An incredible (and I don't use the word lightly) rags- to-riches- to-rags- to-riches- to-... I lost count. Best known (if he's known at all) for inventing the eponymous musical instrument (think "Good Vibrations" or 50s sci-fi movie soundtracks) he also went in and out of the good graces of the various Russian regimes, was equally well versed with the worlds of music, science, intelligence, and high society. The film is a lively recounting of his roller-coaster life.
What a truly glorious thing it must be to have Roy Blount's mind, because it's pretty darned glorious just to be witness to its workings. Most of Blount's stuff that I've read in the past has achieved an uncanny balancing act between reckless digressions and insightful sticking-to-the-point, and here he finally gives his digressive side full sway. The results are still informative and hilarious as always, but the ride is even more exhilirating.
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The insight and wit Barnes shows in his fiction is in full force here, a collection of essays about his not-so-amateurish forays into cooking. The closest analogy I can think of is if Nick Hornby wrote about food rather than books (in his Believer columns and their anthologies) -- that kind of eclectic and omnivorous interest, self-deprecation, and inspiration to follow his leads.
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jraoul has commented on (5) products.
Theremin:An Electronic Odyssey
jraoul, April 26, 2009
An incredible (and I don't use the word lightly) rags- to-riches- to-rags- to-riches- to-... I lost count. Best known (if he's known at all) for inventing the eponymous musical instrument (think "Good Vibrations" or 50s sci-fi movie soundtracks) he also went in and out of the good graces of the various Russian regimes, was equally well versed with the worlds of music, science, intelligence, and high society. The film is a lively recounting of his roller-coaster life.jraoul, February 11, 2009
Nah, on second thought, this is probably for the completist only. More casual fans should probably stick with Volume 1.(1 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
jraoul, February 11, 2009
An absolute must for all those interested in the church records of Bucks County.(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Letters, Words, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips by Roy, Jr. Blount
jraoul, February 4, 2009
What a truly glorious thing it must be to have Roy Blount's mind, because it's pretty darned glorious just to be witness to its workings. Most of Blount's stuff that I've read in the past has achieved an uncanny balancing act between reckless digressions and insightful sticking-to-the-point, and here he finally gives his digressive side full sway. The results are still informative and hilarious as always, but the ride is even more exhilirating.(7 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
jraoul, November 2, 2008
The insight and wit Barnes shows in his fiction is in full force here, a collection of essays about his not-so-amateurish forays into cooking. The closest analogy I can think of is if Nick Hornby wrote about food rather than books (in his Believer columns and their anthologies) -- that kind of eclectic and omnivorous interest, self-deprecation, and inspiration to follow his leads.(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)