The Stanson Book Review: II

So, I’ve decided to turn the Stanson Book Review into a semi-annual affair, primarily so I don’t forget about the books, and it should also help to keep it at a reasonable size. Anyway, I’ve basically read no nonfiction aside from college textbook stuff since the last time I did one of these, so we’ll just stick with fiction. And, as always, I do rank the books in a basic order of how much I enjoyed them, but I’m not a literary critic and if I rank Bret Easton Ellis higher than Shakespeare, just get over it. And now here we go.

1) Mischief by Chris Wilson: Out of print and unspeakably brilliant, this is a master satirical work that amounts to a lighthearted condemnation of humanity, from a protagonist who isn’t human. The best book I read last year, and, naturally, it’s out of print to the point that it’s unlikely any of you could procure it without paying some serious cash, at least in the States. Still, if you run across it at some library or random book sale, it’s a must-read.

2) Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami: Less bizarre than most of Murakami’s work, Norwegian Wood is a reasonably straightforward story with only a few oddities (there’s a distinct lack of sheep in heads). Still, it’s not as much of a change for the author as some reviews claim, as this is still very much a Murakami styled novel. It’s just a bit more accessible than most of his other stuff, which means I liked it more, being that I’m a stupid non-literary person. And you’ll like it more too. I’d highly recommended it.

3) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov: Yes, I finally read the highly controversial book, which is remarkably tasteful, considering. For those who don’t know, the protagonist is a pedophile, and the title is a reference to the female he desires most (I’ll omit anymore information for the plot’s sake). But, anyway, this is must read stuff if you’re serious about literature or if you just enjoy controversial fiction. It’s worthwhile too, though I admittedly got a bit lost at times, especially during the foreign puns.

4) The Messiah of

Stockholm by Cynthia Ozick: This was just the usual brilliant short novel from Ozick, full of her wit and imagination. Still, as is almost always the case with Ozick, it’s not entirely accessible, and I’m not sure how many of you are turned on by novels about obsessed Jewish book reviewers, but I assure you it’s hardly boring. In fact, it even packs a few surprises at the end, most of which would be ridiculous if tried by a lesser writer, but this is Ozick, and she is the master. Recommended novel, and even more recommended that you read Ozick, be it this book or another.

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; __styleDocument: [object]; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-lang

uage: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA”>5) Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis: Ellis continues to increase his ambition with this novel, which is part biography, satire, science fiction, mystery, horror, family drama, and comedy. I think he’s better when he just sticks to satire. For fans only.

6) A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe: A pitiful attempt at a classic, this is a sprawling near 800-page novel where author Tom Wolfe bites off much more than he can chew. Still, the story at least holds the reader’s interest  which is enough to put it above a few other miscalculated attempts at classics (Dellilo’s Underworld anyone?), but, ultimately, the plot isn’t as captivating as Wolfe thinks, and the social commentary isn’t as poignant either. And in the end, Tom Wolfe isn’t a good enough writer to deliver the goods, even if it were.

7) The Choice by Russell Roberts: The sort of oversimplified junk you have to read in college. Avoid unless you’re an idiot. Or a college student. Oh yes, I forget. Same thing.

<span style=

“FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; __styleDocument: [object]; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’; mso-bidi-font-family: ‘Times New Roman’; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA”>Yes, yes, I know, I know, this was much too short. I promise a much lengthier one next time. And maybe I’ll actually read something you’ve read before. Yes, well, probably not, but there’s always a chance, right?