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My Dinner With Andre -- review

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Written by bunana

Published: 03 September 2015

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Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

Both characters seem (in turns) sane and insightful, and then stressed and insane.  Andre appears more thoughful and open, while the playwright is more alone and utile.  He has a need to do something.  To be inactive is non-sensical.  I think this comes from being needing to pay bills.  Andre seems like he can be aloof because he has a nest egg to fall back on.

There were many interesting thoughts.  Good movie.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

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Written by bunana

Published: 02 March 2016

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When I was growing up, I saw this book on a shelf in the basement.  I'd always thought to read it but never did.  Until I was remided of it by listening to a Tim Ferriss podcast.

The story follows the life of Siddhartha from a youthful optimist, to a more elderly pragmatist.  I found many of the chapters so familiar to situations in my life.  Siddhartha fights with his father to leave home and strike out in a non-standard manner.  His friend, Govinda, has similar, but not identical experiences.  Again, very true to life.  His life seems to arc as he learns and aspires.  Then, as he ages, he chooses the 'easy' life.  How many people go this route.  Me included.

The story of Siddhartha's son was very thought-provoking.  How easy it is to put blinders on someone's actions when that person is close to you.  I wish there was a chapter reconciling Siddhartha to his father.  I think that would have been telling.

For a story that's based in a culture that's half way around the world, Hesse brought home to me the universal struggles all men face.  How to become a man, how to best aspire to what we can achive, what is important in life, and what can be discarded?

The Short Drop by Matthew Fitzsimmons

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Written by bunana

Published: 02 March 2016

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This book was given to me by my brother Tom.  He quite rightly judged is as a good read for me.  It takes place in Charlottesville, VA, Washington DC, Breezewood PA, and other locations I'm somewhat familiar with.  The author pays homage to science fiction authors (like William Gibson), and has the appropriate amount of detail for sporting events, J. R. R. Tolkein novels, firearms, computing and other technical studies.

The story's protagan\ist is Gibson Vaughn.  his father was a chief-of-staff of an up and coming Senator, Benjamin Lombard.  His father died unexpectedly which left an impact on Gibson.  Gibson was a teenaged computer hacker and threatened to bring down the Lombard dynasty.  He was arrested and given an option of jail or the Marines.  He didn't go to jail.  He's contacted by a group of people to find his old friend and Lombard's daughter -- Bear.

The chapters are short which keeps the pages turning.  I found the characters very believable.  The locations were familiar and well detailed.  I could look forward to a sequel or another book by Mr. Fitzsimmons.