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I always thought Ellis seemed like a good person in interviews, and I like his books a lot. His literary taste strikes me as impeccable. The books he talks about are always fantastic. Ask the Dust is no exception. I enjoyed your discussion here.

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I love this book rant series! This one here, in particular, spoke directly to me, as someone always looking for brilliant work that does not try to be cutesy, or morally didactic, or politically correct, or virtuous... but just damn good literature. I'll need to get a hold of The Other Jack. Carry on, John!

Thanks very much for your moving review.

Thank you for these recommendations. I wrote them all 3 down. I love Jesus' Son. It's one of my favorites so hopefully I'll like these too.

Both Antonia and Death comes to the Archbishop. I like to sum up in one word: Heart

Thank you, @BOOK RANTS 🙂

You were extremely lucky while shooting this Video.. No "Levante" Wind was blowing during the shooting.. Definitely, the beach is gorgeous but with Levante wind blowing around.. Better stay at Home 🎉🎉🎉

Really enjoyed this. My father's collection of Maugham was there for us to read. After having been out of the shadow of Maugham and my father, for so many years, I am so grateful I came across this talk. Thank you. Such an enjoyable analysis.

OF HUMAN BONDAGE is a very non-standard Maugham novel. It's sort of a kitchen sink novel -- all the others are more tightly focused.

Hey - glad to hear someone else rave about THE SUMMING UP. I've read it six times.

Well, I liked your review so much that I've just ordered The Other Jack! CB Editions is a great publisher, which I discovered through its edition of Agota Kristof's extraordinary 'The Notebook' (the first in a trilogy, though I've yet to read the second and third novels).

You convinced me, just ordered the book. I’m sure I’ll love it as much as you do and if I don’t I won’t let you know.

Great presentation. The Other Jack sounds like the kind of book I will enjoy. Look forward to reading it.

Jamison is writing from a cosmological viewpoint, as if inside of a black hole as the silver stint, as if swept up by the harsh unknown, which is exactly how black holes work. She's writing "honestly" because she is revealing to the reader how she truly sees herself: as the fast grey/elite "inside center" of the black hole---not the slower outermost wholistic, powerful, and mysterious part of it (the black and white 'seamstressy' lines, where you and I likely dwell). See that? If not, watch a CZcams video on black holes. This is the secret to great writing. Fact: there are only two types of writers: "inside-centers" (grey/elites) and "outer-shells" (black & white/universal). Every writer must choose. It's called "vision" : )

I knew it was Southern Spain. Excellent review!!!!!

Perez is my new hero. Gotta read this guy now.

Nice to have discovered this review of 'Ask the Dust'. Enjoyed it very much. Usually after I've acquired 50-60 books or so I sell them to the used bookstore. As a result I've bought 'Ask the Dust' maybe 10 times now, and it feels just as fresh and spry with each read. I don't think I've ever read a book with lines that feel so bouncy and alive. Pure magic, this book. And a great review here, John. I've subscribed and I'm looking forward to more.

Love the review, Thank-you. Maybe there's a simple rule, don't write a memoire at 36. It's likely a self serving half- story.

I really enjoyed this honest and illuminating appreciation. Thank you very much.

Although I haven’t read the book the advice in this review stands on its own. Very illuminating thank you

One in a generation, ultimate craftsman, English language miss Martin Amis, from down town Caracas, we miss Amis.

Part of the joy of going to a good bookstore is to browse, even more so when you are in a Library. While we may have our favorite authors, there are so many new novels to explore. I myself read the book reviews from The Atlantic.

What an interesting channel!

Great review 👏 💯

Thank you for this. I read The Recovering a few years ago, and this was my exact take on that book as well. In that book Jamison tried to do what Olivia Laing had already done better in The Trip to Echo Spring, which was her attempt to figure out why so many famous writers were alcoholics. Jamison’s book alternates in an extremely disconnected way between covering the exact same ground in a less interesting way and relating the story of her own struggles with addiction, which seemed to mostly involve cocaine, Chardonnay, and literary bad boys from her MFA program, which sounded to me more like average ‘90s/early 2000s grad school partying than addiction, but hey, it’s her story, not mine. The point is this: she comes off in it as deeply narcissistic, extremely overly wordy, and in need of maybe one or two people to tell her she’s not the genius so many literary establishment people have told her she is. Essentially it is the worst kind of MFA-world claptrap that NPR employees list on those “fearless new book of the year” lists. Again, thanks for reading this latest one so I don’t have to.

I listened on a whim. I don't quite know what to make of your rant, but I loved it raw authenticity.

"I have no clout. Nothing lame that I write is ever going to get past the literary gate keepers." Does that mean you are unpublished or not a big enough name to get lameness published?

Brilliant stuff, as usual!

I read SPLINTERS and also The Empathy Exams (TEE). You’re 100% correct. There were hints of Jamison’s self-centered personality and utter lack of context in TEE. Leslie’s making a living after being a self-destructive, self-absorbed modern obtuse feminist.

This was great! Thank you.

Maugham was one of the most popular writers 📑 in the USSR , every single family had a volume of W.S.Maugham’s work on their book shelves. Yet, in England I can hardly find anyone who knows about this great author!

The memoirs I read after this video will be a richer, or perhaps more accurate, experience. Sorry about the death of your father. Lost mine around the same time. Think about him every day.

I just started reading The Summing Up this week, Maugham is a very popular writer in China , his books have been read over and over again, and always heen on the top list of reading apps and websites, especially Of Human Bondage , The moon and Sixpence , The Painted Veil , and The Razor's Edge etc. Cakes and Ale , I like it very much😅😅

This has got to be the best praise of a book I have ever come across on CZcams. Thank you. I do agree. None other than Ray Bradbury cited The Summing Up as one of his favourite books of all time. A compliment indeed.

Great video. I'm curious about your process when reading to review a book. Do you have a method or set of principles that you follow? Any details at all would be welcomed! If you already have a video or blog on this let me know. Thanks a lot!

Fantastic video.Thank you. I'll definitely pick up a copy of The Summing Up.

It takes living life , traveling thru life , watching life to put them down on paper. Age and experience .

Stephen King had a great response to a question from an early 90s Charlie Rose interview. Rose asked him, “has it gotten to the point with your editor that you just send it in and they say, ‘okay Mr. King, we’ll get it printed and out as soon as possible’?” King’s response was, “if that was the case, I would get a new editor”. So, even the worlds most successful writers know that they need strong accountability.

I really appreciate the honest of your review.

Dear Sir, I want to talk about your CZcams channel. Your content quality is amazing but I analyze that (why are you not getting many views, likes, comments, and subscribers in the channel). NOTE: I already marked your all channel issues, If you want I can send you?

The Summing Up is exellent. Wonderful. Thank you for this.

Of Human Bondage was a book I could not put down. Became a fan . Just discovered these short stories on CZcams…

Why do you think this is Maugham's best book? This book commits the sin of omission so many times. If you want to read a book that truthfully sums up Maugham's life read Anthony Burgess' "Earthly Powers."

Great choice ! Boxing CAN be sordid , corrupt and pitiless . But McRae captures the nobility of it - the Tragedy of the great champion as they almost inevitably descend from Hero to penniless bum. eg. Iran Barkley ended up living in a homeless shelter . Leon Spinks went from millionaire to school janitor ...even Mike Tyson somehow managed to " lose " 60 - 70 million $... and has to fight on today as a kind of circus attraction just to make a living..!!?

I've just discovered your chat on Maugham..ive read a few of his books and bio's and have many on my shelf and find him endlessly fascinating. An extremely intelligent writer and person without all the nonsense and who seems to write about life in a way that makes you say..i know that life..he seems to connect through his writing with all people in all situations..a remarkable talent to be able to do this continuously..great talk

I think Martin Amis is an enigma..I don't think his literature will be remembered (although he wrote some brilliant stuff) but I think he will be remembered because he was bigger than his literature.. he was a giant on the literary landscape..I'm still saddened that he's gone..

Before actually reading any of his work I just dismissed Maugham as an out of date old fogey . That seemed to be the generally accepted view - usually by those who never had read him.. Anyway , somehow or other I found myself in a hotel room one night. Television was so awful . ( goes without saying ! ) and the only reading material was a volume of Maugham short stories.. You can guess the rest : I was quite astonished by his understanding of Human nature and his effortless writing style . Great writers transcend their social / political / gender backgrounds and Maugham does that.!! I now recommend him to everyone else. He does NOT do box ticking or virtue signalling unlike our current crop of " writers "... His biography is not for the faint hearted or those easily shocked ..! ( I hope THAT ensures increased sales !! ) Keep up the good work. 👍 🇬🇧 !

For not paying attention to the Spanish olé

Good for you