Reviews and Comments

Some good individual essays, but this collection of academic studies on 'intermediality' (a term that the book itself finds hard to define) is more like a compilation of disparate and sometimes unrelated ideas than a complete study. Many media seem sidetracked or belittled by the authors, most of all visual art.



The first two chapters give a definition for 'intermedia', arguing essentially that such an idea has always existed and that there are no 'hard borders' around media; this idea is quickly undone by the following chapters that place hard borders around each media analysed.



Three essays stand out - WJT Mitchell's Realism ad the Digital Image is a nice study on photo-manipulation; Julia Meier carries out an interesting study on contemporary music's media-blending (via contemporary philosophy) and Jay David Bolter has a strong final chapter on politics and social media.

The first section of Achebe's debut novel focuses on rituals and traditions of village culture in the 1800s in Umuofia, Nigeria. It is presented through the protagonist, Okonkwo, and his adult years as he becomes a successful member of the village, buoyed by his intense masculinity. The early sections focus on drawn out descriptions of the cultural and religious ceremonies of village life in Nigeria at the time, akin to reading a history book. It is only in the second and third sections, when the story turns to the colonisation of the area by English missionaries, that the reason for the extensive descriptions becomes clear. The novel presents a criticism of the idea of a 'right' moral or socio-cultural ethos, and needs both the transparent descriptions of the history and the manifestations of change through colonisation to present this clearly. Very enjoyable and insightful read.

An artistic analysis of capitalism, western philosophy, and psychoanalysis in the 20th Century. The authors' writing is at times playful, but often extremely dense, and this is one of the hardest books I have ever read for comprehension (marred also by the typos in this edition). The book is a study of inherent socio-psychological problems in capitalist systems, and forms a critique of western philosophy and Freudian psychoanalysis. To write in any detail about Anti-Oedipus is nearly impossible, as it is dense and brimming with ideas. Hard to recommend, because if the inaccessibility of language, but equally hard not to recommend, as one of the most important and influential philosophy books of the 20th Century.

A broad scope and interesting if grim topic, Kolbert explores the five previous major extinctions in the past, and creates observations on how the Anthropocene (the era where human beings are changing their environment) is creating a sixth major extinction. Some excellent research occasionally spoiled by overly simplistic journalistic writing that meanders aimlessly. Overall an interesting and accessible read, and a good introduction book to the Anthropocene.

Excellently written philosophy and observations on human life, that explores work art and technology in seamlessly written chapters. Flawless methodology, and although some of the reference points are dated from a book written in 1959, Arendt has presented an observation on the (western) human condition that was not only groundbreaking in its time, but was prophetic of the generations to come.

Dark, droning novel by Gordimer about South Africa, land, race and culture. Mehring, the protagonist, is losing everything that he has, and that he is, lost in his own history and his obsessions with ownership. The book builds to a bombastic climax in the penultimate chapter where all the ghosts of the story appear at once.

Not sure if I'm missing something (the reviews are all good), but the prose and character development in these linked stories offered nothing for me. The stories are connected, one generation to the next, from the history of the gold coast slave trade to modern America, but each trudges along with an aimlessness and a lack of involvement that is frustrating to read. The dialogue lacked reality, and crafted badly drawn stereotypes instead of individuals. The history of this era is more engaging and interesting to read than this is, in novel/short story form.

Excellent collection of short stories that deal with diaspora and cultural disconnect, told through the simplicity of characters' lives. Many wonderful examples, but the opening story ('A Temporary Matter'), 'A Real Durwan', 'Mrs. Sen's' and 'This Blessed House' are all terrific. Brilliant writing, scenarios and pace.

A study of the education system in the USA (and the school system in general), and how it fails poor people, written in the 1960s. Fascinating observation on how unstructured, artistic and philosophically-driven learning can benefit children. Made stronger by the inclusion of stories and work by the children that Kohl taught (including the chillingly brilliant short story 'The Condemned Building' by Alvin). As a teacher Kohl seems to care about his students. Occasionally dated in language; some meandering sections and bland language spoil passages, but this is still a very relevant book.

A brutal condemnation of environmental pollution by chemicals including pesticides and fungicides, written in the 1960s but sadly still relevant. Carson is a keen storyteller and acute researcher, and this book presents not only the issues of pollutants but many simple solutions that are also still relevant. Brilliant, troubling and optimistic.

Remarkable. Laxness's sprawling tale of Iceland as a nation in the early 20th Century engages with fantasy and fiction that is grounded in politics and rural life. A saga for the modern age, and a deeply engrossing experience to read.

Hilarious and meditative tale of a (true) journey of an elephant from Lisbon to Vienna in the 15th Century, with Saramago's trademark staccato style, and great musings on the simplicity of the human race. A wonderful book.

Excellent, visceral collection of short stories. Not all zingers, but all of them with a hefty punch in the plot, and plenty of them will resonate and rest in my mind long after reading. Thematically focussed on Irish life, with often surreal or fantastical events that invade mundane circumstances.

Sparse and immediate, this journey across America's (race-prejudiced) heartland in the 1950s resonates after finishing, but seems a little disjointed at parts. The writing is, of course, magnificent, and the brevity is part of the work, and enjoyable.

Phenomenal writing. An exploration of meaning in life through various philosophies and belief systems presented as a series of events in the life of fictional writer Elizabeth Costello. The text feels very autobiographical at times. Each chapter gives insight into a way of thinking that combines philosophy and religious belief.