Dave Ross

Reading

Notes and reflections on reading.

Inherent Vice

Thomas Pynchon published Inherent Vice in 2009. Set in 1970s California, the story follows private detective Larry “Doc” Sportello as he becomes caught up in a complex and psychedelic web of mystery, conspiracy, and counter cultural chaos. The novel unfolds in the made-up Gordita Beach, where Doc leads an easy and mostly aimless existence. When Doc’s former girlfriend Shasta Fay Hepworth shows up one day seeking help, his life takes an unexpected turn. She knows of a plot to kidnap...

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Elizabeth Costello

J.M. Coetzee published Elizabeth Costello in 2003. The story revolves around the fictional character of Elizabeth Costello, a renowned and aging Australian writer who travels the world giving lectures and engaging in philosophical debates. The novel is structured as a series of chapters that depict different moments in Elizabeth’s life. These moments include her interactions with family members, encounters with other intellectuals, and public speaking engagements. Through these episodes, Coetzee raises profound questions about literature, ethics, animals, and the nature...

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Slow Man

J.M. Coetzee wrote Slow Man in 2005. The story revolves around Paul Rayment, an aging photographer who suffers a debilitating accident that results in the amputation of his leg. The novel explores themes of identity, loss, and human connection. After his accident, Paul becomes dependent on others for his daily needs. He struggles to come to terms with his new reality. He is assigned a caregiver named Marijana, a young Croatian immigrant who initially resents her role. However, she gradually...

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Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee

Robert van Gulik wrote The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee , a collection of detective stories, and published them in 1949. van Gulik sets the stories in ancient China during the Tang Dynasty. The fictional character of Judge Dee may be based on a real person: Di Renjie. Di was known for his wisdom, intelligence, and strict adherence to the law. Robert van Gulik was in a Tokyo bookshop one day when he served as a diplomat from the Netherlands....

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The Singapore Grip

J.G. Farrell wrote The Singapore Grip in 1978. Set during World War II, the story takes place in Singapore and explores the lives of a diverse cast of characters against the backdrop of an impending Japanese invasion. The novel primarily centers around the Blackett family, British rubber merchants who have prospered in Singapore. The protagonist, Matthew Webb, is a young British man who joins the Blackett’s firm. He quickly becomes entangled in their complex business and personal dynamics. As the...

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What I Talk About when I Talk About Running

Haruki Murakami wrote What I Talk About When I Talk About Running in 2007. Combining reflections on running with personal anecdotes, the book provides insights into Murakami’s experiences as a writer and a long-distance runner. Throughout the memoir, Murakami shares how running has been an integral part of his life and creative process. He discusses his motivations for running, the discipline it requires, and the meditative aspects that allow him to find solace and inspiration. As Murakami reflects on his...

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Consider the Lobster and Other Essays

A few topics covered in Consider the Lobster : Do lobsters feel pain? Did Franz Kafka have a funny bone? What is John Updike’s deal, anyway? And what happens when adult video starlets meet their fans in person? David Foster Wallace answers these questions and more in essays that are also enthralling narrative adventures. Whether covering the three-ring circus of John McCain’s 2000 presidential race, plunging into the wars between dictionary writers, or confronting the World’s Largest Lobster Cooker at...

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Stranger Shores

Two-time Booker Prize-winner J. M. Coetzee is one of the world’s greatest novelists and in Stranger Shores he turns his gaze on those who have influenced him. This thought-provoking collection gathers twenty-six of his essays on books and writing. In his opening piece, “What Is a Classic?”, Coetzee asks, “What does it mean in living terms to say that the classic is what survives?” He explores the answer by way of T. S. Eliot, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Zbigniew Herbert....

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