Glyph

Rating:
Summary: An intellectual comedy of genius proportions
Review: Everett is fast becoming one of my favorite authors, though I get the feeling that between this one and his "Erasure" I've read all of his generally accessible stuff.

The story is told by a baby that is born a genius and is almost immediately set upon by forces trying to capture him. With incredible wit and tons of intellectual property, so to speak. The baby has a wicked sense of humor.

A bit heady, and not for the faint of intellect, but a great pay-off.

Rating:
Summary: A book to read without forethought
Review: I picked this book up because of the pretty cover. I read the dust-jacket blurb, was intrigued by the premise (a baby who won't talk but can read and write! Neat-o!) and started reading. I had no fore-warning about it's "wit, satire, intelligence." After 20 pages I had to put it down-- it was that good, that I had to reflect on how good it was. I was amazed. Yes, I suppose, all that stuff everyone says about post-structuralist posturing and the hemophilia of the literary brotherhood, its all true-- but I haven't enjoyed well-crafted sentences like these since Berger and Leyner.

Impossibly, a "structuralist" dialogue is accomplished between Everett's obvious genius with what words can do and with what words are for. A new "parole" and "langue"? Ralph would easily make fun of me for that one.

Just read it. You don't need to know nothing about nothing. It's not erudite-- it's fun.

Rating:
Summary: ...and I thought Erasure was good![.]
Review: I received two presents for my birthday a few weeks ago and this was the one I truly wanted. I read the book during Xmas Eve and Xmas while lounging around. This book is another classic by a writer who is fast becoming my favorite living author! The wit, the sarcasm, the vocabulary, the idea itself makes this book one of my favorites. It's not an "easy" read at all. I found myself reaching for the dictionary on a few occasions and I wasn't upset at all. Aren't you supposed to learn something from what you read??? Anyway, if you're fed up with those typical novels full of sex, violence, and 3rd grade language, then this book will surely make you smile! Mr Everett, keep up the good work!

Vincent Lopez