Book review: Ex-Libris

Over the last few weeks, on the recommendation of my rabbi, I read Ex-Libris by Ross King.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It's a mostly well-written book about books, after all. ( As hahathor might say, I'm a friend to your friends-list. Medium-length review behind the cut. )

In sum, this was an entertaining book to read despite its flaws, and I think it would appeal to many of my friends. There's a nice mix of books, codes, science, history, and action.

Book review: Ex-Libris

Over the last few weeks, on the recommendation of my rabbi, I read Ex-Libris by Ross King.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It's a mostly well-written book about books, after all. ( As hahathor might say, I'm a friend to your friends-list. Medium-length review behind the cut. )

In sum, this was an entertaining book to read despite its flaws, and I think it would appeal to many of my friends. There's a nice mix of books, codes, science, history, and action.

Theatre review: "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps"

No, it isn't. Hitchcock's, I mean.

What it is is a silly romp through the Hitchcock oeuvre by four talented actors with a clever choreographer. It plays a lot like The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). One scene in particular is intensely evocative of Adam's "dry, vomitless" moment.

On the other hand, 39 Steps depends in places on the 1970's stereotypical portrayal of gays. (You know what I mean, right? I guess I'd describe it as "simpering effetes" but there must be a better term. Help?) There was so much else going on that was genuinely clever, witty, silly, or funny, and these points ruined the moment for me.

Anyway, it won two Tonys and is closing next weekend, so it's water under the Forth Bridge.

Theatre review: "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps"

No, it isn't. Hitchcock's, I mean.

What it is is a silly romp through the Hitchcock oeuvre by four talented actors with a clever choreographer. It plays a lot like The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). One scene in particular is intensely evocative of Adam's "dry, vomitless" moment.

On the other hand, 39 Steps depends in places on the 1970's stereotypical portrayal of gays. (You know what I mean, right? I guess I'd describe it as "simpering effetes" but there must be a better term. Help?) There was so much else going on that was genuinely clever, witty, silly, or funny, and these points ruined the moment for me.

Anyway, it won two Tonys and is closing next weekend, so it's water under the Forth Bridge.