Julie

Great chronicle of a now bygone era

Revisado: 04-16-25

Love that author read this himself, so that emphasis was put where he wanted it.
This was a fun & fascinating look into the publishing process and components of major magazines like vanity fair, which I never missed an issue.
Also Spy— oh what sorrow & weeping when Spy quit its publication. Author doesn’t spend enough time on Spy, but maybe cos they were young & hit out at the powerful who he later rubbed shoulders with (he brings up some still felt stung by something in it, sometimes as little as a reference to height, or small hands…). It was a LOL mag that we all looked forward to. It wasn’t often wrong in its assessments. It’s still missed.
Loved hearing about the authors & artists through the years. What a deep pool of talent. Plus bits of gossip thrown in.
A life well lived, Mr Carter. Kudos on a terrific read.

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Joy of music

Revisado: 03-22-25

Author’s genuine joy of music through decades starting from very early years to present, & was a joy to listen to. Many details I’d never heard & im a music fan too. Worth the credit.

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Eye opening

Revisado: 03-15-25

Very brave lady telling dark secrets of FB. From amazing ability to microtarget voters in election, serving fake news to those most likely to accept which message , to Myanmar to truly frightening coop arrangement with China which they’ve lied directly about to Senate.Mark Z’s power lust is unrestrained, made worse by his historical illiteracy & indifference in general to anything other than FB/Mets’s dominance. Author has details & receipts. The misogyny is well known & dismissed which is her last straw.
Mark trying to stop circulation of this book/ I can see why. Explosive details paint a narcissistic nihilist on a mission to be Caesar. Lots it them around rn. They’re more powerful than our govt now being torn asunder.
This is a glimpse behind the carefully calibrated image presented.
Important read.

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Lots of connections- some suggested rather than backed by any evidence

Revisado: 03-02-25

At 77 yrs old I remember watergate, Iran- contra & of course JEdgar’s foibles well. Much of details here are old enough to be backed up by Nat’l Archive material. There are other connections drawn less able to stand up to scrutiny, pushing into conspiracy theories which dilutes faith in the overall book.
Narrator fine, mispronounces common words, eg denizen as den- I- zen & names of family ppl involved in major political events. I’ve heard worse, but is it so hard for a pro narrator to read book first & check?
Loose ends left hanging, little context but interesting enough re the airline/pedophilia/prostitution angle to keep reading, hopefully to tie all in to Epstein & his worldwide trafficking with the rich & famous for sex in Part II. Should be been in 1 volume. Hoping real facts will emerge to present her case in Epstein sensational story, of which we haven’t heard the half. Just so it’s real & not “it appears” etc. Hard facts— author has them or not.
Nevertheless history of sex for extortion & leverage in politics worth 3 stars.

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Imaginative noir

Revisado: 01-17-25

Narrator really distinguished the different characters beautifully in this terrific noir imagining Native Americans who rule a state & city in 1922. It’s got the tough detectives, femmes fatales, plus a crazy murder plot to take over the crazily imagined monarchy running things. Plus jazz! Doubt I could’ve stayed with this except for excellent narrator.

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Terrific, lyrical, beautiful writing

Revisado: 01-05-25

I loved this book and will be looking out for future works of his. The writing carries you quickly through adventures of a young man filled with angst trying to figure out how to make his life matter in a world that doesn’t care. I was frequently surprised, happily borne along on his journey to the surprise ending which was moving and unlike rest of book. Has shades of Garcia Marquez in best of ways. Will be reading it again. Narrator was perfect for the project. Author being a poet shows in his lyrical prose. Beautiful writing.

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Historical roots of RW extremism

Revisado: 12-04-24

Quick run through of fairly recent past history of rw extremism in US. I remember Goldwater’s campaign so much of this was a refresher through the administrations up to now. There were parts I’d never learned about Iran Contra that now I have to seek out another book as it was a terrific scandal but RR skated above it all. It’s ironic that since at least 1930s ppl have been so paranoid about The Left while it’s only Democratic presidents who are held to account or standards, & have to do cleanup of messes left by GOP. Esp ironic as DJT just won reelection against an establishment that is very conservative. Yet as author notes that’s not enough now. Now it’s (counter)revolution burn it all down. Def worth the read

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Layered, complex , absurd, funny

Revisado: 11-23-24

My first Murakami. It was quirky & took awhile to hook me but worth the ride. Covers a little if ground in young married man’s life. Narrator quite dramatic, each character is def distinct & easy to keep multiple threads straight. Unusual things happen. As another reviewer said there’s a string Wes Anderson vibe. Enjoyed it.

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Buyer beware

Revisado: 11-18-24

If you’re into endless paranoia about the human body, horror generally & absurdism a la Kafka going on forever— the books for you.
I was unaware & read reviews that just said Best! Masterpiece!
This book goes along with Romania’s serious history of same period. It is likely most relevant for students of that time/place. This is a gifted author & there are bursts of beautiful prose as well as nods to Gabriel Marquez without the magical, more the daemons.
I’m not squeamish but after 18 hrs am just bored by the body horror, constant referring back to childhood of protagonist & paranormal disquisition.
I hate to leave a bad review but reader deserves knowing what getiinto. I love long books- Underworld by deLillo, Infinite Jest, DFW. Etc. Have to bail in this with 10hrs to go

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Wonderful in audio

Revisado: 11-16-24

I couldn’t imagine this in audio but narrator did an amazing job, with DFW long sentences and great wordplay. Narrator was smooth and really brought IJ to life in unexpected ways.
IJ one of my favorite books. This makes my 5th reading as it’s so dense & not easy to hold & read such a heavy book that you also can’t put down.
I’d put this audio version over reading it first for its clarity and excellence overall. You can follow along with the book to get into the longer footnotes and not get lost.
Amazing job. Kudos to narrator and production team.

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