Thursday 30 January 2014

James Fitzgerald, "What Disturbs Our Blood" (2010)

The genealogical tale as Shakespearean-scale tragic suspense novel. A truly alternative history with certain commonalities to Gordon Sheppard's "Ha!" Suicide, psychotherapy, the wisdom of the medical establishment meets the inscrutable dark dogs of depression.

Fitzgerald's family history is intimately connected to medical innovation in Canada. His predecessors were instrumental in developing public vaccination programs and advancing allergy research. His family tree also exhibits an alarming prevalence of mental health problems, particularly depression and suicidal ideation. Fitzgerald narrates his investigation of his own mental health issues, as he attempts to locate himself within his family history, and his predecessors' dogmatic commitment to work, attempts to manage familial dysfunction, and coping with anxiety and insecurity.

Monday 20 January 2014

Stephen King, "Doctor Sleep" (2013)

All in all, a pretty good read. More soon.

Monday 13 January 2014

Gary Weiss, "Ayn Rand Nation" (2012)

This book is subtitled, "The Struggle for America's Soul." More soon.

This was a well-written, thought-provoking work. Having little knowledge of Rand, and sharing what Weiss indicates is the common popular misconception of Rand as a bit of a wacky far-right hack, this book compelled me to rethink my perspective. If nothing else, Rand had a large circle of friends and acolytes who have gone on to positions of political and economic importance, leading among them: Allan Greenspan, former chair of the Federal Reserve.