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Content by Finhill@ix.net...
Commentateur n° : 29,644
Votes Utiles:
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Reviews Written by
Finhill@ix.netcom.com (san jose, calif.)
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Reviewer Rank:
29644 |
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Look Homeward, Angel
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de Thomas Wolfe
Édition : Paperback |
| Price: CDN$ 24.00 |
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An extraordinary journey, Feb 24 1999
This novel, his first, captures perhaps more than any other debut the fantastic potential this young man would show in his later writings. There is an old maxim that states that one should write what he or she knows, and Thomas Wolfe did just that. Other writers, with less than sincere motives, portray their surroundings with cynicism and malice; Wolfe wrote with an idealism that is heartbreaking in its naivete. Eugene Gant, like his real life counterpart, is a young man overflowing with a passion for life. Wolfe captured perfectly the ebullient and sensitive nature of this youth. But more than that, he somehow managed to portray Youth itself, with all of its passions, heartaches, and fever. Wolfe was no less generous with his portrayals of the characters who made up his family and acquaintances, describing them through the eyes of one who has yet to venture into the world. These portrayals, while not always flattering, are nonetheless sincere and honest. Much has been said about Wolfe's style, his tendency for verbosity. Many feel that his writing might have benefitted from more careful editing. But to limit Wolfe's prose is to limit the man, to cut him off at the knees. As Wolfe was acutely sensitive to every sensation that he encountered, so did his style reflect his unique experience of the world. His writing overflows with imagery, and he gives the reader the gift of experiencing life as he felt it. This novel lacks the fine-tuning and subtlety of his later work. The words rush recklessly, in a torrent of images and experiences, much like adolescence itself. In his story one can find, or recapture, what it means to be young and idealistic. Most of all, Thomas Wolfe left us a masterpiece that shows what it is like to be young and to feel as if the entire universe was created for each of us, alone.
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Surprisingly Great Photographs, Jun 4 1998
I have never been a devotee of photojournalism. Not for any of the ethical reason, but simply because the quality of most photojournalism I have seen is quite poor. There have been a number of exceptions, and this book is full of them. It is astonishing to me that these photographers managed to create such beautiful images during the horror of war. I am speaking apart from subject matter, which too often gets in the way of any meaningful discussion about the particualr merits of a photograph. Yes, the subject matter is horrific, but the images themselves are incredible. Being a photographer myself, I am aware of the skill required to create a meaningful image. These artists who crawled over Southeast Asia with their Leicas created images that many other photographers without the added burden of imminent danger, have not. END
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Germinal
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de Emile Zola
Édition : Paperback |
| Availability: Currently unavailable |
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A gut-wrenching and soulful experience., Jan 21 1998
It should be illegal for certain books to be translated into film. I pity the person who does not read, who for whatever reason, cannot create in the mind the vivd imagery laid down in this incredible novel. No movie can come close. I was about a third into "Germinal" when, coincidentally, my union of grocery clerks called for a strike. Of course, almost any similarity between the well-fed and well-compensated clerk of today and the starving, wretched lot portrayed in the novel are absurd. The thing that struck me most were the character representations of both the workers and the owners. The stakes were different, but the mood was exactly the same. I saw first-hand, the leaders, the followers, the sabotuers. I saw those who would settle at any price, and those who would hold out at any cost. Emil Zola was the kind of writer we just don't see anymore. He risked his career and his freedom to help a Jewish army officer unjustly accused. In "Germinal," he created one of the most dismal landscapes ever put onto paper. As research for the book, he allowed himself to be lowered into a mine shaft, so he could understand a little of what the miner felt as he dropped down into the darkness. Surely these were the pits of Hell. Writing about a labor strike is no easy task, especially if the author is wont to take sides, which Zola undoubtably did. The most remarkable thing about "Germinal" is Zola's even-handedness in his characterizations. Neither side is presented as wholly in the right or the wrong. There are quite a few bizarre character twists, such as the owner Hennebeau who winds up in envy of the workers as he realizes the emptiness of his own existence. Few novels are able to convey the brutality of life for the extremely impoverished, and Zola presents it with authenticity and with relish. There are scenes which will remain in my mind for a lifetime. The characters are as real as any that can be found in the world. No summation, no casual review can even give a sense of the power of this one book. "Germinal" is anything but casual. It haunts me like few books have. If it is entertainment you desire, read "Jurassic Park." If your soul wants to be touched, read "Germinal."
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East Of Eden
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de John Steinbeck
Édition : Paperback |
| Availability: Currently unavailable |
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Response to several interesting responses..., Jan 21 1998
Well, this particular title has certainly brought about some interest in a number of people. And I thought no one read the classics anymore...After writing my review I began reading the novel again, for at least the fourth time. There is one interesting passage early on dealing with the sanctity of the individual human spirit, and of the author's pledge to defend the individual's right to think freely, to the death if necessary. I found it odd, at first, that this passage was included at the particular point in the story, since the concept of choice and free will was not brought up until quite later. Given the fact that the novel was published at the height of the McCarthy era, however, it does make some sense. John Steinbeck, as it was taught to me, was considered only a minor master in the field of literature, certainly not the equal of Hemingway or Faulkner. I've always disagreed, and I have wondered to where this disparaging attitude among many academics can be traced. Not all of his novels were masterpieces. "In Dubious Battle," while a great story, often reads like propaganda. Steinbeck fares better with stories such as "Grapes of Wrath," "East of Eden," and "The Winter of Our Discontent," which present to the reader a much more balanced and ultimately more authentic take on human nature. He does, however, show some interesting weaknesses in his portrayal of female characters. Despite his flaws, Steinbeck was a compelling author, and certainly a voice of honesty. As was once stated, he "had no mind to be an unoffending comforter and entertainer..." And that from the Swedish Academy after presenting the author with the Nobel Prize in 1962. Certainly Steinbeck was no lightweight escape novelist.
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Lincoln
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de Gore Vidal
Édition : Mass Market Paperback |
| Availability: Currently unavailable |
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A lively portait of one of our greatest leaders, Jan 10 1998
For those of us who grew up on legends of Lincoln the rail-splitter, Gore Vidal's historical novel presents the reader with a man who was more complex than any folklore. The novel traces Lincoln's life from the beginnings of his presidency to his tragic end. Vidal certainly did his homework, drawing upon letters, diaries, and newspapers of the time. He portrays an Abraham Lincoln who was intelligent and sagacious in his dealings with the world, and meloncholy in his response to the world. Vidal excels in bringing his characters to life, and the novel is rich in dialogue and intrigue. Modern followers of today's political scene will no doubt recognize and appreciate the position Lincoln was in, surrounded by a cabinet of pretenders to the throne. Having to constantly deal with others whose ambitions of the Presidency must have severly tested the sagacity of the Chief Magistrate, considering the fact that he was responsible for seeing the country through the Civil War. Lincoln chose to keep his enemies closer, so that he might better keep a watch over them. How many of our modern presidents had that kind of political courage? Although Vidal chooses to strip away the folklore, he has replaced the legend with an accurate portrait of a much greater man.
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East Of Eden
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de John Steinbeck
Édition : Paperback |
| Availability: Currently unavailable |
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Steinbeck's most ambitious novel delivers..., Jan 10 1998
While approaching the end of his career, Steinbeck attempted to weave together an epic of two families, culminating in the gigantic work of East of Eden. Covering a period of over 50 years, the novel tries to do so much more: the retelling of the Cain and Abel story in the farmlands of the Salinas Valley which was Steinbeck's home and the setting for many of his works. If there is any fault in the novel that stands out, it is in the heavily contrived nature of the storyline and its characters. In spite of this, Steinbeck wrote with such force and utter conviction that the reader is asked to be carried along on faith. One does not enter into such a pact lightly. For his part, the author presents his tale with honesty and integrity. It is not asking too much for the reader to take him at his word. This saga of the Trask and Hamilton families covers the gamut of human experience, and while many of the characters are despicable in nature, the reader may feel a degree of empathy for them. This is no small feat for an author. As in earlier works, Steinbeck is unrivaled in setting the scene, in this case the Salinas Valley he knew so well. There is a love-hate relationship here. Life is hard, especially for those unfortunates who struggle in the arid wastes in the foothills. This is home to the Hamiltons, an Irish immigrant family scraping out a living from its meager topsoil. The interior of the Valley is described as rich and bountiful, and the other family described in the novel, the Trasks, enjoy its fruits. In time these two parties meet, and through their association, their lives are enriched. Steinbeck chooses this novel to introduce the character of Cathy Ames, a monster with the face of an angel. Nowhere in literature is found a more frightening and twisted individual. This evil in the form of innocence is thrust suddenly into the life of Adam Trask, and from here on the novel broadens into a tragic epic. Having entered into a pact with the author the reader is begged to forgive Steinbeck for the various contrivances he employed to bring his story to life. For those who have seen the awful movie with James Dean, forget it. Give Steinbeck the benefit of the doubt and read the novel.
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No Title Available
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Availability: This item is currently unavailable.
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Not just a great adventure novel..., Jan 9 1998
Alexandre Dumas was considered in his time to be the foremost adventure novelist. What he created in The Count of Monte Cristo is so much more. The story chronicles the journey of Edmund Dantes, a young and hopelessly naive sailor as he matures into the worldy and cynical Count bent on revenge. Had Dumas ended there, he would have written a stupendous and sweeping saga of adventure and drama. The greater relevence of the story is in its moral telling: Edmund Dantes regains his humanity and learns to live again. Here is a story of spiritual redemption, told against the backdrop of post-Napoleanistic France. It is a tale of love, of loss, of revenge, and of the rekindling of the heart. While the unabridged story is long, it is best enjoyed while seated in front of a fire, with a warm beverage in hand. Few narratives are as satisfying to the soul as this one is.
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Truman
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de David McCullough
Édition : Paperback |
| Price: CDN$ 17.89 |
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| Availability: In Stock |
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A comprehensive portrait of a complex human being, Jan 9 1998
From the earliest pages of this gargantuan work, it is clear that David McCullough likes his suject. While this might be considered a venal sin in today's cynical iconoclast culture, the author somehow manges to support his admiration in this wonderful biography. McCullough's Truman is an ambitious but ethical human being, wrought with many of the faults which plague us all. What sets Truman apart was his ability to rise above adversity and ultimately truimph against overwhelming odds. McCullough has been accused of presenting a biased view of the former president, but a thorough reading of the text exhonerates both the author and his subject. Truman is presented as a descendent of that hardworking and sturdy pioneer class which has become the stuff of our folklore. When compared with the media-savvy and poll-obsessed politician of today's political scene, Truman is seen as a breath of fresh air. Moreover, even though McCullough's praise sometimes becomes cloying at times, Truman's positive qualities are more than confirmed by those who knew him best. If it is hard these days to imagine an honest politician, McCullough does a credible job of backing up Truman's reputation with proper documentation. Even when confronted with Truman's many faults, such as his political-machine beginnings, his border-state racism, and his unbridled opinions of others, Truman's virtues clearly outweigh his faults, as does this biography.
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An intimate look into the mind and soul of an artist, Jan 9 1998
This book stands alone in the annals of art history. No other book gives such an intimate view into the day-to-day trials of a working artist. Weston, who from time to time fostered ambitions of becoming a writer, genrously shares his thoughts and his experiences over a 15 year period, culminating in a remarkable portrait of the artist as a human being. While literary critics may have occasion to fault his prose, which at times seems flowery and verbose, given his Victorian-age education this can be forgiven of him. Weston takes us through his decision to leave his family and travel to Mexico, where he chronicles not only his own work, but that of other artists. He writes of the bullfights, love affairs, the scenery, and of the many unforgettable characters he met along the way. Weston moved in many circles, and thoroughly enjoyed himself, whether his company be artists or revolutionaries. He shares with the reader his many instances of self doubt, of guilt, and of poverty. He also shares his many triumphs, as his original photography begins to garner commercial success. We see Weston as an art critic, giving unflinching opinions of the works of Diego Rivera, Carlos Orozco, Robinson Jeffers, and a host of others. He is no less honest in his evaluation of his own work. Included in the volume are 72 extremely well-reproduced photographs divided into the various periods of his photographic life. We are givin a behind-the-scenes look at how these photographs were made, from both the artistic and the technical point of veiw. Most importantly, the Daybooks is not just for photographers or Weston afficianodos, but for anyone who appreciates a well-written autobiography of a remarkable artist.
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