The Land of Laughs is one of my favorite Carroll books. Talking dogs are sort of his trademark. And yeah, there is a Lynchian feel. You never know whether the next thing that happens will be lovely and magical, or nightmarish. Or a little bit of both.
Anya, the Shopkeepers of America called. They wanted me to tell you that 'please go' just got replaced with 'have a nice day.'
Xander ,'Selfless'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Strega - Feb 03, 2006 7:16:51 am PST #9869 of 10002
erikaj - Feb 03, 2006 7:47:27 am PST #9870 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
Right, Fred...I remember now, from Celluloid Closet. Stupid brain...trying to picture Doris Day spitting, drunk, belligerent and cursing. At least I amuse myself, right?
Fred Pete - Feb 03, 2006 7:55:41 am PST #9871 of 10002
Ann, that's a ferret.
It's a fun movie. But like all Hollywood product, not something I'd rely on for the truth about its subject.
erikaj - Feb 03, 2006 7:57:45 am PST #9872 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
I know. Just funny...the different versions.
DavidS - Feb 03, 2006 8:19:57 am PST #9873 of 10002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I'm currently reading The Land of Laughs, by Jonathan Carroll.
I love that book! And yeah, as Strega notes, not only is that particular surprising thing a recurring motif, but it's typical of his genius ability to get you sucked into a real world setting and then bend it until you're getting a prickly sensation on the back of your neck. He does eerie and creepy exceptionally well.
Scrappy - Feb 03, 2006 8:30:53 am PST #9874 of 10002
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Isn't the actress who plays her good, Erika? She nails the drunkenness (whch is so hard to act believably) and and she also does the anger/vulnerability combo really well.
erikaj - Feb 03, 2006 8:43:43 am PST #9875 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
Yeah, she's just amazing. HBO sure can get the good performances, and it's true. I never get the sense that she's reading(slurring) or (stumbles)
Steph L. - Feb 03, 2006 8:44:08 am PST #9876 of 10002
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe
I'm currently reading The Land of Laughs, by Jonathan Carroll.
I love that book!
Dude, YOU recommended it to me, when I was in SF and we were in The Bookstore Of The Hairless Cat (can't remember the actual name of the bookstore -- I want to say "Shadowlands," but that can't be right).
beth b - Feb 03, 2006 9:06:19 am PST #9877 of 10002
oh joy! Oh Rapture ! I have a brain!
I've never read anything by Jonathan Carroll, but they sound like my kind of book. should I start with The land of the Laughs ?
DavidS - Feb 03, 2006 9:50:09 am PST #9878 of 10002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I've never read anything by Jonathan Carroll, but they sound like my kind of book. should I start with The land of the Laughs ?
Either Land of Laughs or Voice of My Shadow.
Teppy, the bookstore is called Borderlands, I think.