The Journals of John Cheever
3 journalers for this copy...
Interesting -
These are really tough to get through. It's hard to feel sympathetic for the character.
Journal Entry 3 by haahaahaa98 at USPS in -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Sunday, July 19, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (7/19/2020 UTC) at USPS in -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Releasing into the "Begins with the Letter J" bookring.
The Journals of John Cheever by John Cheever
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Finally finished this massive collection from one of America's leading literary stalwarts. It's not easy getting through this. Cheever's entries are for the most part unedited, he meanders from idea to idea within each entry, and it's hard sometimes to follow what he's referring to; it's better to place the type of writing somewhere between prose and poetry.
It's also difficult to get through the level of disdain, murky cynicism that he holds for those close to him, especially his wife Mary. It reads as if he was battling not only alcoholism, but depression, and at life's end, bone cancer. And indeed much acreage is spent on his coming to terms with his homosexuality. His critique of post-war and late 20th century suburban life is incisive, yet I wish it had more of the satire that makes this writing like this more delightful (viz Jonathan Franzen). Close readers might advise that the point of Cheever's writing is not to please or delight, but I still find it off-putting.
I'm glad I got through this, and am hoping that with more formal writing I can examine what his short stories and novels are like.
View all my reviews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Finally finished this massive collection from one of America's leading literary stalwarts. It's not easy getting through this. Cheever's entries are for the most part unedited, he meanders from idea to idea within each entry, and it's hard sometimes to follow what he's referring to; it's better to place the type of writing somewhere between prose and poetry.
It's also difficult to get through the level of disdain, murky cynicism that he holds for those close to him, especially his wife Mary. It reads as if he was battling not only alcoholism, but depression, and at life's end, bone cancer. And indeed much acreage is spent on his coming to terms with his homosexuality. His critique of post-war and late 20th century suburban life is incisive, yet I wish it had more of the satire that makes this writing like this more delightful (viz Jonathan Franzen). Close readers might advise that the point of Cheever's writing is not to please or delight, but I still find it off-putting.
I'm glad I got through this, and am hoping that with more formal writing I can examine what his short stories and novels are like.
View all my reviews
I received this as part of iwillrejoice's ABC Title Bookring – J Titles. Opted to pass it along as the other book just grabbed my attention a bit more.
Arrived safely yesterday to complete my ABC (Alphabet) Bookrings - US version - Books Beginning with the Letter J - Round 2. Thanks for sharing!