RIP, Paul Auster

 

Some books I've read 63

Catastrophe and Other Stories by Dino Buzzati

This writer was a new discovery for me, a sort of Italian Kafka. It's a collection of short stories, some sort of Twilight Zone-ish. Will look for more. There's a new collection of his work published this fall.

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Real purty, this book. What does it mean? Haven't the foggiest. But I enjoyed reading it, and will find If On A Winter's Night A Traveller that I gave up some years ago and give it a second try.

U2: The Definite Biography by John Joblin

A critical biography of U2, especially of Bono and his work as an activist, that there is some hypocrisy involved, which is fair enough, I guess, stopping at No Line on the Horizon, that I never bought. So, basically, U2 has become the establishment, no longer taking chances, they've become the sort of band they once hated and fought against. Maybe. 

Seventies by Howard Sounes

The writer defends this decade "that taste forgot", pointing to Monty Python, Woody Allen, Scorsese and Coppola, Sex Pistols, David Hockney, David Bowie, Andy Warhol and Jack Nicholson among others. And yes, there was some good stuff made, wide lapels and sideburns be damned.

Woody Allen on Woody Allen

The expanded edition, going up to Hollywood Ending.  Allen doesn't really like to talk much about his previous work, which is a problem for a book like this. Or, he talks about it, but not with any real passion. I still like the early stuff, haven't seen that much after Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Terry Gilliam on Terry Gilliam

So, I got some mixed feelings about Gilliam. Brazil, yes, was very good. I intensely disliked Twelve Monkeys and haven't seen any of his films after that. But he's still fun to listen to. Both about his work as a director and about being a Python. You always know you're watching a Gilliam film, for good or for bad.

Amazing Spider-Man: The Secret of the Petrified Tablet

Not one of the best, this Epic Collection. The stories don't feel fresh anymore. Peter worries about aunt May. Oh, no! Stan Lee can write this stuff in his sleep now. Several stories drawn by John Buscema who does decent work, but he's no Ditko or Romita.

Captain America: To Be Reborn

Forgettable stories, but great art by Jack Kirby. Not a fan of the inking by Syd Shores, that is not as strong as the ones by Joe Sinnot and Dan Adkins. 

And back cover

The cover

 

New book finished

Oops! OH, NO!