I’m currently reading Little, Big by John Crowley and I’d like to recommend it to you—but I can’t.
When I’m actually reading the book it’s great. The pages turn and the plot surprises. But when I stop reading it I ask myself, “Why am I reading a book about rich hippies that talk to fairies?” It’s a good question.
It’s a good book though—when I’m reading it and not reflecting on it. And, I mean, to be fair, I’m not even halfway done. I won’t be surprised if it turns out to be a favorite of the year. Plus, any book that throws out a sentence like, “And twenty-five years passed” and still survives, is special.
But really, rich hippies talking to fairies, it’s tough to get over.
You may like the Good Fairies in New York by Martin Millar. That has poorer hippies and shut-in types talking to fairies which can be just as entertaining.
Anything with politically-middle-of-the-road, eats fried chicken and gravy, graphic designers that blog and talk to fairies?
I just couldn’t get into Little, Big. Don’t know why.
Well, it does start off with characters named Smokey Barnable and Daily Alice Drinkwater. That’s practically a crime. Pynchon and Dickens are the only writers that get to make funny names.
Did you finish it?
Hmmmm. Database search provides no matching results. Sorry.
No, I took it back to the library after reading maybe a third.
Pretend they have turned into yuppies and you will do fine. I thought Little Big was very entertaining. They are worse than hippies if you know what they are really… it is a special type of hippie conspiracy.
I never got to Little, Big, but I think Crowley’s Engine Summer gets deeper with each re-reading (“The rule of men had not been sufficient, but the world did not die. It got different, is all.”). The main character in that one goes off to become a saint and ends up as a cat…
Enjoy the rich hippies & other mythological creatures….
Finished, it. Definitely very entertaining. I’ll likely read more from Crowley.