Some of my recent book blurbs from Goodreads:
The Book Against God by Woods
I like reading Woods the critic and I liked reading his novel, but was surprised a bit by the tone of the novel. Despite its concern with theodicy it manages to be--almost--lighthearted. It pokes fun at academic life with a lead who owes a little to Ignatius J. Reilly, albeit in a more restrained, more English fashion. Which, really, is high praise. The theodicy debate goes unresolved of course as does the ending but it hardly matters as it's a fun read. Who would've guessed?
The Religious Case Against Belief by Carse
I like Carse and his approach to things (see Finite and Infinite Games) and I had high hopes for this book. I was hoping for a little inspiration, a shot of wonder. I was left wanting. Parts of the book are interesting and he makes a few important points but you have to get through the first section of the book, which is rather dry. With some good editing this could have been one very tight, article-length essay.
South of the Pumphouse by Claypool
An odd first novel. Claypool is pretty raw as a writer but this was likable despite its flaws.
All or Nothing by Allen
This is a damn good read, the best I've sampled thus far from Akashic Books (the Brooklyn publisher). Allen is a talented writer. The first part of the book nails addiction so well that it was kind of tough to read despite the page-turning quality of the writing. The big turn the plot takes is a bit of a stretch, but not so much as to strain our suspension of disbelief, and it does lift the book beyond being simply a depressing account of a small-time addict. There's some fascinating stuff in here about the...epistemology of gambling I suppose you could say, that I might like to have seen more of as it really gets you inside the head of an addicted gambler. But this is a tight, fast novel that offers just enough introspection to give it depth, any more might have slowed the pace and made it a different sort of story. One less easily adapted to film, which I expect this will be before long. Allen is more than simply a genre writer and I look forward to his next book.
A Time Gone By by Heffernan
Reading a really good genre novel is like eating a great steak. There aren't any surprises--insofar as you know where the surprises are likely to be before you even start--and it doesn't do anything you haven't seen done before, for which you are grateful because it's just really damn satisfying as it is. So if you like a novel with a good dose of noir that's full of crooked power brokers, gangsters, Irish cops and beautiful dames with secrets, this will make you happy.
