Searches and Seizures
|
Searches and Seizures
|
Review
For Elkin, the sentence is more than instrumental to the end, and its loving elaboration of perceptions, surprising and just, is the key to his work, putting him among not only the best of novelists, but only the best of writers. --Howard Nemerov
The searches of Elkin's latest book are philosophical, but the seizures are almost epileptic. In three novellas, through three very different alienated characters, Elkin traces a search for an Other, whether it be a criminal prey, a beloved, or the dead. In each case the search is ended through a seizure, a paroxysm of hate, lust or despair. Elkin's strength as a writer lies in his arch, tricky, pyrotechnical style, and his ability to fuse horror and humor in each "seizure." He has given us three good novellas in this book, worthy of inclusion in any college or university fiction collection. --Choice
Wrenchingly funny and oddly moving. This collection of three new novellas should provide the uninitiated with an ideal introduction to Elkin's art even as it confirms addicts like me in our belief that no American novelist tells us more about where we are and what we are doing to ourselves. This is a remarkably various talent, and the stories in Search & Seizures nicely illustrate its range. --Thomas R. Edwards, New York Times Book Review
a Great Poet, August 18, 2000
| 
18/08/2000
18/08/2000
Three Novellas bottom:0.5em;">
By A Customer
Stanley Elkin had a wonderful gift for colorful language and a breezy style, coupled with a narrative gift that brought the reader inside the heads of his characters. "The Bailbondsman," "The Making of Ashenden," and "The Condominium" are good examples of these gifts. The range of incident, humor, violence and dramatic confrontation shown in these novellas were marks of Elkin's style. I especially recommend "The Bailbondsman," for in addition its odd twists the story has depth and suspense and surprise. The narrator notices everything, even "the roller coaster" of a man's fly when he sits. You have to be ready to be shocked, but you will also find a whimsical streak in the writing that delights. Elkin's final novel, "Mrs. Ted Bliss," might have been a continuation of "The Condominium." Highly recommended for all who appreciate fine writing or who are trying to write on their own.
Showing 1 to 1 of 1
Write Review
Your Name:
Your Review: Note: HTML is not translated!
Rating: Bad Good
Enter the code in the box below:
|
|
Related Categories:
