Pasternak

Fascinating read

Revisado: 05-08-25

A bit difficult to identify with the trials and tribulations of a wealthy art collector. Nevertheless, it was a smooth experience all around. Great historical details. Easy to follow narrative. Great vocal performance. ISG was a quite a character.

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A cinematic experience

Revisado: 04-24-25

The storyline is fluid and natural. The writing is simple, direct, eloquent. And the vocal performance is spot on all the way. This book is an excellent travel companion.

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Mildly interesting read

Revisado: 03-23-25

This book is filled with clever observations, but the story is only mildly interesting. And the dry and world weary performance wore me out. The motorcycle racing / New York art scene mashup was surprisingly satisfying. The political violence and love story not so much. No regrets buying this book. But was hoping for better based on introductory recording.

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Invitation to analysis paralysis

Revisado: 11-11-24

I read the title and mistakenly bought this book expecting to enjoy some lengthy discussion about how fine artists (painters) steal ideas from one another. What I got instead was a self-help book for blocked writers. Breathe well, sleep well, eat well, tidy up … this seemingly endless list of things one should to do to free creative spirit struck me as a recipe for procrastination by preparation. Blocked? Don’t read this book. Fix it the Hemingway.

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A Snicker Salad

Revisado: 10-25-24

I enjoyed remembering roller skates, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, a first encounter with little green capers, shopping at Ralph’s and other stuff circa 1976. And the author’s brush with death is stunning - though oddly treated like nothing more than a brief chapter in a book rather than a serious event without long lasting physical and mental consequences. The superficial romp through several decades of popular culture is kind of fun. But I think it’s a shame to meet so many interesting people and find so little of real substance to write about any of them. And I think the breathless rant and rave promotion of the Fioricci label near the last of the book is a good spot to double the playback speed. It struck me as one massive commercial interruption. Babitz and I are roughly the same age. And I spent most of my life in California. It follows, this book rang my bell a few times. And oral presentation captured a bit of suitable snark. Nevertheless, I regret wasting a credit on this one.

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Irked and Disappointed

Revisado: 05-24-24

Hoping for well grounded extension of David Bohm. What I got was page after page of new age speculation. Reading this actually makes me feel a little ill. I won’t finish this one.

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Fun! Good companion for the daily walk in the park.

Revisado: 04-17-24

Jazz-age Seinfeld. Lots of fun. Jeeves is everything one hopes ChatGPT will be one day.

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Good. But Kripal over sold it.

Revisado: 02-14-24

Good book overall. The author does a good job of presenting the evidence for the metaphysical experience of consciousness. But he lost me when he started drawing conclusions concerning the meaning of this experience. Kripal’s long winded explanation for it all might drain all the joy out of transcendence. I would rather be lead to the mystery and interpret meaning for myself.

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Well written. Non-stop violence

Revisado: 02-03-24

I’m new to CM. Blood Meridian first struck me as a graphic novel without the graphic images. Plot? Not so much. It’s a journey through hell. The writing is smart, accessible and captivating. It’s a memorable experience. Great characters all. I’ll get back to CM in the near future.

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This audiobook is a good daily walking companion

Revisado: 01-10-24

This warm and breezy biographical sketch of Montaigne was welcome company on my daily walk to the top of Mt Tabor. And, enjoyable as it was, I’m certain I would have enjoyed it more had I read M first. Otherwise, I expect this reading will give special depth to my first experience with M’s essays. Looking forward to it.

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