Author Topic: I just bought READING BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN from (Read 13302 times)

Kd5000 · « **on:** December 04, 2007, 02:12:26 pm »

my suburban Barnes and Noble store. It was located in the film section. Their film section was quite small so I was surprised they would have the book. I was just browsing when I came across it. It was USD 35.00. Some idiot had affixed a bar code sticky for USD 12.00 so I thought wow, this is a bargain. I then looked closer and the bar code belonged to another book, "Divine Lessons from Hell." I guess some hateful bible-thumper didn't like that book. I said something to the cashier about the fraudulent sticker and she said "some ppl don't mind their business." Well, it just made me more resolved to buy the book.

Anyway, I'm glad I got the book. Other ppl may want to check their Barnes and Noble store to see if they carry it. It's a small publisher so I don't know how available it will be.

Wishes · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2007, 10:32:18 pm »

kd, I'm really glad you reported that sticker that was obviously, purposely put on the book. I almost feel sorry for someone that ignorant. Almost.

I just looked the book up on Amazon and they carry it. Full price. No discount. Every once in a while Amazon has a book they don't discount. I'm interested in reading it. One reason is it's often so hard for me to put my thoughts about something into words and impossible to put it into writing which is why I usually do not post in this section of the forum. So reading others interpretations interests me. Do your recommend the book? I'm not afraid of the price as Amazon is my main vice!

Brown Eyes · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2007, 12:21:44 am »

The book sounds interesting to me too. And, good for you Kd5000... I'll echo what Wishes said and say that I'm really glad you said something about that sticker.

Oregondoggie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2007, 12:45:52 am »

The scene by scene analysis and symbolism spread around here on Bettermost and on Dave Cullen would be hard to beat. I don't think even the Gospels or the Talmud have had as much analysis in these last two years!

Am going to wait a bit for a few book reviews before buying. The articles in Film Quarterly earlier this year stirred up a huge fuss. So uneven. Dry the way the scholars like to drink.

SFEnnisSF · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2007, 01:12:06 am »

I've been eyeballing this book, pondering if I should buy it or not...

southendmd · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2007, 01:28:37 pm »

Hey Karl! We'd love your thoughts on the book. Any review yet??

Kd5000 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2007, 04:31:52 pm »

It's quite wordy. Very dense with many insightful comments on the movie. I'd describe the book as academic moreso then a fanboy/girl book. I've been talking to the owner of the local G/L bookstore about having the book's editor (he only live 3 hours away) come down for a signing and a talk. Don't know if it's going to happen. There is a nice poem from a viewer who has seen the film six times on page VIII. I'm not going to write it out. Well maybe latter.

Here is an excerpt from page 35

In August, after Jack's departure, when words failed them both, the camera leaves a grunting, anguishing Ennis on his knees and takes us to a small church where ironically the congregation, Ennis, and his bride are repeating in unison some of the most widely recited words in history, "The Lord's prayer": "... and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us....deliver us from evil." It is likely that Ennis at times views his passion with Jack as an evil from which he needs to be delivered; no wonder he has such shame. A joking preacher gives Ennis a sanctified reminder to marry and breed. The kiss seals their new marriage; so begins this new family's traditional narrative.

That excerpt is from the chapter titled "Buried in the Family Plot"

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2007, 06:11:46 pm »

The title confuses me. Reading Brokeback Mountain? It sounds like an analysis of the story, not the movie. Does the author talk about the story at all? Is it a personal interpretation? BBM deserves better than this!!

Kd5000 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2007, 07:49:20 pm »

From the book.
================================
THIS COLLECTION OFFERS 15 CRITICAL ESSAYS (by 15 different writers) ON ANNIE PROULX'S short story BBM and it's controversial film adaption by screenwriters....Each essay explores the short story, the film and the sociocultural phenomenon that follwed the release of the motion picture in 2005

The essays adopt both traditional perspectives and postmodern angles, including those of women's studies, queer studies, sexuality studies, ethnic studies and American studies. Many of the essays focus primarily on the film, it's critical reception, it's stars, it's soundtrack and it's cultural implications.
===========================
That's from the back of the book. I've only started to read it.

page 15
Between the publication of Brokeback Mountain in the New Yorker and it's appearance in the collection of Close Ranges, Proulx added an italicized prologue taking place in the mind of Ennis, suggesting he has found some solace in his dreams of Jack Twist and in his relationship to his married daughter.
==================================

Obviously Ennis dreaming about Jack wasn't shown in the film, so the author explains how Ennis may have found a bit of solace in accepting his daughter's wedding invitation... Well it goes into alot more detail drawing parallels with the dream and accepting a wedding invitation.

Wishes · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2007, 08:18:11 pm »

Oregondoggie, I agree there is a lot of excellent information and interpretation on this board and I am sure others. For me though, there is nothing like curling up with a book.

My computer, though a lap top, stays at the desk.

Kd, thanks for the additional information. I'm really considering the book at this point.

Oregondoggie · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2007, 02:18:38 am »

Quote from: Wishes on December 05, 2007, 08:18:11 pm

Oregondoggie, I agree there is a lot of excellent information and interpretation on this board and I am sure others. For me though, there is nothing like curling up with a book. My computer, though a lap top, stays at the desk.

Kd, thanks for the additional information. I'm really considering the book at this point.

Let us know.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2007, 07:30:28 pm »

Quote from: Kd5000 on December 05, 2007, 07:49:20 pm

From the book.
================================
THIS COLLECTION OFFERS 15 CRITICAL ESSAYS (by 15 different writers) ON ANNIE PROULX'S short story BBM and it's controversial film adaption by screenwriters....Each essay explores the short story, the film and the sociocultural phenomenon that follwed the release of the motion picture in 2005

The essays adopt both traditional perspectives and postmodern angles, including those of women's studies, queer studies, sexuality studies, ethnic studies and American studies. Many of the essays focus primarily on the film, it's critical reception, it's stars, it's soundtrack and it's cultural implications.

Does the book really say "it's"

If so, I won't be able to read it!!

Quote from: Kd5000 on December 05, 2007, 07:49:20 pm

Between the publication of Brokeback Mountain in the New Yorker and it's appearance in the collection of Close Ranges, Proulx added an italicized prologue taking place in the mind of Ennis, suggesting he has found some solace in his dreams of Jack Twist and in his relationship to his married daughter.

Close Range, not Close Ranges.

Artiste · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2007, 07:43:49 pm »

So the title of the book is: READING BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN?

Any library of congress number in order to obtain it?

Authors are named
too??

Hugs!

Kd5000 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2007, 11:15:04 pm »

FRONTRANGER, I'm not the best typist so those were my mistakes.

The author's name (he's actually the editor) is JIM STACEY.

I don't know if this is a Library of Congress number:
ISBN-13: 978-0-7864-3044-4

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2007, 11:20:42 pm »

Quote from: Kd5000 on December 06, 2007, 11:15:04 pm

FRONTRANGER, I'm not the best typist so those were my mistakes.

The author's name (he's actually the editor) is JIM STACEY.

I don't know if this is a Library of Congress number:
ISBN-13: 978-0-7864-3044-4

Sorry to be so picky, but I'm a writer by trade! I looked for this at my Barnes & Noble, but no luck!

Artiste · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2007, 11:13:33 pm »

Thanks Kd5000!

Am grateful for your information!

Hugs!

southendmd · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2007, 05:41:52 pm »

My copy arrived today from Amazon. The contributors are mostly academic: professors of English, culture, film and the like. Lots of footnotes, LOL.

Looks dense, can only hope it's better than Film Quarterly.

More later!

brokeplex · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2007, 01:13:59 am »

confirming you can order the book on amazon. I ordered it and received it in 4 days. It is well worth the read. Very dense prose, with scholarly articles that are thoroughly foot noted. I was especially moved by the essays comparing BM to the Greek myths : Hercules and Prometheus.

Daniel · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2007, 01:35:34 am »

Thought I might shamelessly plug my own book here.... my quarterly royalties check of $1.00 arrived the other day...

http://www.amazon.com/Dreamfilm-Brokeback-Mountain-Daniel-Bates/dp/1425750001

brokeplex · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2007, 01:48:05 am »

Quote from: Daniel on December 19, 2007, 01:35:34 am

Thought I might shamelessly plug my own book here.... my quarterly royalties check of $1.00 arrived the other day...

http://www.amazon.com/Dreamfilm-Brokeback-Mountain-Daniel-Bates/dp/1425750001

there is only one left in stock Daniel.....get them to stock more. why is it only 10$? will you inscribe it for me if I order one?

Ellemeno · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2007, 04:19:53 am »

Quote from: Daniel on December 19, 2007, 01:35:34 am

Thought I might shamelessly plug my own book here.... my quarterly royalties check of $1.00 arrived the other day...

http://www.amazon.com/Dreamfilm-Brokeback-Mountain-Daniel-Bates/dp/1425750001

Daniel, thanks for posting the link. That page needs a product description at least, and some customer reviews!

Daniel · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2007, 04:39:54 am »

I know... I didn't have enough money for the marketing package...

And then things got crazy around here... (I got superinvolved in my other book, Quest of the Unicorn, then had some financial difficulties, then had to work extraordinarily hard to get out of them.... then got involved in politics (a whole other story there, and one I don't think everyone wants to hear).... and then Luke and Noah came on ATWT and its all been a roller coaster ride since then.... :O

But I hear you... the world's not perfect... but then again if it were, where would the challenge be?

Wishes · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2007, 07:21:34 pm »

Quote from: Daniel on December 19, 2007, 01:35:34 am

Thought I might shamelessly plug my own book here.... my quarterly royalties check of $1.00 arrived the other day...

http://www.amazon.com/Dreamfilm-Brokeback-Mountain-Daniel-Bates/dp/1425750001

Oh wow Daniel, that's your book. OK stupid question ahead: What is the book about. Yes, yes I know it's about BBM!

But is it your interpretation on the movie etc etc?

Daniel · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2007, 04:04:02 am »

Hmm, not really. There is one chapter that discusses symbolism, but really it is a book about philosophy, and the ideas that emerged from the film... Ideas that subtly and dramatically alter consciousness... There is also a chapter where I discuss what I perceive a dreamfilm to be and how it fits in with the concepts of humanistic psychology.

Wishes · « **Reply #24 on:** December 20, 2007, 04:39:58 pm »

Quote from: Daniel on December 20, 2007, 04:04:02 am

Hmm, not really. There is one chapter that discusses symbolism, but really it is a book about philosophy, and the ideas that emerged from the film... Ideas that subtly and dramatically alter consciousness... There is also a chapter where I discuss what I perceive a dreamfilm to be and how it fits in with the concepts of humanistic psychology.

Thanks. It sounds interesting.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #25 on:** December 26, 2007, 08:08:06 pm »

OMG, it's out? It's published?! Daniel, I am so proud of you and I can't wait to read this book!! Fuck Reading Brokeback everybody...get Daniel's book!!

Kd5000 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 27, 2007, 07:22:39 pm »

Yep, some positive reviews of your book would help Daniel. I've never written a review before on AMAZON.com. I ordered your book yesterday from Amazon.com and look forward to it's arrival. I've almost finished READING BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and I think it was a missed opportunity. Not alot of new insights. The books overall theme seemed to be framing BBM against larger sociocultural considerations. I will still keep the book.

I wish someone would put out a book on BBM gathering the most insightfuls posts on IMDB.com, Bettermost.net and other forums so that you could just flip right thru it. Sometimes you just want to hold something in your hands. A few troll posts might be interestings. Just kidding about that.

The topics you cover sound most interesting. Your publisher not sending you around the country to promote your book I suppose?? I have not seen it for sale at Barnes and Noble.

Daniel · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2007, 07:41:21 pm »

Well, feel free to review the book, if you like... I believe that one other member of Bettermost has read it. Shakestheground might be able to recommend it (or not).

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #28 on:** April 19, 2008, 02:09:23 pm »

Table of Contents from Reading Brokeback Mountain, thanks to MountainMouse

Acknowledgments
Preface
1. Arcadia and the Passionate Shepherds of Brokeback Mountain
by Henry Alley
2. Proulx's Pastoral: Brokeback Mountain as Sacred Space
by Ginger Jones
3. Buried in the Family Plot: The Cost of Pattern Maintenance
to Ennis and Jack
by Jim Stacy
4. Love and Death in an American Story: A "Vulgar" Reading of
Brokeback Mountain
by John Kitterman
5. The "Gay Film" That Wasn't: The Heterosexual Supplement
in Brokeback Mountain
by Lisa Arellano
6. Gay Cowboys Close to Home: Ennis Del Mar on the Q.T.
by Hiram Perez
7. "When This Thing Grabs Hold of Us . . .": Spatial Myth,
Rhetoric, and Conceptual Blending in Brokeback Mountain
by Jen E. Boyle
8. From "Nature's Love" to Natural Love: Brokeback Mountain,
Universal Identification, and Gay Politics
by Xinghua Li
9. Broke(n)back Faggots: Hollywood Gives Queers a
Hobson's Choice
by W.C. Harris
10. Brokeback Mountain at the Oscars
by Charles Eliot Mehler
11. Whiteness of Another Kind of Love:Letting Sexuality
and Race Talk
by Long T. Bui
12. The Queerness of Country: Brokeback's Soundscape
by Noah Tsika
13. Performing "Lonesome Cowboy" and "Jack Nasty": The
Stars' Negotiation of Norms and Desires
by Jessica L.W. Carey
14. Lessons Learned on Brokeback Mountain: Expanding the
Possibilities of American Manhood
by John Ibson
15. Love and Silence, Possibility and Penguins
by Jim Stacy
Select Bibliography
About the Contributor
Index

brokeplex · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2008, 11:17:54 pm »

http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,16062.0.html

earlier on another thread, we discussed a couple of the chapters in this book. I bought it a while back and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #30 on:** April 24, 2008, 04:57:58 pm »

I just heard that Amazon is shipping my copy of Dreamfilm... by our own Daniel Bates!!

Brown Eyes · « **Reply #31 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:00:08 pm »

Quote from: Front-Ranger on April 24, 2008, 04:57:58 pm

I just heard that Amazon is shipping my copy of Dreamfilm... by our own Daniel Bates!!

Very cool!

News:

Author Topic: I just bought READING BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN from (Read 13302 times)