thanks, I guess I owe you lunch if you are ever in Denver. I downloaded the first chapter on my kindle and thought, "huh"?

Thanks for posting the rant about Steve Martin's book. You saved me from having to make an effort to find the book in the public library, put it down in disappointment, and go to the library to return it.

The last time I had to do that was when I read the book written by Nick Leeson about his having brought down Barings Bank. The opening pages had a description of him and a woman in a hotel room. They were the worst two pages I've ever read.

Thanks, also, for calling out Deborah Solomon. A number of years ago, I used to complain so much about her writing at work that the phrase, "Deborah Solomon," became a code word for bad writing.

During the past two or three years, I was surprised to find that some of Solomon's articles/interviews were better or more interesting than her earlier pieces. She's very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to have dozens of substandard pieces published in the Times before showing any sign of improvement. Most writers don't get such a chance to "practice on stage," as they say in rock and roll.

This made me feel SO good. I go into contemptuous rage at the frequent portraits in literature of an art world that is so superficially rendered and misunderstood. Gotta scream sometimes. Thanks for this.

This is your funniest post. Ever! Lunch is on me.

Up until this line I was taking your word for it, now you've gone and made me WANT to read it...


On his way out, the receptionist said….

On his way out? Of what? Lacey’s vagina has a receptionist?

Thanks,
I just finished reading this and thought it was the most pointless novel...It started and finished about nothing except a cold art b***h and her sexcapades. Oh, and zillions of dollars worth of silly new art paintings. Makes me sick..