My Response to the NY Times Review of Eat Pray Love

This blog is a bit different than my usual ones, because instead of simply giving my opinion and a detailed summary of a book I've been immersed in I have chosen to give my feedback to a review of a novel I read at the beginning of the third quarter. Here is a link to the review by Jennifer Egan, just in case anyone is interested in checking it out for themselves: .

I strongly side with Egan on her point that Elizabeth Gilbert's ability to, "make friends with anybody," as she herself states at the opening of the novel, is evident through her manner of writing. Egan shows this through her remark that, "Gilbert's prose is fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible, and makes the reader only too glad to join the posse of friends and devotees who have the pleasure of listening in,". This critic also wisely points out that a trip around the world, financed as an advance for the novel seems the perfect outlet for Gilbert to set free her "odball sensibility on an international stage". I have to take her side on this one as well because that little tad of quirkiness or diversity that Gilbert gives to her descriptions of each of her travel sites is quite refreshing and really allows the reader to picture them as if they were there themselves.

I was intrigued by Egan's insight that Gilbert's disdain and pain over not having the traditional life, or essentially ending her attempts at it are really a way to make herself realize that this sort of life is never that which she wanted, nor what she was cut out for. Egan admits she is, "willing to believe that Gilbert despaired over having failed at a more conventional life even as she sought out its opposite — complications like these are what make us human. But she doesn't tell that story here, or even acknowledge the paradox. As a result, her crisis remains a shadowy thing, a mere platform for the actions she takes to alleviate it." And once again I have to agree; Gilbert's novel is not about the struggles she is facing but the journey she embarks upon and therefore it is an interesting and quick read because there really isn't a whole lot of whining.

Well, I'd have to say Jennifer Egan hit the nail on the head with this review and I would definitely put my trust in her judgement of authors and books in the near future. Hope you enjoyed this change of style!

the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by mark haddon

This novel begins with the strange and sudden discovery of a neighbor's

tragically and cruelly murdered dog in the wee hours of the night, by a teenager

of "15 years and 3 months and 2 days" named Christopher John Francis Boone.

Now one might wonder just what was Christopher doing out at such an hour of

the night that he happened to stumble upon this brutal murder site?

He was just on one of his normal, middle-of-the-night walks when he happened to

end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. He becomes caught up in the affairs of

the police on the case and gets himself into a bit of a pickle withe them because he isn't

the best at controlling his behavior. However he makes it his mission to track down the

dog, Wellington's murderer? And believe me he won't let the case go unsolved.

One of the books most interesting assets is that since it's told from the view-

point of an autistic child we get a glimpse into the brilliance of this young boy's mind.

Christopher knows that which not many others do: how to determine all the prime

numbers of the world, how the milky way is aligned, and even the greek roots of the

word metaphor. He has many special gifts but is still often misunderstood by many

of his peers, but Christopher is truly a kind spirit who tries not to let it trouble him.

Throughout his quest to find out who killed Wellington, Christopher analyzes the ways

of our world that don't quite make sense to him, and the reader realizes that maybe our

society doesn't make so much sense in reality after all. According to Christopher he finds

people confusing, "this is for two main reasons. The first is that people do a lot of talking

without using any words... the second main reason is that people often talk using metaphors."

When you stop and think about it he is so very right; how can we ever really understand exactly

what someone means when they say much of what they want us to know, nonverbally and through

body language and facial expressions? And metaphors? Come on now, the apple of my eye, what

does that really mean? When you sit there and think it over it just doesn't make sense.

This novel's ability to make us question the ordinary occurrences of our world simply stunned and

moved me more than any book has done in quite a long while. I credit the author for being extra-

ordinarily creative with this tale, and for turning a simple plot line into a novel that is so thought-

provoking. The tale itself may not be that interesting but this author's writing style and flow make it

a quick and enjoyable read. Care to figure out for yourself who killed Wellington? Join Christopher

on his journey and prepare yourself for some insight into your own life. This is definitely a read

you cannot pass up. Enjoy!