Scan barcode
A review by jrabbit12
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
1.0
There is nothing more annoying than a person who insists on telling you repeatedly how interesting and clever they are. If I had to sit next to this woman at a dinner party I think I would stab myself in the ear with a butter knife. Maybe it's impossible to write personal essays and not sound like an arrogant ass, but even Anne's(faux)self-depreciation shouted 'but really, I'm AMAZING'.
Some treasures: 'Uncommon Shelf' (I can't talk about Arctic Exploration at dinner parties because no one understands it/me)
'My husband and I read aloud because were so in love with each other and with books - look at this funny joke he made up about Telemachus to keep me on my toes when I was falling asleep'
"We're too busy NOT to read Homer
"Had I been a better mother, I would have said, 'AFTER breakfast.' But instead I sat down and joined the audience."
Thinking that maybe I'm a cynical ass, I didn't mention this during discussion of the book. But when a friend came over and picked up the copy on the coffee table she shared the same impression and began reading her favorite eye-rolling-shut-up-already parts out loud.
Hey Anne, I get it.
P.S. 'Winter's Tale' was hollow and not that great (read:bad) - so that's great that you're friends with Mark Helprin, but I'm nonplussed by that so you don't have to mention it more than once.
Some treasures: 'Uncommon Shelf' (I can't talk about Arctic Exploration at dinner parties because no one understands it/me)
'My husband and I read aloud because were so in love with each other and with books - look at this funny joke he made up about Telemachus to keep me on my toes when I was falling asleep'
"We're too busy NOT to read Homer
"Had I been a better mother, I would have said, 'AFTER breakfast.' But instead I sat down and joined the audience."
Thinking that maybe I'm a cynical ass, I didn't mention this during discussion of the book. But when a friend came over and picked up the copy on the coffee table she shared the same impression and began reading her favorite eye-rolling-shut-up-already parts out loud.
Hey Anne, I get it.
P.S. 'Winter's Tale' was hollow and not that great (read:bad) - so that's great that you're friends with Mark Helprin, but I'm nonplussed by that so you don't have to mention it more than once.