Readings

Rating:
Summary: Yawn
Review: Buy this book to read literary criticism at its worst, or rather read a literary critic indulging himself.

Rating:
Summary: How disappointing...
Review: I have to admit that "Gutenberg Elegies," Birkerts's previous book, was a real pleasure to read, even if I did not share his clearly pessimistic view of technology. "Elegies" is a fascinating book, extremely well crafted, thoroughly planned from start to finish, and (disturbingly?) thought-provoking. Motivated by this experience and several equally high-flying editorial pieces (in the Atlantic) I rushed to get "Readings." What a disappointment. Has it REALLY been written by the same person? "Readings" is a collection of essays which seem quite haphazardly thrown together for no apparent reason other than simply being available. I was surprised by the authoritarian, no-discussion-welcome tone of most pieces, rather than the well-substantiated-argument tone of essays I was expecting (and to which the author got me accustomed before). You will learn, to give one example, which is the most beautiful poem ever written (it is beautiful, if quite trivial), and then, this presumed beauty will be slowly murdered in a lengthy, over-the-top analysis which could well be titled "What NOT to do to a poem you claim to like." And, although in one of the essays Birkerts announces he is not very interested in being actively involved in politics, many essays seem very conservative in tone. Not that conservative is a bad thing. It is just not my kind of thing. I will admit I did not read ALL the essays (nor do I intend to) - I think I have read just enough to know I do not want to read more. I may have missed some well-hidden gems. Oh, well - now I will never know.

Rating:
Summary: Annoying Beyond Belief
Review: This book was inflicted on me by my college prof--ok, so I'll admit some of it was worth reading; Sven's got a bit of a point about technology taking over our lives and he writes quite eloquently about the joys of reading. Also, the last few essays about specific writers were somewhat enjoyable. But on the whole, it's stuff I've heard before in a more accessible and enjoyable fashion. Sometimes it led to some mildly interesting conversations, but basically, I feel it was a waste of my time. Sven needs to get a grip--technology isn't going away. Also, I had to chuckle when I read him boast about the fact that he is "in no sense online." Well, that might have been true when the essay was first published but his journal sure is online now! At any rate, if freaking out about technology taking over our lives and our society going to hell in a handbasket is your thing, you might like this book. I didn't.