Day One Hundred and Thirteen
Waugh Abroad Page: 152
Sorry about yesterday’s short post. Sometimes I end up completely brain-dead at the close of the day. I enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale yesterday although I think it was a bit much to take in one sitting. I’d recommend reading it’s 300+ pages over the course of a few days interspersed with something a bit cheerier. Like Erin (as she commented over on the “List” page) I had twisted dreams last night but as they were kinda confused I can’t explain them. I’m not sure what Atwood’s purpose or philosophy are but I found her writing less angry than I had (half-irrationally) expected. I thought her imaginary theocracy strongly resembles current polygamist cults (now in the news). And while I’m a Christian and theoretically should be sensitive to a negative portrayal of theocratic rule I thought her creation quite indicative of the kind of corruption that evil brings to the Church. Anyway it was an interesting book but be cautious if you’re particularly sensitive to foul language or sexual situations. Those were never gratuitous but definitely part of the book.
There is a lot of Waugh on my reading list for the year and while I loved reading some of his fiction earlier this year I’m less thrilled with this travel writing. Either I’m denser than normal or he’s less clever in his travel writing. There are a number of clever asides and a satirization or two but so far this simply isn’t as consistently amusing. I wonder if the rest of his novels on my list will be as funny as I hope. He has made me want to pack up and go on a cruise though…something I thought David Foster Wallace had forever opposed me to.