I'm french and I didn't know this writer/book at all, so thanks for the review! Also, his name is a reminder of the emptiness/boredom of his life. (dézert=désert)
dude, thank you so much for your book reviews. it's been a while since i've read for the story instead of business books and computer manuals. used your videos to create a heck of a list of books to pickup and awaiting my first Boxwalla order.
All you had to do was mention the Houllebecq connection I didn't need to listen to the rest of the reivew. Now to figure out how to buy a physical copy of the book. Every single MH is fabulous. Try "Le Carte et le Terretoire" my french also sucks ;)
Amazing review as always! I'd like to recommend you Ill Gattopardo (The Leopard) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. An amazing book about the death throes of the Sicilian nobility. I'm halfway through it, and very impressed so far.
Wish you'd consider reviewing some poetry as I'd be interested in your response to David Jones' great In Parenthesis, especially pertinent as it's war poetry from WWI (but also an experimental meld with prose modes) written when he too was a young man. He also provides for the issue of meaning as there is, if anything, a surfeit of meaning in Jones.
If you liked this, maybe you’ll love The Luminous Novel, from Mario Levrero. It’s another novel where “nothing” happens, but you engage in a strange complicity with him, tinged with pity. Not my favorite novel but has changed me painfully.
Cliff - long time listener first time caller. I've noticed in your videos that you have added an increased zip to the editing where you cut mini pauses out of your presenting - maybe it's just me, but incase you have received this feedback a few times thought ok to share. I find the jump cuts/edit blips to be a bit too frequent and severe i.e. every 3-4 seconds, this has increased since your earlier work. Although i appreciate the need for them, might you consider that you use the too much now? i personally find it a bit jarring and hard for my eye to track and if nothing else i just prefer a more natural au natural cut which leaves a few more pauses in your speech. Take it or leave it, food for thought, keep up the good content
WHY are you saying that men are inferior? They certainly aren't. You're a man, I'm a man. Men and women are equal, it's two sides of the same coin. Anything less or more is sexism. Sexism works both ways. Don't berate the male gender. BTW, I'm a gay man.
I love when the last paragraph or sentence of a book takes such a wild turn it makes you see what you've benn reading through a very different lens. The ending of Peter Handke's "A Moment of True Feeling" was like that to me.
I will accomplish another goal in my life the day you make a review of one of my books, when I become a published writer. Thank you for the ecxelent work you do in every video. Literature is a huge universe with a lot of jewels waiting to be discovered.
Great book!! An Almost autobigraphy, unfortonatly he died in the war at the age of 27, he could easily be one of the best authors of his time. I speculate that one of his solutions to existential despair was fighting a war which in the end he despised and felt cheated into. If he had survived he could write a great classic about his experience in ww1.
I will check this out, even though I'm not overly familiar with the stuff you compare it to. And you reminded me that I should continue with The Trouble with Being Born, so thanks for that.
Absolutely LOVE these reviews, i find your insight very interesting ! Is there any sort of list of the books you have already reviewed and classified as Better than food ? Need new books, but can't remember every one that has been given said title
@@vivectelvanni Perhaps. I don’t know his work that well but I’ve always wanted to read his Sea of Fertility tetralogy. Right now I’m reading The Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea and am loving it.
@@feanor7080 I'm a huge Mishima fan. the Sea of Fertility tetralogy is probably one of the greatest things I've ever read. Hope you're enjoying Sailor.
Personally, I think setting up this revealing last paragraph of the book is a great disservice to your viewers. How do you shake that out of your head as you get closer and closer to these last lines. I dig your taste but I think get so much info before reading a book is a horrible idea.
Hi! i wanted to ask you something, and if someones knows the answer please comment it below. i remember long ago there was video you have made were u discussed quite the gloomy individual, he believed that god should be killed. idk what language he wrote in tbh. thats all i remeber oh something about sharks was pointed on the video, he talked about a shark or something idk.. tldr: a guy that hated god so much and wanted him dead cant remember the video title, help please.
Loved your review so I got the book, it was great quick read, that point about world peace being impossible , reminded me of Neitszche, his view that at the root men only truly desire two things danger and play.
If you want to get a sense of what Cioran would've been like as a comedian, check out the late great Brother Theodore. UA-cam has some clips. He was also on Letterman a lot back in the day. Book recommendation: Hadrian the Seventh. It's published by NYRB, publisher of the best books we've never heard of!
Like you I have a love of Houellebecq, so when you recommended this slim volume, I ran out -- well, not literally -- purchased it, read it, loved it. Thanks for that!
If you're looking for structural surprise, it is a bit of a time commitment, and I'm sure it's been recommended dozens of times before, but I just finished Murakami's "1Q84" and the last paragraph completely surprised me. I had the "oh, this is what you've been on about the whole novel. Got it."
I've been enjoying your channel more and more... great selection of authors and titles deserving of more readers. Didn't know this one at all, very intriguing review though. It put me in mind of a similar author you might know, Emmanuel Bove. I recommend A Singular Man.... another Gallic anti-hero is detailed by Bove, a character who can't get out of his own way. Not a great book, but a likely precursor for Houellebecq and other malcontent fiction to come...
I read this yesterday. Probably one of the more boring books I have ever read. It felt like I was staring at a mirror for days even though the reading lasted only an hour. It was terrifying in a way. I am 26 years old, an incarnation of Jean.
don't really see why you think his death is "spectacular"..the sources I accessed merely point out he died in combat in defense of his country...the manner of his death was commonplace...thousands died in many ways equally hideous...that's what war does...
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I I hope you you have’s fun babe
Even if I don’t get around to reading all the books you review, I really enjoy watching all of your reviews, great stuff man please keep it up.
I'm french and I didn't know this writer/book at all, so thanks for the review! Also, his name is a reminder of the emptiness/boredom of his life. (dézert=désert)
Great review, i had a gut feeling you would review these underrated classic.
French authors can transform existential despair into great art!!
Have you read this?
@@dylanoshea9647 yes, wanna make a quote war?
No. He didn’t want to have a quote war, it seems.
This review was incredible, possibly my favourite you’ve ever done. Thank you
dude, thank you so much for your book reviews. it's been a while since i've read for the story instead of business books and computer manuals. used your videos to create a heck of a list of books to pickup and awaiting my first Boxwalla order.
“The only unendurable thing is that nothing is unendurable.” - Rimbaud
All you had to do was mention the Houllebecq connection I didn't need to listen to the rest of the reivew. Now to figure out how to buy a physical copy of the book. Every single MH is fabulous. Try "Le Carte et le Terretoire" my french also sucks ;)
French ennui authors and cosmic terror seems to go hand in hand, or maybe hand in astral talon.
Amazing review as always! I'd like to recommend you Ill Gattopardo (The Leopard) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. An amazing book about the death throes of the Sicilian nobility. I'm halfway through it, and very impressed so far.
Mishima!
Wish you'd consider reviewing some poetry as I'd be interested in your response to David Jones' great In Parenthesis, especially pertinent as it's war poetry from WWI (but also an experimental meld with prose modes) written when he too was a young man. He also provides for the issue of meaning as there is, if anything, a surfeit of meaning in Jones.
If you liked this, maybe you’ll love The Luminous Novel, from Mario Levrero. It’s another novel where “nothing” happens, but you engage in a strange complicity with him, tinged with pity.
Not my favorite novel but has changed me painfully.
Cliff - long time listener first time caller. I've noticed in your videos that you have added an increased zip to the editing where you cut mini pauses out of your presenting - maybe it's just me, but incase you have received this feedback a few times thought ok to share. I find the jump cuts/edit blips to be a bit too frequent and severe i.e. every 3-4 seconds, this has increased since your earlier work. Although i appreciate the need for them, might you consider that you use the too much now? i personally find it a bit jarring and hard for my eye to track and if nothing else i just prefer a more natural au natural cut which leaves a few more pauses in your speech. Take it or leave it, food for thought, keep up the good content
Great review! Immediate purchase.
do a deathspell omega lit review
I haven't watched this (yet) - but I saw the text on the image in my list of recommendations and I wanted to say, what's wrong with a mediocre life?
There is no glory in the Nuclear Age, only Acute Radiation Syndrome. Not that it will stop them. Cheers from a bored IT worker 🤓
You kinda look like Jean Dezert ngl
WHY are you saying that men are inferior? They certainly aren't. You're a man, I'm a man. Men and women are equal, it's two sides of the same coin. Anything less or more is sexism. Sexism works both ways. Don't berate the male gender. BTW, I'm a gay man.
Women can start wars, men can start wars.
Mishima would strongly disagree with your contempt of patriotism.
I love when the last paragraph or sentence of a book takes such a wild turn it makes you see what you've benn reading through a very different lens. The ending of Peter Handke's "A Moment of True Feeling" was like that to me.
Would you kindly message me about what you mean by it.
I have finished the book and I guess I might have missed something. Thanks!
“Houellebecq wrote a blurb.”
Lmao time to buy.
Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber covers the malaise of the modern age that you described. He dives headfirst into the ocean of existential dread.
The lighthouse (2019), no I'm not going to stop I'm too interested in what you might think
loved the review. the book sounds like my life right now. reading it.
This is my favorite UA-cam channel. Would you consider reviewing East of Eden?
“If you like Cioran and Houellebecq” = ordering now.
Try Louis-Ferdinand Céline, their master.
@@jeanvanderstegen Thank you Obi Wan
@@tobinmoffatt3075 hahahahaaha
ua-cam.com/video/qFjeN-bHHZA/v-deo.html
@@jeanvanderstegen Yeah: I've read him, thanks.
always look forward to your uploads!
I am curious how you choose which book to put on your UA-cam channel and which you put on your patreon.
Try a James Ellroy Novel. They are bangers. The Big Nothing is really good. Half way done with LA Confidential and it is really good.
I will accomplish another goal in my life the day you make a review of one of my books, when I become a published writer.
Thank you for the ecxelent work you do in every video. Literature is a huge universe with a lot of jewels waiting to be discovered.
great analysis and relation to our same, modern issues and crisis of meaning ... and so it goes
Thanks for the advice retrospectively. I have first watched your video in the month of its release; today I've finished reading it.
You might enjoy The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart. I'm reading it now and it's a pretty bizarre ride.
Not sure if you've read it but, this reminds me a lot of Bullet in the Brain by Tobias Wolff. Brilliant short story that I think you would love.
I would love to hear your thoughts on China Miéville.
Great book!! An Almost autobigraphy, unfortonatly he died in the war at the age of 27, he could easily be one of the best authors of his time. I speculate that one of his solutions to existential despair was fighting a war which in the end he despised and felt cheated into. If he had survived he could write a great classic about his experience in ww1.
War has snuffed out a lot of brilliant lights, well before their time. Sad to consider.
I will check this out, even though I'm not overly familiar with the stuff you compare it to. And you reminded me that I should continue with The Trouble with Being Born, so thanks for that.
Could you review Crime and Punishment please?
Absolutely LOVE these reviews, i find your insight very interesting ! Is there any sort of list of the books you have already reviewed and classified as Better than food ? Need new books, but can't remember every one that has been given said title
‘Whereabouts’ by Jhumpa Lahiri comes to mind. A splendid piece of art.
Another fantastic author
You really sold this book to me, hah. Gonna look for it now.
Ordered within 9 minutes of the start of the review. A record! Thanks for your reviews.
Do Canada by Richard Ford.
Oh my god, new MISHIMA on the way!!!!!
Spring Snow, I think.
@@feanor7080 I was thinking maybe Death in Midsummer based on his hint but I am over the moon for either.
@@vivectelvanni Perhaps. I don’t know his work that well but I’ve always wanted to read his Sea of Fertility tetralogy. Right now I’m reading The Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea and am loving it.
@@feanor7080 I'm a huge Mishima fan. the Sea of Fertility tetralogy is probably one of the greatest things I've ever read. Hope you're enjoying Sailor.
Did he really just say 'pretty dope' (0:28)?
Yes, why?
Personally, I think setting up this revealing last paragraph of the book is a great disservice to your viewers. How do you shake that out of your head as you get closer and closer to these last lines. I dig your taste but I think get so much info before reading a book is a horrible idea.
Hi! i wanted to ask you something, and if someones knows the answer please comment it below.
i remember long ago there was video you have made were u discussed quite the gloomy individual, he believed that god should be killed. idk what language he wrote in tbh. thats all i remeber oh something about sharks was pointed on the video, he talked about a shark or something idk..
tldr: a guy that hated god so much and wanted him dead cant remember the video title, help please.
"It's never worth killing yourself because you'd always be killing yourself too late."
BOLD hahaha
Loved your review so I got the book, it was great quick read, that point about world peace being impossible , reminded me of Neitszche, his view that at the root men only truly desire two things danger and play.
If you want to get a sense of what Cioran would've been like as a comedian, check out the late great Brother Theodore. UA-cam has some clips. He was also on Letterman a lot back in the day. Book recommendation: Hadrian the Seventh. It's published by NYRB, publisher of the best books we've never heard of!
Like you I have a love of Houellebecq, so when you recommended this slim volume, I ran out -- well, not literally -- purchased it, read it, loved it. Thanks for that!
If you're looking for structural surprise, it is a bit of a time commitment, and I'm sure it's been recommended dozens of times before, but I just finished Murakami's "1Q84" and the last paragraph completely surprised me. I had the "oh, this is what you've been on about the whole novel. Got it."
I've been enjoying your channel more and more... great selection of authors and titles deserving of more readers.
Didn't know this one at all, very intriguing review though.
It put me in mind of a similar author you might know, Emmanuel Bove. I recommend A Singular Man.... another Gallic anti-hero is detailed by Bove, a character who can't get out of his own way. Not a great book, but a likely precursor for Houellebecq and other malcontent fiction to come...
I read this yesterday. Probably one of the more boring books I have ever read. It felt like I was staring at a mirror for days even though the reading lasted only an hour.
It was terrifying in a way. I am 26 years old, an incarnation of Jean.
Hi Clifford, love your reviews, better than food, man. Interested to know what you think of Melville´s Bartleby the Scrivener?
first book of your recommendations that I read after watching your video. I enjoyed it, thank you
First review I have watched on your channel and really enjoyed your thoughts and presentation for this book that I was unaware of.
I just read this but I'm slightly confused by the ending. Could someone explain what it means to me?
I want to improve my English so does anyone want to be friends with me?
Sure. I’m no expert, but I’d be open to chatting. No pressure.
@@estebanb7166 okeyyy
Great review- at some point can we get Lolita in there at some point?
Lookin mighty classy in that café monsieur 🕵🏻
Damn, that leather jacket looks awesome.
death in midsummer, maybe?
Sounds like Perec's Un homme qui dort.
ok arthur shelby
Inio asano
Great review!
The irony of my favorite unattributed quote does not escape me: “Summarily assassinate all non-pacifists.”
don't really see why you think his death is "spectacular"..the sources I accessed merely point out he died in combat in defense of his country...the manner of his death was commonplace...thousands died in many ways equally hideous...that's what war does...