Comments on things mean a lot: The Amnesiac by Sam Taylor

Sam Taylor: Thank you for stopping by! I wanted to...

2009-11-13T08:36:57.887Z

Sam Taylor: Thank you for stopping by! I wanted to clarify that I wasn't saying that the book itself was condoning what was said during those odd moments - it was the characters that annoyed me, not the book. On the other hand, I've gotten into enough heated arguments in my younger days that started with statements like those to react a bit strongly to the sneering, even in a fictional context....thus my rant. But I certainly hope nobody will avoid the book on that account! I most definitely did get something out of it, and look forward to reading more of your work :)

Kathy: Thank you - I added your link! Isn't that passage a perfect description of the book?

Iliana: Agreed! And thank you again for sending it to me :)

Joanna: As do I :D Enjoy!

Alice: Sorry to hear you didn't have much luck with Carroll! He seems to be a bit hit or miss.

Hi Nymeth, I'm the author of this novel - so I jus...

2009-11-13T08:22:11.765Z

Hi Nymeth, I'm the author of this novel - so I just wanted to say thanks for the interesting, intelligent review. The book was written about five years ago, and was kind of my 'difficult second novel', so in some ways I agree with your criticisms of it being too clever and self-conscious etc. To put this in perspective, though, it really is a roman a clef - almost embarrassingly autobiographical - and some of the narrative devices and philosophising is a way of diverting the reader from the underlying heartache. Whether that makes it any better, I don't know. One thing I would like to defend myself about, however, is the idea that I was sneering at science: that isn't the case. I read a lot of science books (particularly about memory and neurology) as research for this novel, and was never less than fascinated. The parts you're referring to, I think, occur mostly in odd situations - eg the scene in the pub where the narrator is surrounded by astrologers. There, it was an inversion of everyday reality, which is why the astrologers were mocking the narrator for his belief in logic, facts etc. So for everyone put off by the idea that The Amnesiac is anti-science... well, it's not. At worst, it subscribes to a worldview a bit like that described in Neil Gaiman's quote at the top of this blog. I hope everyone who reads the book gets something out of it, whether you love it, hate it, or feel something in between...

Sam Taylor

I appreciated your commentary on The Amnesiac. I h...

2009-11-09T19:22:34.035Z

I appreciated your commentary on The Amnesiac. I have a blog entry about it also! I like that we both noted the book's ambiguity, and we both quoted the same passage (the one I feel describes the book itself).

http://kathylovestoread.blogspot.com/2009/07/amnesiac-by-sam-taylor.html

I'm glad you got a chance to read this one and I a...

2009-11-04T21:55:09.579Z

I'm glad you got a chance to read this one and I agree it's an odd book. There were things I really liked, how he described his life and lack of direction but then the book just never quite reeled me in. I would definitely try something else by that author though. I think there's a lot of potential there!

I love Murakami and loved Eternal Sunshine of the ...

2009-11-04T09:02:15.059Z

I love Murakami and loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind so looks like this one's for me!

I'm not sure I'd read this. I've read one of Jonat...

2009-11-02T06:40:53.486Z

I'm not sure I'd read this. I've read one of Jonathan Carroll's books but didn't quite like it...

She: lol! There were moments that made me feel tha...

2009-11-01T20:01:57.388Z

She: lol! There were moments that made me feel that way ;) But honestly, it's as much me as the book.

Bookfook: lol, I know the feeling :P Good luck with your ban!!

Debi: There's much about this book I think you'd like, but I won't lie to you: those parts would drive you NUTS :P

Okay, so I was totally sold. Until you reached the...

2009-11-01T16:40:32.348Z

Okay, so I was totally sold. Until you reached the mocking of science bit. You already know that we're so on the same page there. I'm afraid I would get so aggravated...I'm just so upset by the assault on science in this country--and it seems like there's some new attack every day. Just not sure I want to subject myself to more of that crap, even in fiction. I know, I know, sort of petty of me, huh?

Amanda and I are totally on the same page, today. ...

2009-10-31T21:23:12.093Z

Amanda and I are totally on the same page, today. This one started out sounding so good and then . . . nah. I'm just beginning a book-buying ban, so I guess I should be happy it didn't sound like a must read!

What a neat concept! It's always great to find som...

2009-10-30T17:52:20.730Z

What a neat concept! It's always great to find something new and psychologically thrilling, but I understand what you mean about people trying to be too clever. You just want to push them and be like 'you are not that clever! no, no, no!!!'

Priscilla: Hehe, the cover IS irresistible! And do...

2009-10-30T11:54:58.296Z

Priscilla: Hehe, the cover IS irresistible! And do try it! I think mood is important when it comes to books like this one, yes. For example, people have said that Jonathan Safran Foer tries too hard to be clever, but I just LOVE his stuff!

Staci: Aww, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed reading my thoughts anyway.

Charley: Yeah, that was the problem - there were bits that felt a bit forced. But that's just me!

ds: I think my post ended up sounding more negative than I intended it too. I'd recommend this despite my reservations!

Lightheaded: They're some of my favourite movies EVAH too! And yep, I remember about Carroll :P

heidenkind: Yes, do!

Stephanie: Exactly! And I really liked that about it :)

Melody, you're most welcome!

Lu, you'll get a kick out of the Larkin scenes for sure :D

Stephanie, it's quirky for sure. I hope you do like it!

Hmmmmm...I never know how I'm going to feel about ...

2009-10-30T07:29:24.671Z

Hmmmmm...I never know how I'm going to feel about love/hate kind of books. But this sounds original/quirky enough I'd probably like it. Will definitely be on the lookout for it.

Everything you tell me about this novel makes me ...

2009-10-30T01:05:07.924Z

Everything you tell me about this novel makes me want to read it more and more!!

I'm drawn to the premise! I think it sounds quite ...

2009-10-30T00:50:08.170Z

I'm drawn to the premise! I think it sounds quite intriguing. I'd have to give this a try. Thanks for the lovely review, Nymeth! :)

It sounds like this is a book that defies being pi...

2009-10-30T00:42:19.218Z

It sounds like this is a book that defies being pigeonholed in a genre. Very intriguing! Thank you for another lovely, intelligent review.

This definitely sounds like an intriguing book, bu...

2009-10-30T00:05:32.762Z

This definitely sounds like an intriguing book, but I'm not sure if it's a book that I would enjoy. However, if I run across it, I will give it a try. :)

This is the first time I heard of this. Memento a...

2009-10-29T23:04:19.956Z

This is the first time I heard of this. Memento and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are two of my favorite movies. But as for Carroll, you do know how I feel about the book I read :P

The title is probably worth a try once I get around my own personal stumbling blocks, I mean my own TBR :)

And I like the passages the you quoted.

I was uncertain (because I like Oliver Sacks, too)...

2009-10-29T23:02:56.207Z

I was uncertain (because I like Oliver Sacks, too) until I read the last of your quotes. That sold me. Worth a try, anyway. But I will keep your reservations in mind. Thank you.

This sounds interesting - I'll add it to my list. ...

2009-10-29T22:36:20.986Z

This sounds interesting - I'll add it to my list. I might take issue with some of the same things you mentioned, though. I dislike when authors try to be too clever. The writing often ends up feeling forced to me.

I really enjoyed what you had to say about this bo...

2009-10-29T22:34:18.250Z

I really enjoyed what you had to say about this book but I don't think it is one for me. However, I always like to hear what you think about what you've read.

I think I will try this one. For one thing (I know...

2009-10-29T22:10:22.637Z

I think I will try this one. For one thing (I know this is shallow)--that cover! I love that cover! It would have drawn me straight to it in the book store. Sometimes clever books can be exhausting, but when the mood is right, they can be wonderful. I loved Special Topics in Calamity Physics, for example, and I know some people absolutely hate it. But it drew me in (on the second attempt, I should mention), so maybe this will be another one of those books.

Sandy, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try! ...

2009-10-29T20:24:13.738Z

Sandy, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try!

Traputo: That does make sense - and yes, I prefer Murakami too. It has happened a few times that the ending of one of Carroll's books has ruined it for me. And I hadn't thought of that, but good point about the cover!

Kathy, that's more or less what happened with me :P

Claire, I'll have to give that one a try also. I definitely want to keep an eye on Sam Taylor! I barely mentioned the writing in my post, but I liked it a lot.

Lenore: The shortcomings were very "me", thought, so I can see other people LOVING this!

Terri B: It does have loads of atmosphere! That's really how I felt - even if undecided about it overall, I'm glad I read it. And hooray! I'm so glad you loved Alaska :D You must read his other books too!

Amanda: That's what my reading experience was like, actually :P And yes, try the library. It's VERY difficult to predict whether someone would like this book!

Jackie: There were things about it that I did love, though! And I definitely still plan to read The Island at the End of the World.

Steph: For extra annoyance, one of the little speeches is exactly about neuroscience/psychology. But I'd say give it a try regardless! There's plenty to love about it, and it was thought-provoking like you said.

Vivienne: Like I was telling Amanda, it's really hard to guess whether you'd like this, but one thing I can promise: it will stay with you.

You had me at Gothic and creepy mansion and then y...

2009-10-29T20:14:48.079Z

You had me at Gothic and creepy mansion and then you lost me. I am wondering whether to give it a go. I am intrigued by it.

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't love this one, b...

2009-10-29T20:00:55.518Z

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't love this one, but so many of the good things that you point out about this make me feel like I have to try it. I love books that delve into the issue of memory and identity - even if they aren't entirely successful, I always find them so thoughtprovoking. Of course, I am working towards a PhD in science-related field, so it will likely annoy me when I reach parts that pooh pooh logic and reason... but I guess that's in line with this being a provocative read!

I'm pleased to hear that you thought this book was...

2009-10-29T19:56:51.336Z

I'm pleased to hear that you thought this book was original, but disappointed that you didn't love it.

I loved The Island at the End of the World, so am looking forward to reading this one. I hope that I enjoy it a bit more than you did.