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3 out of 5 stars
By
Bradley P. Valentine
on
01-29-15
A novel worth reading
Any additional comments?
A couple of things. First is that I completely disagree with the other reviewer. He sort of looked past the writing and was more interested in trying to ascribe what was and wasn’t from Ben Lerner’s real life. Anyone interested in fiction knows that is unfair. Maybe Lerner invites the distraction given the narrative ambiguity about where the novel actually comes from. In any case, it’s beside the point and the most dull reaction you can have to sit and write a review guessing what might be the real Ben Lerner. Who cares?
I admit it took more than a minute for me to get into the novel. In retrospect, I’m not even sure when it fully had me or if it ever fully had me. it’s not for everyone. It’s intellectual. It can be dry. And there is a level of personal and philosophical self absorption that makes sense in context, but will piss off some people who have a narrow sense of what it means to be humble.
A big part of Lerner’s novel is dissecting how an artist processes life material to his art, which is by far the most interesting part. I suspect there is some autobiography in there and some completely made up stuff. Some recent history in NYC. It’s a stew of things. If you’re interested in a plot heavy journey where a character finds answers to flaws and changes forever, you probably won’t like this novel (although aspects of that kind of journey are in here).
If you ever tried to write a story or a novel, if you are a literary person, you’ll find something to latch onto here. It’s worthwhile. Literary. And I’m glad I read it. That’s about all. Don’t expect Ben Lerner’s autobiography though.
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6 of 7 people found this review helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By
Jay Ellis
on
06-29-16
The author as octopus poet
Ben Lerner gives us, his and Whitman's"you," a novel of walking and talking with a mind as sieve, straining out frightened emotions through the ink clouds of the overactive protection of intellect. A fine novel from a strong poet.
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful