Okay, so now, after having read Eco's dissertations on the modern world at large and how we are all contradictory one-dimensional oafs, I am now focused on reading a new novel.

Earlier this year, I watched the movie, "Atonement", which was up for a couple of Oscars and found it to be intriguing for those of us who enjoy some drama and literary plots. Although I would have probably read the book by Ian McEwen just for the story itself, I am in one of my "study" phases in which I dissect some author's work and learn from it.

Atonement is a story about a young teenage girl named Briony who is very literary and innocent. Due to her innocence perceiving adult relationships, she misunderstands the budding love affair between an older fellow she has a crush on and her older sister. Complications arise that influence the young girl to accuse the man of a crime he doesn't commit, and tearing apart a couple whose love was endearing and growing. It's one of those tear-jerkers.

So, I am studying McEwen so that I can complete a novel that I've been working on for some years, during the same time period (1940) and dealing with ... you guessed it ... love and realtionships.

Things have been busy down at the ol' job and I haven't been around much lately. When it comes to the book my agent is trying to peddle, I had to put together close to $500 USD in getting graphic design and printing done for a "mock book cover".

Anyhow, I haven't been reading much lately. I did peruse Elizabeth Costello by JM Coatzee. He's a nobel-winning author. Blah. I've found those high-faloot'n Pulitzer-, Nobel- and Booker winning authors generally write alot of hot wind drivvel.

I still haven't finished McEwen's Atonement, and have been slowly progressing through it. Not because of the narrative, but since I'm acquainted with the story through the movies, I know what's happening and what's going to happen next. The book parallels the movie (and vice versa) pretty closely, unfortunately. This is because there's little variation between the media.

I have re-purchased Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves and have been studying it deeply. I have a fondness for metafiction - surreal, self-aware fiction - and am fashioning a book sort of like his. If you like a book that's gimmicky and crazy and altogether weird, read this book! ... Or try to, at least. It's not an easy read, but it is different.
Okay - back on the horse.

I met Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Brisco County, etc.) at a book signing and yakked with him a little. I bought his book, Make Love! The Bruce Campbell Way and had him sign that and my Army of Darkness DVD. Very funny fellow in real life.

ME (walking up and shaking his hand): Hello Lord Bolar!

BC: Naw, that's the tall one.

Anyhow, we talked some length about his movies and his adventures. He will tell you to never call him Ash, but it's funny that everyone seems to do it.

I just finished reading his book, and found it hilarious. It's not an autobiography like his first book If Chins Could Kill, but a fictional account about how it would be if he were slated for a pivotal role in an "A" list movie. He pulls out all stops and, in his own words, becomes a "Chino County Prison Bitch" at the end.

Well recommended! Many references to his real stuff. If you haven't got it, get it!

Everyone should read House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It is a story within a story within a story that is highly metaphorical and rooted in the tradition of Jorge Luis Borges and/or Franz Kafka. The author does very weird things with the formatting (for example, the text might start going in a circle, have certain words highlighted in certain colors, or have footnotes pages long) but the book is such a page turner that you aren't even hindered by them. And ultimately the book is more interesting for these strange feats of formatting.

I am just about finishe reading Umberto Eco's Name of the Rose and it is simply amazing. I own the movie, and Sean Connery does an amazing job of playing William, and for years have been telling myself I'd read the book, especially after my Medieval Philosophy teacher spoke so highly of it, and have finally gotten around to it. It is not an easy read... but it is delightfully funny at times, and the rest of the time it really makes you think about religion and life, death and our preceptions of the world around us. So I highly recommend this book.