Mike's Picks

[B_Buster]

This will be where I post about stuff I really like. First up: Marilynne Robinson's novel, Housekeeping.

This has is it all, people: family tragedy (twice!), family dsyfunction, social awkwardness, loneliness, transience, hoarding (!), and the writing is fantastic!

There's also a movie version which I saw in the 80s when it came out (I was a big Bill Forsyth fan at the time--whatever happened to him? Local Hero is an all-time favorite), but I don't remember much about it. I will be checking it out again soon if it's still available.

Next up: Gilead and Home. I like to read authors in chunks.

[fletcher munson]

Haven't read the book, but I saw the movie based on it a couple of years ago, pretty good, strange ending.    

[fonpr]

the writing is fantastic!

That is an understatement. 


In my top five books i've ever read.

Did you mention it has trains too, Buster?

[B_Buster]

No. I didn't want to offend the anti-spoiler crowd, fonpr. But if it will entice a few more people: there's a spectacular train wreck.

[Christina]

the writing is fantastic!

That is an understatement. 


In my top five books i've ever read.

Did you mention it has trains too, Buster?

I second or third or whatever this - both book and movie.

[B_Buster]

In my top five books i've ever read.

What are the other four?

[Christina]

There's also a movie version which I saw in the 80s when it came out (I was a big Bill Forsyth fan at the time--whatever happened to him? Local Hero is an all-time favorite), but I don't remember much about it. I will be checking it out again soon if it's still available.

I think they filmed this in Oregon and Christine Lahti stars in it. she's so good in it too.

RE Local Hero - one of my fave Burt Lancaster performances. I can still make my mom lose her shit just by going:

"H A P P E R   I S   A   M O T H E R  F U "

[fonpr]

In my top five books i've ever read.

What are the other four?

One Hundred Years Of Solitude

The Trial

are two of them.

I need time to consider the last two.

[Chris L]

Housekeeping is indeed fantastic, but man oh man, Gilead really moved me, and I'm dead inside (some days)!  

[Christina]

Housekeeping is indeed fantastic, but man oh man, Gilead really moved me, and I'm dead inside (some days)!  

I really need to read Gilead and Home. I have copies of both, I just haven't gotten to them yet.

Who was the dude who was reading The Remainder, and have you finished it yet?

also, has anyone read Fraction of the Whole round here?

[Sarah]

Whenever leaves blow into my house in autumn, I think of Housekeeping.

[fonpr]

Whenever leaves blow into my house in autumn, I think of Housekeeping.

Me too!

[Christina]

RE Pop 1280 (an awesome, disturbing book) ... have you seen Coup de Torchon?

[B_Buster]

RE Pop 1280 (an awesome, disturbing book) ... have you seen Coup de Torchon?

Yes. Loved it.

This week's picks: Jim Thompson's Pop. 1280, Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death, and Coup de Torchon.

[Chris L]

Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death

I second that this is essential reading.