I finished the Louise Erdrich (Four Souls), and actually read something else in between - whose name I don't exactly remember - and am now in the middle of Sue Grafton's latest alphabetical mystery: R is for Ricochet. This is not literature, but Kinsey Milhone (Grafton's detective) is like an old friend now, and I am compelled to keep up with her adventures. And misadventures. Four Souls more closely resembled literature; I do in fact think that all of Erdrich's work deserves to be called literature. She, like Faulkner, has created a world in her novels. Place is as important as plot or character in these books, and the place, plot and recurring characters all intertwine from book to book. I do want to write more about Erdrich's world, but don't have the time right now. This is the week I begin my second job, afternoons at La Casita doing homework help and ESL with Hispanic children from the local elementary and middle schools. I seem to have time to either read books, or write about reading books. Pretty clear choice, eh?
(Isn't everyone in love with her?)
I do want to say a word about "Angels in America," however. Not a book, but the HBO series made from Tony Kushner's play. We have finished watching "Six Feet Under," the first two seasons on DVD and we're waiting for season #3 to come out. I feel rather like a junkie who's had all drug sources suddenly and visciously removed. So, jonesing for something to watch on the weekend, I spied "Angels in America" on the shelf. We don't have HBO and there are times I truly regret it. The screening of Kushner's opus was one of them. So Part I (Milennium Approaches) of Angels came home with me on Friday. G and I were pinned to the sofa for the entire 179 minutes of it, no bathroom breaks, no mixed nuts or diet Pepsi breaks, no answering the phone when it rang. Rivetted.
I've never seen anything this good, certainly not on TV. I read on AOL early this morning that it cleaned up on Emmy Awards - and how glad I am to know that this kind of genius is rightfully rewarded. The screenplay is brilliant (Kushner wrote it, thank with great thanksgiving whatever gods may be), the acting as well (Meryl Streep as the old rabbi? imagine that! and Emma, oh Emma, I'm so in love with you!), the direction - ! - Mike Nichols outdid himself. We are waiting til next weekend to bring home Part II (Perestroika), we won't have any time to watch it until then. I may have to buy this pair of DVD's, it will need many more than one watching. And I regret more than ever that I didn't get to see it on stage during its run. I'd love to see how they managed many of those scenes, easy enough with special movie effects, on a stage.
9 comments:
That is how I feel about Kinsey; she's like an old pal I've been through with thick and thin and I have to know what she's up to. She's funny too. Peanut butter and pickle sandwiches?
I haven't seen Angels of America in its entirety but I'm glad it's out on DVD. I will definitely rent it. By all accounts it deserves the lavish critical acclaim.
Btw, I've finished American Gods. I'm now reading The Rule of Four among five other books.
Angels in* America.
I started watching Angels in America mainly because someone in one of my classes said she couldn't figure out what was going on. I was quickly hooked, and later made John watch with me. If anything, he loved it more than I did!
I have to admit I`ve read all of the Kinsey alphabet books!
V
I've seen Angels in America performed by our local theatre group -- The Unicorn Theatre of Kansas City (BTW, it's an excellent company!). Surprisingly, I don't recall any special effects -- or any need for any. The script is so strong -- beautiful language, complex ideas -- that all you really need is a bare stage and a strong, compenent cast. I recall an Angel with papier-mache wings being rolled in on top of a ladder. Nothing special in that -- but I was blown away nonetheless. Too bad you've said good-bye to acting; you would be terrific in the Meryl Streep roles :-)
Also wanted to point out that the short list for this year's Booker Prize was announced today. You can go to The Guardian website, complete with reviews for all six books, to make out your list of next month's must-read novels.
ah Tim, you know how to make an old girl feel good. but, you're right - i'd love to give those parts a whirl. when i finally actually really retire, wherever and whenever it may be, if i can still memorize a script and move around a stage on my own two feet i do hope to do some community theatre. there's a group here i'd love to join, The Possum Point Players, but i just don't have the free time.
I finally got cable. Only so that I can get cable internet. Finally, got that today too. Not hooked up yet though. I dread the hassle. But, I caught an episode of Angels in America. It was definitely different. I feel like I plopped into something but clearly brilliant. :-) ---Robbie
I got to see Angels in America on stage...it's been nine or ten years ago...Part 1 and Part 2 were on different nights and it was quite expensive but oh so worth it! I don't have HBO so I don't know how it compares, but seeing the play was the most moving and affecting thing I had ever sat through. I had read the play first, and, brilliant as it is, I don't see how anything can compare to seeing it on the stage.
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