He writes. Reading is entertainment. 'Nuff Said. And he is one badass motherfucker for wearing seersucker suits.

Anyways, I have just finished his book "I Am Charlotte Simmons" which was widely panned by critics, but found praise from students for being very accurate. I really enjoyed it, although not many others did. You have to take it for what it is; it's not some wonderful work of art like James Joyce or Carson McCullers or anything. It's just..good reading, a notch above being too trashy.

Anyone else read it and would like to discuss?

I know he researched it and Duke and a few other schools, but it has Duke written all over it. From the description of the school's gothic architecture, to the idolization and greatness of the basketball team. Charlotte's naivety started to get annoying. Just because you are from Allegheny County, NC (wherever that is) doesn't mean you've been living under a fucking rock. I mean, they have TV.
Discuss.

6/15/2006 8:31:35 PM

6/15/2006 9:00:55 PM

i actually didn't find it particularly realistic, but maybe it's because i don't go to duke. it felt like he was trying too hard to get the feel right.

6/15/2006 10:50:00 PM

I've been meaning to read this, but I put it off because the reviews were so bad. Loved Bonfire and Man in Full, though, which is why I was looking forward to it.

I've been caught up in Tom Robbins books lately.

6/15/2006 11:03:51 PM

It was also kind of confusing how he wrote from the different perspectives.
I got the stories kind of confused, because that damn book is a behemoth.

I think the sex scenes were too graphic and not necessary.

ETA: I am trying to get around to reading Hooking Up

[Edited on June 15, 2006 at 11:06 PM. Reason : ]

6/15/2006 11:06:09 PM

^I deliberately passed on Hooking Up just from reading the blurbs on the jacket...it just seemed like an old man bitching about a youth culture he doesn't understand.

Just my impression, though.

6/15/2006 11:07:58 PM

Quote :

"found praise from students for being very accurate"

About that...

I hate Tom Wolfe. Take from that what you will.

6/15/2006 11:08:50 PM

I must say, it was almost disturbingly accurate.
As in, I wouldn't want some old man listening to me describe "sexile" or anything to people. It would just be awkward.

6/15/2006 11:15:05 PM

Tom Wolfe != Thomas Wolfe

6/16/2006 12:10:48 AM

Tom Wolfe < Thomas Wolfe

6/16/2006 8:15:00 AM

d/dTom Wolfe = Thomas Wolfe

6/16/2006 12:27:21 PM

6/16/2006 1:20:06 PM

I enjoyed the book, although exaggerated at times he definitely picked up on the divisions between groups of people there are at a college (he even was talking about NC State fictionally through Charlotte's friend from High School) by stating that people hang out with people similar to themselves. I also think that his description of the frat party and Greek life in general had an astounding resmblance to every Greek scence I have been around in college. When he described the dancing at the fraternity function "mons pubis a mons pubis" I couldn't help but laugh and realize how strange it is when you go to a bar or club and people are dancing the way they do. The book rang true overall and I think its a very fun and beneficial read while in college.

6/17/2006 10:44:54 AM