My Favourite Books Read in 2018
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
Written by the same guy who did the Men Who Stare At Goats documentary, a specialist in deep dives into the absurd power structures of humanity. Here he looks at the seemingly subjective nature of determining who is crazy, particularly psychotic, but also the links between psychopaths and power. Ronson's writing is a joy to read, and often lol funny. I'd have liked deeper exploration of this notion of psychopathic traits among CEOs and other power brokers. But as a general presentation of many of the characters associated with the madness industry, the madness of madness as it were, this was insightful and I generally agree with his conclusions.
The Free by Willie Vlautin
This is a beautifully humane portrait of Americans struggling with working-class poverty, just to take care of themselves and loved ones. The storytelling is simple and straightforward, the characters are plain spoken, honest, and sympathetic.
Invisible Planets by various writers
Probably my favourite of the year. Quite stunning really, and quite different from my usual reading. The most common theme in these stories, I'd hazard, is conformity. The ones that resonated most for me were the ones with broad universal imaginings of civilizations of all kinds - how they can go so right or wrong - even a civilization of Gods, our creators. Favourites were City of Silence, the titular Invisible Planets (one of my favourite short stories period), Folding Beijing, and Taking Care of God.
When the Saints by Sarah Mian
Compelling story and characters with quick-witted and engaging dialogue and genuine laughs, When the Saints' story shows the cycle of rural poverty, the seemingly psychotic nature of its ghosts, the danger of vendetta culture, and how 'bad' families are often people mired in this pattern, haunted by their fathers' mistakes and the ostracization of society's 'lessers.'
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Set in the between-worlds after-death realm, after Abe Lincoln's son dies of illness, and starring the ghosts who greet the boy on his arrival. Saunders uses an unusual, innovative structure, constant dialogue between the ghosts, kind of theatrical, and it created an enjoyable chaos and a lot of layers and perspectives to the story. It took a little work, getting into the characters, keeping some of the minor ones straight, but it was pleasurable work that mostly paid off.
To Live and Die in Scoudouc by Hermenegilde Chiasson
Acadian New Brunswick poetry from the 70s, just translated to English, considered a Maritimes classic . Some of the prose-verse was celestial, other-worldly. In parts I couldn't quite relate, but that might actually be cultural differences, surprising enough given the author and I aren't worlds apart. But, different mother tongues can make a big difference. On the whole, he layers imagery and writes with energy that too many writers can't be bothered to muster. When I was into it, I was waaay into it.
America, the Farewell Tour by Chris Hedges
At first I found myself nitpicking at things I disagreed with but when I started to get a sense of his broader thesis, that resistance must be organized, that it must not just target a specific political party (Republicans) or politician (Trump) but rather take aim against the corporatization of politics in general, I focused more on that. The book is not seamless, but it is well researched, convincing and important. In the end, my biggest criticism is that he didn't start articulating a somewhat clear vision of resistance until the last few pages. This after opening with a reference to the massive influence of a right-wing manifesto of sorts in the 70s, and how it has shaped the US (and world) today. Still, I was inspired to get more active, to seek out strategic ways to make a better world. I agree with his assertion that the US empire is starting to crumble, and that we (not just Americans) need to prepare ourselves for that, to think, and act now to create something livable in its place.
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
I haven't seen the movie but apparently it's a good adaptation. This was set in 50s suburbia where everything is supposed to be great, but one couple wants desperately to escape it. I don't know if this was Yates' intention in 1960 when he wrote it, but their set gender roles prevent them from breaking free from the same lives everybody else lives. The trap Yates constructs for them is immersive and believable, and the ending (like many great old novels) was horrifying.
Written by the same guy who did the Men Who Stare At Goats documentary, a specialist in deep dives into the absurd power structures of humanity. Here he looks at the seemingly subjective nature of determining who is crazy, particularly psychotic, but also the links between psychopaths and power. Ronson's writing is a joy to read, and often lol funny. I'd have liked deeper exploration of this notion of psychopathic traits among CEOs and other power brokers. But as a general presentation of many of the characters associated with the madness industry, the madness of madness as it were, this was insightful and I generally agree with his conclusions.
The Free by Willie Vlautin
This is a beautifully humane portrait of Americans struggling with working-class poverty, just to take care of themselves and loved ones. The storytelling is simple and straightforward, the characters are plain spoken, honest, and sympathetic.
Invisible Planets by various writers
Probably my favourite of the year. Quite stunning really, and quite different from my usual reading. The most common theme in these stories, I'd hazard, is conformity. The ones that resonated most for me were the ones with broad universal imaginings of civilizations of all kinds - how they can go so right or wrong - even a civilization of Gods, our creators. Favourites were City of Silence, the titular Invisible Planets (one of my favourite short stories period), Folding Beijing, and Taking Care of God.
When the Saints by Sarah Mian
Compelling story and characters with quick-witted and engaging dialogue and genuine laughs, When the Saints' story shows the cycle of rural poverty, the seemingly psychotic nature of its ghosts, the danger of vendetta culture, and how 'bad' families are often people mired in this pattern, haunted by their fathers' mistakes and the ostracization of society's 'lessers.'
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Set in the between-worlds after-death realm, after Abe Lincoln's son dies of illness, and starring the ghosts who greet the boy on his arrival. Saunders uses an unusual, innovative structure, constant dialogue between the ghosts, kind of theatrical, and it created an enjoyable chaos and a lot of layers and perspectives to the story. It took a little work, getting into the characters, keeping some of the minor ones straight, but it was pleasurable work that mostly paid off.
To Live and Die in Scoudouc by Hermenegilde Chiasson
Acadian New Brunswick poetry from the 70s, just translated to English, considered a Maritimes classic . Some of the prose-verse was celestial, other-worldly. In parts I couldn't quite relate, but that might actually be cultural differences, surprising enough given the author and I aren't worlds apart. But, different mother tongues can make a big difference. On the whole, he layers imagery and writes with energy that too many writers can't be bothered to muster. When I was into it, I was waaay into it.
America, the Farewell Tour by Chris Hedges
At first I found myself nitpicking at things I disagreed with but when I started to get a sense of his broader thesis, that resistance must be organized, that it must not just target a specific political party (Republicans) or politician (Trump) but rather take aim against the corporatization of politics in general, I focused more on that. The book is not seamless, but it is well researched, convincing and important. In the end, my biggest criticism is that he didn't start articulating a somewhat clear vision of resistance until the last few pages. This after opening with a reference to the massive influence of a right-wing manifesto of sorts in the 70s, and how it has shaped the US (and world) today. Still, I was inspired to get more active, to seek out strategic ways to make a better world. I agree with his assertion that the US empire is starting to crumble, and that we (not just Americans) need to prepare ourselves for that, to think, and act now to create something livable in its place.
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
I haven't seen the movie but apparently it's a good adaptation. This was set in 50s suburbia where everything is supposed to be great, but one couple wants desperately to escape it. I don't know if this was Yates' intention in 1960 when he wrote it, but their set gender roles prevent them from breaking free from the same lives everybody else lives. The trap Yates constructs for them is immersive and believable, and the ending (like many great old novels) was horrifying.
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