Luke Jones

I have a strong feeling that people are too blinded by nostalgia of the movie to give it the rating it deserves.

First of all - the movie is definitely better. Laura Derne, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill? Amazing cast.

Second of all - the characters are awful, and it made me angry at Michael Crichton that he'd created these people. Lex is more obnoxious and unintelligent in a way that no child ever is, Ian Malcolm is a total edge lord, and Alan Grant goes from college professor paleontologist to rugged military man with a mind for strategic combat.

The book isn't a bad book, but it certainly isn't a great book. It's the kind of book you pick up for $4 at an airport and steam through on a beach before forgetting you ever read it.

I started reading Nutshell in August 2023. I didn't have any intention of picking it back up again but had the nagging sensation that I was missing out on something special. I'm glad I took the leap and steamed through it in a few short hours.

Nutshell is a fast-paced visceral retelling of Hamlet from the perspective of a fetus who is building his own picture of the outside world through sound, vibration, and his mother's emotional state.
The writing felt flowery and highfalutin at times and, while this would usually be a turn off, a baby fancying himself a poetic Oscar Wilde type helped me get over that fast.

This book isn't for the faint of heart, but the originality of the storytelling and quality of the writing more than make up for any flaws I felt it had. This was my first McEwan book and I'd love recommendations on others.

Charles Bukowski is an author I've heard mentioned many times in my exploration of modern and American classics, with Ham on Rye often cited as a great example of his best work.

I think this means i am not a fan of Bukowski's work.

Ham on Rye is abrupt, direct, and grim in a way I found abhorrent. The story and themes reminded me of the worst people I've experienced in my life, and the kind of people who adore this book and use it as a reason to be shitty. Like an incel's guide to being.

I know I know that's probably not the point, but I can't help thinking Charles is writing with pride in these semi-autobiographical stories... in a way I think Burroughs and Thompson achieve better. The Hank of this book is a horrible person who treats others badly and is angry with the world.

If nothing else, I found the directness of the writing in this book great.

I think I've read this book 3 times now (once when I was about 15, once when I was about 25, and now...). The portrayal of Lisbeth is frustrating and inconsistent. She's a strong-willed genius who is vulnerable. In some chapters she's childlike, in others she is a brutal kickboxer.

The ideas in the book are good fun, but the writing ages year on year.