novel.
by Robert Alexander
This is a highly readable and suspenseful story with an undercurrent of dread running throughout, as we await the killing of the Romanovs. In fact as the time of their execution approached, I put down the book several times as if to ward off their imminent deaths, which, when they finally arrived, were described in surprisingly coarse language, as if seen through the eyes of their killers. The brutality of their murders was all the more disturbing due of the empathy shown towards the royal family throughout by the author and the kitchen boy who narrates the tale. Also, the book concludes with a ridiculous twist that nearly ruined my enjoyment of this otherwise compelling and well written historical novel.
Book Review #45
Just Kids
by Patti Smith
Full disclosure: Patti Smith is one of my favorite people on the planet. I've seen her perform, read her books of poetry and song lyrics, and listened to her music from the '70's through the present day.
This book is a lovely, evocative, heartfelt and ultimately heartbreaking memoir of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, her lover, muse, and kindred spirit.
As a native New Yorker, it was also for me a nostalgic trip through the city's past, to eateries and bookstores, to Warhol's Factory and Max's Kansas City and Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis and Ginsberg and Burroughs and on and on.
The book is a loving tribute to Robert Mapplethorpe and a testament to Patti Smith's passion for creating art. Who could ask for more than that? Not Patti. Not Robert. Not anyone who has loved and lost. Or who knows -- or wonders -- what it means to be an artist.
by Patti Smith
Full disclosure: Patti Smith is one of my favorite people on the planet. I've seen her perform, read her books of poetry and song lyrics, and listened to her music from the '70's through the present day.
This book is a lovely, evocative, heartfelt and ultimately heartbreaking memoir of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, her lover, muse, and kindred spirit.
As a native New Yorker, it was also for me a nostalgic trip through the city's past, to eateries and bookstores, to Warhol's Factory and Max's Kansas City and Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis and Ginsberg and Burroughs and on and on.
The book is a loving tribute to Robert Mapplethorpe and a testament to Patti Smith's passion for creating art. Who could ask for more than that? Not Patti. Not Robert. Not anyone who has loved and lost. Or who knows -- or wonders -- what it means to be an artist.
Book Review #44
I Refuse
by Per Petterson
While this is a better and much more expansively written book than "Ashes in My Mouth, Sand in My Shoes," it cannot touch the brilliance of "Out Stealing Horses" which is one of the best novels I've read in years and deserving of all of its awards.
Although there are some lovely, affecting, stream-of-consciousness passages in "I Refuse," amid its mournful tone, the story feels unfocused and the reason for the rift between the two main characters unclear, as well as what causes one of them to suffer a suicidal mental collapse.
Ironically, this book made me appreciate "Out Stealing Horses" even more.
by Per Petterson
While this is a better and much more expansively written book than "Ashes in My Mouth, Sand in My Shoes," it cannot touch the brilliance of "Out Stealing Horses" which is one of the best novels I've read in years and deserving of all of its awards.
Although there are some lovely, affecting, stream-of-consciousness passages in "I Refuse," amid its mournful tone, the story feels unfocused and the reason for the rift between the two main characters unclear, as well as what causes one of them to suffer a suicidal mental collapse.
Ironically, this book made me appreciate "Out Stealing Horses" even more.
Book Review #43
Hunters in the Dark
by Lawrence Osborne
A twisty, suspenseful tale of stolen identities, betrayal and karmic justice. This is the third novel by Lawrence Osborne that I've read and as with "The Forgiven" (excellent) and "The Ballad of a Small Player" (very good) it, too, is convincingly atmospheric and imbued with a sense of dread, though I often found the language in this latest novel heavy-handed, with too many descriptions and forebodings of death and decay. To cite two examples, Robert's last name is Grieve and his driver is Mr. Deth. Also, it is nearly always dark and rainy; the Cambodian temples are in ruins; the foliage is rotting; and the various denizens are mostly sinister, corrupt and predatory. All of this becomes a bit much after awhile. But what really put me off was the book's sloppy editing. Simon's last name is Beauchamp. But the first time we see it in print, it is spelled Beaucamp. Later, when Simon appropriates Robert's identity, he refers to himself as Robert O'Grieve. Why? Where did the "O" come from? But what really disturbed me -- and I read these passages over and over -- was when Dr. Sars meets Robert for the first time, he addresses him as Robert -- but when the young man arrives for dinner at his home, he greets him as Simon. I found this maddening and distracting, and it hindered my enjoyment of an otherwise dark and intriguing tale of deception and karmic destiny.
by Lawrence Osborne
A twisty, suspenseful tale of stolen identities, betrayal and karmic justice. This is the third novel by Lawrence Osborne that I've read and as with "The Forgiven" (excellent) and "The Ballad of a Small Player" (very good) it, too, is convincingly atmospheric and imbued with a sense of dread, though I often found the language in this latest novel heavy-handed, with too many descriptions and forebodings of death and decay. To cite two examples, Robert's last name is Grieve and his driver is Mr. Deth. Also, it is nearly always dark and rainy; the Cambodian temples are in ruins; the foliage is rotting; and the various denizens are mostly sinister, corrupt and predatory. All of this becomes a bit much after awhile. But what really put me off was the book's sloppy editing. Simon's last name is Beauchamp. But the first time we see it in print, it is spelled Beaucamp. Later, when Simon appropriates Robert's identity, he refers to himself as Robert O'Grieve. Why? Where did the "O" come from? But what really disturbed me -- and I read these passages over and over -- was when Dr. Sars meets Robert for the first time, he addresses him as Robert -- but when the young man arrives for dinner at his home, he greets him as Simon. I found this maddening and distracting, and it hindered my enjoyment of an otherwise dark and intriguing tale of deception and karmic destiny.
Book Review #42
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Darkly entertaining, exciting, suspenseful, with a clever, satisfying ending.
by Suzanne Collins
Darkly entertaining, exciting, suspenseful, with a clever, satisfying ending.
Book Review #41
The Hidden School: Return of the Peaceful Warrior
by Dan Millman
It's a good book, a nice read and an inspirational one that becomes more spiritually introspective as Millman journeys from the United States to China and finally to Japan. A must-read for anyone who has read his earlier works in this series.
by Dan Millman
It's a good book, a nice read and an inspirational one that becomes more spiritually introspective as Millman journeys from the United States to China and finally to Japan. A must-read for anyone who has read his earlier works in this series.
Kindle Giveaway!
From Thursday, June 14, 2018 through Tuesday, June 26, 2018 I will be giving away up to 100 free Kindle copies of my book "European Son: a novella."
May 23, 2018
Philip Roth
Philip Roth is dead at the age of 85. If memory serves I read only three of his books, "Portnoy's Complaint," "The Professor of Desire," and, my personal favorite, his Kafkaesque novella "The Breast" which concludes with one of the most meaningful lines, at least for me, that I've ever read in a work of fiction: "You must change your life." Rest in Peace.
