Friday, July 18, 2008

South of the Pumphouse by Les Claypool


Is it bad that I want to grow up to be like that guy? That guy in question is Les Claypool, one of the most creative and innovative bassists of our time, frontman of such bands as Primus, Oysterhead, Sausage, and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, and author of the book "South of the Pumphouse" which is, coincidentally, the book I'm reviewing! Isn't it funny the way things work out?
The book opens in the small town of El Sobrante, which was the town in which Les Claypool and Primus Guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde grew up. I'm sorry, I'm getting fanboyish. Anyway, the story follows the drug fueled fishing trip of brothers Ed and Earl, and Earl's bigoted best friend Donny.
I'm going to warn you now, this book is not for the prude. I am a fairly jaded child and some of the things in this book actually made me blush. There are copius amounts of drugs consumed, sex thrown out all willy-nilly (I love that word), and plenty o' violence.
Now that that I've warned you, on with the story. The book's main storyline follows the exploits of the three boys on the boat. Conversation varies wildly between the three, from debate about homosexuality, to scat in a public restroom, but it's Earls drug fueled rampage that shifts the tone of the book from lighthearted, if explicit, conversation, into an extremely morbid tone.
I loved this book. It was well written and strange, and ended on a disturbingly unsettling note. My only complaints are the flashbacks, which often intrude on the story, and the overall length of the book. Around two hundred pages, the book reads pretty quick, especially since you can't put it down. Unless you have no arms.
All in all, this book is a definite must for any fan of Claypool and his work, and a must for those who enjoy dark and unsettling tales. I'd heartily reccomend this to ay stranger passing in the street. Course, they'd all probably think I'm insane.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Loving Will Shakespeare by Carolyn Meyer

In between my James Bond and Star Wars reads i picked up this book called Loving Will Shakespeare. It seemed cute and a good off topic book, so i began to read it. Its a great book that will capture your full attention with details and makes you actually care for the main character. Her name is Agnes Hathaway. After he mother dies her father brings a new wife into the house. Agnes's Stepmother is hate full, unkind and rude, and disfavors Agnes. The book goes on through her life as a young adult and shows her struggles with finding her perfect man to marry, loosing her loved ones, and her stepmother. Its a sweet book with kind of an annoying ending, but all the same, I would recommend it to anyone with a spot for romance.
-loved it!!

-Laura