bigWOWO » Reviews

About A Boy by Nick Hornby

bigWOWO — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:55:31 +0000

This isn’t a review, per se, but I just finished reading About A Boy by Nick Hornby. I also learned that it was made into a movie with Hugh Grant–and the trailer looks very different from what I just finished reading:

This isn’t a formal review, but if it were, I’m not sure how I’d categorize it. Hornby uses sharp language, and his writing is infused with that cheeky British humor that Americans love. The book, through the character of Will Freeman, captures the slacker culture that was big in the 90′s–and even bigger now. Marcus, the boy whom Will befriends, was intriguing because of the numerous issues that came his way. Overall, a fun read.

American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar (Review)

bigWOWO — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:46:46 +0000

bigWOWO rating: Popular Fiction Gold

The problem with fiction reviews, especially with popular fiction, is that the reviewer can only give away so much without ruining the ending. As a result, I read American Dervish and expected a simple story of unrequited love and betrayal. Instead, it was much more. Ayad Akhtar uses this story not only to describe forbidden love and lust, but also to describe what it is like growing up Muslim. Check out this video where the author explains why he wrote it (he uses the “love story” description himself):

“American Dervish” Video Statement from Ayad Akhtar on Vimeo

The story is about a young Pakistani American man named Hayat Shah who reflects on the death of his mother’s oldest friend Mina from Pakistan. Mina comes to live with Hayat’s family, and she shares the Muslim faith with the young twelve-year-old Hayat, who embraces Islam and finds himself in love/lust with his Aunt Mina. Mina herself falls in love with a young Jewish doctor, and Hayat responds with a act of vengeance that destroys the lives of everyone involved.

I couldn’t put this book down. It was 352 pages, and I finished it in two and a half days. Akhtar wrote a very brave novel. Not only does it tell a story of forbidden lust in a coming-of-age story, but he uses the story to recount what it’s like growing up Muslim in America–a story that we hardly ever hear, even though it is as relevant as it has ever been. Growing up exposed to hypocritical religious fundamentalists myself, it was eye-opening to read a similar perspective from another religion. I’m sure people will read this and think, “No way, that can’t be how it really is!” but I hope people will read with an open mind. Check it out!

American Pastoral by Philip Roth (Review)

bigWOWO — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:59:07 +0000

Oh wow, I had no idea American Pastoral won the Pulitzer. I think I must have read an earlier edition before the prize was awarded.

American Pastoral is a story in two parts. The early part is a first-person narration by a character by the name of Nathan Zuckerman, who recounts his young life and infatuation with an older Jewish boy named Seymour Levov who goes by the nickname “Swede.” They called him “the Swede” because he had blonde hair, different from the other Jewish boys. He was a star athlete, and Zuckerman, who is now an older and unmarried writer, gets back in contact with the Swede right before a high school reunion. The rest of the book is about the Swede himself and about his daughter who commits an unspeakable crime.

There were many things that I loved about this book. Roth has a great way with language, his ability with dialogue is amazing. I like how he uses dialogue to bring out his characters, putting entire conversations into single paragraphs. It works very well. What others may like most about this book was the way Roth describes the assimilitive process of his Jewish characters, how the Swede is trying to make it even after being a star athlete turned successful businessman, and how his daughter Merry has become the most American of Americans by rebelling against everything she has been taught. Roth is an amazing storyteller.

Civilization: The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson (Review)

bigWOWO — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:26 +0000

bigWOWO Review: Non-Fiction Bronze

Niall Ferguson is a gifted writer. The way he writes history makes it come alive. He does his research well, and he tells a great story. He’s the kind of history professor I wish I’d had in school. (And if I had made Harvard, maybe I would have had him.)And for the most part, this book was good. But then it slowly started to fall apart after the first few chapters, before completely landing in the toilet in the second-to-last chapter.

The thesis of Civilization is that the world has become Western, that the West had critical superiorities over the rest of the world that enabled it to conquer and subjugate everyone else. According to Ferguson, there are six “killer aps” that the West used: competition, science, property, medicine, consumption, and work. The intro was great–Ferguson talks about why history is important, and how people now wrongly study history as a collection of events rather than as a combination of forces that take place to move the world in a certain direction. The chapters on competition, science, property, and consumption were good, although you can feel Ferguson’s biases. He says in one area that the scientific racism of the 1800s was wrong, and then he has a footnote at a later point where he claims that the Jews might have a genetic advantage over everyone else (p 235…and no, this isn’t an HBD thread, so the rules apply).He takes mad swipes at fundamentalist Islam, while remaining quite tame on the topic of fundamentalist Christianity, even as he covers the Spanish explorers and their “explorations” in South America.

In the chapter on work, everything falls apart completely. Rather than write about history, Ferguson takes off his professor’s cap and extols the virtues of Christianity above other religions. It is really quite bizarre. He says that Christianity was one of the defining features of Western culture (which is true), and then he talks about how other countries are “downloading” this application by converting more and more. He makes the bizarre and likely inaccurate statement (his footnotes don’t prove his statements…rare for a historian) that Christianity is growing in the U.S., and he quotes a bunch of Chinese people saying how Christianity is helping people become better people in China. (since when has Christianity helped people become better? I think it helps people point fingers and shout “thou art a sinner,” but the jury is still out on whether Christians are actually more moral than non-Christians. Most people remain the same whether they convert or not.) He talks about the Protestant work ethic, as if no one else knows how to work.

What really galled me was his complete lack of logic in the Christ, I mean work, chapter. He talks about the Taiping Rebellion in China, and he describes the leader Hong Xiuquan as a crazy man who underwent “complete collapse” (279) which led to him claiming to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ. He then talks about other Chinese “cult” behavior as if it’s obvious these people are loons. Dude, what’s crazier, Jesus Christ claiming to be the Son of God, or Hong Xiuquan claiming to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ, who claims to be the Son of God? No offense to my Christian readers, but based on pure logic alone, they’re EQUALLY crazy. Or at least it’s fair to say that a purely logical person should not believe one over the other. Richard Dawkins would be having a field day with this chapter.

In any case, people may enjoy the early chapters. He’s got a lot of insight, and his writing style is really engaging. It’s a shame he let it all fall out at the end. The Christian chapter was annoying and wrong. I felt like I was paying a Jehovah’s Witness to knock on my door.

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen (Review)

bigWOWO — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:29:09 +0000

I thought Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections was a very good book, amazing, complex, ambitious, and powerful. The Corrections was a great book because of the complexity and Franzen’s grasp on modern life. Let me just say then: Freedom is on a whole different level. Franzen deserves all of the acclaim that the media has been paying him and more.

The story centers on Patty and Walter Berglund, along with their marriage, two kids, and place in society. Franzen begins the novel by portraying the family as a kind of liberal caricature–the morally superior left-wingers who think they’re better than everyone else, even as they get caught up with their everyday pettiness and neighborly disputes. The story then extends to Richard Katz, an unusual rock musician who is Walter’s best friend and Patty’s romantic crush. It also covers the two Berglund children: Jessica, a common sense woman who is much more stable than anyone else in the family, and Joey, a young Republican in the making whose coolness upsets his father. Through the characters, we see a nearly complete snapshot of White American life. (And I do think we have to put emphasis on Whiteness: see this link for an Indian American woman’s criticism of the only non-White character. But this doesn’t detract from the bulk of the novel. The White parts are really good.)

What a fascinating book! Franzen’s style is captivating. He wastes few words; there is action taking place at all times, not like many literary fiction novels these days. And it’s amazing–frighteningly amazing, really–how Franzen is able to blend immense specialized knowledge (government contracts! running a motel!) and politics into his narratives. The scope of his detail and the ambition (once again) are astounding. Plus, it’s great to read a novelist with a clear political position–very rare among the literati.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if you want to learn more, check out Sam Tanenhaus’ excellent NY Times review.

“Hooked” by John Franc (Review)

bigWOWO — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:30:14 +0000

I don’t remember how I found out about Hooked, but I heard about it, ordered it from the library, forgot about it, and then received it a month later.

The book is about a group of successful, middle-aged men who, in between soccer practices and work, begin sneaking out and hiring prostitutes at high-end houses around an unnamed city. The main thrust of the narrative is the struggle between secrecy and authenticity, and between the men who hire prostitutes and their families. The book was written mostly from a first person plural point of view, reminiscent of Yiyun Li’s story from the perspective of a town. The author “John Franc” tells a good story and is skilled with language. “John Franc,” in keeping with the style of the narrative, is a pseudonym.

Check this book out.

American Rust by Philipp Meyer (Review)

bigWOWO — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:20:22 +0000

So far, I’ve read four novels from members of the New Yorker’s 2011 20 under 40 (Yiyun Li, Joshua Ferris, Meyer, and some dude whose name I won’t mention because his novel was absolutely PAINFUL). I wanted to check out Philipp Meyer’s novel because out of all the stories that I read in the New Yorker, his was my favorite. He’s also got a fascinating personal biography.

American Rust is about two best friends from high school in a small steel town in Pennsylvania who one day commit an unintentional act of violence. The story is about the fallout, how several lives are affected, and how issues of class affect the outcome of people’s lives. Meyer has a great ear for language and conveys his story well. He tells the story from multiple perspectives through many characters, much in the same way Christos Tsiolkas wrote The Slap.

There were some instances where I felt the story could have been shortened. At certain points, there were points where the story droned on and on, and I would have appreciated a bit more speed. The middle part probably could have been reduced by 100 pages or so. There were some characters with whom I had trouble drawing a connection. As with the Ferris book, the ending was not 100% satisfying.

But there was some very strong writing in this novel. Meyer has an incredible ear for dialogue, among the best I’ve read in recent years.The content of his writing and his appreciation for context is also quite amazing, as he very accurately tells the story of a declining steel town and a young man’s introduction to prison. Meyer clearly has a firm grasp of the issues that face small town America, and his description of the racial politics of prison matches to a T the descriptions that I’ve heard from people who work in prisons. Also, there’s a badass Chinese American cop in this book–always cool to get a multicultural story.

This book was in the mystery section of the library, but it’s lit fiction and will probably appeal more to those with literary fiction tastes. It’s a long read, but if you’re looking for a book with great language and a decent storyline, check it out. I’m looking forward to his next novel.

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (Review)

bigWOWO — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:29:42 +0000

I wanted to read something different, so I decided to check out Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. Erica Jong herself isn’t a racial minority (although she’s Jewish), but she was married to a Chinese American psychologist for a while (a dude with the last name Jong), and I had heard that Fear of Flying, an autobiographical novel, was about a White woman married to a Chinese guy. I had also heard that the book was an important one for the growing feminist movement during the 70′s, and I thought it might be good for me to educate myself.

On the minority part: It’s what I probably should have imagined, given the time period during which it was written. While the narrator Isadora Wing is married to a Chinese guy, she abandons him at the very beginning of the novel to go on an international sexual romp with a British White dude. While Fear of Flying doesn’t elevate or focus on the Asian man, it doesn’t attack the Asian man either. Isadora’s husband Bennett is an upstanding husband, and Jong spares us the Kingstonian stereotypes. I was happy with the portrayal–but there wasn’t really much of one.

On the feminism part: I enjoyed the story of Isadora’s awakening, despite the fact that her paramour made me feel a bit sick–for whatever reason, I thought of a dirty, smelly dude with a ponytail whenever she mentioned him. Taken in its time period, the idea of a sexually liberated woman was groundbreaking during the 70s, and Jong writes with insight and power in portraying how women during that time dealt with conflicting issues of career, sexuality, and their place in society.

The story itself was good, and the language is strong and fluent. I was impressed with Jong’s command of psychological theory and how she used it as a means of addressing the disconnect between female thought and the systems that had been put in place by men. Jong also does a great job of describing Europe and using it as a metaphor for the choices that women make in life.

Banana Boys (Heung Jiu Jei) by Terry Woo (Review)

bigWOWO — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 02:55:11 +0000

bigWOWO rating: Popular Fiction Gold

Great news: Banana Boys is now available in the U.S. through Amazon. I had to drive all the way from Portland to Vancouver when I bought my copy seven or eight years ago. Now you can just order and get it in your mailbox.

I re-read this book last week because I couldn’t in good faith have a website that reviewed Asian American literature without having Banana Boys (Heung Jiu Jei) reviewed.

What is the most contentious issue in Asian American culture among young heterosexual Asian American men? That’s right, the Interracial Dating Disparity. And out of all the Asian American fiction books that have been written, how many have honed in and focused on this issue? The answer is one–Banana Boys. Sure, there have been other books that have touched on Asian female akogare and Asian male desperation, but many of them simply portray the anti-stereotype; the Asian jock with the iron skull whom no one can touch, and the Asian women who love these men but who can’t touch them because these guys are all into White women. This book, by contrast, is an honest look at our culture and how Asian men develop in our culture.

The story starts with the suicide of a young Asian man named Rick, who is a former member of a group of young Asian Canadian men who call themselves the Banana Boys. The guys are all in their mid-twenties, and through the death of Rick, we learn the stories of their friendships, histories, and aspirations. The four remaining young men are great characters–Terry Woo drew them well. There is Dave, the angry Asian male computer science type who seethes with resentment at all the Asian women who prefer White guys; Luke, the music addict who works as a DJ; Sheldon, a guy working a dead end job who is trying to make things work with his girlfriend; and Mike, the desperate writer who is trying to find love while working on his book. The characterizations are real, and the storyline is honest. I loved the portrayal of Chinese families. I wish there were more books about young Asian heterosexual men (although I know that the publishing industry doesn’t seem to support these books).

There are lots of humorous scenes in this book too–scenes with the guys drinking and puking, subplots with guys hitting on women. One of the funniest Asian American male “pickup” scenes ever is in this book. I know that the guys and gals on this site will love this book. Even if you’re not a literary type, Banana Boys is very easy to read. I highly, highly recommend it.

Check out an interview with Terry Woo here.

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris (Review)

bigWOWO — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 03:33:35 +0000

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris is a book about Tim Farnsworth, a family man with a successful law career who develops a sickness where he sleepwalks at random times. His sickness is beyond the grasp of his doctors or the experts they recommend; he can start walking at night, during trial, or during the day, and he won’t remember when he started walking or where he went. The disease begins to destroy his life, his career, and his family. One day he decides to just up and leave. The story is about his struggle with the disease and how he manages his family life with his wife Jane and his daughter Becca.

I thought the book was good. It had a decent plot, and the character of Tim Farnsworth was well developed. I myself would have ended the novel differently, but this is one of those novels where the journey is as satisfying as the destination, so I still recommend it. It’s one of those books where you can read it and re-read it to learn and appreciate the author’s way with language. Also see the NY Times review here.