The Cabin : Reminiscence and Diversions

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful stories from the youth of an aspiring artist
Review: As a young aspiring artist of sorts, I found reading Mr.Mamet's stories and reactions to his life at once turbulent, inspiring, and nostalgic. The honest care the author takes in describing the places and people of his long life is so comforting, it is a struggle to believe that one person can live the 'scenes' in his life in such peace. Mamet's occasional extremist opinions give the stories meaningful dynamics, and the stories are recommended to anyone who likes to think about the little things in life, especially those from Chicago, Vermont, or New York. Consumes only a little time but a lot of imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful stories from the youth of an aspiring artist
Review: As a young aspiring artist of sorts, I found reading Mr.Mamet's stories and reactions to his life at once turbulent, inspiring, and nostalgic. The honest care the author takes in describing the places and people of his long life is so comforting, it is a struggle to believe that one person can live the 'scenes' in his life in such peace. Mamet's occasional extremist opinions give the stories meaningful dynamics, and the stories are recommended to anyone who likes to think about the little things in life, especially those from Chicago, Vermont, or New York. Consumes only a little time but a lot of imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Mamet-plus
Review: Mamet's mere name has become shorthand for so much - a style, a voice, violence, woman-hating - that it's hard to just read a book of his, and it's hard to disassociate oneself from the stereotyping of his work, even if one doesn't agree with the stereotypes. This is especially true when reading another of his essay books. But the violence of the opening story truly jolted me out of my preconceptions & made me wonder if I could read on. I did, and I'm glad. The matzo ball/bearskin rug story brought a wan smile to my face, & the title essay is a tremendously evocative piece of writing that really sticks with you.