| Title | : | Near-Death Experiences . . . and Others |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0374219915 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780374219918 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 368 |
| Publication | : | Published June 12, 2018 |
This new collection from the legendary editor Robert Gottlieb features twenty or so pieces he’s written mostly for The New York Review of Books , ranging from reconsiderations of American writers such as Dorothy Parker, Thornton Wilder, Thomas Wolfe (“genius”), and James Jones, to Leonard Bernstein, Lorenz Hart, Lady Diana Cooper (“the most beautiful girl in the world”), the actor-assassin John Wilkes Booth, the scandalous movie star Mary Astor, and not-yet president Donald Trump.
The writings compiled here are as various as they are an extended probe into the world of post-death experiences; a sharp look at the biopics of transcendent figures such as Shakespeare, Molière, and Austen; a soap opera-ish movie account of an alleged affair between Chanel and Stravinsky; and a copious sampling of the dance reviews he’s been writing for The New York Observer for close to twenty years. A worthy successor to his expansive 2011 collection, Lives and Letters , and his admired 2016 memoir, Avid Reader , Near-Death Experiences displays the same insight and intellectual curiosity that have made Gottlieb, in the words of The New York Times ’s Dwight Garner, “the most acclaimed editor of the second half of the twentieth century.”
Near-Death Experiences . . . and Others Reviews
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Ethel Merman, Toscanini,
singers, writers, ballerinas... -
I won a copy of this essay collection via Goodreads Giveaway. I haven’t finished it. I think I can offer a review despite that admission.
This is not the book I thought it was. And I don’t find it a book to sit down and read cover to cover.
The essays are fascinating and so.well.written. Mr. Gottlieb’s mastery of the English language and the written word are immediately obvious. I think this collection is best digested in small pieces because each essay has such depth and is truly thought-provoking.
How will I finish this book? One essay at a time between other books I read. These pieces will function for me as mental palate cleansers. Because they are short, well-written, unique pieces, each easily is the perfect vehicle for me to transition from one longer book to another. They will provide me with entertaining and informative clean breaks, allowing my brain to put one book completely away before embarking upon another. -
The articles were all very interesting and made me wish I had at least some prior knowledge of all the classic people Gottlieb wrote about. The book was well organized into categories of relevance and the style of writing was professional yet also conversational which made the essays fun to read, especially the ones that are critiques on various ballets.
Thanks for the Goodreads giveaway! -
I thought this would be a book about near death experiences and stories from people who've experienced them. It wasn't that at all. This was a collection of writings from Robert Gottlieb, and the cover could have done a much better job of stating this.
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This is a very good read. It is a book of reviews the author has written of books and he also gives some info on the author. It was a very enjoyable read I highly recommend.
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Enjoyed all the mini stories brought back memories of those people featured in the book.
