Like A Quirky Literary Masterpiece for a University Seminar
Okay, I am laughing as I type this because this book was an experience; at times a literary masterpiece and other times a combination of university philosophy class and a self-help workshop in finding happiness. And don't forget the murder mystery. It simply is impossible to categorize this novel in one genre, but that is part of the experience. The official publication summaries say: "A budding cult classic that dramatically splits the reviewers." And readers are challenged to decide whose side they support as the present day story develops through references to and quotations from the metaphysical musings of 18th century poet William Blake. To add to the fun, some characters' names are suspiciously symbolic, and their intense emotions are worthy of analysis.
The book opens with this event: "In 1977, Ickey Jerusalem, San Francisco's golden-boy poet laureate, is found dead in a locked, first-class toilet on an arriving [747] red-eye flight" That description alone made me covet a copy of this book because the action began on a Boeing 747 which is still considered the most gorgeous aircraft with the unforgettable profile. Particularly for me, as I once had to evacuate down the escape slide from the elevated 747 cockpit. So, yes, this book called to me with its siren song that may not be for the every day reader.
The interior of Ickey's 747, however, is not glamorous; in fact, it realistically matches Mr. Jersualem's first name - icky with wet spots on the floor of all the aircraft lavatories (you travelers know exactly what this means) and on through the back cabins filled with clanging noises in the metallic galleys. So yes, not only does author George Albert Brown know the works of William Blake, but he has definitely spent some time on airplanes. There is a lot of air travel humor in that first chapter, and coach passenger Ded Smith does not get his anticipated empty row of seats on an all-nighter flight because those discounted, red-eye prices attracted the attention of a raucous tour group of New York used car dealers. They are not about to try and sleep when they can drink and act like big shots who are too cool to wear their seatbelts , but instead they straddle seat backs and pretend to be riding a horse. Meanwhile Ded is already mentally assessing the limited life outlook of these salesmen which prevents them from realizing they have a claustrophobic existence. If this sounds heavy on the philosophic side, you are correct. Religion, life, death, and all of civilization's focus on social clubs, status, friends do not mean a thing; a point made on the fifth page of chapter one!
As soon as the plane lands, this very unhappy guy named Ded Smith begins his investigation. If readers are expecting this book to be a crime mystery, be prepared since this is equally, if not primarily, about philosophy and one's outlook on life. The question is not so much if Ded can solve the crime as can his soul and emotions be less "dead" and find some happiness in life itself. Yes, the name seems very symbolic to me. Dead emotions and "Smith" representing all members of mankind. Jerusalem's death
At times, I loved this book and at other times in the 40 chapters, I wanted some of the 552 pages to be condensed. Ultimately, this was a 4.5 experience, rounded to 5 since I also appreciated all of the literary references that the author worked into the plot.
The book opens with this event: "In 1977, Ickey Jerusalem, San Francisco's golden-boy poet laureate, is found dead in a locked, first-class toilet on an arriving [747] red-eye flight" That description alone made me covet a copy of this book because the action began on a Boeing 747 which is still considered the most gorgeous aircraft with the unforgettable profile. Particularly for me, as I once had to evacuate down the escape slide from the elevated 747 cockpit. So, yes, this book called to me with its siren song that may not be for the every day reader.
The interior of Ickey's 747, however, is not glamorous; in fact, it realistically matches Mr. Jersualem's first name - icky with wet spots on the floor of all the aircraft lavatories (you travelers know exactly what this means) and on through the back cabins filled with clanging noises in the metallic galleys. So yes, not only does author George Albert Brown know the works of William Blake, but he has definitely spent some time on airplanes. There is a lot of air travel humor in that first chapter, and coach passenger Ded Smith does not get his anticipated empty row of seats on an all-nighter flight because those discounted, red-eye prices attracted the attention of a raucous tour group of New York used car dealers. They are not about to try and sleep when they can drink and act like big shots who are too cool to wear their seatbelts , but instead they straddle seat backs and pretend to be riding a horse. Meanwhile Ded is already mentally assessing the limited life outlook of these salesmen which prevents them from realizing they have a claustrophobic existence. If this sounds heavy on the philosophic side, you are correct. Religion, life, death, and all of civilization's focus on social clubs, status, friends do not mean a thing; a point made on the fifth page of chapter one!
As soon as the plane lands, this very unhappy guy named Ded Smith begins his investigation. If readers are expecting this book to be a crime mystery, be prepared since this is equally, if not primarily, about philosophy and one's outlook on life. The question is not so much if Ded can solve the crime as can his soul and emotions be less "dead" and find some happiness in life itself. Yes, the name seems very symbolic to me. Dead emotions and "Smith" representing all members of mankind. Jerusalem's death
At times, I loved this book and at other times in the 40 chapters, I wanted some of the 552 pages to be condensed. Ultimately, this was a 4.5 experience, rounded to 5 since I also appreciated all of the literary references that the author worked into the plot.