Paperback First

A quick note about English language books for the UK: they are published in paperback and then go to hardcover! Isn’t that ingenious? I would spend so much more money on books if they were initially released in paperback as I’d buy copies right when they came out, instead of getting them from the library and then buying them only if I absolutely adored them and they were already in paperback and I happened to have a coupon. Why the US hasn’t picked up on this, I’ve no idea. Come to think of it, advance reader’s copies are always in paperback anyway…

The Wild Things

I have not yet seen the film version of Sendak’s Masterpiece Where the Wild Things Are. But in Paris I picked up a copy of Dave Egger’s The Wild Things- a book about a movie about a book. And I was incredibly disappointed. Who, exactly, does he think he is writing for? Not me, not anyone I can think of. There were all sorts of uncomfortable moments, difficult issues, not to mention violent moments and parts that seemed sexual (almost like a modern Red Riding Hood). I’d prefer not to pull apart the story and explain this more fully- I’d rather just forget the book. And so, while I was looking forward to the movie, I am now avoiding it. The only thing that could bring one to pick up this book is the McSweeney’s Packaging- it’ll get you every time.

The Inheritance of Loss

After devouring Anathem in Italy, I arrived in Paris with nothing but a guidebook to read. My friend Valentine lent me Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss, having already read and loved it. The first chapter is poetry. If you trust me, find the book, read the first chapter, and don’t read the rest of this post.

Okay. For those of you who simply must know more, The Inheritance of Loss (winner of the Man Booker Prize 2006) follows a few stories: that of a young Indian man working under the table in New York. His father, left back in India, takes care of an Indian judge who doesn’t feel at home in England nor India. The Judge’s granddaughter who comes of age amidst civil unrest. The characters are human, each has major flaws, but you wish them the best despite this. Their wishes and dreams, regrets and sins are so unique, perfectly connected to their stories. You will fall in, and emerge, gasping, at the end.

Neal Stephenson's Anathem

I left for a two month trip to Europe, taking only Neal Stephenson’s Anathem with me. As Cryptonomicon had taken me two months, I figured I’d be fine with just Anathem. I was in for a rather large surprise when I finished it in two weeks (it’s all that train time and decompressing after museums).

Anathem is more easily categorized as science-fiction than many of Stephenson’s other books- and this can only be seen as a compliment. Like Stephenson’s other books, Anathem uses religion, philosophy, and mathematics as an integral part of the novel. His exploration of such concepts is common in science-fiction, but Stephenson makes philosophic conversation more important than most other authors. But where this novel moves away from his others into the realm of sci-fi is his inclusion of aliens. Aliens? Do these not sound a bit strange for a Stephenson? Yes, they do. But his characterization of them is so perfect for the world he creates, there is no need to suspend disbelief, for by the time the aliens appear we have already questioned so much of the world through philosophical passages that we are ready to accept, question and learn. Not wanting to take away from the experience of reading, I will not say more, except that this is a wonderful introduction to Stephenson for sci-fi readers, and an interesting new novel for those already following his work.

Comic Book without Pictures

Legacy, coming out October 13th, is the classic super hero story without comic book panels. "An innovative graphic novel?" you ask. No such luck. Legacy, written by Thomas E. Sniegoski, is a teen novel in which all the fight scenes are written and the gadgets described. Readers follow 18 year-old Lucas as he learns his father is the billionaire super-hero the Raptor. What follows is a coming of age story (complete with future love interest) of the grays in the black and white world of super-heroes.

Despite the lack of pictures, I must mention the design of the book. The cover features a collage of comic imagery that entices with its' pop colors and dynamism. The interior is even better. With page numbers on the sides of the pages and large chapter numbers without titles, the design is bold, clean, and quite lovely.

The story isn't bad, there just aren't any surprises if you know anything about super-heroes or coming of age stories. And the writing is seriously lacking, leaving readers wishing for pictures to come to the rescue with details and hints more subtle than the writing. While I think Legacy will be a big hit with the teen boy crowd (Twilight for boys. But with better relationships- I hope), I think they'll be better off with actual comics.

The likelihood of this book becoming a movie is monumental. With all the super-hero movies stolen from comic books that have been coming out in the last few years, perhaps Sniegoski should just have written a screenplay; I think his book may be one of those destined to be a better movie. My mom is already betting Christopher Columbus will direct.

The Carpet People

The only Prachett book I ever liked (excepting his masterful work with Gaiman on Good Omens) was The Carpet People, a book I listened to on cassette. Unfortunately, it has seemingly always been out of print. But you are all in such luck! For on November 24th, 2009 an illustrated version will be made available for your enjoyment! Callooh! Callay! I chortle in my joy!

The Carpet, like that one you need to vacuum under your chair. Zoom in. Very, very close. Where a dropped penny is a towering cliff, mined for eons, and the fray (vacuum) is to be feared even more than you fear doing it. Here is the setting for Prachett's adventure.

Where the Wild Things Are

The movie comes out in October. This is a most disturbing event were it not for the featurette in which Sendak gives his approval of the project. Not only has he worked with Spike Jonze, but he gives permission for audiences to view the movie as Jonze's Wild Things, which is different from Sendak's Wild Things, which is different from all our Wild Things, even those of Dave Eggers.

Dave Eggers? Why Dave Eggers? I will explain. Dave Eggers has written the book based on the movie. It even comes in a fur-covered edition.

Confused? So are we all. So, let's go on a Wild Things media binge in October and figure it out.

*To prepare yourself, check out Terrible Yellow Eyes, where illustrators pay homage to Sendak's influential art.