Derrick Jeter? What?! He could write and play baseball?! Oh, okay, a different Jeter.
There is a resurgence of interest in the literature of the West. The Manichaen sense of good and evil in many Western stories was relevant in the Cold War period and may be relevant again now.
I reposted your column twice. My compliment is sincere.
I also sent the column to a friend who is thinking of becoming a writer. What you describe: taking real events and mythologizing them; is what he’s been needing, conceptually, to get started.
Your simple definitions of the “what and why” of myths is tremendous. It’s like, “Aw, shit. I could do that.” If something comes of it (I won’t be surprised), I will definitely let you know.
I put these on my list. I loved McCormac’s trilogy but some of his others are hit and miss with me.
I tried to start The Ambassadors but having trouble getting into it. I may have to set it aside to another more opportune time for me. My mind is not in a good place for it right now. Sorry.
The American Mythos has been on my mind for many years. I agree that the West must be a huge part of it--in fact, our pioneering and exploring spirit is its heart. I'll have to put these books on my TBR list. Thanks for bringing them to my attention!
Maybe you’ve answered this before, but how do you decide what you are going to read next? And do you review all the books you read or just the ones you liked?
Derrick Jeter? What?! He could write and play baseball?! Oh, okay, a different Jeter.
There is a resurgence of interest in the literature of the West. The Manichaen sense of good and evil in many Western stories was relevant in the Cold War period and may be relevant again now.
Totally agree. And Manichaean is a great way to describe it.
Here in the East, everything gets pulled down into the earth. Stories are muffled and hushed beneath the fallen leaves and branches.
In the West, everything sits on the surface. Stories remain, if not the thing itself.
So true.
Great stories and a great review.
Thanks, Jeff. They were fun books to read and write about. I actually read Gwyn’s twice. Both books recommended.
I reposted your column twice. My compliment is sincere.
I also sent the column to a friend who is thinking of becoming a writer. What you describe: taking real events and mythologizing them; is what he’s been needing, conceptually, to get started.
Your simple definitions of the “what and why” of myths is tremendous. It’s like, “Aw, shit. I could do that.” If something comes of it (I won’t be surprised), I will definitely let you know.
Awesome!
I put these on my list. I loved McCormac’s trilogy but some of his others are hit and miss with me.
I tried to start The Ambassadors but having trouble getting into it. I may have to set it aside to another more opportune time for me. My mind is not in a good place for it right now. Sorry.
No worries on The Ambassadors. It’s a chore!
Thank you so much, Joel. I’m grateful for the review—and to be included with Aaron’s work.
My pleasure! I enjoyed the book!
The American Mythos has been on my mind for many years. I agree that the West must be a huge part of it--in fact, our pioneering and exploring spirit is its heart. I'll have to put these books on my TBR list. Thanks for bringing them to my attention!
There’s so much richness and turmoil there. We’ll never exhaust it.
Maybe you’ve answered this before, but how do you decide what you are going to read next? And do you review all the books you read or just the ones you liked?