"Bleeding Edge," by Thomas Pynchon

Novel, 2014

While tight by Pynchon's standards, this cracked, paranoia-driven novel straddling the attack on New York's twin towers is still a wild assault of almost too many characters, wisecracking, referencing and floating in and out of the central narrative with mysterious dynamism. If things get hard to follow, the quality of the writing, the keen descriptions of geeks, street life and catastrophes are all wonderful. This feels like Pynchon looking to be filmed. The family details are also a great touch, grounding the madness in some tenderness and domestic details. 

"The Prisoner of Second Avenue", directed by Melvin Frank

Movie, 1974

Comedy about power and work relations in a married couple suddenly exposed to economic hardship. Some excellent acting and a few decent scenes, although this film rather skates over some hefty issues in a way which suggests there's no problem with, say, metal illness. Things feel a little rushed and insubstantial as a result, although the film's perfectly entertaining if you can look past these niggles. A movie which feels as if its been lifted from a play (it was) and a little claustrophobic with it.

"Inferno," directed by Dario Argento

Movie, 1980

Dreamy horror, full of deserted buildings, surreal sets, a progressive rock soundtrack and blood. All these elements are wonderfully realised, giving the film an excellent tension, although the story seems a little confused and the acting, every now and again, stultifying. The violence is nasty, although this goes with the territory. An effective piece, all in all; at least it would have been if only the story and direction could just have been given a little more of a leg up over the grisly set pieces.

"Arab Jazz", by Karim Miské

Novel, 2015

While the settings and particularly the characters in the book are a little off-genre, this book is, essentially, a piece of detective fiction. Nothing wrong with that, and at the beginning of the book, the combination of a fairly familiar form and some more contemporary aspects combine to hook the reader. The power diminishes, to some extent, after a high number of popular cultural or religious references and one edgy druggy encounter too many. The whole piece still flows well and is very entertaining. 

"The Apartment", directed Billy Wilder

Movie, 1960

Unquestionably funny comedy - the best sort - which pulls laughs from a great script and leading players, and yet does so by lightly hopping over heavy duty 20th century loneliness, alienation, infidelity, prostitution, ethics, depression, chauvinism and bullying, to name just a few. Because the film's so watchable, the corrupt world becomes acceptable and romanticised, really nailing home a few points which may or may not have been intended. Unrelenting and well-paced - a light comedy packing a huge sledgehammer under its surface.

Image by www.oscar.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6639022

"Girl in the Band", Kim Gordon

Memoir, 2015

Autobiographical work by Kim Gordon in which she plots her artistic and musical life in California and New York. This is a good, flowing read which will disappoint anyone looking for the "warts and all" - her relationship with long-term partner Thurston Moore isn't a salacious hatchet job, while the other Sonic Youth members don't really get much of a look in. Gordon writes in small chunks, conveying the non-stop exhaustion of touring, especially as a mother, and the cliches and attitudes of being a woman in her profession. Good to hear a rock story rather than having one shoved at you.