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Liked It “One writer said that some of his sentences 'sundance in perfection'. I couldn't put it better myself. |
Didn’t Like It “This, next to Snow Falling on Cedars, is one of the slowest books I've read in ages. The story wasn't off the ground by the time I was half finished slogging through.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“One writer said that some of his sentences 'sundance in perfection'. I couldn't put it better myself.
Alex S wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This novel needs attention and concentration though - heavy material!
I loved it so much I explored it for a dissertation on loss and mourning.”
“I could not read this. Got through about 20 pages and that was a struggle.”
beadology wrote this review Thursday, August 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The language and structure In Purple America has the power to be invocative and incantatory and when you add that to the protagonists stutter that Moody so perfectly develops and commits to – the whole book is a hymnal of prayers to become something different, to desire difference, and to ultimately fail. Something we all must experience, even as our greatest moments can appear empty, when viewed from a certain perspective.
Philip Swanstrom Shaw wrote this review Sunday, July 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Moody doesn't placate us and he doesn't transform us – he unapologetically renders us.
Had I read Purple America when it was first released, I would have devoured it, sung it's praises at the highest peaks and stormed through anything I could find by, or on, Rick Moody. I know this, because in 1998, this is exactly the type of book I was reading, and dying to read – how it, and he, escaped me was probably a matter of my disregard for celebrity. To put it simply, I wish I had read it then.
Now, more than a decade later the book is still engaging but much of the language feels like it's gilding the risks taken. I did enjoyed the book, however, I felt I was reading it more from an academic viewpoint – and I do not consider myself an academic – so, the experience was not what I believe Mr. Moody intended nor what it could have been.
I am glad that we have Mr. Moody in our cultural and literary lives. It's encouraging to know that we have writers in America who take these risks and that there are publishers willing to put out the books, and that ultimately they are being read.
I recommend finding this book on your local used bookstores shelves or checking it out from the library. If you are in Seattle, try Elliott Bay Books, or Bailey Coy.
- Philip Swanstrom Shaw”“This, next to Snow Falling on Cedars, is one of the slowest books I've read in ages. The story wasn't off the ground by the time I was half finished slogging through.”
Alex S wrote this review Thursday, November 29 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“hated it”
janisw1111 wrote this review Tuesday, August 7 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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