Discussion: Summerland -- Initial Comments

[madam_sosostris]

What are your initial impressions of the book? Have you read any other books by Chabon? If so, how do they compare?

Comments

[melkor72]

Still reading but plan to finish this week.

Summerland Strikes Out Swinging

[johnny_bender]

There's really no nice way to say this . . . I thought this book was terrible . . . an unadulterated piece of feces. It was not a good telling of a story; it was not well written; it was way too scattered. There is a reason why the commentary has, of yet, been scarce. I am surmising that most folks have been unable to finish it by this time. Speaking for myself, it was only through great and focused power of will that I was able to reach the 500th and ultimate page

Re: Summerland Strikes Out Swinging

[madam_sosostris]

I must say, I'm having to force myself to finish this book. I agree with johnny_bender that there is too much going on, and still the narrative is not compelling enough to keep my mind from wandering. I did appreciate a couple of rather well-turned phrases, though, specifically about the game of baseball, but they aren't enough to counterbalance the rest of the mishmash. Still, I will finish it because I'm too far in to stop now. I'll reserve further thoughts/opinions until then.

Re: Summerland Strikes Out Swinging

[melkor72]

That’s a scathing appraisal by Mr. Bender but not unwarranted. Reminds me of a Bender quote, “demented and sad but social”, with Summerland embodying the two former qualities and none of the latter. I am like Lisa, perhaps too far in (250 pages or so left) to quit, but now seriously contemplating throwing in the towel knowing from Bender that things do not get any better. I’ll save my truly vitriol review for when/if I actually finish.