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33rainbowlane's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
The writing is undeniably good, and what kept me reading. However, I will say that as a woman, I felt the sort of disquiet that can come from reading a book in which a white man talks mainly about other white men, in that way that shows that maybe they haven’t thought a lot about a world that revolves around anything else. I enjoyed hearing about lots of creatives I’ve really never known about, but I gotta say, based on the essays alone (being unfamiliar with their work myself), I found myself often thinking that if they had been women, the narrative around them would have been decidedly different. In fact, I wondered how many of them would be talked about at all, had they not been men. In that regard, and several others, it was thought provoking.
k8iedid's review
5.0
Have a dictionary handy.
MAJOR CONFESSION: I'm a huge Jessica Hische fan & I first heard about this book because she did the cover art. The title intrigued me, so I picked it up; I'd never heard of the writer.
I'm thrilled that MAGIC HOURS was my introduction. The breadth of his essay topics was fantastic and you forget that the common theme is of creators as how and where Bissell dives in is so different in every single one. His observations are wonderful, and his use of language can't be ignored. Gorgeous without feeling forced, and it didn't surprise me at all that he knew DFW.
I'll be plundering more of Bissell's work immediately.
MAJOR CONFESSION: I'm a huge Jessica Hische fan & I first heard about this book because she did the cover art. The title intrigued me, so I picked it up; I'd never heard of the writer.
I'm thrilled that MAGIC HOURS was my introduction. The breadth of his essay topics was fantastic and you forget that the common theme is of creators as how and where Bissell dives in is so different in every single one. His observations are wonderful, and his use of language can't be ignored. Gorgeous without feeling forced, and it didn't surprise me at all that he knew DFW.
I'll be plundering more of Bissell's work immediately.
natesea's review
4.0
Tom Bissell can write. His ability to pull you in with essays about film, literature, and sitcoms, is surprising. His approach toward subjects that often come across as elitist and dry are done in a humorous, yet thought-provoking way. The Werner Herzog essay is increcible, and left me with a long list of flims to add to the Netflix que. The story about Jeff Daniels filming a movie in the BFE town in which Bissell grew up, reminds us all with small-town roots of the unique personalities and culture instilled. Though some of the essays are less entrhalling, Magic Hours' abracadabra is certain to please.
sawyerbell's review
1.0
Disappointing. While claiming to be a book that "explores the highs and lows of the creative process" these essays are more about the author doling out endless heaps of unsubstantiated praise to those he thinks are cool and dumping lots of snark on those he dislikes. Quite a tedious read.
courtney_mcallister's review
4.0
The typos were very distracting, especially since this isn't a galley copy, but Bissell's prose is well-crafted and he uses it to explore some excellent topics: Tommy Wiseau, Herzog, voice acting, and the precarious nature of literary reputations. Considering there was only one essay I couldn't get into, I'd call this a very successful volume. :)
annetteb's review
3.0
Sharp writing. Interesting thoughts. He's a bit full of himself at moments which is interesting because sometimes he's calling out others for being full of themselves.