Writer Jim Harrison is to letters what Woody Allen is to film. If that seems a stretch, consider: both are prolific, releasing a new work (or more) yearly. Both were born during the Depression, two years apart, both in December. Both mix drama and comedy into something that’s entertaining as…
Michigan Murder Mystery
Jim Harrison As Woody Allen
December 12th, 2011 · No Comments
Tags: Book Reviews
The Postman Rings Once
1927 murder that inspired Noir is all surge, no guilt.
September 14th, 2011 · No Comments
Albert Snyder’s murder in 1927 at the hands of his wife and her lover gave James M. Cain — and others – ideas. As Literary Legend has it, the killing inspired Cain twice, once in Double Indemnity and again with The Postman Always Rings Twice . The actual incident was the perfect combination…
Tags: Book Reviews
Auster Envy
Foreclosure, forgiveness and under-aged sex. Who needs dialogue?
March 20th, 2011 · No Comments
Can a book be about so many things that it leaves readers wondering what the book is really about? That’s what novelist Malena Watrous suggests in her New York Times review of Paul Auster’s Sunset Park. Auster’s book frames classic themes — brother-against-brother, father-and-son alienation, Lolita-like attraction, fading beauty and failing endeavor…
Tags: Book Reviews
Roles of a Lifetime
John Waters does hero worship.
September 12th, 2010 · No Comments
You might be surprised by some of the role models that filth-happy movie maker John Waters includes in his book of influences. A few are staid, respectful even tasteful models such as Johnny Mathis. On the other hand…
Waters admires Mathis because they’re opposites. Mathis is, “So mainstream. So popular. So…
Tags: Book Reviews · The Rabbit Rants
Sum Of Its Parts
Bret Easton Ellis' spoiled brats are all grown up.
August 17th, 2010 · No Comments
This Rabbit has never quite gotten Bret Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero to equate. We read the book when it came out in 1985. We liked it for its take on the disillusioned youth of wealthy Los Angeles. We’d been around enough to know that rich kids always have the best…
Tags: Book Reviews · The Rabbit Rants
Hefner’s True Love
The Playboy Founder's Lifetime Affair With Jazz
October 24th, 2009 · No Comments
Hugh Hefner may have had dozens of girlfriends over his 83 years, but his life-long love is jazz. Hefner declared his undying devotion to swing and big band music when the Rabbit interviewed him in 2008 for an inside story, “Jazz Playboy Style.” With all the recent attention, good and…
Tags: The Rabbit Rants
Flicker Of Change
How Art Trumped Commerce—Or Not—In 1967
July 8th, 2008 · No Comments
Mark Harris’ account of the making of the five “Best Picture” nominees from 1967 is an epic tale of art, business and character. The films represent old Hollywood’s formulaic approach and devotion to past success (Doctor Dolittle), it’s frustrations in attempts at relevance (Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner), the obstacles…
Tags: Book Reviews
