Chatter Of The Squirrel

Book: Island Of The Sequined Love Nun – Christopher Moore

It’s such a weird title, I couldn’t resist looking into it.

Happened to have 400+ km of driving to do, and this nearly kept me awake.

Satirical tale of a jet pilot who crashed a plane and emasculated himself on the instrument panel. In desperation, he takes up a cushy job flying a Lear jet for a missionary doctor on the island of Alualu. The islanders are a cargo cult worshiping a dead World War 2 bomber pilot. Somewhere in this, there are Japanese ninjas with Uzis, a talking fruit-bat, an old cannibal, a transvestite navigator, and a ghost.

Just a really odd tale. Not Dirk Gently odd. More like MTV logic odd.

Kind of a cotton candy story. No substance. Not very bad. But I got nothing out of it. Except assuaging my curiosity re: the odd title of the book. The genre is classified as satirical fantasy. Didn’t get the satire.

If I had paid for the book, I would’ve been screaming murder.

Book: Glorious – Eddie Izzard

Technically not a book. Just an audio collection of a transvestite’s stand-up comedy.

A very rants-y British ‘guy’. Random topics. Only thing even half memorable was a random rant about Darth Vader.

Kinda dated. Not all that funny. Even Chris Rock had some moments. Glorious, is somewhere at the level of Everybody Hates Chris on my funny scale.

Maybe if this had come on my radar a decade ago?

Taking Photography Seriously

Sometimes I feel that Malaysia just doesn’t take its photography as seriously as other people.

But we’re getting there. Events here have reached a comparable level of disrobement. But the dancing still has a long way to go.

Book: On The Road – Jack Kerouac

A most appropriate title to read on a long distance bus ride.

It’s supposed to be some great American novel, written in one continuous ramble with no chapters.

The ramble doesn’t really work in an audiobook cos I can never tell where I’ve gotten in the story when I wake from a doze.

The book is somewhat autobiographical of the author’s hitchhiking stories. One moment he’s shacking up with a Mexican gal, and the next moment he’s missing a friend, and the book is finished.

It’s probably so arty that it went right over my head. I might attempt it again in another circumstance where I might be able to keep awake.

Book: Slam – Nick Hornby

A 15yr old skater-boy gets his girlfriend pregnant. Family drama ensues.

Skater boy also projects Tony Hawk, who gives him life advice.

The book reads like Catcher In The Rye. But without the spoiled brat in the narrative.

It’s a young boy with a real problem. Very real and insightful narrative. Lots of social commentary.

Not really exciting. But very enjoyable.