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+--- Thread: Moonglow by Michael Chabon (/showthread.php?tid=5271)
Moonglow by Michael Chabon - Drunk Monk - 01-19-2020
His most recent - not nearly as stellar as Telegraph Ave (see http://www.brotherhoodofdoom.com/doomForum/showthread.php?tid=5106) and it took me a while to warm up to the story. It's semi-autobio - Michael's grandfather is on his deathbed, a quiet man with a convoluted story, and Michael pieces it together into a revelatory family history. Maybe I'm more accustomed to his style but this didn't have nearly the impact for me. It was based again in the Bay Area, but largely takes place elsewhere. There are some Star Trek references, but no Kung Fu. And overall, the descriptions weren't as resonant, which isn't to say there weren't some masterful passages, it just didn't ring as close to home for me. There's a large story arc about rocket science that cf might enjoy (why do I always imagine cf might like the media I consume? Especially given his warped unfathomable tastes). But the rocket arc is one of the more engaging really, especially towards the end. It's moody, self-reflective but remarkably not self-absorbed.
A decent read but I'm not sure I'd recommend it unless you're already a fan. PPFY - if you're interested, I'm happy to pass this one along to you too, or any of you really...it's just PPFY have an upcoming rendezvous...and no, not in some sketchy Folsom street alley (that's all gentrified now anyway). It's a few blocks away at some pretentious millennial joint. We might report on that later. We also might need bail money.
RE: Moonglow by Michael Chabon - Dr. Ivor Yeti - 01-20-2020
I still have Telegraph Avenue to read, so I’ll pass. Has Stacy ever read The Yellow-Lighted Bookstore by Buzbee? It’s a memoir of Bay Area bookselling during our tenures in the trade, as well as a brief history of bookstores.
RE: Moonglow by Michael Chabon - Drunk Monk - 01-21-2020
Good rec. Her birthday is coming up...