Bo Has Eyes, Who Knew?

Hunh

Overwritten or not? You decide.

4. The Ask by Sam Lipsyte
Best opening passage that’s been excerpted in a zillion places over the past few weeks because the book’s just out (and amazing!) but what the hell, let’s hear it one more time, it’s that good:
“America, said Horace, the office temp, was a run-down and demented pimp. Our republic’s whoremaster days were through. Whither that frost-nerved, diamond-fanged hustler who’d stormed Normandy, dick-smacked the Soviets, turned out such firm emerging market flesh? Now our nation slumped in the corner of the pool hall, some gummy coot with a pint of mad dog and soggy yellow eyes, just another mark for the juvenile wolves.”

The rest of 'em here.

Oh, snap.

9. Murphy by Samuel Beckett
Most Beckettian opening to a Beckett novel:
“The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.”

Just Get Moving

You know this, I know you do.
Me, I'm trying that interval training thing, working up a sweat for a couple minutes, resting, rinse and repeat for increasing amounts of time, once a week. Will report later.

I'm On A Horse II

Second most popular ad on the intertubes this week.

I'm On A Horse

So Ya Wanna Be A Writer

A variety of writers offer some tips. Margaret Atwood is surprisingly witty. I don't remember any wit in any of the books of hers that I read.
But I take heart from Ann Enright:

The first 12 years are the worst.

And In Other News

Father Of The Dead

Here's a compelling profile of an American priest in Haiti, and a little bit about the country you really don't want to know any more about. It's long, but you should read it.

I'm making a list. Haiti has always been on it, Uganda, Myanmar...

“I think the fuller your life is, the less death is a threat to you,” says Father Rick. “Empty people are scared to death to die.”

...Nearly two weeks after the earthquake, a baby with severe burns on all four limbs, screams like she is on fire as her bandages are removed and her wounds cleaned. She’s been kicked to three hospitals and has only been given Ibuprofen for the pain. She repeatedly calls “mama, mama,” but only her father is there. She is so upset, she begins vomiting. With no nurse near and nothing to wipe up a mess with, the befuddled father simply cups his hands in front of her, letting his terrified daughter heave into them.