13 Comments

I'm excited to hear about this. Vodalazkin's novel Laurus vied for my life-favourite book. I love his feather-light yet penetrating touch on the deepest of themes. I don't know of anyone who can transport me to a world of wondrous imagination as he can.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, Laurus is a gem! The Aviator is one of my top-five novels, probably in the No. 1 spot.

Expand full comment
May 22, 2023Liked by Joel J Miller

Couldn't have said this better myself.

Expand full comment

Hi Joel. I've been appreciating your writing over the last few months.

I was wondering if you have written (or will be writing) a review of The Aviator (Vodolazkin).

Expand full comment
author

That’s one of my favorite novels—in my top 5—but, no, I don’t have any plans on reviewing it right now. Have you read it yet?

Expand full comment

Yes, Aviator is an amazing book. I read it earlier this summer and enjoyed going on the ups and downs of the journey and found I was not ready for the ending.

Currently having my second read through the sojourn of Laurus.

Vodolazkin is a very interesting author. Makes me think in different ways; and requires me to be a better, more attentive, observer of character.

Anyways, thanks for your engaging work.

Expand full comment
May 20, 2023Liked by Joel J Miller

Okay, Joel. I'm finally going to resist all logic and admit the obvious: you have a twin, or you lead a double life, or you don't sleep. I continue to be amazed at your output and quality evaluation. AND you have a job and family and church. Amazing. Tell all of the other yous I said hi.

Expand full comment
author

LOL. I’ll do it.

Expand full comment

Joel, I appreciate this review. I’m currently reading The Aviator, but looking forward to diving into this latest work.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Derrick! I’ve really come to love his work. And The Aviator is one of my top novels.

Expand full comment

A question about the Pledge option, Joel. Do you or other readers know if one is notified when that starts, or how to turn it off if one wanted too? It feels like more info would help.

Expand full comment
author

I’m afraid I don’t know. My guess is you get alerted if I turn on subscriptions, but I’m uncertain. I’m noodling on a plan to make that worthwhile and may do so in the future. I’ll definitely announce it here before that happens.

Expand full comment

Is it wrong that the only thing in my head when reading this part is Blind Melon's, "No Rain":

"Upon assuming control, Vlas’s fascination with bees emerges. “The bee is a teacher for us all,” he declares and as he descends into madness, begins buzzing like a bee, and wearing a full-size bee suit."

excellent piece!

History is never just one thing. Because neither are we. Because neither is anything. We are fractures and fissures. Sedimentary geology. A grain made of grains. Verbs confused as nouns. Systems confused as names. The magic is in finding how it all fits. How everything discordant discordantly coheres. Where the story starts and where the story ends. tehy way tehy never do. The ways in which it all continues to change.

Expand full comment