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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
Read by Dov out loud. Weird--really liked at first, not as much at the end.
Since I read this book I have yet to ever find or read anything else like it. This type of story is one of a kind to me. When do you ever get to read about corruption in the government through a little cute teddy bear? Throughout the book you get caught up in the life of Winkie, the teddy bear, and end up feeling sympathy for him. But then you realize; he's a teddy bear! I believe this to be a very excellent satire that I would recommend to anyone that wants an interesting read.
This is really a strange book, but it's strange in a way that is distictly beautiful. That's probably the best way I can think of to describe its protagonist as well; it's stange enough that an androgenous teddy bear should come to life, magically give birth, and stand trial for crimes he didn't commit, but this particular bear - Winkie - has got to be the creepiest stuffed animal there ever was. And there are pictures. Just as the book unexpectedly reveals its true depth and breadth with astonishingly poetic depictions of mundane things, Winkie him/herself becomes sureptitiously complex, gorgeous, and human as his thoughts are revealed.
If you're up for something bizarre and unexpected, you won't be disappointed.
If you're up for something bizarre and unexpected, you won't be disappointed.
A "we lost our innocence on 9/11" allegory about a teddy bear that becomes real. And then "he" has a cub. And then he gets arrested for terrorism. And then he's charged with just about every crime you could charge someone with who dares to be different. And then the government makes a mockery of the judicial system and the press becomes a pawn of the government. And there's more, but it really must be read to be enjoyed. This is a very original and well written story about fear mongering, personal freedoms, but most of all, staying true to yourself.
Once you get past the feelings of absurdity surrounding the plot and appreciate Winkie for its unique portrayal of a touching, and often hilarious, parable then you will begin to reflect on some of the more pressing issues affecting society today. Winkie is a sentient teddy bear arrested on suspicion of committing heinous acts of terrorism, leading to a trial that explores human rights abuse, mass hysteria and freedom of speech. Alternating between the progression of his trial and a retrospective account of his life the novel unfolds to reveal a quest for personhood, autonomy and meaningful relationships, whilst giving insight into themes such as gender and sexuality, the diversity of human nature, isolation and understanding. A lot to fit in one novel- I felt it was a great take on anthropomorphic prose.
Warning- induced a lot of manic snorting in public spaces resulting in a red face.
Warning- induced a lot of manic snorting in public spaces resulting in a red face.
It's the story of a teddy bear that is passed down from a mother through her five children, and then left neglected on a shelf. Finally the bear's consciousness begets movement and Winkie escapes. He goes to live in the forest and bears a child, a mini-me called Baby Winkie. This idyll is interupted when a mad man of the forest, a Unabomber type whose bombs never explode, becomes obsessed with Baby Winkie and bear-naps her. She escapes from captivity by winking herself out of existence; the man dies, and Winkie is bereft. Then the authorities descend and decide that Winkie must be the mad bomber, some kind of deformed terrorist.
Most of the attention the book has received has focused on this satiric aspect, and the capture, imprisonment, and trial of Winkie is a mildly amusing way to spotlight the terrorist hysteria of our times. Winkie winds up accused of a laundry list of crimes from treason to sodomy to positing that the Earth revolves around the sun. In fact, the trial of Winkie encompasses the trial of Oscar Wilde, the Scopes Monkey trial, the Salem witch trials, etc. (I find it odd that Winkie isn't charged with any racially-tinged crimes; there's no satire of lynching here, and given the disgusting racism attributed to Winkie's human family, that seems remiss).
But this is just one aspect of the book. I think it's more about the bear's quest for autonomy, desire for love, and exile from paradise. And that part of the book doesn't mesh well with the satire; Chase's prose if often as not overwrought when something starker would be more appropriate -- cursive when it should be print. Emotion doesn't require curliques.
Most of the attention the book has received has focused on this satiric aspect, and the capture, imprisonment, and trial of Winkie is a mildly amusing way to spotlight the terrorist hysteria of our times. Winkie winds up accused of a laundry list of crimes from treason to sodomy to positing that the Earth revolves around the sun. In fact, the trial of Winkie encompasses the trial of Oscar Wilde, the Scopes Monkey trial, the Salem witch trials, etc. (I find it odd that Winkie isn't charged with any racially-tinged crimes; there's no satire of lynching here, and given the disgusting racism attributed to Winkie's human family, that seems remiss).
But this is just one aspect of the book. I think it's more about the bear's quest for autonomy, desire for love, and exile from paradise. And that part of the book doesn't mesh well with the satire; Chase's prose if often as not overwrought when something starker would be more appropriate -- cursive when it should be print. Emotion doesn't require curliques.
http://shelf-monkey.blogspot.com/2008/10/quad-of-reviews-paul-auster-sky-gilbert.html
I liked this book quite a bit. It's the story of Winkie the teddy bear and how he came to be sentient and mobile. The second half of the book is the story of how Winkie is viewed by society (not favorably) and the trial he is forced to undergo as a result of society's prejudices.