The Lazarus Project

Aleksander Hemon's The Lazarus Project is written in two different time frames; one in the past, written about the murder of Lazarus Averbuch, and Eastern European Jewish immigrant, and the other, in the present, from the perspective of Brik, a writer from Chicago who hopes to ignite his career as a writer through his first novel about the Lazarus Project. This style of writing is interesting yet sometimes confusing to me; while I enjoy it because it keeps me interesting by jumping back and forth and always keeping me on my toes, it also is sometimes more challenging to keep up with because the two stories tend to jumble together in my mind. However, overall I enjoy the novel thus far. I particularly like the relationship between Brik and Rora; I feel as though Rora is the kind of character that everyone believes has a fantastic life and they aspire to be more like him, but in reality his life is much more complicated and far from perfect. I hope that as the story continues we learn more about the true identity of Rora. In addition, I like how Brik is constantly comparing Lazarus Averbuch to the biblical Lazarus. While I know very little about the biblical Lazarus, Briks' interpretation of the similarities between the two and their sisters seem to parallel. I am intrigued by the novel and enjoy it more than most other things we've read so far this semester.

Literary Festival Blog

I went to the readings at 356 with Leigh Anne Couch and Oindrila Mukherjee. Leigh Anne Couch, a graduate of UNCG, read five poems, three of which were selected from her new works. My personal favorite of her poems was "Learning to Use the Stick," which is written in an optimistic tone, encouraging the blind boy to "learn how to be blind." She says, "you're not alone" and "there's no use looking down," as words of encouragement, suggesting that the boy "open his eyes" to the world of the blind and learn how to make the best of it.
Following Leigh Anne Couch, Oindrila Mukherjee read the prologue of her newest novel, The House of Rain. Mukherjee, originally from India, read to us about her experience of travelling to England to attend Cambridge University. She used very intricate details to describe the sounds and colors throughout her encounters at the airport, on the plane, and after arriving in England. She expresses disappointment when describing her first moments in England because she had fantasized about it for so long and imagined it as the land of opportunity. Unfortunately, she arrived in England feeling alone and completely the same as before she had arrived, without new inspiration or feelings of a new life.
The readings at 356 were very interesting. I've never been to a reading before, and it was definitely a different experience to hear the readings by the author herself rather than reading the readings on my own.

After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town

After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town seems to ultimately center around the concept of American capitalism, particularly its negative aspects. While the article starts with the success of Cowboy Chicken, an American fried chicken restaurant that an American entrepreneur started in China, the success seems fleeting in comparison to all the trouble it soon causes. After a short time, Mr. Shapiro and Peter, the owner and manager, decide to expand the restaurant into a buffet, a classic American concept that seems so bizarre to the Chinese who are accustomed to much smaller availability of food. The Chinese quickly become obese, and after some time, many become ill after consuming such massive amounts of fried chicken and cheesecake, American foods that shock the stomachs of the Chinese. While this essay never blatantly critics the American way of capitalism, it seems to imply that capitalism will, if it hasn't already, destroy America, or any other country it consumes. Ha Jin clearly displays how the American way of buffets and fast food contribute to obesity and poor health in people, as well as the stress and forced nature of a capitalistic business. I'm interested to see if the appearance of McDonalds and other American dietary styles in countries overseas leads to as many health issues as it has in America, or if this is simply an American flaw.


Vocabulary:
Bandora - a musical instrument, similar to the guitar, played in the Renaissance era

Glengarry Glen Ross

David Mamet's play "Glengarry Glen Ross" perfectly depicts the American business. The entire play revolves around different forms of scheming and greed, all in hopes to achieve power and the alluring American Dream. Levene's misfortune throughout the play, mostly due to his own gullibility and novice nature when conducting business represents the amateurs in the business world, the ones who hope to reach the benefits of the American Dream, but unfortunately will. On the other hand, Roma depicts the greedy, always profitting businessman who is determined to get what he wants, no matter the consequences or how many others he may step on in the process. Williamson, the boss, represents the enemy in the corporation, the one who seemingly has all the power but is easily overridden by employees, such as Roma, who pay no regard to the rules of the company whatsoever. Overall, Mamet seems to have written the play to point out the multitude of problems associated with the American business system: while it supposedly brings profit, creates ease and organization, and leads to the beloved American Dream, Mamet seems to believe it is more trouble than it's worth. The never-ending plotting, scheming, and greed of corporations don't represent the American beliefs of freedom and prosperity, and Mamet ultimately seems to be attacking this flaw.

The Same River Twice - Chris Offutt

Chris Offutt's The Same River Twice is a memoir written by Offutt along the banks of the Iowa River. It switches back and forth between past memories of his youth and present day worries about becoming a father. I find this very interesting, especially how different the two times of Offutt's life seem to be. The stories of his youth are written with such passion and, at times, vulgarity, where as his present day writings are much more composed and filled with concern. Presently, he seems to worry about even the simplest aspects of being a father; he writes, "Nothing has ever quite roiled me like that diaper leaking around each chubby leg..." showing his true weaknesses and concerns, a side of him that seemed non-existant in his youth. I think this drastic difference really highlights the transformation Offutt has gone through from adolescence to a married man on the brinks of fatherhood.
While this difference seems so immense, one common aspect seems apparent throughout both chapters of Offutt's life: his love for nature. The majority of his stories from his youth take place in nature, and all his present day thoughts are recorded on the banks of the river, a place where he could escape from all his problems and just reflect on life. I think this really shows that, although people may change as they age, certain aspects of ones life will always remain the same.

River of Names - Dorothy Allison

Dorothy Allison's River of Names focuses on two young lovers reminiscing about their childhoods. The narrator, unfortunately, had a much more troubling childhood than her lover, Jesse, so retelling her childhood stories troubles her greatly. As a child, she was frequently beaten and raped by her stepfather. In addition, she witnessed many births and deaths within her family, causing her to have few true connections with her "family" because they came and went to so quickly within her life. Jesse, on the contrary, had a simple and pleasant childhood, filled with happy and typical memories. Oddly enough, Jesse finds the narrators life amusing and fascinating; her stories of death and disappearances of family members only make her laugh.
This story was particularly troubling to me because I can't begin to imagine how difficult the narrators life. It really made me appreciate my life and how lucky I am to have such good memories from my childhood and to have formed so many meaningful relationships with my family members.

Guest Blogger: Jon Lepage

"America"
America is free but not really free,
America is the land of oppurtunity with no sure oppurtunity
America is the American Dream with few sleepers
America is the America that you make it.