It's hard to explain why I love this book so much, but fuck it I'll try.
Part of the reason it's hard to explain is that the book is difficult to parsIt's hard to explain why I love this book so much, but fuck it I'll try.
Part of the reason it's hard to explain is that the book is difficult to parse in general. I think the controversial opinions surrounding this novel are largely due to that and the fact that the synopsis of the book has very little to do with what's actually written.
This novel is a tragic, sorrowful, yet beautiful rumination on life, death, love, and just about everything else in between those things. There is a, if I may, schizophrenic nature to the way the story progresses and unfolds too, which I suspect is not unintentional and actually quite fitting.
There is also a melancholic tone throughout the story that I feel deeply. The tragedy of Bobby and Alicia's love, the ramifications of their fathers work, the slow, lonely deterioration of their lives, loss and grief, it's all unbelievably depressing to think about but is written so beautifully I couldn't stop. Similar to how I felt reading Stoner, another sorrowful masterpiece. That permeating melancholy is something I really resonate with in any artistic creation, and this book is no exception. Brilliantly done.
Merged review:
It's hard to explain why I love this book so much, but fuck it I'll try.
Part of the reason it's hard to explain is that the book is difficult to parse in general. I think the controversial opinions surrounding this novel are largely due to that and the fact that the synopsis of the book has very little to do with what's actually written.
This novel is a tragic, sorrowful, yet beautiful rumination on life, death, love, and just about everything else in between those things. There is a, if I may, schizophrenic nature to the way the story progresses and unfolds too, which I suspect is not unintentional and actually quite fitting.
There is also a melancholic tone throughout the story that I feel deeply. The tragedy of Bobby and Alicia's love, the ramifications of their fathers work, the slow, lonely deterioration of their lives, loss and grief, it's all unbelievably depressing to think about but is written so beautifully I couldn't stop. Similar to how I felt reading Stoner, another sorrowful masterpiece. That permeating melancholy is something I really resonate with in any artistic creation, and this book is no exception. Brilliantly done.
Merged review:
It's hard to explain why I love this book so much, but fuck it I'll try.
Part of the reason it's hard to explain is that the book is difficult to parse in general. I think the controversial opinions surrounding this novel are largely due to that and the fact that the synopsis of the book has very little to do with what's actually written.
This novel is a tragic, sorrowful, yet beautiful rumination on life, death, love, and just about everything else in between those things. There is a, if I may, schizophrenic nature to the way the story progresses and unfolds too, which I suspect is not unintentional and actually quite fitting.
There is also a melancholic tone throughout the story that I feel deeply. The tragedy of Bobby and Alicia's love, the ramifications of their fathers work, the slow, lonely deterioration of their lives, loss and grief, it's all unbelievably depressing to think about but is written so beautifully I couldn't stop. Similar to how I felt reading Stoner, another sorrowful masterpiece. That permeating melancholy is something I really resonate with in any artistic creation, and this book is no exception. Brilliantly done....more
Determined is a book which manages to articulate and justify thoughts and ideas that I've been wrestling with for some time now. Having recently read Determined is a book which manages to articulate and justify thoughts and ideas that I've been wrestling with for some time now. Having recently read Sam Harris' essay on free will, and now this book by Sapolsky, I somewhat uncomfortably now feel like my thoughts on the subject are proven correct, or as close as we're currently capable of at the moment. Here Sapolsky does an amazing job of going over the relevant science as well as discussing many of the major concerns regarding the implications of confronting the absence of free will. Coming to terms with incompatible determinism leads to some dark places and disturbing implications. I think that the truth is always worth promoting, especially if it's uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the truth can sometimes seriously hurt and upset our sense of self and understanding of the world. This is one of those truths. The question now is are we ready to accept the sometimes unsettling consequences of that truth? I'm not sure that most of us, myself included, would be able to say yes, at least not yet.
Therefore it seems hard for me to recommend such a book in good conscience despite finding it fascinating. I'm concerned that many people wouldn't be able to handle the revelation, resulting in some serious instability and mental anguish. If you feel like that is the case for you, please don't bother. However, for those interested in the subject, those possibly wrestling with such ideas yourself, and those that don't feel like they would be deeply destabilized by such knowledge, I would highly recommend reading Determined. Reading it may irreversibly change your outlook on life, morality, and meaning but fuck it, in the end it's not really up to us is it?...more
Warning, this review gets a little preachy, which is kind of fitting. But if that's not your thing I get it. I didn't intend this review to go that waWarning, this review gets a little preachy, which is kind of fitting. But if that's not your thing I get it. I didn't intend this review to go that way but fuck it here we are. TLDR: It's a great book, you should read it.
The life of Dr. King was integrally tied to the civil rights movement, therefore it would be impossible to describe one without the other. Eig did an amazing job portraying just how difficult it must have been for the black community, not only in the push for equality and desegregation, but just simply to live in a country that seemingly resents their mere existence. They were at best, looked over and disregarded, and at worst consciously and murderously despised simply for having dark skin relative to the rest of the population. Using King as a vehicle, Eig did a marvelous job of demonstrating the vitriolic hatred that faced black people and the monumental task that the civil rights movement faced to overcome such hate each and every day. Which makes their accomplishments seem even more incredible than they already are. Which, admittedly, my surprise reveals my ignorance on the subject. I am not ashamed to admit that because our education system fucking sucks when it comes to things like this.
“In those schools named for King, and in almost every school in America, King’s life and lessons are often smoothed and polished beyond recognition. Young people hear his dream of brotherhood and his wish for children to be judged by the content of their character, but not his call for fundamental change in the nation’s character, not his cry for an end to the triple evils of materialism, militarism, and racism.”
Without consciously choosing to, most of us middle class white people will never know about the true extent of the inhumane treatment of the black community. Stefan Zweig has taught me to beware of pity, but nonetheless my heart goes out to all of those people in this country today that are still experiencing even a fraction of such hate and disenfranchisement. Which, I know, is ultimately fucking meaningless. Virtue signaling is pathetic pandering and accomplishes nothing other than to stroke one's moral ego and let them say “Oh aren’t I so high and mighty, look how fuckin righteous I am”. The feelings of being lost in desperation, oppressed and ignored, targeted and profiled are things I will never understand fully and it shames me to know that so many people still experience such pain daily. Bringing such thoughts and feelings into the forefront of the reader's mind, however, is an important, maybe the most important, feature of this book. Pity is usually counterproductive and patronizing, but knowledge, empathy, and awareness is irreplaceable if we really want lasting change and a better future.
King, as well as the other major civil rights leaders of the day, truly had their work cut out for them. Several times while reading, I stopped and said out loud, "goddamn dude, that's fucked". As I said before, Eig's writing does a great job of demonstrating the struggle in a way that truly conveys "struggle". They fought against the exact same rhetoric we see today, none of it very good rhetoric either to be honest. It was lazy then and it's lazy now. Co Opting/Reversing slogans, playing the victim, deliberate straw manning, ad hominem, statistical manipulation. It's unsettling just how little the arguments and themes against radical justice have changed over 60 years. The sad part though is that it still seems to work. Hell, it used to work on me. A prime example as to why reading uncomfortable history, like this, is so important to a good education.
It is also impossible to talk about King without also talking about nonviolence, and his, literally religious, commitment to it. I am aware of, and have read books about, the tragic events that took place in Wilmington, Tulsa, Rosewood, numerous lynchings and hate mobs, etc. Which, again, I had to find out on my own. I have to say, the more I learn about historic, and unfortunately sometimes not so historic, racial tensions, the more I feel surprised that type of shit didn't happen more often and on a grander scale. I believe that King's strict dedication to nonviolence and religious appeal is likely the reason such tensions didn't explode into an all out war. "Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.” Whatever else may be said about King, he certainly wasn't a Saint as he may sometimes be depicted, his commitment to nonviolent protest and reform likely saved the country from itself in ways we can hardly appreciate.
A true "revolution of values" is required to achieve tangible results and justice at a deeper level. This biography and the life of Dr. King puts much into perspective, not just pertaining to race, but all forms of hate and injustice. We as individuals must undergo our own revolution of values. What makes up a society but the people within it? What creates the values of a society and a culture but the values of said individuals that comprise it? Values such as: Wisdom: Which allows us to know right from wrong, Justice: The demand for equal treatment and genuine respect for all people, and Love: "Love is the only force that can capture hate." Can we, as individuals, be reconciled with “Wisdom, Justice, and Love”? Only when the answer is yes will we be able to change society as a whole....more
There is nothing that I could say that would do this book justice. It's brilliantly written, heartfelt, pithy and quotable (which I'm a fucking suckerThere is nothing that I could say that would do this book justice. It's brilliantly written, heartfelt, pithy and quotable (which I'm a fucking sucker for), its wise, and is full of applicable psychological insight if one is willing to do the hard work, be honest with themselves, and acknowledge their pain. I cannot recommend it enough. ...more
Incredible and disturbing depiction of southern evangelism, desperation, racism, and guilt. As someone who grew up in southern Appalachia, parts of thIncredible and disturbing depiction of southern evangelism, desperation, racism, and guilt. As someone who grew up in southern Appalachia, parts of this book were upsettingly all too familiar. I can particularly relate to the desperate need to escape from southern small town life, which makes the motivations of the main character and others real and, at times, uncomfortably understandable to say the least. If you grew up in the south, especially if you are familiar with the influence of Southern Christiaan Evangelism, small town desperation, jealous guilt tripping, and the tragic, yet particularly difficult to articulate, mindset that is overwhelming evident in many poor southern towns (If you know, you know). ...more
Well that was just fuckin lovely. Witty, seriously funny at times, light-hearted, and fun. I can't recommend this enough.Well that was just fuckin lovely. Witty, seriously funny at times, light-hearted, and fun. I can't recommend this enough....more
A thing I think I share with Frost is a deep connection to and affinity for nature, and an appreciation for the little things, which are only "little"A thing I think I share with Frost is a deep connection to and affinity for nature, and an appreciation for the little things, which are only "little" because we choose to regard them as such. I believe that the selection of poems in this book emphasizes that aspect of his work.
I am particularly fond of this bit from The Tuft of Flowers:
"The butterfly and I had lit upon, Nevertheless, a message from the dawn,
That made me hear the wakening birds around, And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground,
And feel a spirit kindred to my own; So that henceforth I worked no more alone;"...more
Few books, or any media really, are able to capture that sense of wonder and fascination that I used to get when reading through the kids science bookFew books, or any media really, are able to capture that sense of wonder and fascination that I used to get when reading through the kids science books in the school library. Entangled Life, for me, brought that feeling back full force and I am truly grateful for that. I tried to slow down and savor this book, but it was still over all too quickly. Highly recommend to anyone even remotely interested in the natural sciences, mycology, or just looking to feel like a kid in the library's science section again....more
Really dark and weird (in a good way). A brilliant depiction of of Stan's egotistical rise as a spook show religious leader and subsequent fall into mReally dark and weird (in a good way). A brilliant depiction of of Stan's egotistical rise as a spook show religious leader and subsequent fall into madness and worse. Loved this book, and the movie is fantastic as well. ...more
I read this book in 2 days. It was one of the best books I've read all year, instantly made it to my favorites list, and I would highly recommend it tI read this book in 2 days. It was one of the best books I've read all year, instantly made it to my favorites list, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Even if you have no investing interests, the psychological insights offered in this book will be tremendously helpful for anyone, regardless of where they happen to be in their personal finance journey. ...more
"I know that you can make a good case that all human sorrow is grounded in injustice. And that sorrow is what is left when rage is expended and found "I know that you can make a good case that all human sorrow is grounded in injustice. And that sorrow is what is left when rage is expended and found to be impotent."...more
The way Zweig incorporated the main theme of pity into all aspects of the book made it feel like there were no wasted words and that every divergence The way Zweig incorporated the main theme of pity into all aspects of the book made it feel like there were no wasted words and that every divergence from the main plot had clear and powerful purpose. Absolutely brilliant, and one of the best books I have ever read....more
A book where nothing really happens but you don't care because it's written so damn well. Tragic and depressing, but beautiful at the same time. StoneA book where nothing really happens but you don't care because it's written so damn well. Tragic and depressing, but beautiful at the same time. Stoner manages to speak to me in a way that's so deeply ingrained into my character and personality that it would be impossible to fully articulate. Williams is able to reach my sad boy nature in a way thats unexpected and feels thoroughly understood. There is no other piece of literature, that I've read so far, that captures those feelings, those ways of being in the world, so beautifully and in a way that is truly authentic. I would highly recommend this book to pretty much anyone, but especially people with a more melancholic temperament....more
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