tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28154988.post1001690603979936664..comments2024-03-26T01:59:52.206-04:00Comments on Just outside: Brian Olewnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08567239067604835372noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28154988.post-56570539833498898962007-04-05T14:54:00.000-04:002007-04-05T14:54:00.000-04:00No, not at all (the Man Bookers). But I'd had the ...No, not at all (the Man Bookers). But I'd had the Banville in my paws a few times before. The other day I wandered down to the Border's that's near my job. They had a "3 for 2" (buy two, get a third free)table which, surprisingly, had a bunch of good stuff lying atop it, the Banville, Smith & Eco books included. Enough to get me to pull the trigger. <BR/><BR/>When I've read Booker nominees before, maybe I've found a 50% enjoyability rate, but some of those are things I likely would never have heard of otherwise, so I find it at least worth a shot. I've been looking for another from last year (I think), Kate Grenville's "The Secret River" but have yet to stumble across it.<BR/><BR/>I'm getting the impression Hofstadter's less concerned with cognitive science these days than identity and, erm, "soul" issues. Maybe stemming from a severe reaction to his wife's early death back in '93 (?). We'll see.Brian Olewnickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567239067604835372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28154988.post-68785218214097204112007-04-05T14:46:00.000-04:002007-04-05T14:46:00.000-04:00Hey Brian,Do you normally read through the Man Boo...Hey Brian,<BR/><BR/>Do you normally read through the Man Booker list? I have to admit I find that a pretty strange impulse, but I still find no lack of great things to read so perhaps I just don't need to.<BR/><BR/>Anyway the <I>The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana</I> is a great read IMO. Not top three Eco perhaps but a really enjoyable and with some great insights into early 40s Italian pop culture. The Hofstader just shipped to me today and while my passion for cognitive science isn't what it once was (you could argue that's what my degrees are in) I always enjoy his books. Hope it's up to the usual standards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com