Ravelstein
Ravelstein, May 2008, 8/10.
Written by Saul Bellow. Published by Penguin.
I enjoy Saul Bellow’s writing, and this book was no exception. Although at the start I felt that the book was trying a bit too hard, and was a little too pretentious, I did overcome that feeling and began to enjoy the story much more. In particular, I liked Bellow’s keen take on modern living and luxuries, and the fact that so many of his character are aware of their past, and this their place in history (here, like in many of the Bellow works that I have read, it is a Jewish background that frames the story). The characters were very richly developed, and the narrator well equipped for his role.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: 8/10, American, Fiction, Saul Bellow
Mergers + Acquisitions
Mergers + Acquisitions, May 2008, 6/10.
Written by Dana Vachon. Published by Riverhead Books.
I suppose that this book will come out as a movie at some point in the future. It was a fairly good story, even if it had the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and a pretty entertaining read as well, although there is no doubt that it truly is one of the trashiest books that I have ever read. Not that there is anything wrong with reading such things from time to time – it was certainly a change from my usual picks, and quite a nice one at that.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: 6/10, American, Dana Vachon, Fiction, Trash
