Another classic, D.W.--this is one of your best, so much so that I'm printing a copy and keeping in my file. Ironically, I've been pondering similar questions so I may get this book, although you said you only a small section applied to this subject. You're brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
Hi d.w. Slowly making my way through reading your backlist/archives, and I really enjoyed exploring this one. Found the entire paragraph below to be delightful:
<<This won’t be as profound to a lot of readers as it was to me, but it helped me quite a lot to know that there is good scientific data behind the problem of just not being able to get along with some people, especially assholes you have to regularly see and cooperate with. When I’m stressed or inspired or exhausted or lonely or optimistic, all of which I have been in combination for weeks now, I must flee to cherished passages from favored books. Even if I’m not going to read or re-read the whole book I often like to simply touch them, peruse them and/or just have ‘em around like intellectual stuffed animals.>> I so resonated with this and had previously thought of my books as patient, steadfast friends in a way, but I like your idea of ‘intellectual stuffed animals.”
Also appreciated this line:
<<Money, paperwork and management are too uninteresting to me to be worth the investment of time and effort it would take to get anywhere of my own with them, but I’d be an alright brain trustee for an Adletsky-like “trillionaire” or trillionairess along the lines sketched by Bellow via Trellman.>>
I need to properly explore/read more of Bellow and I going to start with Henderson The Rain King given that I already feel drawn to the character based on what I have read recently on several Substack’s about others’ impressions (including yours). I do have copy of some of his leaner novels, The Actual (appreciate what you have shared about your reading experience here), Seize The Day, and The Victim, along with The Adventures of Auggie March, none of which I have spent much time with yet, although I intend to do so soon. A while back, (~2010; reprint 2012) when I first started exploring his work, I checked out a great book of his correspondence called “Letters” (Ed. Benjamin Taylor) from the library and it was really such a beautiful thing to see how he corresponded with friends/others etc.; only managed to read about half of it before I had to return it but really enjoyed what I did read. Also, I added eructated to the list. 🤓
When you read Henderson we'll have plenty to talk about! Bellow is one of the real greats to me. I have to get around to finishing all his novels some time. I've already circled back to several of them twice!
Really enjoyed this one. Another place you could infiltrate for suit wearing would be funerals, but of course that comes with it’s own baggage.
Also, I finished the final season of Barry and must take back my original comment. You probably don’t remember but I said the last season felt repetitive and boring, since Barry went full on bad guy in jail.
But the way that final season evolves into a different story - I won’t say much in case you haven’t seen it. I ended up loving the conclusion.
That's a funny premise, a guy who starts assassinating the people he loves just because he wants to wear a suit more often. I can see why that led you to Barry. Good to know about the last season; I gotta get caught up. Where do you go from here television-wise?
Open to animation? I was talking up Primal on Notes a while back, easily one of the best programs I've ever seen and just two short seasons.
I'll get caught on Barry when I can. New Futurama episodes on Hulu — did they ever get John DiMaggio on board or no? I'll watch 'em anyway; what am I gonna do, not watch new Futurama? The first two episodes of the new Black Mirror season were weak tea; it's just as well since I don't have regular Netflix access. I recently watched my first-ever episodes of The Bob Newhart Show and I Love Lucy; could try getting more into those. Still working my way through a Simpsons through-watch; I'm on Season Eighteen.
Wow... watched the trailer for Primal and was very impressed. Is there dialogue or is it mostly visual storytelling? Either way, I’ll check it out this week. Just need to figure how to watch it as it’s not on Adult Swim Canada.
Black Mirror this year was so, so weak. My wife and I watched them all and each episode let us down in one way or another
I got Primal on DVD from the San Francisco Public Library. I'd be surprised if Toronto didn't have it in some format.
I don't want to say much about the use of dialogue or lack thereof. There are some fascinating choices there and it'll be more interesting to go on that journey one step at a time.
Another classic, D.W.--this is one of your best, so much so that I'm printing a copy and keeping in my file. Ironically, I've been pondering similar questions so I may get this book, although you said you only a small section applied to this subject. You're brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
You're too kind, Mike, but thanks for the positive feedback. I liked that Christakis book; I think it's worth a look.
Hi d.w. Slowly making my way through reading your backlist/archives, and I really enjoyed exploring this one. Found the entire paragraph below to be delightful:
<<This won’t be as profound to a lot of readers as it was to me, but it helped me quite a lot to know that there is good scientific data behind the problem of just not being able to get along with some people, especially assholes you have to regularly see and cooperate with. When I’m stressed or inspired or exhausted or lonely or optimistic, all of which I have been in combination for weeks now, I must flee to cherished passages from favored books. Even if I’m not going to read or re-read the whole book I often like to simply touch them, peruse them and/or just have ‘em around like intellectual stuffed animals.>> I so resonated with this and had previously thought of my books as patient, steadfast friends in a way, but I like your idea of ‘intellectual stuffed animals.”
Also appreciated this line:
<<Money, paperwork and management are too uninteresting to me to be worth the investment of time and effort it would take to get anywhere of my own with them, but I’d be an alright brain trustee for an Adletsky-like “trillionaire” or trillionairess along the lines sketched by Bellow via Trellman.>>
I need to properly explore/read more of Bellow and I going to start with Henderson The Rain King given that I already feel drawn to the character based on what I have read recently on several Substack’s about others’ impressions (including yours). I do have copy of some of his leaner novels, The Actual (appreciate what you have shared about your reading experience here), Seize The Day, and The Victim, along with The Adventures of Auggie March, none of which I have spent much time with yet, although I intend to do so soon. A while back, (~2010; reprint 2012) when I first started exploring his work, I checked out a great book of his correspondence called “Letters” (Ed. Benjamin Taylor) from the library and it was really such a beautiful thing to see how he corresponded with friends/others etc.; only managed to read about half of it before I had to return it but really enjoyed what I did read. Also, I added eructated to the list. 🤓
When you read Henderson we'll have plenty to talk about! Bellow is one of the real greats to me. I have to get around to finishing all his novels some time. I've already circled back to several of them twice!
Really enjoyed this one. Another place you could infiltrate for suit wearing would be funerals, but of course that comes with it’s own baggage.
Also, I finished the final season of Barry and must take back my original comment. You probably don’t remember but I said the last season felt repetitive and boring, since Barry went full on bad guy in jail.
But the way that final season evolves into a different story - I won’t say much in case you haven’t seen it. I ended up loving the conclusion.
That's a funny premise, a guy who starts assassinating the people he loves just because he wants to wear a suit more often. I can see why that led you to Barry. Good to know about the last season; I gotta get caught up. Where do you go from here television-wise?
I’m watching “I’m a Virgo” now. After that, not sure? Maybe The Bear season 2.
What about you?
Open to animation? I was talking up Primal on Notes a while back, easily one of the best programs I've ever seen and just two short seasons.
I'll get caught on Barry when I can. New Futurama episodes on Hulu — did they ever get John DiMaggio on board or no? I'll watch 'em anyway; what am I gonna do, not watch new Futurama? The first two episodes of the new Black Mirror season were weak tea; it's just as well since I don't have regular Netflix access. I recently watched my first-ever episodes of The Bob Newhart Show and I Love Lucy; could try getting more into those. Still working my way through a Simpsons through-watch; I'm on Season Eighteen.
Wow... watched the trailer for Primal and was very impressed. Is there dialogue or is it mostly visual storytelling? Either way, I’ll check it out this week. Just need to figure how to watch it as it’s not on Adult Swim Canada.
Black Mirror this year was so, so weak. My wife and I watched them all and each episode let us down in one way or another
I got Primal on DVD from the San Francisco Public Library. I'd be surprised if Toronto didn't have it in some format.
I don't want to say much about the use of dialogue or lack thereof. There are some fascinating choices there and it'll be more interesting to go on that journey one step at a time.