Jayson’s Reviews > Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure > Status Update
Jayson
is finished
Notes:
(1) The main takeaway from Chabon's afterword is how the book was originally titled "Jews With Swords."
- Ironic, since neither protagonist, the Jews in question, actually carries a sword.
(2) It wasn't my intention, but I haven't touched on plot or characters at all in these updates.
- Though, to be fair, story wasn't Chabon's priority or object of attention either.
— Jan 16, 2025 07:45PM
Notes:
(1) The main takeaway from Chabon's afterword is how the book was originally titled "Jews With Swords."
- Ironic, since neither protagonist, the Jews in question, actually carries a sword.
(2) It wasn't my intention, but I haven't touched on plot or characters at all in these updates.
- Though, to be fair, story wasn't Chabon's priority or object of attention either.
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Jayson’s Previous Updates
Jayson
is 75% done
Notes:
(1) "'The offer to join us was a simple one, really,' Joseph Hirkanos said ... 'But I divine that you find a way to complicate everything.'"
- Chabon writing about himself, apparently.
(2) Listening to this audiobook is like trying to transcribe a phone tap.
- Lots of rewinding to catch whether sounds are phrases or names or jargon or just needless baroque verbosity.
— Jan 13, 2025 04:15PM
Notes:
(1) "'The offer to join us was a simple one, really,' Joseph Hirkanos said ... 'But I divine that you find a way to complicate everything.'"
- Chabon writing about himself, apparently.
(2) Listening to this audiobook is like trying to transcribe a phone tap.
- Lots of rewinding to catch whether sounds are phrases or names or jargon or just needless baroque verbosity.
Jayson
is 50% done
Notes:
(1) If I may coin a term, this novel is the foremost example I know of "unliterature."
- The purpose of literature, as Stephen King put it, is telepathy: to convey information nonverbally, through written words.
- Chabon does not do this. His primary intention is not to be clearly understood, but to hot-dog byzantine vocabulary.
- Escapist pulp adventure this is not.
— Jan 12, 2025 02:00PM
Notes:
(1) If I may coin a term, this novel is the foremost example I know of "unliterature."
- The purpose of literature, as Stephen King put it, is telepathy: to convey information nonverbally, through written words.
- Chabon does not do this. His primary intention is not to be clearly understood, but to hot-dog byzantine vocabulary.
- Escapist pulp adventure this is not.
Jayson
is 26% done
Notes:
(1) "If I am mistaken as to the actual nature of your lower extremities, I beg you to join me in the courtyard of this house, at your leisure but preferably soon, so that, with the pedagogical instrument of your choice, you may educate me."
- Ugh... if I had to translate this, I'd guess: "If you have the balls to teach me a lesson, pick your weapon and step outside."
— Jan 09, 2025 01:35PM
Notes:
(1) "If I am mistaken as to the actual nature of your lower extremities, I beg you to join me in the courtyard of this house, at your leisure but preferably soon, so that, with the pedagogical instrument of your choice, you may educate me."
- Ugh... if I had to translate this, I'd guess: "If you have the balls to teach me a lesson, pick your weapon and step outside."
Jayson
is starting
Notes:
(1) I hated this the first time around, and I don't like to reread books I know I won't like, but it's fairly short, available right now at my library, and I need something to listen to.
- Since you can never give 100% attention to audiobooks while doing other things, mine must all be rereads so I'm familiar with them and won't have to concentrate too hard on the go.
— Jan 02, 2025 11:30AM
Notes:
(1) I hated this the first time around, and I don't like to reread books I know I won't like, but it's fairly short, available right now at my library, and I need something to listen to.
- Since you can never give 100% attention to audiobooks while doing other things, mine must all be rereads so I'm familiar with them and won't have to concentrate too hard on the go.
