I'm interested to know everyone's opinion on the last scene I read in the book. It is the end of Dylan's summer in Vermont. He has just made the tragic decision of showing his superhero costume to his girlfriend (don't act like you weren't rooting for him to get laid!) Anyway, the girl runs off upset and Dylan takes a leap off the dock and seemingly flys around the lake a couple of times. I have my own ideas on the message the author is trying to convey here, but I'm interested in what you all thought...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
WOW...
Sleepy bearded guy beats cute kid brushing teeth hands down. Unbelievable. Tell me his name really is Chaim?!?
Friday, February 15, 2008
Chaim
I couldn't resist posting a picture of this Jewish guy from work sleeping in a massage chair. It has nothing to do with the book, but I thought this would be a good place to discuss sleeping coworkers with enormous, unruly beards. Possibly the sleepiest guy I work with, but I am a LITTLE biased.
Also, I thought you should see this blog I made about taxidermy:
http://nameourtaxidermy.blogspot.com/
Murray Book Club 4EVA!!!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Lack of progress
Guys, I have to admit that haven't been able to get going on this book. There are some months that are worse than others during school, and February has turned out to be one of the worst with three tests in the next two weeks. With Step I of the Boards coming up (hardest test I will have taken up to that point), I struggle with reading or doing anything outside of school and family. But I love hearing about your guys' perceptions of the book.
Most of you already know, but for those who don't our family blog is andreamarie123.blogspot.com and Andrea's business blog is andreamariephoto.blogspot.com. Check it out if you are interested.
I hope all is well with you all. I plan on reading in March. With Spring Break, things look a lot better.
Most of you already know, but for those who don't our family blog is andreamarie123.blogspot.com and Andrea's business blog is andreamariephoto.blogspot.com. Check it out if you are interested.
I hope all is well with you all. I plan on reading in March. With Spring Break, things look a lot better.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Isabelle Grace
I couldn't resist the chance to put this up and brag about her! Possibly the cutest kid of all time, but I am a LITTLE biased.
Deep Thoughts
I recently found out my wife owns a pair of clippers. There's really nothing quite like a shaved scrotum. It's breathtaking.
I picked up the book yesterday, so I'm only a few chapters into it, but I wanted to make a couple of comments...
I'm not sure how far into Dylan's life we progress throughout the novel, but Lethem is incredible at depicting the inner thoughts and feelings of a six-year-old. It is so often the case that we look at children and those younger than us, and think that they have it so easy. Since we've already passed those trials we seem to forget how serious they were, how difficult life seemed to be, and we only focus on life at present. Look at the pages when Marilla and La-La tell Dylan that Robert Woolfolk is going to beat him up. To Dylan it is more of an evil indian ritual dance--the girls playing jacks, chanting his imminent doom, and the grisly image of Robert with a razor.
The way he writes makes me think of my own childhood, how serious everything really was, and how unimportant the world of adults seemed. I think of Charlie Brown cartoons, when the grownups speak all that is heard is "Wah wah wah..." The choice of a hero like Henry, trying to fit in and belong, avoiding embarassment at all costs--these are just some of the major struggles a six-year-old faces. And they are struggles we faced and STILL face today. Aren't we all still six-year-olds, still trying to solve those very problems?
If you like Lethem, then you would also enjoy Michael Chabon, especially "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay".
I picked up the book yesterday, so I'm only a few chapters into it, but I wanted to make a couple of comments...
I'm not sure how far into Dylan's life we progress throughout the novel, but Lethem is incredible at depicting the inner thoughts and feelings of a six-year-old. It is so often the case that we look at children and those younger than us, and think that they have it so easy. Since we've already passed those trials we seem to forget how serious they were, how difficult life seemed to be, and we only focus on life at present. Look at the pages when Marilla and La-La tell Dylan that Robert Woolfolk is going to beat him up. To Dylan it is more of an evil indian ritual dance--the girls playing jacks, chanting his imminent doom, and the grisly image of Robert with a razor.
The way he writes makes me think of my own childhood, how serious everything really was, and how unimportant the world of adults seemed. I think of Charlie Brown cartoons, when the grownups speak all that is heard is "Wah wah wah..." The choice of a hero like Henry, trying to fit in and belong, avoiding embarassment at all costs--these are just some of the major struggles a six-year-old faces. And they are struggles we faced and STILL face today. Aren't we all still six-year-olds, still trying to solve those very problems?
If you like Lethem, then you would also enjoy Michael Chabon, especially "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay".
F.O.S. - The Picture Book
Williamsburg Savings Bank Building
erected 1927
photo 2008
erected 1927
photo 2008
The rest of the pics are on my picasa page:
http://picasaweb.google.com/carling/BookClubFortressOfSolitude
I'll try and take more later, but it was about 18 degrees when these were snapped. And that ain't Celsius son.
cc
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Got It - Nick
Nevermind that last post which was linked as a comment to Jimmy's post. I figured it out. Picking up the book tonight. I have attached Hillary's blog as a link in my profile if any of you are interested. Her blog is currently operating as the website for her photography business while we get a legitimate site created. Anyway, there are some great pictures of Isabelle on there. She is going to be a year old at the end of the week, and she is my entire world. Being a dad is incredible!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Cam's post
Holy crap, I just read Camerons post about the new name titles and I about shat myself right here in the office. The reference to "The Great Outdoors" was amazing to say the least. I don't have much to say on the book yet but I hear it is good. I will have it finished in time. Looking forward to seeing some photos.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Brooklyn in Pictures
I live about 6 blocks from Dean Street where the story to this point (CHPT 7) takes place. I'll snap some photos tomorrow after work to give everyone a visual of the setting.
I was dropping some stuff off at the Salvation Army today and turn around to see Pintchik Hardware (CHPT 4). I had just read that chapter not 20 minutes before. Really bizarre.
Favorite quote so far, "Maybe to perfect a thing is to destroy it." It's a few pages into Chapter 2. In seeking to perfect skully Dylan kills the game. In seeking to "perfect" Boerum Hill, Isabelle starts the destruction of Brooklyn as it once was.
This is a feeling I get everyday walking down my street. The creep of gentrification is one the "neighborhood" doesn't take lightly. Our mostly black and puerto rican neighbors only speak to us if necessary. There are no "hello's" and "how was your day" for the white boys. It's a passive aggressive beat down. Maybe even worse than a physical assault, to know that you're seen as a virus to the neighborhood. It's really interesting because we're right in the middle of two gentrified neighborhoods converging on a few blocks of old Brooklyn. 30 yards west I wouldn't walk alone at night. 30 yards east are million dollar homes and boutique baby strollers.
The rapidity of spreading money is mind boggling. But even more unthinkable is the gap that it's creating between the top and bottom. Old Brooklyn is still there, it just can't afford to be by the white people anymore.
I was dropping some stuff off at the Salvation Army today and turn around to see Pintchik Hardware (CHPT 4). I had just read that chapter not 20 minutes before. Really bizarre.
Favorite quote so far, "Maybe to perfect a thing is to destroy it." It's a few pages into Chapter 2. In seeking to perfect skully Dylan kills the game. In seeking to "perfect" Boerum Hill, Isabelle starts the destruction of Brooklyn as it once was.
This is a feeling I get everyday walking down my street. The creep of gentrification is one the "neighborhood" doesn't take lightly. Our mostly black and puerto rican neighbors only speak to us if necessary. There are no "hello's" and "how was your day" for the white boys. It's a passive aggressive beat down. Maybe even worse than a physical assault, to know that you're seen as a virus to the neighborhood. It's really interesting because we're right in the middle of two gentrified neighborhoods converging on a few blocks of old Brooklyn. 30 yards west I wouldn't walk alone at night. 30 yards east are million dollar homes and boutique baby strollers.
The rapidity of spreading money is mind boggling. But even more unthinkable is the gap that it's creating between the top and bottom. Old Brooklyn is still there, it just can't afford to be by the white people anymore.
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