No comments about Doris Lessing.

5 comments about An Artist Of The Floating World.

1. This quiet, serene story has all the qualities of an Ishiguro novel - understatement, restraint, reminiscence and lament, and overall, it is well written, if only some dialogue may seem at times, somewhat overwrought. The story could have been developed and stayed more focused though, and this leaves much that is wanting.
   
   What is wanting is not so much an expectation but that sometimes there's too much focus on the unnecessary details, and not enough depth.
   
   As the main point of the reminiscence, told from the perspective of Masuji Ono, a once successful and reputable painter before the War, is to evoke a certain loss and sad inevitability at the tarnished reputations of the 'patriotic' artists, and a salvage of some pride, the author sometimes delves into distracting details. Such as the reverence he and his fellow young artists had for their master, and the 'arrangement'(no revelations!) for his daughter that was frought with difficulties. Preoccupations with such details, in my opinion, detracts from the gritty and serious theme that is presented by the novel in the first place.
   
   To be fair, some aspects of this sense of loss is captured quite effectively. Such as when Ono visits places once familiar to him, but have now been torn down. The 'Migi-Hidari' a bar for example, his former school, a Japanese villa situated atop a hill another. The thoughts he reminiscences are also gently crafted and flows smoothly from one to another, leaving one with a sense of serenity. Still, with a sobre, melancholic theme, the tone is too tame and what with what could be said of the purpose and meaning of an artist, which was never touch upon, this novel could have been much better.



2. This narrative of Japanese artist Ono explores the change of a nation and its culture. Ono's tale is set in post-World War II Japan, but he often reflects on the ways of life prior to the war. Living a peaceful retired life, he is engaged in marriage negotiations for his youngest daughter. Having failed to marry her off once, he is forced to evaluate his past. His role as a propaganda artist during the war has come back to haunt him in the new, progressive nation. He must learn to accept the new democratic sentiments and Americanism that the younger generation venerates (including his two adult daughters and grandson). He must put behind him his life in "the floating world," or the world of nightly pleasures he was taught to emulate during his youth.
   
   As a young apprentice, Ono grew accustomed to painting geishas, but as he grows as an artist, so does his sense of nationalism and pride. He becomes a highly regarded teacher and a celebrated national artist. But once Japan is defeated, war criminals are sent to the gallows and other contributors to the war effort are committing suicide. Ono is forced to recognize his mistakes and to accept a modern Japan for the sake of his remaining family.
   
   This is a poignant novel, and much like The Remains of the Day, focuses on coming to terms with the past. It is a self-evaluation life as Ono reinterprets his actions as a young man while maintaining his pride.



3. Kazuo Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki in 1954 and moved to Britain at the age of five. He was awarded the OBE in 1995 and the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1998. "An Artist of the Floating World" is his second novel, was first published in 1986 and won that year's Whitbread Prize.
   
   "An Artist of the Floating World" opens in October 1948, and is set in post-World War II Japan. The story is told by Masuji Ono, a retired artist and - once - a man of some influence and renown. His wife and son died during the war, though both his daughters survived - one is married, with a son, while Ono is conducting negotiations for his other's marraige. Over the course of the book, Ono looks back over his life and tries to deal with how his home city and the attitudes of the people around him are changing. His own career began on the workshop of Mister Moriyama, before he moved to the studio of Master Takeda - one who favoured painting the 'floating world', as the pleasure districts were known. Finally, Ono worked with Chishu Matsuda in producing artistic propoganda - which led to his position of influence leading up to and during the war. Now, in the post-war years, he notices how his own once great reputation has faltered and how attitudes towards him and his paintings have changed. There are many, for example, from the younger generations who hold him at least partly responsible for Japan's misguided foreign policy.These changes in attitude are being mirrored by the physical changes of the city. With the post-war rebuilding, whole districts are now becoming unrecognizable - Ono's own favourite 'pleasure district' is changing in this way. These changes in attitude and in the city lead Ono to look back over his life and try to come to terms with how he has lived it.
   
   "An Artist of the Floating World" was an excellent book, though a little sad in places. Ono himself seems a somewhat sad at how his home city is changing - partly due to the damage caused by the war, partly in the name of 'progress'. In fact, I couldn't help feeling a little sad at the loss of Ono's 'pleasure district' myself. Ono, on the other hand, doesn't quite change enough : he acknowledges his role to a point, though doesn't show any real sorrow for how things turned out. There were one or two points I'd have liked more information on - particularly his relationship with an ex-pupil called Kuroda. I'm not too surprised, however, that Ono avoided this topic as much as possible, though. For Ono to have dwelt on that topic may have caused him to discover something about himself he didn't like.



4. One of my favorite writers. This book was full of digressions so sometimes hard to know where it was going but it is worth the read. It touches on Japan history (WWII) and insights the culture and art.



5. Kazuo Ishiguro is definitively one of my favorite contemporary writers and this novel is surely reminding me why? "An Artist of the Floating World" is first Ishiguro's novel that I've read which is settled in Japan and it brings such a fabulous picture of so many aspects of Japan society, tradition, culture and at the end, evolution. But more than anything it brings such a perfect picture of Japanese character. Magnificent indeed!
   
   Lessons about Japanese role in WWII in school were inferior comparing with European part in all that and therefore my knowledge about this issue was not impressive at all. I knew only general, basic things and to be honest I never thought about how one Japanese (aggressor) looks on WW? Here we "can" see how art can be used in politic purposes and then how can ones handle with guilt and errors from the past. Book is no longer in my possession and therefore I cannot write quote from dialog of two old men but it's something like this:" At least we have thought that we are doing right thing and we've done the best we could do" Yes, but aren't we all doing things because we think they're right? I don't know, maybe I cannot swallow this excuse that easy because I've heard the same sentence too many times right here in my own backyard from many sides when battlefield has become only common field once again.
   
   The strangest thing is the fact that no matter where crime is committed the basic goal, the basic idea and therefore the ultimate excuse are universal. Unfortunately conciseness, admitting errors and self punishment; undergo catharsis is everything but universal. Instead of those we have more and more excuses and at the end the worst thing: justifying crime by another crime ... and here we go again ... But in Ishiguro's book, catharsis is so normal that the reader as well as characters is experiencing it. That positive energy of youngsters in the book is magnificent which is what impressed me the most.
   How youngsters are looking into the future and build that future with such an enthusiasm. During that physical transformation of the cities much more impressive is that metal one. Oh we here have so many things to learn from Japanese.
   
   Also cultural difference is breathtaking. Marriage custom, way of conversation between family members or student and teacher even the manner of behaving to someone who you hate is so ... well I guess: Japanese *lol*

5 comments about Elvis Presley: The Man, the Life, the Legend [UNABRIDGED].

1. I am a proud mother of 4 and very busy. I have always LIKED Elvis. I often asked my sons' teacher to describe more of what I knew or she told me great facts. I have little time to myself, but the teacher gave me the book for Christmas! I loved it! I wanted to read more but was so busy. I JUST finished the book and I loved the photos, the details of what I already knew and NEW information. This is great for a more casual fan I was told, and it is true! It focuses on the good (that is how the teacher is!) She purchashed many copies for people and I was a lucky receiver! This is a great book and a must have for new, casual or die hard fans (die hard is the teacher) and I am grateful for the book. I wish the author knew how great this book is and helpful to me. If it was good enough for the teacher to buy 2 dozen for gifts, it is well worth the money!



2. This book is the best of all books (about 20) I have read.
   The photographs are also something uncommmon.
   All fans should have them.



3. "Before Elvis, there was nothing," said John Lennon. He was referring to music. We all know the universe, earth and humankind existed before Elvis Presley. Lennon was right, though. Modern music began with Elvis. Before Elvis, music was meaningless and worthless.
   
   Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. His parents were Vernon and Gladys Presley. There was a twin brother, who died at birth. Elvis grew up in a two-room house which Vernon built. He was close to his mother, a relationship which defined his personality. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when Elvis was 13. They moved into the projects. Elvis was a misfit at school. He wore flashy clothes and hung out on Beale Street. He listened to black musicians play the blues. He had rhythm. After high school, he took a job driving a truck for an electric company. He decided to record a song as a gift to his mother. He went to Sun Records in Memphis. Sun was owned by Sam Phillips. Marion Keisker, who worked for Phillips, saw something in Elvis. She suggested to Phillips that he work with him. Phillips put Elvis with guitar player Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black and drummer D.J. Fontana. The result was That's Alright Mamma. Memphis radio stations picked it up. Other recordings for Sun followed, and Elvis caught on across the south. Girls loved him. They screamed and swooned. Parents detested his gyrations and called him vulgar. The new music was rock & roll. The older generation called it everything from "nigger music" to "devil's music." RCA purchased Elvis' contract from Phillips for $35,000. They got a bargain. Elvis had his first number one record in January, 1956, with Heartbreak Hotel. Others followed: Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up and Too Much. Elvis appeared on television, the Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan shows. Sullivan insisted he only be shown from the waist up. It added fuel to the fire. Hollywood beckoned, and Elvis made his first movie, Love Me Tender. In two years, he had laid the foundation for the music which would dominate into the 21st century.



4. I have read MANY Elvis books and everything you can think of. I cannot put this book down...I am amazed at the details, the dates, the inside stories...it is amazing and in a few hours I have read half the book, and it is 4am! GREAT!



5. This book by Pamela Clarke Keogh is, in many ways a condensed, water-downed summary of Peter Guarlnick's exhaustive and meticulously researched two-volume biographies on Elvis. I read Keogh's attractive coffee table-style book and noticed how much material she has virtually lifted from Guarlnick's books. Keogh does acknowledge Guarlnick as a source but, really, so much of the text is not her own.
   
   The pictures are lovely, and I did enjoy reading the author's discussion of Elvis's sense of style. Elvis Presley is a cultural icon in our secular world and Ms. Keogh has some interesting comments in this respect.
   
   Having just read Peter Guarlnick's biography on Elvis,I was keenly aware of how much of this book was simply a condensed copy of his detailed work. If you are looking for "the biography" on Elvis, I would recommend Guarlnick's work.
   
   Keogh's book is a "coffee table book" - pretty pictures, easy read, fun to glance at. But, I give it a 2 star rating since the author made a HUGE mistake in my mind - she cited Elvis's birthday as "January 30" 1935. Any fan of Elvis knows he was born on January 8, 1935. I'm not sure how such a goof could be missed but there it is, in black & white. This error made me really doubt the content of the book - there is relatively little text - surely they could have proofed a bit better? It just makes me question the rest of book's biographical "facts" and interviews.

1 comments about Tapestry.

1. Maria's book is a wonder of both language and intriguing issues and storyline- it is a must read for any english speaking person with an italian background.

No comments about Basil Street Blues (Isis).

5 comments about Losing my Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's.

1. This book was written by a gentleman with Alzheimer's disease. I had the privilege of hearing him read part of it in person. It is quite moving.



2. We can probably all relate to this title, however, this is a road map into the mind of Thomas DeBaggio, who was a professional herb grower and journalist, and how he dealt with his journey into Alzheimers disease. It wanders a bit, as the mind does with this disease, and your heart will go out to him struggling to be his own person.This disease robs you of your person.



3. 
   At one point in this sad autobiography the author states, "We are foolish, those of us who think we can escape the traps of aging." In Mr. Debaggio's case he found himself caught in one of those traps when he was 57 years old. Healthy and robust, with an optimistic look to the future he one day is told that he is a victim of early onset Alzheimer's disease. The author, who is a talented writer of books on gardening, decides to write a book describing his gradual mental deterioration.
   
   Losing My Mind shifts back and forth between comments on his present condition, excerpts from medical articles, and reminiscences on his past life. This is not an inspirational book. Mr. DeBaggio is depressed, frightened, and filled with despair over his future. Fortunately his writing skills are still intact enough that he can fluently describe his descent into the abyss.
   
   It is not the author alone who suffers. His wife is grief stricken that she is going to gradually lose her life's companion, and she feels totally frustrated in knowing that she can do nothing to help him. His grow son shares her grief, and also worries that he will eventually suffer the same illness.
   
   Increasingly he has to hunt for words to express himself. He raises herbs for a living, and begins to forget their names. He goes to a store to operate a copying machine, and finds he can't figure out how to operate this rather simple device. Writing this book helps him to hold on to our world. He spends a lot of time reminiscing about his childhood, because those memories still are clear in his mind.
   
   Mr. DeBaggio has received, as he puts it, a death sentence, and that thought remains constantly in mind. He courageously tackles each day one by one, but knows he is fighting a losing battle. I am an older person who has a deteriorating condition that gradually causes me increasing pain, so I have a glimmer of what he is going through. What will our status be next month, next year? It is interesting that he mentions that dealing with his diagnosis is one thing, but dealing with some of his well-wishers is often more difficult. There are the people who suggest that if he would just take some sort of sea weed or herbal medicine he would be restored to normal. Folks like that mean well, but their suggestions show a total lack of understanding of the forces at work in his physical condition, and, in a sense, diminish the seriousness of the problem (I've experienced the same thing).
   
   This book is remarkable. It gives us a view of the problems, thoughts and torment that are part of an Alzheimer's sufferer's life. It is anything but a joyous book. It is one that points out how close we live to the threat of ultimate disaster.



4. Mr. DeBaggio is so wonderful to have shared his experiences with diagnosis, physicians, others reactions, and his own struggle to understand and deal with what is happening to him. This book brought a new enlightenment to me, newly dealing with a family diagnosis. It is so easy to forget the person who is actually fighting with the disease when it affects so many in the family. His true account of what his feelings are throughout the months it took to write the book has given me more compassion for my mom and the ability to be angry at the disease as the culprit for all of the cruel things that are happening to all of us while we watch the progression. Thank you, Mr. DeBaggio, for opening my eyes to my mom's struggles.



5. For those interested in this subject this book is an engaging and rewarding read. Some may find DeBaggio's anguish a bit excessive, but to me it was a genuine expression of his emotion, not buffered by what is 'proper'.

No comments about Quest for the Lost World.

No comments about When the Century Was Young.

5 comments about Goat: A Memoir.

1. This book is about a pledge that couldn't cut it. I am sorry the author suffered through what he did in the beginning of the book, but I am sick of people whining about how terrible hazing is. Hazing is the only way fraternities can keep out the guys who aren't serious about joining. And hazing unites more than it divides. If you want to read a book that confirms your beliefs that fraternities are bad, then read this book. If you want to read a book that shows you both the good and bad of fraternities, then read COLLEGE LIFE EXTREME: Lies, Sex, Drugs and Violence or Epsilon Zeta.



2. I went to a small college so I enjoy reading about the college lives of students who went to big party schools. This book is decently written and the storyline is fairly interesting, if somewhat limited by the loner personality of the author. I think this was the author's first book so you can't be too critical with his James Freyish writing style (no quotations). It's a little annoying at first, but you get used to it.
   
   Goat is a good first-person account of college life, but there is not as many stories about binge drinking, drugs and sex that you would expect from a kid who attended a big party school like Clemson. Again, I blame this on the author's tendency to be a loner which obviously reduces the quality of his stories when compared to a book like College Life Extreme. However, if you're not an alpha male frat boy type, (I'm not!) you might like Goat better because you can sympathize with the author who is not a jerk.
   
   In spite of its shortcomings, I'm going to give this book four stars because it is much better than most of the other junk college life books out there and this one has feeling behind it.



3. Goat is the story of a college Junior who, kidnapped, terrorized and humiliated a year and a half before, is now faced with the daunting prospect of pledging a fraternity in order to feel a part of the lives of others. Written as a memoir, it reads more like a novel, and provides an interesting perspective on what it means to feel like an outcast, a victim, in a community to which you're supposed to belong, a community of "brothers" whose souls are as lifeless as the debris the protagonist collects to prove he exists. Touching, if chilling, and steadfastly non-redeptive.



4. i grew up in the south and went to the university of georgia, where i learned to hate fratboys. bought this book and was sorely disappointed. you eventually start wondering who the hell this guy is and why he's such an idiot that he would pledge a clemson frat, in the first place? no small point, believe me. maybe he's just actually kind of a dumb guy. as you read, he really starts seeming that way. his 'style' is thoroughly annoying, and yes, it is 'faux hipster.' but eventually, i started thinking he did this on purpose so he would have something to write about. i think he joined the frat so he could write about the brutality of frats, juxtaposed with his assault--another first-hand thing he could write about. patch those two subjects together and voila, you've impressed all the kids in your creative writing class. bottom line is it's impossible to enjoy a memoir when you discover 50 pages in that you really dont much like the narrator.



5. I am deeply familiar with the concepts of isolation in this book. Small towns in the south have a particular tendency to make anyone who is a little different feel like bottom-feeders. Thinkers, feelers, and liberal personality types are completely looked down upon and ultimately pushed aside.
   
   To these critics: I am from the exact town that Brad is from and have met him a few times. I wasn't expecting to like this book, mainly because I get annoyed with stories that ask for pity and don't really reveal anything that wasn't for purely dramatic purposes. This novel wasn't like that. He is sincere and sweet and exactly the same character he is in the novel, perhaps less hopeless and slightly more assured.
   
   I just find it interesting that many of you criticize Land about being a little overly sensitive, or writing with too heavy of a heart, or even making decisions that you would not have made. All I have to say to that is that you obviously haven't lived in his shoes. Being from the Northeast or Northwest(where I live now), its pretty ridiculous to think you have any ability to relate to this kind of society. I've lived all over the place and will never forget the complete isolation I felt trying to just get along with people in the area, let alone in an older siblings shadow. And I am just about the most stubborn, self-assured person I know, i don't usually have self-consciousness issues.
   
   SO.. This book was fantastic. The tone and so-called over wording was perfectly implemented. His expressions weren't careful or bold, they were sincere. The courage it takes to write this type of memoir by far surpasses anything I've read before. Cheers Brad. You represent Florence well.

5 comments about Unzipped.

1. I picked this book up for the same reason that I pick up a Cosmo at the grocery store checkout every once in a while -- to get a flavor for what hip young women supposedly think about relationships and sex. I was not disappointed . . . at least at first.

   I zipped through the first 100 or so pages, enthralled by the insidious, gossipy quality of it all. The wry humor was initially amusing but eventually began to wear on me. I think maybe it was just too much of something best imbibed in small portions. For example, I love "Seinfeld" but don't think I would be able to stand a feature-length movie starring those characters.

   I think what soured me on the book in the end was the realization that I really didn't LIKE any of the characters. The women were all neurotic, self-obsessed, and shallow. The guys actually come off much better (which I DO NOT think was the author's intention) because they seem comfortable with who they are.

   As a thirtyish guy who is suddenly "out there" after a failed ten-year marriage, I found this depiction of single life depressing. While I realize that it was at least partly fiction and probably intended as satire, its depiction of the relationship games that singles play (especially women) made me want to flee to a monastery.




2. An interesting non-fiction book on "the extraordinary sex lives of ordinary people".

   Perhaps it's the openness in our society now, but I've failed to see what was so "extraordinary" about the sex lives of the people in the book.

   Take Marie, a hairdresser who encouraged her husband to look for sex with others during her pregnancy, albeit jokingly, and got what she wanted. It is in my opinion that such things are happening all around us and that there is nothing shocking or alarming to it.

   Guys and girls looking for a partner but at the same time sleeping around, women trying to find a husband and going through relationships that fail one after another; these are all nothing 'extraordinary'. I would think that the 'e' word was used with injustice for this book.

   The main theme of the book is not about sex, but the role of it and how sex changes a relationship and the dating game.

   I got tired of the book after awhile and there is nothing "funny" in it, as the backcover claimed. It is, however, fast moving but not an easy read.

   Read this to help you get to sleep.




3. Reading Unzipped is like following someone around for awhile and just observing their life. It's written in a Helen Fielding/Brigit Jones type format although not as funny but interesting just the same. It's basically a bunch of girlfriends, some married some not talking about sex or lack there of. It's honest and sometimes a bit shocking,(as with main character Courtney's friend who leaves her husband to become a slave in the S & M culture) It's a very easy, fun read.



4. This book is funny and charming and as I was reading, it seemedobvious that Courtney Weaver was the model for Carrie in HBO's series"Sex and The City." If you enjoy that show, you will enjoy this book immensely. Weaver writes in a breezy, conversational style that is light and easy to read. The book isn't about sex, per se, although there are many references to it, but about relationships and being single in your 30's. Very enjoyable.



5. Utterly contemporary, intelligent and witty, Courtney Weaver's "Unzipped" is a delicious page-turner. Sex and mating rituals are explored with a clear, ironic eye, and though she boldly mines her friends' private lives, I never had the feeling she was exploiting them. As she reports from the front about what it's like to be a single woman in today's confusing world, she comes across as strong yet vulnerable, charming and good-humored. She is also pitiless and self-deprecating in chronicling her own neuroses, which makes her all the more endearing. Telephone dispatches from her diverse friends, from San Francisco to New York to London, were endlessly fascinating installments of their latest dramas. I've already given the book to two of my girlfriends and they also enjoyed it enormously. Weaver's fresh, insightful voice made me eager to read a follow-up.