A meditation on what happens when a meritocracy is mechanically mediated—this novel is fascinating as it continues Ishiguro’s investigation of what itA meditation on what happens when a meritocracy is mechanically mediated—this novel is fascinating as it continues Ishiguro’s investigation of what it means to be human through the perspective of the narrator who speaks from a seemingly othered and potentially inhuman space.
Instead of a clone, we have enfleshed AI; instead of fantasy or sci fi we have something more akin to fable, or even YA; instead of wide-ranging travels we have intimate interior spaces. It all, however, remains speculative—somewhat dispersed or fragmented, all through Klara’s eye, which forces the readers to construct the “real” story behind the narrative. Not quite mystery or detective fiction, but genre-adjacent.
The question, though, centers in on the nature of fidelity: what does it say about humans, and human relationships, when an artificial construct manages to better enact thoughtful, nuanced fidelity to the point of potentially messianic sacrifice, and where the human relationships shift and change and fade, rewarding fidelity from machines and other humans alike? The desire to preserve the human relationship past death is presented as a deforming desire that consciously eradicates others; the parallel gradual forgetting of the otherwise faithful friend is likewise just as haunting.
Masterfully crafted literary fiction with significant philosophical heft that manages to be narratively compelling = 5 stars from me!
This wasn't just a good book to read to think more about race and racism in the US. This wasn't just a good memoir navigating the slow fault lines opeThis wasn't just a good book to read to think more about race and racism in the US. This wasn't just a good memoir navigating the slow fault lines opening in families over America's increasing political divisions. This wasn't just well-written humor centered around the parent-child relationship.
This was all those things, and more. Mira Jacob has a solid grasp on how to use language so that it shows the multi-faceted sides of her life, her truth, in a way that both conveys her individuality while simultaneously establishing a sense of connection with her reader. This book was far more entertaining, and far more serious, than I anticipated; it just works.
This is an excellent book, for a myriad of reasons, and one that should not be missed. ...more
A narrative approach to explaining how underlying mathematical principles shape our lives, configuring our concepts of truth, knowledge, and consequenA narrative approach to explaining how underlying mathematical principles shape our lives, configuring our concepts of truth, knowledge, and consequence. The last section on mathematical epidemiology was fascinating and almost uncanny (written before Covid 19) as it traced the rise of anti-vax sentiment and argued for a trust not in the science of vaccination per se, but in the numbers themselves.
The writing is clear and engaging, and the concepts here are presented in a way that illustrates the ways math saturates and shapes both private and social living. Exponential growth, math and law, math and media, math and medicine, examples of the (sometimes deadly) impact of miscalculation and it’s various causes, algorithms—this really does encompass a wide range of topics, and does so in a thoughtful way that will leave me reflecting (and analyzing!) more carefully in the future....more
This is not academic Bruggeman, though it is of course informed by his academic work. It is a thoughtful, accessible, and incredibly charity-filled woThis is not academic Bruggeman, though it is of course informed by his academic work. It is a thoughtful, accessible, and incredibly charity-filled work on the call to interrupt silence as an active form of resistance to embedded, systemic power structures that abuse and traumatize the other, and the believer’s ethical and spiritual obligation as followers of Christ’s own model to act....more
An incredibly rich, finely crafted, compact novel. While there are many social themes (race, class, parenting, education, generations, sex), overall tAn incredibly rich, finely crafted, compact novel. While there are many social themes (race, class, parenting, education, generations, sex), overall the entire text is hung between two poles: lack/loss, and desire. Over and over we see how characters’ choices and circumstances are shaped these two poles, and the hunger for living that they embody. Highly recommended....more
Absolutely essential reading for all white people who want to do feminist work. Intersectional space is inherent in true feminism; without it, patriarAbsolutely essential reading for all white people who want to do feminist work. Intersectional space is inherent in true feminism; without it, patriarchal power structures are simply replicated within a racialized practice. ...more
3. 5 stars. I'm a fan of histories that use one one object, theme, or question to focus their work (e.g., Kurlansky's "Salt"). This approach forces th3. 5 stars. I'm a fan of histories that use one one object, theme, or question to focus their work (e.g., Kurlansky's "Salt"). This approach forces the reader to look at events from a different perspective in a way that I think gets closer to the messiness that is the intersection of personalities, politics, religion, economics, natural disasters, etc. etc. through which history moves forward.
This project, then, is one I'm predisposed to enjoy. And I did enjoy it, though there were issues of imbalance due to the compression inherent in any survey approach. This is a book designed to introduce readers to many of these people and events rather than to extensively engage said people and events in extended and nuanced historical analysis. It's the kind of book I want everyone I know to read, just to get us all thinking differently about the narratives of American history we've received, but it's not the kind of book I want everyone to take as the definitive final word on the subject.
I think the scholars behind this project would be ok with this reaction, in that I didn't see evidence that they were trying to put the final word in place in the historical record. Rather, I saw the project as designed to raise awareness with the hope that people would then go on and continue to read, study, and learn--any book that makes me want to keep investigating a topic is worth reading in my opinion. Recommended!...more
Racism in America will stay systemic unless Americans of all races (but especially white) and genders try to think outside their accustomed and accultRacism in America will stay systemic unless Americans of all races (but especially white) and genders try to think outside their accustomed and acculturated perspectives. This book provides an excellent opportunity to do this by rethinking educational and punitive measures, programs, and systems in America, specifically as they relate to the opportunities provided (or denied) to black girls.
Educators, education boards, and policy makers, this is required reading. Morris writes clearly and thoughtfully, providing relative research to back her points, as well as a significant amount of original research in terms of interviews and responses from contemporary black girls. She also provides a series of extremely useful appendices that contain points for conversation, advocacy, as well as resources.
This is written an accessible (journalist) level, and I think it would make for an interesting non-fiction choice for a book club to read. ...more
This was a delight to read—everything works together so well, and there are some sentences in here that just suck the breath out of you they’re so gooThis was a delight to read—everything works together so well, and there are some sentences in here that just suck the breath out of you they’re so good.
On the surface, historical fiction, but there’s a slight sense of fantasy here—the way things work out when they shouldn’t. Comedic in the sense of Shakespeare; it’s the only book I’ve ever read where grace is configured in terms of cheese. Fantastic :)...more
I’m not qualified to comment on the accuracy of the depiction of Indian life and culture, but I did find the themes of politics, racism/caste-ism, andI’m not qualified to comment on the accuracy of the depiction of Indian life and culture, but I did find the themes of politics, racism/caste-ism, and ethics relatable and well-done in this novel. Plenty to think about....more
So, I went in expecting a decent 3 star enjoyable coming of age story, but Napolitano surprised me into a 4 star here—the story sucked me right in witSo, I went in expecting a decent 3 star enjoyable coming of age story, but Napolitano surprised me into a 4 star here—the story sucked me right in with quick, sharp character sketches and an intro that didn’t waste too much time getting to the event you knew was coming along anyways if you picked up the book.
As someone who has been in a significant car accident, has metal plates in her leg, and spent a year having surgeries and physical therapy learning to walk, Edward’s reactions to the crash and his physical challenges rang really true. And the longer mental journey of figuring out how to be ok with living his life was also compelling. The fallout on his aunt and uncle; the awkward transitions from childhood to teen to young adult—all of this growth intercut with the simultaneously evolving story of the people on the plane and the circumstances that led up to the crash worked well together.
I think this would provide interesting book club discussions because there are lots of decisions here where it’s not about getting the right answer, it’s about the act of choosing and moving forward. ...more
3.5 stars. Delightful and charming. One of those books where it was clear practically from the beginning where things were bound to end up, but the jo3.5 stars. Delightful and charming. One of those books where it was clear practically from the beginning where things were bound to end up, but the journey to get there was thoroughly enjoyable. My only quibble was that I found Nora’s change of heart regarding Liam and her neighbor etc. a bit forced / not quite believable as it kind of comes out of nowhere.
Book pairings: other books about libraries / ghosts / books. I should go gather up the list and add it here....more
A novel that has stepped on an unexploded piece of historical ordnance, and as a result, shoots brilliantly across time and space and lives in the forA novel that has stepped on an unexploded piece of historical ordnance, and as a result, shoots brilliantly across time and space and lives in the form of fragments that invert Proust’s move and instead compact the richness of a lost past constructed by the logic of chance into images laden with multiple significations: a folded piece of paper with a core length, a ring twisting around a thumb, the weight of a white coat, a futile towel soaking blood.
This was a lovely, grounded, honest reflection on being a self-taught naturalist in the city of Seattle. As someone from Seattle, I particularly enjoyThis was a lovely, grounded, honest reflection on being a self-taught naturalist in the city of Seattle. As someone from Seattle, I particularly enjoyed the book, but the essays are written in a way that are accessible and enjoyable by anyone in any location. It’s helpful to realize how much “nature” we live within if we take the time to slow down and look. So many books in this tradition are about going away from home to find nature, but really what’s being advocated by the best books with either approach (going out to nature, or finding nature at home) is a call to look repeatedly and closely at a specific piece of land. Nature awareness is about unlearning our cultural obsession with novelty and instead risking boredom in order to establish connection....more
A perfect little gem of a book. Nonfiction crafted to link together a memoir, a biography, a slice of intellectual and scientific history, all held toA perfect little gem of a book. Nonfiction crafted to link together a memoir, a biography, a slice of intellectual and scientific history, all held together with the consistent pulse of philosophical enquiry on how to live, and why.
Miller’s writing was incredibly honest and intimate, all why clearly influenced by the unrelenting demands for intellectual honesty found in the work of science.
Highly recommended to basically everyone I can think of....more
Great book that deals gracefully with some really difficult topics: the loss of a parent, grief, messy family relationships / secrets, economic disparGreat book that deals gracefully with some really difficult topics: the loss of a parent, grief, messy family relationships / secrets, economic disparity, race, US/Latino relations, sexual trafficking, and growing up.
This would be a good read for a book club, and a good read for a teen/YA. Both could foster discussions on race, immigration, family relationships, privilege, etc.
I liked how the LGBTQ relationship was in the book, but not a source of conflict or tension in the plot.
And the writing is lovely—a real poetic sensibility underlying the prose....more
This was a lovely sabbath read—Smith uses the figure and thought of Augustine in order to to explore a series of complex topics that center around whaThis was a lovely sabbath read—Smith uses the figure and thought of Augustine in order to to explore a series of complex topics that center around what it means to live a human life, and to realize the underlying universality of those lived experiences.
Although Smith certainly draws on his training in philosophy while writing (Heidegger, Arendt, and others appear at various junctures, but never in any way that makes them inaccessible to anyone who hasn’t encountered them before), he also does a fantastic job bringing in contemporary popular culture via film and music in order to help illustrate his points in an accessible yet thoughtful way.
Recommended for anyone interested in thinking about Augustine’s cultural and devotional legacy today, and particularly people interested in the topic of pilgrimage/journeying (Smith has a great line about Augustine’s use of the word “pilgrim” being closer to the idea of the word “refugee”—we are on a journey not in order to go out to visits the holy, but rather displaced and seeking a home in the holy we cannot recall). ...more
Solid YA thriller that does some interesting things in terms of utilizing the form of the true crime podcast to tell part of the story. Quick to read;Solid YA thriller that does some interesting things in terms of utilizing the form of the true crime podcast to tell part of the story. Quick to read; the open ending probably bothers people, but from a marketing perspective it makes sense (sequel possible).
This would make for a good book club discussion on pedophilia, child trafficking, etc. (Also, these themes are central to the plot, so CW for them, physical violence, and murder. Depends on your teen how they’d handle it.)...more
This may very well end up being one of the most important books I read in 2021. Incredibly well crafted, and persuasively argued. Required reading forThis may very well end up being one of the most important books I read in 2021. Incredibly well crafted, and persuasively argued. Required reading for Americans....more
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