It’s been a while. Here are seven things that make my
world a better place and cut through the drone of the mundane…
American Tabloid,
by James Ellroy
The ultimate example of eliminating unnecessary words,
James Ellroy’s prose is hardboiled, bleak and powerful. When he is really on—as
he is for the entirety of this amazing novel—I’m convinced he’s the best
American writer alive. What would come across as gratuitous and convoluted
conspiracy theories in another’s hand sings in his. This book not only swept me
away, it had me spending evenings researching the Mob, the Kennedys, the CIA,
and the Bay of Pigs. Normally I’m not a fan of fiction that uses real life
figures, but this is the exception to the rule and I found myself thinking long
and hard about the very idea of America. I can’t praise a work of fiction
higher than that. And it’s only the first in a trilogy…I plan on reading the other
two this summer.
All the Colors of
the Dark
I love my giallo, and I love Edwige Fenech, and yet I
didn’t get around to seeing this until last week. Any movie that suggests the
best way to deal with the grief of a miscarriage is to join a satanic cult is
good by me. Also: Edwige.
So Deadly, So
Perverse volumes 1 and 2, by Troy Howarth
Speaking of giallo, the two volume So Deadly, So Perverse
set is the most comprehensive guide to the genre I’ve yet read. What I particularly
like is that, rather than a thousand essays discussing the genre, it simply
presents very well-informed reviews of every Italian giallo film. Obscure,
impossible-to-find films are given as much attention as the famous works by
Argento, Fulci, Martino, etc., meaning you’ll find something to spark the
interest whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore obsessive. (Bonus points if
you’ve figured out where I fall on the spectrum.) Pull out a bottle of J&B,
slip into something comfortable and don’t answer the door.
Barbecuing
There’s no better way to survive the summer.
The Celtic Frost
vinyl reissues
Celtic Frost was one of the first metal bands that could
truly be called extreme, and they forged a completely unique sound and vision
so far ahead of its time that it took decades for the metal world to catch up.
These gorgeous reissues feature full artwork, a 36-page booklet, and a
remastered sound by Thomas Fischer (aka Tom G. Warrior) that brings out the
power of the sound without cleaning away the dank doominess. The only knock is
the liner notes are lame, due to a last-minute disagreement between Tom and the
record company. Not surprising, as Tom has never compromised, but there isn’t
likely to be a better reissue of these records in his lifetime so get them now.
Random trivia: Tom was one of H.R. Giger’s assistants and a close friend. Giger
approved all use of his work on Tom’s projects (unlike Danzig.)
The Ocean at the
End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman
I have the utmost admiration and respect for Gaiman, and
I love the Sandman/Death comics like few works of art ever, but in general Neil’s
novels haven’t worked for me. I liked American Gods ok, couldn’t finish Anansi
Boys, thought Neverwhere was boring and Good Omens was just alright. So I slept
on this one, but a used copy fell into my laps a few weeks ago so I thought I
would give it a shot…and I absolutely loved it. This is everything I ever
wanted in a novel from Gaiman, personable, accessible, beautiful, dark but not
despairing…a modern-day fairy tale in the best sense. I was moved and once I
started, I couldn’t put the book down, finishing it in less than 24 hours. I’m
now convincing my youngest daughter (who loved Coraline, as did I—his one book
prior to this that really did work for me) to read it. Neil can and should be
enjoyed by all ages. As Stephen King once said, we are lucky to have him in any
medium.
Iron Maiden socks
‘Nuff said.
