My Dots for Monday, March 26, 2007

This is a really excellent, although not terribly favorable, review of the recently unearthed Philip K. Dick book, “Voices from the Street.”

Quoted: The attraction is clearly mutual, and Dick hints at a secret history. “Of course, you have a sweet wife… such a sweet little wife you have,” Sally coos to her brother. “ ‘You don’t need me anymore.’ ” Sally and Bob join Hadley and Ellen for afternoon cocktails at the Hadleys’ home. Sally offers Ellen a hand-me-down blender, then explains her reasoning to tightwad Bob: “ ‘I told Ellen we’d give her the two-pint one; it’s really too small for us. Then when we come down next time she can whip up a daiquiri for us…’ ” The condescension is hardly lost on Ellen, but Hadley just keeps on mooning: “[Sally] had put on a yellow drawstring blouse of Ellen’s and one of her short, light summer skirts… [S]he sat curled up on the couch, her bare legs tucked under her, one pale arm resting outstretched behind her.” The sexpot sister dressed in the wife’s clothing is a phenomenal, arresting image — the most compelling and resonant in the book.

In today’s Tournament of Books, Thomas Pynchon’s novel was defeated by a reader who chose to go no further than 300 pages. While I’m disappointed in the number of people who are unable to finish any of Thomas Pynchon’s novels - I think most people bail on far too many things that they consider difficult - I do at least appreciate Sasha’s reasoning.

Quoted: I take no pleasure in being defeated by Pynchon, and I don’t think he’s full of hot air; I just think we have very different pleasure principles.

Alas, the tournament is over for me. I care not a single whit about any of the books left.

DMCA author says it’s a failure.