tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818172927559793791.post6215953098546324096..comments2023-10-11T03:12:00.547-07:00Comments on Loads of Learned Lumber: Paul Auster, _Sunset Park_Theobaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01873114371772000542noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818172927559793791.post-24652873016615599432011-01-09T04:15:28.394-08:002011-01-09T04:15:28.394-08:00what an awful book. written in childlike form (i ...what an awful book. written in childlike form (i guess since in painting i prefer rembrandt to pollock, i'm not ready for simplistic writing either) . i finished it in 3 hours! i never felt the need or desire to dwell on an image or a character. folks say auster is a prolific writer - i can see why, he doesn't weave a pattern, he provides lists of facts, no intricate story with plot lines that all pay off in the end. it is like reading a cookbook. most of the book is just the listing of recipes for 4 or 5 meals. it is boring. only towards the end was i at all provoked to be interested - it was like - "now here is how the food tastes when it comes out of the oven". but it wasn't good enough to satisfy me. and also, if you're going to use "facts" in your work of fiction - keep them accurate and not stereotyped misconceptions about the Sunset Park community from elitist Park Slopers. I wish the novel used "unnamed neighborhood in unnamed big city" as its locale.Escape from Sunset Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01134750354753079541noreply@blogger.com