Monday, July 23, 2007

Review now posted below

The Neurology of Autism edited by Mary Coleman, Emeritus Clinical Professor of Pediatric Neurology at Georgetown University, is a collection of chapters looking at the latest information on autism - see my review below.

In the meantime, as I wait for the arrival of Harry, I'm reading Mary Gaitskill's Veronica which is absolute KILLER writing. KILLER.

7 comments:

Dewey said...

I read Veronica, and although the language was absolutely gorgeous, I found myself unable to really care about the characters. I'll be interested in hearing what you have to say when you're done!

Ted said...

Interesting reaction, Dewey, I'll let you know!

Anonymous said...

For me - it was the ending of Veronica that packed the real punch.

I'm a huge Gaitskill fan - but I do think I prefer her short stories (I think we talked about this, Ted??)

Finished Harry Potter last night. And that is all I will say.

Ted said...

My copy of HP hasn't even arrived yet - due tomorrow. So Veronica is bridging the gap (they're so similar).

Anonymous said...

hahahaha Yes, very similar.

And you know, I realized - reading Veronica - that I never care about Gaitskill's characters. For the most part, she writes about nasty self-involved people - I would never want to spend much time with a Gaitskill character.

But it's just the WRITING that hooks me ... and perhaps if the writing is as good as hers is, then I do not require LIKING of them to continue on.

I think, though, that that is why I prefer her short stories (or one of the reasons). I am not really into spending TOO much time with any of those people. So the shorter form is perfect.

Other writers (Michael Chabon comes to mind) seem to create people I would want to meet - people recognizably human ... with an element of warmth, fellow human feeling -

Gaitskill writes from the underbelly, her "people" - no less real, no less three-dimensional - are pretty much universally abhorrent to me. Nasty little people.

I can't think of an exception.

Just thinking out loud here ...

Ted said...

Yes, they aren't very nice people but I noticed the other evening, I hadn't read the book for several hours and I was wondering what had happened to the characters (as though they're busy when I put the book down). I am compelled despite the fact that I wouldn't want to go out with them for a drink and, man, I sure wouldn't ask their advice about anything.

Dewey said...

Yes, the writing just kept me awed all the way through. I read that book SO much more slowly than I usually read (and I already read slowly!) because I just kept wanting to savor the language.