This is a great and, honestly, fun read. I echo a lot of the same sentiments, loving Kusher and being somewhat let down by the novel in some respects, but I think you make such a strong argument for the overall Kusher project. Thanks for writing this.
hey thanks!! re the Houellebecq thing, it was mostly just a gut response when he showed up, but it's worth thinking about why it hit me like that. I guess it just seems petty and shabby to dunk on him—even if he really deserves to be dunked on—when elsewhere Kushner is considering, say, the viability of the entire revolutionary project? meaning, it's mostly my grumpiness at what feels like the author's willingness to go for the lower hanging fruit.
This is a great and, honestly, fun read. I echo a lot of the same sentiments, loving Kusher and being somewhat let down by the novel in some respects, but I think you make such a strong argument for the overall Kusher project. Thanks for writing this.
Great essay! I have a copy of The Flamethrowers I got in a Little Free Library but haven't got around to it, but this inspired me to pick it up.
I am curious, in what way do you mean the reference to Houellebecq could date the book?
hey thanks!! re the Houellebecq thing, it was mostly just a gut response when he showed up, but it's worth thinking about why it hit me like that. I guess it just seems petty and shabby to dunk on him—even if he really deserves to be dunked on—when elsewhere Kushner is considering, say, the viability of the entire revolutionary project? meaning, it's mostly my grumpiness at what feels like the author's willingness to go for the lower hanging fruit.