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jaredjoseph's review against another edition
3.0
"This is truly embarrassing for the administration," a specialist on perception theory and war, who asked to remain anonymous, confided. "What we have is an extreme form of civil disobedience. Something our public has never seen before. This is the situation we're facing: a shockingly high number of witnesses claim that the bridge is in perform form, the President of our nation is convinced that the bridge has been exploded, another group asserts that the bridge has collapsed, not exploded, and a handful of others contests that there ever was a bridge. Now imagine how this sounds to people in other countries, or just on the other coast."
fromplanetrey's review against another edition
4.0
Another one we’ve read for class. This one was really interesting. It followed a group of activists, a very strange incident with a bridge that did or did not exist, and the media coverage of it all. It’s a very dreamlike book of poetry that’s maybe also prose? The narration can be confusing at times because you might not know who is speaking but I don’t think you should worry about that as much as you want to. It’s a super queer and fascinating book. I love the map that changes and I love the form. The ending really had me thinking and I loved the class discussion around it all.
Here is a quote I liked from a news portion about the character’s refusing to make sense: “Instead of a hunger strike . .. it's as though they are issuing a logic one.” I love the idea of a “logic strike,” and the chaos that suggests creatively. Maybe I refuse to make sense, too. Girl, am I on a logic strike? Mayhaps.
Here is a quote I liked from a news portion about the character’s refusing to make sense: “Instead of a hunger strike . .. it's as though they are issuing a logic one.” I love the idea of a “logic strike,” and the chaos that suggests creatively. Maybe I refuse to make sense, too. Girl, am I on a logic strike? Mayhaps.
ncontreras83's review against another edition
4.0
It's always nice and refreshing to read a poetry that reads as a prose. Gladman breaks it down into 10 different sections, each one having its own perspective, characters, setting that all centrals around one theme. Sometimes, within certain sections, it can be a bit confusing as to which character is speaking, but even in thos instances what becomes important is more so what the speaker is saying. It isn't for everyone, because of the themes of war, being active, inactive, etc. But I think if poetry or prose about war, politics, or how those abstract ideas take effect in one's mind then The Activist is a book to read, because the insight of the characters is relatable, funny, serious, and profound. Not profound in the sense that wow you've said something that I didn't know, but more so in the sense that you have something that we, as a people or as a human being, think but do not say, or rather would not like to talk about or acknowledge it even to ourselves.
Perhaps I'm romatanicing this, as I tend to do to most things, but it is merely my interpretation of the thing.
Perhaps I'm romatanicing this, as I tend to do to most things, but it is merely my interpretation of the thing.
monkeelino's review against another edition
4.0
" "This is truly embarrassing for the administration" a specialist on perception theory and war, who asked to remain anonymous, confided. “What we have is an extreme form of civil disobedience. Something our public has never seen before. This is the situation we’re facing: a shockingly high number of witnesses claim that the bridge is in perfect form, the President of our nation is convinced that the bridge has been exploded, another group asserts that the bridge has collapsed, not exploded, and a handful of researchers contests that there ever was a bridge. Now imagine how this sounds to people in other countries, or just on the other coast."
Gladman does a remarkable job of capturing the disorienting nature of truth/reality living in a world with a 24-hour news cycle, political/propaganda spin machines, and the frustrated will of the individual to respond/act against an almost invisible/amorphous threat/oppression.
Using news clips, reporting, interviews/interrogrations, and narrative, the book cobbles together snippets of a situation in flux where one can't even be sure who is pulling what strings. Reality is so distorted that even physical paper maps begin to blur and lose touch with the urban grid/streets. Incompetent officials/experts rub shoulders with the stories of ineffectual activists, all seemingly playing their part in a machine set in perpetual motion.
"At the time of the protest, the President had not actually revealed his news—there was an “internal delay”---but it seemed both sides understood what his stance would be. The right was already celebrating and the left was up-in-arms. Their not-knowing seemed to energize them more than knowing ever could."This could be about Trump legal news, the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Russian-Ukraine war... Basically, just insert current event here.
Frightening and profound but engagingly palatable thanks to elements of absurdity and humor.
strrygo's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mackjordan's review against another edition
2.0
This books was like reading some bodies bad drug trip. It was honestly hard to keep up with despite the easy writing and it was confusing the entire time. But then again maybe I'm missing the point.
litsirk's review against another edition
1.0
I got all excited, because it was prose poetry and a professor I used to had seemed to like the author. But, blah. BORINGTOWN: POPULATION-THIS BOOK.