"Man acts as though he were the shaper and master of language, while in fact language remains the master of man." -- Heidegger
2.07.2005
Why is Bush reading "I Am Charlotte Simmons"?
A good question, raised by the International Herald Tribune. I suppose it's a pleasant surprise that the president can read, let alone a novel. But why this one?
I read it because I had to (for a review) and thought it was awful. It's at its worst when Wolfe tries revealing The Ways of Youth to readers: they curse! They drink! They have casual sex!
Perhaps if he watched TV more (e.g. The Real World), Wolfe wouldn't have been so surprised. And he'd also know that calling someone "a Monet" is a quote from Clueless,a movie that's now 10 years old, not some piece of verbal brilliance recently devised by a campus wit.
All the characters are types - the stupid jock who's really not so stupid, the geeky college reporter, the frat boy who looks good but is, in fact, a selfish pig, and so on. Charlotte is Fanny from Mansfield Park in tapered jeans. The book is far,far too long as well. Wolfe has supersized himself once too often.
Well, I hoped you spanked it soundly in your review. And please, all Fireproof Babies are more than welcome to post here, even ones wearing track suit bottoms. In fact, if any of you'd like to be listed in the Contributors, email me and I'll send you the official invite. I think that's the only way you can get on that list.
Thanks for the info. In particular, I heard that his extended descriptions of the casual sex are just unbearable.
6 comments:
Horribly gross, yes. Has anyone read this book? TLB, didn't you start it once or something? I believe you told me it was terrible.
No, I haven't read it and have no plans to. I have too many good books to read without wasting my time with that POS.
My apologies -- I wonder who it was who was telling me it was so horribly awful.
I read it because I had to (for a review) and thought it was awful. It's at its worst when Wolfe tries revealing The Ways of Youth to readers: they curse! They drink! They have casual sex!
Perhaps if he watched TV more (e.g. The Real World), Wolfe wouldn't have been so surprised. And he'd also know that calling someone "a Monet" is a quote from Clueless,a movie that's now 10 years old, not some piece of verbal brilliance recently devised by a campus wit.
All the characters are types - the stupid jock who's really not so stupid, the geeky college reporter, the frat boy who looks good but is, in fact, a selfish pig, and so on. Charlotte is Fanny from Mansfield Park in tapered jeans. The book is far,far too long as well. Wolfe has supersized himself once too often.
Sorry to crash your blog, Grendel.
Well, I hoped you spanked it soundly in your review. And please, all Fireproof Babies are more than welcome to post here, even ones wearing track suit bottoms. In fact, if any of you'd like to be listed in the Contributors, email me and I'll send you the official invite. I think that's the only way you can get on that list.
Thanks for the info. In particular, I heard that his extended descriptions of the casual sex are just unbearable.
No apologies necessary, Grendel sir -- if I had read it and thought it was awful, I'm sure you'd be hearing about it.
Post a Comment