Customer Reviews

Chinese Takeout: A Novel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Once again, Nersesian proves himself to be the master of urban novel. This book is another fast, fun read! I highly recommend it along with another fun East Village novel about an unlucky writer addicted to the personals: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez. Also recommended: THE F**K-UP also by Arthur Nersesian. All 3 books make up what should be called the 'East Village Trinity.' Short, lively, intense books! Most of all -- FUN!

CHINESE TAKEOUT by Arthur Nersesian is yet another bohemian story by the master of the downtown New York City novel. If you've read his other books you would know what I mean. The pacing of CHINESE TAKEOUT is a bit slower and more polished, more mature and disciplined than his previous works, particularly The F**K-UP and DOGRUN, yet entirely enjoyable. Yes, it's gritty, a bit grim (as bohemian stories usually are) but I also found it quite funny at times and much more realistic and detailed, less cartoonish than his other, more manically paced works. This is a good, character-driven novel -- melancholy, yet endearing somehow. I guess I can't help but root for the underdog. And if you ever tried to make it as an artist -- either as a painter or as a writer, you will really appreciate this novel. Trying to be an artist in America is a subversive act! And, at every turn, you will be PUNISHED for that choice! That's really what his novel is saying. To quote the Clash: "You have the right to free speech ... as long as you're not dumb enough to actually try it!"

Also recommended: DOGRUN by Nersesian (if you haven't read it), THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez -- which really knocked me out!

I am presently working my way through the fiction of Arthur Nersesian but chose to review Chinese Takeout having found it to be the most fully realized version of this author's conception of how unrecognized artists struggle to survive their art in downtown New York City. Nersesian, whose prose frequently reminds me of the late Charles Bukowski's best writing (Women, Post Office), devotes each novel to a different art form. The Unlubricated, for example, takes up the craft of stage production and acting while Dogrun's protagonist is an aspiring writer. Chinese Takeout is about a painter-sculptor and is marvelously evocative of the bohemian studio scene within which the book's 'hero' circulates while trying to scrape out a subsistence living. Nersesian himself is a very painterly writer whose febrile imagination provides an endlessly entertaining and poignant storyline. This aspect of his talent insistently propels one through the pages of Chinese Takeout but it is the undertow of the writing, the uncompromising exploration of love in all its most irrational manifestations, that distinguishes this writer and separates him out from the crowd. I rarely read a book which galvanizes me to seek out the entire literary output of an author but I was hardly finished with The Unlubricated before I secured copies of Nersesian's five other novels. They all investigate similar terrain but from distinct vantage points. They are each, in their own way, a joyous excursion into a sequestered world of youthful abandon.

Once again, Nersesian proves that he is the master of the bohemian/downtown NYC novel. Although not as lively as his other novels, particularly The F**k-up or Dogrun, this is nevertheless an engaging, realistic portrait of living the harrowing 'art life' in the Big City. Entertaining and darkly funny, I recommend it. Also recommended: The Losers' Club by Richard Perez

Chinese Takeout is a very readable and entertaining novel of a struggling artist named Orloff Trenchant, known as Or. Or is among the many downtown New York City artists trying to climb out of poverty and obscurity. As the novel begins, Or is quickly plummeting to new depths in his fledgling career. His girlfriend dumps him for a wealthy art collector, probably the worst insult possible to a bohemian artist. Meanwhile he is living in a broken down van and his only regular income is selling used books on the streets. Chinese Takeout is not big on plot; it is a meandering but observant look at life on the streets in this rather fascinating subculture. All of the action takes place over a couple of months during the end of 2000; the controversial presidential election of that year is in the background for much of the novel. Arthur Nersesian, who has written a couple of other books with a similar theme, creates several interesting characters in addition to Or, including Rita, the heroin addict with whom Or becomes infatuated and Shade, the older artist who lets Or sublet his loft. The book effectively evokes the worldview of the artist, who sees life in vivid, emotionally-charged and uncompromising terms. On the other hand Or and some of the other artists can also be arrogant and self-absorbed in their self-conscious quest for authenticity. The main challenges Or faces during the time we spend with him are to sculpt a headstone in a few short weeks (no easy matter) and the roller coaster ride of being in love with a self-destructive addict. Chinese Takeout is a fast read, always interesting and sometimes thought-provoking. I wouldn't call it an especially deep or memorable book, but while I was reading it I had trouble putting it down.

While I enjoyed reading Chinese Takeout, it wasn't nearly as engaging as the earlier books written by Arthur Nersesian. The main character isn't as compelling as the one in The F--- Up, which is one of my all-time favorite modern fiction books.

I still cared enough about Orloff Trenchant, the protagonist in Chinese Takeout, to read the book through until the last page, although I found myself skimming some pages quickly. The relationship between Orloff and a junkie named Rita is less than convincing. In other Nersesian works, especially Dog Run, I felt far more connected to the main characters, and in fact, Dog Run had me laughing in self-revelation as the story unfolded. I felt no such connection to Orloff Trenchant, although he was certainly a likable enough character.

To sum up this novel, another Amazon reviewer already put it better than I could, suggesting that this book tastes as good as your average Chinese takeout meal, but the only problem is that an hour later, you're hungry all over again.

In the spirit of good art, Chinese Takeout is oddly named, conflicting and inconveniently dramatic -- all said, it makes for a great novel. Arthur Nersesian writes such beautifully crafted prose that often times his words float like graceful city poetry. In this story about a starving artist, I found myself divided on how much I liked and was willing to tolerate the main character. "Or" is a package of close calls with death and degradation, sacrificial in his passion for being an illustrator-painter-sculptor, and practically un-realizing in his potential to not give into his fears of conformity - but to conquer them in a way that would leave him regarded as successful in life (not to be confused with art). Instead, he focuses on love as an idea, art as a struggle and money of little value.

I read this book quickly, but found myself stopping to appreciate sentences packed with truths and considerations. Great book, in fact, the best of four I've read so far by this author. (The F-up, Unlubricated and Swing Voter)

Another great book by my favorite author. He never disappoints. If you like raw and honest fiction, you'll love this book. It exudes the energy of alphabet city.

Chinese Takeout was twisted in so many ways, but inevitably it makes you want to become a better person. The main character is troubled by a brush with death that leaves him tampering with other pieces of his life to get to the root of his problems. Nersesian is very discriptive and I found myself fully immersed in the story.
Nersesian gives a realistic viewpoint of underground NYC, and frankly makes me feel very nostalgic.

Pretty good book about a struggling artist and his community of cronies in NY. Not much happens which is probably about accurate. Nersesian does a good job describing what the artist is thinking and trying to put down on canvas, paper, etc. The self-destructive love story involving the addict was tragic and sad. Poor Or...looking for love in all the wrong places. I guess my complaint about the book is that not much happened. Like Chinese food, I was hungry one hour later.