Inspired Choice
Leaving aside the quality of American Vertigo itself, having Garrison Keillor review
Bernard-Henri Levy is like having a complete tool review a French philosopher.
Thu, July 20 2006 » Minnesota, Polis
"A fast-paced, suspenseful dystopian picaresque, part Huck Finn and part bizarro-world Swiss Family Robinson..."
---Kirkus
Long-listed for the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and finalist for the Crawford Award. Title short story listed for the 2000 O. Henry award.
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This article made me sad. I was forced to read Keillor for highschool. He was not funny then and he’s gotten less funny. I think that perhaps this book was trying to be funny and interesting. By talking about “normal” people, this would not be too interesting.
I have seen this style of book before. One thing Keillor did get right was the paradox. That’s a big part of all travel writing I have seen. It is so obvious and done everywhere, but this is part of the style. This is not so much different than the exageeration that Keillor himself uses when talking about the midwest. I don’t expect people in the midwest really have such a rollicking good time with cool anecdotes spilling out at every chance, but what do I know.
I guess I’d be pissed if I see another philly summary that spoke of cheesesteaks and Rocky.
I actually find the flag fetish to be understated. It is basically, a cloth idol these days. I guess Keillor didn’t see the amendment that just failed.
Fred
Yeah, I think what bothered me most about the review is that it devolved into pure name calling at the end.