Customer Reviews

The Cabin: Reminiscence and Diversions

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Mamet's mere name has become shorthand for so much - a style, a voice, violence, woman-hating - that it's hard to just read a book of his, and it's hard to disassociate oneself from the stereotyping of his work, even if one doesn't agree with the stereotypes. This is especially true when reading another of his essay books. But the violence of the opening story truly jolted me out of my preconceptions & made me wonder if I could read on. I did, and I'm glad. The matzo ball/bearskin rug story brought a wan smile to my face, & the title essay is a tremendously evocative piece of writing that really sticks with you.

As a young aspiring artist of sorts, I found reading Mr.Mamet's stories and reactions to his life at once turbulent, inspiring, and nostalgic. The honest care the author takes in describing the places and people of his long life is so comforting, it is a struggle to believe that one person can live the 'scenes' in his life in such peace. Mamet's occasional extremist opinions give the stories meaningful dynamics, and the stories are recommended to anyone who likes to think about the little things in life, especially those from Chicago, Vermont, or New York. Consumes only a little time but a lot of imagination.

I propose that a poor to mediocre writer insights me to write because I believe I can do the same or better. But an exceptional writer insights me to write because I believe I must try to be as good or better. While being as good or better than David Mamet is not a necessary objective in itself, a hell of a task at that, bringing to the page the smooth articulate thoughts, observations and understanding he does in a piece like The Cabin is.
Most of these pieces, which are less essays and more pops, or a pastiche of his past/family/history, portraits of Chicago, New York, London, France and Vermont, gun culture, radio voices, golf, jobs and hobbies.
In many respects these are lite fare. Mostly short snips, they illuminate his person with fascile writing, are very likeable and (mostly) calming.
Being a Mamet lover, I would very much recommend these. They seem to be written if not in joy, then in peace....