Feb 7th, 2008
The Delivery Man, Joe McGinniss Jr.’s surprisingly analytical and in touch novel of narcotic induced excess and emotional vacancy is nothing if not engaging. Unlike many similar novels dealing with the slimy and cutting underbelly of modern life’s cruel temptations and easy downturns, this novel does not hesitate in addressing the mundane unpleasantness that [...]
Oct 2nd, 2007
So my Dad and I were playing a round of golf on a typically perfec fall day in Michigan, and per usual, my dad was driving our cart. The only time I would drive was when, as usual, he was hitting into/through/around dense foliage, and I would take myself and the cart a safe [...]
Sep 15th, 2007
Another fabulous work of modern fiction by a young African novelist. “Measuring Time” is a classic bildungsroman. The main character, Mamo, is the sickly and introspective twin to his strong willed and able bodied cavaliering brother Lamamo. The novel follows them from childhood in a Nigerian village to middle age, in the same village, though [...]
Frank Oz does it again. The premise: family and friends gather for a funeral, and everything goes wrong. Sounds cliche, right? It is anything but!
A must see, just be sure to wear your Depends.
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Sep 7th, 2007
The scenario: A Latin American country’s Vice Presidential residence is home to an elaborate birthday party for a Japanese businessman and hundreds of wealthy and powerful guests he does not know, nor cares to. He came for the entertainment; the opera world’s most spectacular soprano was flown in for his listening pleasure. As [...]
Aug 26th, 2007
I just finished Sightseeing, by Rattawut Lapcharoensap, less than 24 hours after picking it up at Shamman Drum, a great independent bookstore in Ann Arbor, Mi. Sightseeing is a collection of short stories that read like a continious book, most likely due to the fact that they all share a precocious but surprisingly preceptive [...]
Aug 16th, 2007
“You’re offensive to all five senses.”
-Courtesy of Peter Griffin.
I recently read The Wizard of the Crow, and loved it. For those of you looking for a “different” book to read, or those unaware that modern African fiction is thriving, this is the book for you.
It is big. Very big. And it is fanciful, spiritual, mythical, magical, and superstitious, which make [...]