Almost trasnparent blue

I loved Almost Transparent Blue by Ryu Murakami(the other Murakami, not the one who wrote Noervegian Wood). When I began reading this novel I got a bit lost because the author decides to alternate images of drug-taking with description of a relationship. Both have very intimate detail, but not the way you would expect. The relationship is presented softly, tenderly, focusing on the little gestures and actions. Like the when the girl take off her make up and her face is greasy but still beautiful. The drug taking part is organised around a group. Here the images are very violent: rotten food, painful sex, orgies, fighting.

The novel attracted me from the first drug scene. Here, Ryu describes how he feels after he was injected with heroin. And he does such a good job that you almost feel in in the tips of your fingers. I could feel little stings in the fingers from my left hand, as if I took the drug myself. This was shocking for me because very few writers wake up such intense and localised sensations.

Catch me if you can

Frank William Abagnale, Jr. might have been a great forger, but his ghostwriter was not a great writer. The subject is interesting especially if you saw the same title movie.

The book is horrible written, even for a biography. The final result is that you end up not reading it after twenty pages and you make a blog post to worn people about it. The sad think is that is book will be completely forgotten when Frank William Abagnale, Jr. will not be interesting any more. Should I add that I bought is from the almost-free shelf?

Amazing coversation

This is not a book but it is book related. I was shopping in an used book store when a man, around 50, white hair, slightly bald and good looking asked for a book. It was a Boris Vian book that I happened to find that instant. I gave it to him and he thanked me. Than he came at the shelf I was and we started talking about Boris Vian. We both loved his work. He recommended Ismail Kadare.

This was simply amazing. I never had such intimate conversation with a complete stranger. There is beauty in the world, and it appears just when you do not expect it.