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A review by dee9401
Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta
1.0
I bought this book based on a two-sentence review in an end of year list of best books by the Washington Post. I hadn't looked up the full review by Ron Charles (25 July 2011). If I had, I would have passed on the book. He gave it a good review, but in doing so, showed me that I wouldn't have enjoyed it.
I didn't like the pacing, the story seemed to drag then lurch without reason. I never felt any attachment to the characters in the present time or in the flashbacks to the 1970s. When I read the author's info at the end of the book, I found part of my answer. She teaches at an MFA program and she's a fan of Don DeLillo, one of my least favorite, though widely lauded, authors. The book seemed more of an exercise, in technique, coolness, or whatnot, without really telling a story.
Having said this, I thoroughly enjoy her thoughts on memories. I especially liked when she focused on how photographs and the internet can never replace the way we remember how someone smells, or what a caress feels like, or how we felt seeing a particular sunset or moment. That they are staged, or somewhat removed from the reality of the situation. They serve a purpose, but not the one we often ascribe to them.
I didn't like the pacing, the story seemed to drag then lurch without reason. I never felt any attachment to the characters in the present time or in the flashbacks to the 1970s. When I read the author's info at the end of the book, I found part of my answer. She teaches at an MFA program and she's a fan of Don DeLillo, one of my least favorite, though widely lauded, authors. The book seemed more of an exercise, in technique, coolness, or whatnot, without really telling a story.
Having said this, I thoroughly enjoy her thoughts on memories. I especially liked when she focused on how photographs and the internet can never replace the way we remember how someone smells, or what a caress feels like, or how we felt seeing a particular sunset or moment. That they are staged, or somewhat removed from the reality of the situation. They serve a purpose, but not the one we often ascribe to them.