To Paraphrase Lincoln: A Man’s Reviews Should Be Long Enough to Reach the Ground
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33 responses
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33 responses to “To Paraphrase Lincoln: A Man’s Reviews Should Be Long Enough to Reach the Ground”
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I look forward to hearing your take. I still haven’t seen it. I thought the book’s main strength was the original format – it was clever, charming (at times), and occasionally engaging (mostly, the actual first-hand accounts of the events surrounding Willie’s death). I thought the premise of the story was banal, and the book overall was rather boring. I had my doubts that it would make a good opera.
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Ellen Mitchell I read the book before the pandemic, so I’m having difficulty recalling its charm. I may have grudgingly conceded it adding up to something by the end. If it struck me the same way as the opera, then I would have been moved by the circumstances, a father grieving for his son, more than I was by the actual technique. I certainly didn’t find the book a waste of time, but I did find it, as stated in my post, overrated. I should clarify I found it personally so, since one of the other commenters didn’t seem to get that. I probably should have reread the book before seeing the opera, but I don’t have enough time to read everything I want to read as it is!
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Classic Ross Amico I didn’t feel like it added up to anything at the end – except for a literary tour de force, using a novel technique. I did enjoy some of the first-hand accounts – as they related to a father (and others) grieving for Willie. While I enjoyed the book overall, I definitely skimmed through some parts and wouldn’t re-read it.
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If you find out Grant’s whiskey, I’ll buy you a bottle. Oh wait, that’s what Lincoln was supposed to have said about most of the generals in the Virginia area for the first few years of the war.
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Looking good Ross!
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Patiently waiting- also hoping you post any other reviews you’ve composed.
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Well, at least it’s making you think.
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E. Cristin O’Keeffe It is that. Writing about it forces me to examine my positions and explain why I react to certain aspects of the piece the way I do. It also leads me to a more nuanced consideration. But it’s a fine line, because if I get to thinking about it too much (especially as the negative comments roll in before the review is even posted), it leads me to doubt, feelings of futility, and ultimately inaction!
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My friends walked out.
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Brenda Zwickel That could be a matter of your friend’s bad taste or lack of sophistication. But the hubris of thinking your friends are vanguards of opera NY is cute.
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Jim Wood Be kind. The poster never suggested her friends were vanguards of opera NY. People like what they like, and not enjoying something is not necessarily a mark of bad taste or a lack of sophistication. But I’m sure you know that, and it’s just social media. Everyone here cares about music, and we’re all entitled to our opinions. No need to jab somebody for them, with so much negativity already in the world!
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Classic Ross Amico “My friends walked out.” Was more than a statement about the actions of “friends.”
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Jim Wood Fair enough. But what’s the difference? Have a cup of coffee and enjoy the day!
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Classic Ross Amico you are right
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Jim Wood I’m always right! 😄 Have a good one, and if we ever meet, I’ll buy you a coffee myself.
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Jim Wood Pfffft. My friend happens to be a famous opera singer!
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Brenda Zwickel My friend owns opera.
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Jim Wood Bully for you. Insecure a little?
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Brenda Zwickel Please don’t let it ruin your day. I’ve been smoothing out my review and don’t even want to post it now because of some of the other comments. I’m hoping I feel differently later. Right now, I’ve got to get out of the house for a while and get on with my day. Peace to you both! I’m sure if you met one another, you would have plenty in common.
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Overrated just means you didn’t like it—I loved it and am starting a second read.
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Trevor Berens How astute. Enjoy!
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Teasing a review? Making your opinion clear without explaining? Just another internet troll.
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Walt Smiley And thank YOU for your contribution, sir! Reviews are a lot of work precisely for having to carefully lay out one’s reasoning. Firing off snark in a comments section requires little thought, but leaves disproportionate scorched earth. If you followed my page, you would have a better idea of my character and know that I don’t troll anyone (except maybe Hans Zimmer).
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It’s ok. Some critics didn’t like Wagner either back in the day.
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Ethan Litwin We’ll see how it shakes out in 150 years!
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Looking forward to your review.
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Good for you, I guess. 🤷♀️
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I flew up from North Carolina to view it. Also attended La Boheme Friday last.
Still processing my experience. Didn’t read the book. Wasn’t prepared for the shock value. It certainly.mined the lowest of low human misbehaviors. It might have had a more literate libretto….. Repeating words ad infinitum got to be tedious. Looking forward to your tempered yet thoughtful review. -
I just wrote 8,000 words refuting everything you wrote, But I’m not going to tell you where to read it.
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There is no accounting for taste.
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It appears he thinks very highly of himself!
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Didn’t see it but the clips of music have been more than enough to suggest it’s not my taste. I don’t hate all modern opera but the atonal, straight tone singing is just so unappealing no matter who is doing it. It’s not opera. I don’t know what the hell it is. The set looks like a spectacle to compensate for no memorable music. I cannot believe all of the glowing reviews. I guess people just like to be shocked.
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