How We Got Insipid [Hardcover]

This little book carries the same unique charm that Lethem's other short works have displayed. Being most similar, I think, to his novella "This Shape We're In", they share the strange atmosphere of mystery and prohibition. The strange subject matter or as sci-fi as his writing can tend to get, it's always harnessed and made palatable (and literary) by Lethem's prose and creativity--two aspects that keep me coming back to his work, no matter the subject, length, or critical press (which has usually been positive).

The two stories presented, "How We Got In Town and Out Again" and "The Insipid Profession of Jonathan Horneboom", are firmly set in two worlds that let the readers in through relatable narrative, but paint pictures (almost literally in the case of "Hornebloom") of inhospitable cultures. It's this distance created by this overwhelming sense of caution that gives poignancy to the stories that wouldn't be there if they were open-armed and welcoming.

These were stories published previously in "Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine" and "Full Spectrum S", respectively, though the real star is the longer "Horneboom". Published at the beginning of his career ("Horneboom" has echoes of "Gun, With Occasional Music") they are a great window looking back at the genesis of Lethem's professional writing. For those that know him from only "Motherless Brooklyn" and/or "Fortress Of Solitude", these two stories could be off-putting, but to actually shrink from them would be damaging to Lethem's character. Without weird stories such as these, or "Shape", or "Amnesia Moon", or "Gun", we wouldn't have the writer that Lethem is today, a man who (as evidenced by my title for the review) I hold in high regard. As the reader grows comfortable with these stories, it becomes apparent that the man that wrote these two stories, both overwhelmed by their quirkiness, is indeed the same man who wrote "Brooklyn" and "Fortress" as their respective quirks become even clearer in hindsight and with the reading of Lethem's other work. As Neil Young said of his own music, "It's all one song!" I think, in a way, the same could be said of what Lethem's trying to do with his work: everything is built around a stylistic thread continued from each previous endeavor, and even though the finished pieces don't necessarily look alike, the more you read the more of the thread you see.

These stories are weird, but worth the read even if you don't really understand them (I sure don't, I'm not much of a science-fiction aficionado). They are put into context by the sharp afterword Lethem wrote especially for the book. This short, four page conclusion gives more depth to the stories as it places them within the timeline of Lethem's career, as well as fleshing out what kind of person and writer Lethem is. He's not ashamed of revealing himself and his influences and does so with flags waving. He admits these are early examples of his work, but still finds the value in their existence (and points it out).

Packaged in a smart dust jacket adorned with artwork by (I'm guessing) his brother (who has work printed inside as well), this book would be enough to impress your friends and family just on looks alone. Luckily, with a writer like Lethem, what's inside will lead you to even more wonder, even if that wonder is more head-scratching than revelatory.

I really enjoyed this little book. I read it in one Saturday afternoon and wished for more. The stories are unusual, but I found them fun and interesting. Lent this book to my mother who called to say it was weird and she couldn't find a message in it, but that was part of the fun for me. The artwork is great and it is an attractive volume to display on your book shelf. Happy I bought it and will most likely read it again.

› Go to Amazon U.S. to see both reviews  4.0 out of 5 stars