2017 #8: The Story of Sushi (Corson)

The Zen of Fish: The Story of Sushi, from Samurai to Supermarket by Trevor Corson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm sure that Kate Murray is a lovely and intelligent woman. It is unfortunate that Corson's attempt to interweave personal documentary and history is such a miserable failure. I enjoyed half of this book--the part that really did seem to be "the story of sushi" rather than the "misogynist story of Kate the sushi chef."

First, let me address the writing. A good portion of the narrative is written in "See Spot run" style. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be charming, but I don't pick up a history of sushi and expect a nostalgic look at my primary school reader. Not only did this lack of syntactical variety make the book a bore to read (in places), but it really infantilized Kate (in addition to far more egregious errors). I had no respect for her as a "character" in the "story" of sushi. This is how Corson believes we will connect to Kate's story:

"Kate was reasonably happy until partway into her senior year, when she broke her index finger. The injury prevented her from playing soccer. Without soccer, Kate got depressed. She stopped going to school. Then she got sick."

Kate got depressed. Huh. We go on to learn that "She lost a lot of weight" and it was sushi that set her on the road back to health. Seems like a good narrative arc, until the rest of the book spends time on Kate's fear of gross fish guts, sharp knives, and a preference for Monster Energy drinks over Red Bull (just one instance of gratuitous detail, page 197).

There are more interesting characters at the California Sushi Academy! We get a reasonable glimpse of Zoran, the instructor and source of Kate's fear and trembling. Takumi and Marcos make token appearances so that we can remember there are other members of the class, but doubtless they would not have provided the narrative opportunities that Kate did. Witness:

"When she'd finished, she changed into tight jeans and a tank top..." (212)
"The top of her pink thong underwear showed above the waistline of her pants." (212)
"She sailed off to the ladies' room and slipped out of her uniform into a pair of pants and a tight shirt." (269)

But Corson's fixation on Kate's apparel isn't the only problem. Pages 281-2 seem to make a point that sushi chefs are perverts, with discussions of female customers with "ample bosom[s]"...Toshi tells us that "Working at the sushi bar really is the ideal angle for viewing breasts." The discussion of breasts fills up a page. This section is completely gratuitous and serves absolutely no purpose except to show that Toshi likes to oggle and objectify women. Super--I'm glad I learned that as part of "The story of SUSHI."

What frustrates me is that I'd love to keep roughly half the book as a reference. There's a lot of good stuff there, and Corson's actual FOOD and history writing is far more fluid and interesting than his portrayal of the humans in the story. If I'm being charitable, I think he bit off too much (pun intended) here--the history and sociology of food are enough without the soap opera. Corson makes several references to Jiro Ono, the master sushi chef made famous in the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. It is a shame that this book predates the documentary, because Corson no doubt would have learned a lot about how to honor a documentary subject without sensationalizing.

2017 #7: St. Mungo's Robin (McIntosh)

St Mungo's Robin by Pat McIntosh
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well, if you like to read about people standing in a room talking to each other in a variety of dialects, this book is for you! If, however, you feel mysteries should have a modicum of suspense and intrigue, this book may disappoint. I understand that this is the fourth book in the series, so there is clearly an audience for it. The character development is minimal, although I'm willing to grant that I may be feeling the distance as I haven't read the first three books in the series. Alys seems like a smart woman and a far more interesting human being than Gil Cunningham (the protagonist), yet she is given a ridiculous subplot (which I will not spoil for you here). I was torn in giving this two stars, as the last 20% of the book did seem more interesting both in terms of narrative and character development, but that isn't enough to give it three stars. I love medieval mysteries (e.g. Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mysteries, Eco's The Name of the Rose), and was looking forward to investing in medieval Glasgow, but I'm afraid this book really didn't give me that glimpse into history.

2017 #6: Lost Worlds (Bywater)

Lost Worlds: What Have We Lost & Where Did it Go? by Michael Bywater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had a real love/hate relationship with this book, which is why it took me a year and a half to finish it. There are times when the author seems so completely self-involved and enamored of his own intellect that he forgets there is a reader at the other end. There are more instances, however, of sardonic humor and moments that remind us that nostalgia is indeed the rust of memory, not its steel. This isn't a book to read cover-to-cover in one sitting, but instead to be taken in small doses. The cross-referenced "entries" are a plus, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the idea that this would ever really be a reference book.

In some ways, it is true--we are defined by what we have lost. And lest you think this a frivolous book, the last three entries solidify its street cred as a philosophical examination of our existence.

2017 #5: Experiences in Translation (Eco)

Experiences in Translation by Umberto Eco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In truth this was the first book I read this year, not the fifth, but it took me awhile to digest it enough to write a passable paragraph.

This is a fascinating read for anyone who reads books in translation. Eco's explanation of translation vs. interpretation is central for any thoughtful reader, and it actually should trigger a re-read of some of his classic works (e.g. The Name of the Rose). While heavy in linguistic theory, the book is in keeping with Eco's advocacy for cultural literacy. He notes, "...translating is not only connected with linguistic competence but with intertextual, psychological, and narrative competence" (page 13). One might say the same of reading.

2017 #4: While I Was Gone (Miller)

While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me a bit to decide that I liked this book. I almost never read the "Q & A with the author" at the back of the book, but in this case, I'm glad I did. I was happy to read that Miller had trouble warming up to her own protagonist, and it never occurred to me that it is actually an essential part of the book. It is also a frustration--not with the narrative, but because I think most of us can recognize the places in ourselves that we don't love. In some ways it is a tough book to read, but the slow "wisdom" that "creeps up" on the characters (as one reviewer put it), is perhaps more real than your typical fictional arc.

2017 #3: What's Your Literacy IQ?

What's Your Literacy Iq?: Test Yourself On Your Literacy And General Knowledge:  1,200 Questions On Subjects From Abacus To Zygotes by Norma Gleason
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is important to remember that the author does say that the main purpose of the book is to "divert you, entertain you, and challenge you." In those aims, it succeeded. That said, I think if the book claims to "test" literacy IQ, far more effort should have been made to ensure accuracy. The music questions, in particular, are questionable. Haydn is spelled wrong. Handel's famous oratorio is misnamed. These errors are pedestrian, yes, but really could have been avoided by having an authoritative proofreader.

All that said, I did have fun with it.

2017 #2: Engaging Ideas (John C. Bean)

Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom by John C. Bean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an essential read for anyone teaching in higher ed in any discipline that can involve writing. It will serve as a primer for some, a review for others, and a reference for all. With wide margins for annotation (for a meta experience see Chapter 8 "Marginal notes approach), this book will encourage and invigorate you to incorporate writing and and critical thinking in meaningful ways. John C. Bean offers different approaches, and while not all are created equal, he manages to strike a balance between "my way or the highway" and just a survey of methods. He offers different types of marking rubrics and plentiful examples. Both idealistic and pragmatic, Bean has managed a guide that balances pedagogical theory/philosophy (Piaget, Rogers, Elbow, Perry) with good old-fashioned "how to". The book diagnoses problems with writing (such as the "data dump" or the "and then" paper) and looks at the teacher's role in creating "cognitive dissonance" to present knowledge as dialogical, not informational. I have only one question that went unanswered. Bean is a big fan of "rewrites". One aspect he doesn't address is those students who may decide to do less than is required the first time around because they know they'll have the chance to rewrite. For me, that is different than "revision." But I value the fact that Bean's book raised this question for me. This is an indispensable book that I will return to time and time again.

2017 #1: To Say Nothing of the Dog (Connie Willis)

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If the genres of mystery, sci-fi, and historical fiction were able to conceive a love child, this book is it. Connie Willis deftly joins together humorous characters, intriguing timelines, and literary allusion in one easy-to-read volume. From the mysterious-yet-archetypal "Lady Shrapnel" to Cyril the dog, Willis' characters are a pleasure to meet, but are never overwritten (with the possible exception of Tossie). There are only two points that made it less than 5 stars for me. The solution to one of the micro-mysteries becomes glaringly obvious rather early in the narrative, and the "sleuths" (Verity and Ned) are far too slow to get it so that one reads the last 30% of the book with some annoyance. I think the author is making a larger point about assumptions, but for the non-Victorian Era reader, it is a bit unnecessary. There are other times where it feels like Willis is worried about her sci-fi cred, and we get lengthy explanations of timeline and time travel logistics that disrupt the flow of the story. That said, this was an incredibly enjoyable read, and fans of mysteries, literature, and history will find it especially pleasing.