The World According to Garp

by John Irving

Excellent book! And it's about so much more than just lust and marriage and a father's fears. To me, what the book is "about" is more of trying to know oneself and live one's life in spite of the labels and opinions other people force upon you. But, again, that's only part of what the book is "about."

It's superbly written; Irving is a true storyteller. Each of his characters are expertly fleshed out for the reader.

My dad and I were discussing the book and naturally jumped to the Garp-as-Jesus connection. As my dad pointed out, "You can't begin the book with a virgin birth and have him die at 33" without making that kind of connection. So we were going through his disciples (I'm not sure we came up with 13: Jenny, Ellen, Helen, John Wolf, Dean Bodger, Charlotte (who Dad pointed out is Mary Magdalene), Alice Fletcher, Harrison Fletcher, Duncan, Ernie Holm, Roberta, Mr. Tinch, I think Donald Whitcomb should be in there too...), and I was pretty proud of my John Wolf-as-Judas connection. Wolf was the one who exploited the tragedy in Garp's life, as well as the connection to his famous mother (I'm not saying that Jenny is God). Plus Wolf gets Ellen James' "Why I'm Not an Ellen Jamesian" essay published and the fire between Garp and the Ellen Jamesians was intensified.
But, as intriguing as these connections are (and there are more), I don't like to make Biblical connections to other literature. It bothers me, probably because it seems to happen so much (and I had a short story professor who would drill Biblical references into my brain). Also, it makes it seem like the Bible is the standard by which we judge all fiction, which I certainly don't agree with.

Initially all the quotes from Garp and his mother's writings bothered me, but it didn't become an issue because the book follows both Garp and his mother (less so) as writers. I get annoyed when authors make references to works that don't exist, but because the two characters wrote books and we see their writing process, I was ok with it.

My one complaint is that the book is too much. It spans the entirety of Garp's life, plus an epilogue concerning his family. It's not that I think the book is too long, it's just a lot to take in, especially at the end. In the last three chapters, it feels like Irving throws everything but the kitchen sink at his readers. Unfortunately, most of that "everything" is death.

In the novel, there is a lot of emphasis put on the public wanting to know if Garp's writing is "real" or autobiographical, and there is an almost obsessive need among readers to know more about Garp. Personally, I've never felt that way. I take fiction as fiction, and typically I don't delve much into the author's life. It doesn't matter to me if they draw on real-life experiences or not. But I did read the the John Iriving's afterward in this edition. I love that the "Under Toad" came from his youngest son. It is a wonderfully fitting metaphor and a very strong image too. There is an innocence about it, which I think makes it all the more anxiety inducing.

The critic in me feels the need to find flaws in this book, but the avid reader in me wanted this book to go on forever. "The World According to Garp" is an exceptional book. There are hardly any slow sections in the book and it keeps the reader engaged in so many ways. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good story full of realistic life drama.

I look forward to reading more John Irving in the future.
Also, I had no idea that this book was made into a movie, and I fully look forward to seeing it.

Keep the Aspidistra Flying

by George Orwell

If you're looking for a book that will grab your attention and take you on a thrill-ride, this is not the book for you.





Gordon Comstock is not the most endearing of characters, and becomes increasingly less so as the book progresses. He has waged his own personal war on money, and yet is completely consumed by money and the impossibility of going through life on 2 quid a week. Gordon refuses to get a "good" job and instead lives in near poverty attempting to "write," become a "real" writer. His idea of creative hell consists of a "good job" a villa and an aspidistra in the window. Orwell confronts the age-old argument of money v. creativity. Can one be a writer, in the true sense of the word, while living by the "money-code"?

The first chapter is a hilarious must-read for anyone who has worked in a library or book shop. Gordon embodies dark, brooding irony. While darkly humorous, shades of the gritty realities of living in London on 2 quid a week shine through.

Excellently written, excellently ironic, and ultimately an interesting tale about growing up and having to face the world as an adult.

City of Thieves

by David Benioff

This is an excellent book. It creates that rare sense of not being able to put the book down, but not wanting to speed through it without allowing yourself to let it all sink in. Benioff presents the gruesome, unimaginable realities of WWII Russia with unexpected and inappropriately hilarious humor. The juxtaposition is striking and could not have succeeded any better than it does. Benioff knows how to manipulate and use language to create strikingly vivid scenes. Even his metaphors and similes are given lives of their own. In a short manner of time, Benioff creates characters, even fringe characters, with enough personality and back-story, so that you have a true understanding of them. Benioff is a true story teller, with a compelling story to tell. Truly, one of the best books I have read in a while. Brilliant.

I truly think this book should be included in any WWII/Holocaust lit class. This book is about the side of the war you don't hear as much about, but it is absolutely as valid. It is an excellent story.

The opening of the book reminds me of Maus by Art Spiegelman, the story within a story, a sense of metafiction, but to a much lesser degree than Maus. The stories have little to do with each other, other than the fact that they are about survivors of WWII. There's even a cat/mouse metaphor in City of Thieves, but that's it.

I must have a soft spot in my heart for coming of age stories, or bildungsroman, if you will. Some of my favorite novels are "coming of age stories": The Song of the Lark, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

City of Thieves is an exceptional book, brilliantly written. It may require a strong stomach, but it is well worth reading.

The Andromeda Strain

by Michael Crichton

I just love that the San Antonio Express-News called this book "a crackerjack of a novel." Crackerjack. When was the last time you heard that word used?

Anyway, I like this book. It's not what I would normally pick up, but I did enjoy it. On the whole, the novel is pretty cold and void of emotion. It's a technical sci-fi novel, but interesting nonetheless and, yes, Crichton was ahead of his time.

What I don't like is all the references to speeches, conferences, publications, etc. For some reason that bothers me. It's like reading a term paper. But on top of that, all the references aren't real. I understand Crichton took the time to create all these references to make the story appear more realistic; that's what the acknowledgments are all about. But it annoys me. I can't read those publications. Again, I see why he did it, but I find it unnecessary and frustrating. I am glad though that he saved the references for the end of the book instead of footnoting it all, because that would have driven me up a wall.

I will admit, I did watch the movie before the book, but I liked the book better. I felt like the movie tried to over-dramatize everything, where as the book keeps it clinical. I think that the book's lack of emotion evokes a better reaction from the readers. Crichton allows the readers to have their own reactions and draw their own conclusions. Well played.

Passion

Let me preface this by saying I watch the Food Network like it's my job.

One of my favorite shows to watch is The Best Thing I Ever Ate on the Food Network. It showcases some fantastic, mouth-watering, want to eat your TV screen food, naturally. But that's not the only reason I like the show. I love to hear these chefs and food writers talk about food.

I love listening to people speak about their passions. It's truly telling of all people, I think. Obviously you gain an understanding of what people love, but there's something much deeper that happens when they speak. When people bring you into their world, into their minds and souls, you get the truest glimpse of them. To speak about your passions is to expose yourself in a very vulnerable way, open to public scrutiny. It's scary to be so candid and open about what you love, what you live for. But there is something great about seeing that kind of rare genuineness in people.

Let's Talk About Polyphony

po·lyph·o·ny

 [puh-lif-uh-nee]

–noun

1.

Music. polyphonic composition; counterpoint.

pol·y·phon·ic

  [pol-ee-fon-ik]

–adjective

1.

consisting of many voices or sounds.

2.

Music.

a.

having two or more voices or parts, each with an independent melody, but all harmonizing; contrapuntal (opposed to homophonic).

I love early music; early as in pre-Bach. And early music is all about the polyphony. It makes the music challenging, beautiful, complex, and so much fun to sing, in my opinion.

But I'm talking about a different Polyphony: the professional English vocal group led by Stephen Layton. They are the embodiment of everything I want to achieve as a musician. Their sound and their musical sensitivity is heartbreakingly beautiful in the most exquisite way. They approach vocal music so purely and clearly; they truly let the music speak for itself, without trying to make it important. When they sing, it is simplicity at its best. They produce sheer joy, in vocal form. You can almost see the beams of light surrounding them when they lock chords so perfectly. I'm a bit of a music snob, but Polyphony brings me to tears.

Today I decided that I could not live one more day without owning their cd Cloudburst. First of all, Eric Whitacre is a genre unto himself. His compositions are incredible. He has mastered the most basic and essential (in my opinion) concepts of music: tension and release. No one manipulates dissonances and suspensions like Whitacre. His music truly speaks to the heart. Although, I don't love the some of the poem translations he uses for text, but that's beside the point.

I have to say, I am disappointed in Barnes & Noble for not having the cd or knowing of Polyphony, but I realize they're not exactly the most trendy of groups.

Anyway, I bought the cd through itunes, plus two other songs they recorded which I am singing in an upcoming choir concert.

Even if you think classical music is stuffy and old fashioned or think choir music is dull and boring, I challenge you to listen to a Polyphony recording and not be moved.

Wuthering Heights Anyone?

It looks like the setting of a Gothic novel outside.