Set in 1949, this is the story of John Grady Cole, who at the age of sixteen finds himself at the losing end of a long generations of ranchers: his grandfather has just died; his father, who came back from the war somehow changed, is living in town; and his mother wants nothing so much as to clear out of West Texas forever. Too young to be given charge of the ranch, John Grady is cut off from the only life he has ever imagined wanting.
Over the border into Mexico seems the only way out of a society moving in all the wrong directions, so with his friend Lacey Rawlins he rides into a land both beautiful and barren, rugged and cruelly civilized. . . they acquire a hapless younger companion. . . . this idyllic, sometimes comic adventure leads in fact to a place where dreams are paid for in blood."
A question for Daniel: I see that Foer's first listed work was A Convergence of Birds, which he edited. Is that the same as the book you read??
And for everyone: Foer has also written Everything is Illuminated which was made into a movie starring Elijah Wood. I prefer "Extremely" to it, but we can read "Everything" instead if you prefer.
I also highly recommend listening to Extremely, the recorded book. The voices in it are amazing, and really bring the book to life!!
This just in! Jonathan Safran Foer lives in the same buliding as Heath and Michelle!!
Here are a few words from the beginning of "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
First chapter: "What The?"
What about a teakettle? What if the spout opened and closed when the steam came out, so it would become a mouth, and it could whistle pretty melodies, or do Shakespeare, or just crack up with me?"
Later on on page one is this quote:
"I wonder if everyone's heart's would start to beat at the same time, like how women who live together have menstural periods at the same time, which I know about, but don't really want to know about."
Currently I'm reading a very engrossing book, The Bucolic Plague by Josh Purcell. It's a story about two Manhattan execs who quit the rat race to farm in upstate New York.
Sounds familiar. Is he the same guy as Josh Purcell-Kilmer, from The Fabulous Beekman Boys on Planet Green (TV)? Gay couple gave up Manhattan to move to a farm?
Shades of Green Acres. ...
I'm sure he must be the one. They're fun to watch as they adapt to their goats and farm chores. But you can't take Manhattan out of them. They've merchandised about every aspect of their move: TV series, books, special events, goat cheese and soap business, you name it. :)
I think they got it right. Josh is more Zsa Zsa. ;D
I thought it was Eva? :)
I thought it was Eva? :)
Oops! Always get them mixed up. :P
Sounds familiar. Is he the same guy as Josh Purcell-Kilmer, from The Fabulous Beekman Boys on Planet Green (TV)? Gay couple gave up Manhattan to move to a farm?
Was this truly Wilde's only published novel?
This just in! Jonathan Safran Foer lives in the same buliding as Heath and Michelle!!
Here are a few words from the beginning of "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
First chapter: "What The?"
What about a teakettle? What if the spout opened and closed when the steam came out, so it would become a mouth, and it could whistle pretty melodies, or do Shakespeare, or just crack up with me?"
Later on on page one is this quote:
"I wonder if everyone's heart's would start to beat at the same time, like how women who live together have menstural periods at the same time, which I know about, but don't really want to know about."