In the grand tradition of Louis XIV and certain characters in The Wire, Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland declares its own ignominious eulogy. In its final pages, as Hans van den Broek wishes to remember the best in his deceased friend, he casually lets on, “We all disappoint, eventually.”
The novel that Hans narrates suffers that same unfortunate [...]
Archive for July 5th, 2009
5 Jul
Netherland and the Failure of Ambition
5 Jul
A Review of “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto”
Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food stays true to its subtitle: It justifies a no-nonsense guide to eating. The book’s seven-word slogan encapsulates Pollan’s prescription: “Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Of course, “food” strays from the standard definition of food. For Pollan, what was around and recognizable as food during the life of [...]
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Pierre Menard
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