Readings, Rated
New York Times names “10 best books of 2008″
Half are fiction, and half are not. Read the full list here. Admirable scope, but couldn’t we stop drooling over Bolaño and Knopf and stick an indy press or two in there? Or some poetry? I like Bolaño, I like Knopf, but today’s print market begs at least a token diversity from the press.
Ten points for leading with Millhauser, though. He is, as the editors say, a fine mix of Poe and Nabokov, but even more immediately, he’s an excerpt at unschlocky empathy and finely-tuned intrigue. When I read him, I forget about the book and the room. Plus Rose Dorn, the adorée in his Edwin Mullhouse is sweetly, sharply written and a fashion icon to boot: one-way silver eyeglasses, yellow hair with paper roses in it, plastic rings and charm bracelets. At seven years old! No wonder Edwin sent liquorice and temporary tattoos. (Admittedly, Rose Dorn has nothing to do with Dangerous Laughter. But when it’s this cold outside, thinking about paper roses is very helpful.)
Geez, am I the *only* one who isn’t head over heels for Bolano? Millhauser, Lahiri-them I can get behind, but Bolano, no. I just don’t feel him. Hrm.
Well, “like” doesn’t mean “head over heels!” I don’t get the hype either – partially because I wasn’t *that* stardazzled by his work, and partially because, well, other great books were published this year, too! They need their face-out time now. (Look at me – talking about books as if they were neglected children. Geez.)