Red Mosquito

Posted: **Tue February 14, 2017 8:51 pm**

Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 3:41 pm**

tragabigzanda wrote:I've never read Saunders, outside of a couple essays. Is he really is funny as he gets credit for? Who would you compare him to?

I don't know that "funny" is the first thing that pops into my head when I think about George Saunders.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 3:42 pm**

tragabigzanda wrote:
The Argonaut wrote:To me, George Saunders is unique. There are younger writers that try to emulate him, but they always come off as too clever and are unreadable. Simon Rich is an example of this. His TV show Man Seeking Woman is great, but his stories are terrible. Actually, now that I think of it, Saunders is kind of like Man Seeking Woman. Robert Coover is maybe a predecessor/contemporary that is sometimes similar in some ways. I'm a big fan of them both.
Thanks Argo. I was to read him now.

Read Tenth of December. It's one of my all time favorite works.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 3:44 pm**

A Man Called Ove was lovely. I had all the feels. The book jacket did not lie. I did laugh out loud. I did cry. Literally, I ran the whole spectrum. Such a funny, touching, honest, and well written book. Just lovely all the way around.

Now, I'm gonna read this little independet small press book called Dahlia Cassandra by Nathaniel Kressen.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 3:47 pm**

Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 3:59 pm**

tragabigzanda wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:I've never read Saunders, outside of a couple essays. Is he really is funny as he gets credit for? Who would you compare him to?
I don't know that "funny" is the first thing that pops into my head when I think about George Saunders.
Now why is that? He had an essay in Poking a Dead Frog that was very funny, and his inclusion in that collection points to him being a comedic writer. What's your hot take, durds?

I'm not saying he isn't funny. Or can't be funny. But the stuff I've read isn't necessarily comedic first, or comedy heavy per se. He's super smart and absurdly clever. But it's the way he turns things on their head. The way he can be so honest and heartbreaking that really sticks with me. He has tremendous imagination and seemingly endless empathy. His stuff is so different than anything I've read. Argo had a good answer, but I'm not sure I can think of anyone in my experience that I'd comfortably compare him to. I'm also not as well read, though. And I've only read one of Sauders collections all the way through. I'm not the best person to ask, probably.

But he broke my heart in the best possible way in Tenth of December. That collection is beautiful and full of imagination and painful wonder.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:00 pm**

What Joey said. I read Saunders with my students a lot, and I have other thoughts, and will maybe write them up when she naps.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:02 pm**

Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:11 pm**

Is there a RM Goodreads book buddies list?

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:12 pm**

Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:22 pm**

bada wrote:Is there a RM Goodreads book buddies list?

If there is, you bastards have been keeping it from me.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:26 pm**

bada wrote:Is there a RM Goodreads book buddies list?

There is. I'll link later.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:31 pm**

Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:35 pm**

I have a one year old with croup and I've slept 3 hours or fewer for the past four nights. I.e., I will forget I made these promises in 10 minutes.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:39 pm**

Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:39 pm**

Simple Torture wrote:
bada wrote:Is there a RM Goodreads book buddies list?
There is. I'll link later.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:43 pm**

Unrelated: I'm reading Middlesex with my students right now.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 4:44 pm**

Simple Torture wrote:Unrelated: I'm reading Middlesex with my students right now.

I goddamn love that goddamn book so goddamn much! I'd like to take your class, Professor ST.

Posted: **Wed February 15, 2017 6:30 pm**

Simple Torture wrote:
bada wrote:Is there a RM Goodreads book buddies list?
There is. I'll link later.

Are you talking about this?
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/20206-red-mosquito
It started 8 years ago and never saw any activity. If people want to join, go right ahead. Also, if people are not already my friend on there, click through and add me.

Posted: **Thu February 16, 2017 12:18 am**

durdencommatyler wrote:
bada wrote:Is there a RM Goodreads book buddies list?
If there is, you bastards have been keeping it from me.

I've mentioned Goodreads enough and never heard anyone else talk about it that I just figured no one was on there.

Except for B. Got him at least.

Red Mosquito

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