Since "Air America 2.0" decided to replace Sam Seder with an annoying sounding guy ("Lionel") with a voice something like Wallace Shawn (inconceivable!) and that I really never much liked Randy Rhodes (think annoying Long Island Jewish mom with a penchant for the low blow ... so tedious ... with enough intelligence to expect a bit more ... comparisons to Rush are not totally off the wall*), I have started to listen to some more CDs during the day.
This includes books ... for instance, I listened to what some think of as the first adventure story (or written story) -- The Epic Gilgamesh. This story -- first told over a millennium before the events of the Iliad and having an early flood story -- is pretty interesting as a story of the human condition. Good introduction analyzing things was included. I tried to get into Moby Dick, but deemed it too drawn out. And, I found the performance of Dave Barry's book on politics (not by the author) amusing. Mixed bag.
My attempt to catch up on the classics -- honestly haven't read too many -- included two more recently. First, I listened to that long banned book, Lady Chatterley's Lover.** This is one of those books that I tried to read in the past, but didn't quite manage. The copy I remember picking up had an introduction by the author, which was pretty interesting in itself (this was years ago, so I don't recall much about it). The one thing I recall from the book was the term "the bitch goddess success," which seemed to me a good line. Anyway, I listened to the novel -- a somewhat aristocratic sounding woman read -- and it was pretty good. One can see why it was banned, back in the day even adultery would have been problematic without the sex scenes (a few uses of c*** would do it), but it is not exactly pornographic or anything.
The book is as much about the post-WWI milieu of aristocratic England (shades of Fitzgerald and maybe Hemingway ... one of his books dealt with someone impotent after the war, as I recall, surely a metaphor of some sort as well ... again, I was no English major) as an examination of sex. It was open about sex ... seeing fornication as just something women did for instance and not exactly problematic or anything (this was seen through her eyes ... the novel had a universal narrator, but did center on LC) ... but it was more of a metaphor of sorts than there for its own benefit. This btw is a way to determine if a book is pornographic alone or uses sex for some broader purposes. The term has some value, much less vague is some ways than "obscene."
Anyway, the affair with the gamekeeper -- a former officer in the war so not exactly totally slumming it -- took some time coming. Oh, you know what I mean ... pun not intended. In fact, I think the book could have been edited a bit in spots ... after awhile nothing much seemed to be going on at spots, but I guess sometimes you just want to be into the scene. This happens in movies and such as well -- and life, obviously. So, I guess it fits. The book also ended somewhat strangely. She determines (early on, she is not showing) that she is pregnant from the gamekeeper but the hubby (impotent and paralyzed from the waist down, again this is not the only impotence the book is concerned about) doesn't want to give her a divorce. The gamekeeper himself went away to wait for his own divorce to go through, spending time on some farm, where he is writing from at the end of the book. It all has a "to be continued" feel to it.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (Sylvia is a pretty good movie biography ... dramatically ... I don't know if it is fully accurate) ends on a similar note, but it feels more appropriate -- the college age protagonist (first person narrator here) is about to enter the interview necessary to be released from the mental institution she was put in after trying to kill herself. Plath's ending was prophetic given her own suicide was carried out not too long after the book came out. It was originally rejected by American publishers, eventually published under a pseudonym in Britain given the potential for embarrassment, it being semi-biographical. In fact, Wikipedia to informs me that one person portrayed later successfully sued because it (in W.'s words) "unfairly branded her [or rather, a character apparently based on here] as homosexual."
The book was read here by the actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, most famous perhaps for her twisted role in Secretary. Her voice was too soft ... even at top volume, it was at times hard to listen ... but she did seem to fit the character well. The book was pretty good -- not great or anything, but was an interesting view of type of young college woman portrayed, a smart fairly attractive in all ways sort who simply for no really clear reason just couldn't handle things. (Her downfall also appeared to come out of nowhere, seeming pretty 'normal' early on.) This lack of deep discussion of why she felt the way she did was an interesting choice, and worked fairly well -- given the narrator, it was also appropriate. One can say it suggests Plath to didn't quite realize why she felt so unhappy with her own life. The book clearly has feminist potential, especially given its time period -- early 1950s.
Finally, we have an actual hard cover book that was read by this writer. Appropriately, it was also mainly concerned with women, and had a sexual context (The Bell Jar dealt with the character's sexuality as well). It, however, is not quite a classic ... but just a fun read. Still, it also provides an interesting milieu -- Secret Confessions of the Appletown PTA by Ellen Meister, a first time author, and mom of three. Three moms, all with their own problems (feeling unloved, invalid husband, mom with a drinking problem, etc.) and different personalities (quiet, sexy/outspoken, pretty average but deep down unsure of self) come together when a juicy opportunity arises -- a chance to have George Clooney (the sound you hear are moms squealing) film a movie at their children's school. Another entry in what some call "Mommy Lit."
The title aside, and there is a few hot and heavy bits, the book is really best described by the Lisa Kudrow (Friends) blurb on the back "Ellen Meister's characters are so funny, smart and real. I feel like I've made three new friends!" I don't know about the "so," but yes, I did find the characters real and likable. The writing was enjoyable, a bit rough at spots, but a worthwhile first novel. On the sex angle, it did have some "Mary Sue" qualities (the reader can associate -- even pretend they are in that role -- with the character, often seen in online fan fiction, especially of the explicit variety), recalling a vampire mom book I passed upon. Also, the book seems potential movie material -- a fun movie focusing on PTA moms seems like a promising thing.
And, GC can make a cameo at the end, just like in the book (the book starts with him coming, so we know it won't be a total downer or anything -- though there are some serious things covered -- the whole thing a sort of "one year early" flashback deal). Anyway, good summer reading ... the unofficial beginning of that season about upon us. Oh, hey ... she's a Bronx gal. Lol. [Check out her website/blog.]
Audio books have their charms, especially with a good reader, especially since it allows you to do other things and/or nothing at all as you listen. Hard copies have their own charms. Both provided some enjoyment here.
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* Randy Rhodes, her stage name, has enough weight in her background to warrant respect. She served in the military, raised her sister's kid, and is self-taught in the politics business. She does her homework. Still, she has a tendency to take things to the lowest denominator too often, and yes, sometimes is a bit sloppy in her analysis. Her assumption removal of impeachment would keep Gonzo from any job requiring "trust" is one example. In fact, not only can Congress decide to hold back the lifetime ban (its an option, not a requirement), it doesn't even apply to Congress! It applies to federal jobs, those of the "U.S." government.
** Thus, in 1957, one justice could write:
The danger is perhaps not great if the people of one State, through their legislature, decide that "Lady Chatterley's Lover" goes so far beyond the acceptable standards of candor that it will be deemed offensive and non-sellable, for the State next door is still free to make its own choice. At least we do not have one uniform standard. But the dangers to free thought and expression are truly great if the Federal Government imposes a blanket ban over the Nation on such a book. The prerogative of the States to differ on their ideas of morality will be destroyed, the ability of States to experiment will be stunted. The fact that the people of one State cannot read some of the works of D. H.Lawrence seems to me, if not wise or desirable, at least acceptable.