The Lesser Joke: book reviews and more

TV Review: The West Wing, season 4

TV #51 of 2016:

The West Wing, season 4

After a rocky adjustment post-9/11 in the previous season, this year The West Wing is back to its usual level of quality. I’m also amazed, even on this millionth rewatch, at the audacity of Aaron Sorkin to end his last season that way and leave such a mess for the next showrunner. The show is very different after Sorkin’s departure, and I’m not looking forward to the slump that follows before the election plots kick back into gear for the series endgame.

★★★★☆

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Book Review: Goldenhand by Garth Nix

Book #151 of 2016:

Goldenhand by Garth Nix (The Old Kingdom #5)

A triumphant return to the Old Kingdom, finally resolving the fate of the lost Abhorsen, Clariel (whose early life is described in the prequel which bears her name, and which should definitely be read prior to this book). So many old favorites are back for this story, but author Garth Nix continues to deepen the worldbuilding of the series and introduce compelling new characters as well. I wish that the central villain had more of a presence throughout the novel, but otherwise Goldenhand is an absolute delight. And it feels less like an epilogue than the earlier novel Abhorsen did, so hopefully there will be further Old Kingdom stories coming out from Nix in the years to come. Goldenhand demonstrates decisively that the setting still has plenty of tales left to tell.

★★★★☆

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TV Review: Orange Is the New Black, season 4

TV #50 of 2017:

Orange Is the New Black, season 4

Still a powerhouse this many seasons in, with an ever-deepening roster of characters and flashbacks. It’s hard to really discuss the arc of season 4 without spoilers, but it was a powerful indictment of the corporate prison system, with inefficiencies and unchecked (if not outright encouraged) abuses of power that were frankly terrifying to watch. The season ends just as a boiling point has been reached, and I honestly don’t know where the story can go from here.

★★★★★

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Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Book #150 of 2016:

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

A heartbreaking novel that kept making me want to run home and hug my wife and my dog as tight as I can. This story of a family from the perspective of their dog is terrifically written, but only really recommended if you don’t mind a good cry or two.

★★★★☆

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Book Review: The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Book #149 of 2016:

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie (Superintendent Battle #1)

More a comedy of errors than a true murder mystery, Agatha Christie’s The Secret of Chimneys relied a bit too heavily on coincidence for my liking. (It was also the first Christie book that I was able solve before the end, although I’m not sure whether that’s more to do with this particular novel or my growing familiarity with her style.) Still, this was a fine caper with plenty of droll British humor.

★★★☆☆

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Movie Review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Movie #24 of 2016:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

My favorite sort of prequel, that slots neatly into the existing continuity without the need for retconning AND enhances the viewer’s appreciation of certain elements in the original material. Rogue One is a little clunky, especially towards the beginning, but it’s still a phenomenal addition to the Star Wars canon. I’m looking forward to watching this movie back-to-back with the original Episode IV: A New Hope the next time I tackle the series.

★★★★☆

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Movie Review: Die Hard (1988)

Movie #23 of 2016:

Die Hard (1988)

Another old favorite that my wife hadn’t seen (and another “Christmas movie” in that it’s set around the holidays, although that’s honestly not such a huge part of the film). This is a classic for a reason, with great performances from young Alan Rickman and Bruce Willis and some particularly great lines from the latter’s character, who is more of an everyman in over his head here than he ever was in the sequels. But honestly, this movie is worth watching just to catch all the references to it on Brooklyn Nine-Nine – so yippie kayak, other buckets.

★★★★★

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Movie Review: Bad Santa (2003)

Movie #22 of 2016:

Bad Santa (2003)

A family favorite that my wife had never seen before (and that I hadn’t watched in probably ten years). I don’t really have any interest in seeing the new sequel – which looked pretty awful from the trailers – but the original is a non-stop laugh riot. Very profane and definitely not a Christmas movie for the kiddies, but if you don’t recoil from the premise in the title, I promise you’ll laugh all the way through.

★★★★☆

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Book Review: Seize the Day by Saul Bellow

Book #148 of 2016:

Seize the Day by Saul Bellow

“You can spend the entire second half of your life recovering from the mistakes of the first half.” So laments Tommy Wilhelm in this tightly-focused character study of a New York City Jew longing for a fresh start but unable to find his way there. Tommy’s ‘mistakes’ are the result of bad luck and poor circumstances as much as his own shortcomings, and his anguished struggle for a life of dignity is as sharply relevant in the Great Recession as it was 60 years ago. Anyone who has felt the panic of a career evaporating under them or the sting of having to ask a loved one for a loan will recognize this day in the life of the unfortunate Mr. Wilhelm, and author Saul Bellow pulls no punches in painting his character’s despair. But it’s the hint of grace he provides that truly makes this novel shine.

★★★★☆

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Book Review: Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou

Book #147 of 2016:

Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou

A short but powerful essay collection, pivoting back and forth between Angelou’s personal memoirs and her observations / advice for how to live a decent life to the fullest. Although framed as though addressed to her child, it is of course a great read for all of us. Her words are guaranteed to be echoing in my head for a long time to come.

★★★☆☆

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