http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Wed, 29 Dec 2004 07:23:00 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/18/173330.php#comment-105827 I don't know how to respond to Mr. Glasscock's complaints about the redemptive or non-redemptive qualities of fiction. I do know that Freddy Exley's longing to be like Frank Gifford (the pre Kathy Lee Frank Gifford, of course), together with his addictive personality and his lack of the talent he needed to succeed or even understand a changing America in the manner he wanted to -- be it artistically, financially and socially --- both predicted and spoofed the current 24-hour a day "SportsCenter" "Entertainment Tonight" culture, the notion that everyone's worthless life is worthy of its 20 minutes on reality television, and the spate of self-indulgent memoirs concerning addiction and recovery. Most importantly, the book is, in many parts, very very very funny, and in other parts, extremely frustrating. Admittedly, I have not read the book in some time, but thanks to Mr. Glasscock's review, I am certain to look at it again soon. 105827@blogcritics.org Wed, 29 Dec 2004 07:23:00 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/18/173330.php#comment-105794 A Fan's Notes succeeds in the brutally honest way it portrays alienation and one man's dance with madness. I read it as a teenager and found it life changing and even inspiring. Exley's impetus to succeed and integrate is to produce something literary and personally worthwhile. Like a how-done-it the reason for the quest is revealed in advance, in this case the actual book residing in the reader's hand. Perhaps there are a fortunate few whose pedigree, ego and conscience are strong enough to be callous to the brutal honesty and metaphorical insight Exley brings to discussion of alienation and madness. Those few might never have had to embody (particularly in 1968 America) the unyielding realization that they are genetically or culturally different than the Frank Giffords who are given the keys to the kingdom - and the madness associated with actually believing such a commerce inspired value system. Exley's charm and gift is his intricate, funny and engrossing description of the journey; his keen insight into both constructive and destructive synapse jumps; and his revelation of self imposed and societal traps and punishments. Yet somehow this ultimately leads to the redemption of accomplishment - an enduring, touching and awarding winning work, the proof of which remains on my bookshelf. 105794@blogcritics.org Tue, 28 Dec 2004 21:04:25 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/18/173330.php#comment-74785 excellent review Todd, thanks! I read it about 20 years ago and felt the same way you do. I kept waiting for something redeeming to happen, some revelation to make all the lying around on the couch watching football and drinking meaningful, but it never happened. 74785@blogcritics.org Mon, 19 Jul 2004 08:54:45 EDT