Book Review
I'm really disappointed in the latest book that I've been reading, "Fraud", by David Rakoff. I thought that I was really going to enjoy it, because I do enjoy hearing this pieces on "This American Life", and because I've thus far loved the books that I've read that were written by other members of the NPR gang.
But I was wrong. This book is an annoying vanity exercise. He comes across as if doesn't write about things because the world around him is interesting or intellectually stimulating. Rather he writes as if he finds the world interesting because it surrounds *himself*. And then there's the matter of his word choices...when I read reviews of this book on Amazon.com, I thought that people were being bitchy and whiny because an author was choosing to use words more comlex than "bunny" and "good". But that's not what's going on. He drops ten cent words just to show off. I am not against the demonstration of one's impressive lexicon. But I do think that there's a difference between using a particular word because it's the best way to convey your thoughts and feelings, and using a word just so we know that you know it.
I'm (probably) going to finish the damned thing because A) I'm an intellectual masochist, and B) I feel like I should finish it if I'm going to retain the right to slam this book to anyone who asks about it. (Just so I can give them an opinion that's at least backed by experience.)But I have a feeling that this book has a fine future under the wobbly leg on 007's sofa.
But I was wrong. This book is an annoying vanity exercise. He comes across as if doesn't write about things because the world around him is interesting or intellectually stimulating. Rather he writes as if he finds the world interesting because it surrounds *himself*. And then there's the matter of his word choices...when I read reviews of this book on Amazon.com, I thought that people were being bitchy and whiny because an author was choosing to use words more comlex than "bunny" and "good". But that's not what's going on. He drops ten cent words just to show off. I am not against the demonstration of one's impressive lexicon. But I do think that there's a difference between using a particular word because it's the best way to convey your thoughts and feelings, and using a word just so we know that you know it.
I'm (probably) going to finish the damned thing because A) I'm an intellectual masochist, and B) I feel like I should finish it if I'm going to retain the right to slam this book to anyone who asks about it. (Just so I can give them an opinion that's at least backed by experience.)But I have a feeling that this book has a fine future under the wobbly leg on 007's sofa.