Sunday, January 13, 2008

fourth of july

I really thought I would not be able to bring myself back to reading again. I have been busy, very busy, that is, with watching movies (old and new ones) that the thought (or even an attempt) of spending a few hours or even minutes with books (reading) had already seemed almost impossible. But since it felt like I have already watched all the movies there are worthy to be watched, and that I've been reading this Independence Day, on and off, by Richard Ford, for months now (which I realized wasn't a good sign), I decided, finally, last night, to give it another try (just finished reading it this morning). And I believe I have made the right decision.

I admired how Richard Ford depicted American life through the struggle of one of the most unforgettable characters in American Fiction, Frank Bascombe. I have learned to love and respect Frank (and also Ford) since his sportswriting days (read The Sportswriter by the same author, which is the prequel of Independence Day). I think I, in more ways than one, can relate with Frank's character. And I think this is the reason why I love the book and the character. For one to be able to really know Frank though, and to realize how good a writer Ford is, one needs to read both novels mentioned above. Independence Day is now one of my favorite books and Richard Ford, one of my favorite writers.

The book, Independence Day, won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1996.

Ford, and his talent for writing, will make you realize how good writing and a writer can become. I think I love him
na.

1 comment:

Angus Miranda said...

i have read the book, but sorry, i don't feel the same as you do about it. probably i was too busy flirting with herman hesse back then. pero now, i am in love with cormac mccarthy. hay. hehe.

the inconsistent

the inconsistent
he who loves

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