Uneven Four

[dotinthesky]

Yann Martel, The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, 1993
This is a collection of four short stories (in large font, double-spaced, to make the book appear longer than it is) written by Martel before he became famous for his Booker-prize winning novel The Life of Pi. Four short stories that he got published and praised for when he was just starting out as a fiction writer - the kind of collection that fans of the writer might want to check out, but which isn't really an essential read for anyone else.

The first story, which takes the name of the collection, is the best one. It's about two friends who decide to deal with a virus (AIDS) that is killing one of them by playing a storytelling game. The last story, of a grandmother who knows how to build magical mirrors, is also quite good - I read it out loud to my boyfriend and had him in stitches. The other two were alright, but forgettable - one of them was a long structure gimmick that had no meaning; and the other floundered around in the telling of a musician's tale of anonimity and undiscovered genius (maybe how Martel felt about himself before he hit the big time.)

Comments

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Will you read the last one aloud to me, too?

While I eat burek you've made?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I would if I didn't have to return it to the library! But I can definitely promise the burek.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

I need a library card!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I've got tons of books I can give you if you want!

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

OK! I need a fiction book soon. Well, I want to read the last book in the Twilight series but I'm certainly not going to pay for that and I know you don't have it. I need to get me to a large bookstore I can sit in for hours at a time.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Or you could wait until the film came out (years from now). ;-)

I have TONS of fiction books I can give you.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Sweet, pick something & we'll all have a blow out soon. Ooh, ooh! Friday do you have anything going on? Aram has to go see a show over your way & we could go out dancing then meet up later? Is your spare bedroom open to visitors? Could I make you guys blueberry pancakes in the morning?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

This Friday we are going to the London Lesbian Gay film festival! Meeting a couple of boys downtown so probably home around 12? What time do you think the show will be over? Coincidentally enough, Kevin just bought blueberries last night... ;-)

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Oh, right! Shoot, that's the one that's sold out, isn't it? I meant I wasn't planning on going to the show but now I will since you guys have plans. It gets out around midnight & we'll have our bikes with us, can we put them out on the landing? Are you up for having overnight visitors? Good job with the bluebs, Kev!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Let me speak to the Kebs tonight and I'll let you know!

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Sho' 'nuff, sweet thang!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Pancakes are a go go!!! Woohoo! :-)

I'll text you when I leave the cinema and I'm on my way home OK?

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!!