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.
9 comments
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.