Sunday, September 23, 2018

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra

Exploits Russian cliches for maximum bleak pathos. Very much an outsiders' commentary on Russian tragedy and suffering. Plays to the American high-brow. Excellent command of language and character.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

First Conrad in, what, 15 years?

Started liking this a lot more once I realized it was satirizing everyone.

Scene that goes back and forth between Mr and Mrs Verloc's minds right before she kills him is extraordinary.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Tenth of December by George Saunders

Lots of class anxiety.

Peppy face of bureaucratic inhumanity.

Flights of fancy as escape from dismal reality. Despite chatty, ebullient style, characters' dreams and suffering taken seriously.

Sanguine American self-delusion. Chipper.

Superficial similarities to David Sedaris, but good.