Sunday, May 30, 1993

African Mythology

by Geoffrey Parrinder

Great as a basic primer, and surprisingly fair in tone (except for one heading "How Others See Us" about African views of Europeans: only white people are "us," I guess). One problem: Rarely was the significance or historical meaning of a myth given. Great art illustrations though, beautiful & informative.

Tuesday, May 25, 1993

The Cat-Nappers aka Aunts Aren't Gentlemen

by P.G. Wodehouse
1975

The last, and sadly not one of the best, Bertie & Jeeves books. Bertie is not quite as entertainingly doltish as usual, and worse: Jeeves is almost not in the picture. He provides conversation but does not fill the usual role of presenting a genius and yet fortuitous solution.

three stars

Thursday, May 20, 1993

The Inimitable Jeeves

by P.G. Wodehouse
1923

The one where Bingo finally gets married; each triptych or so of chapters forms an independent story about Bingo. Not Plum's best work, but even his misfires are still quite entertaining.

[read twice]

Saturday, May 15, 1993

Holidays In Hell

by P.J. O'Rourke

The self-effacing conservative humorist travels to some of the world's hot spots and makes his typically trenchant comments on the culture and geopolitics of the areas.  Laugh-out-loud funny, well-informed, highly cynical. 

[read twice]

Wednesday, May 5, 1993

Walden

by Henry David Thoreau

The perfect example of the out of touch philosopher. Filled with irritating, condescending pieties about work, from a man who mooched off of others. He is contemptuous of the average man, and has strange ideas of what would make the world work if everyone were like him. The man is clearly a lucid thinker, but practicalities are not his strong suit.