Sunday, August 30, 2015

LAPHAM RISING: ROGER ROSENBLATT



A light weight read from a fairly heady guy.  Harry March has lived in a modest cottage in the Hampton's for years.  Unfortunately, he hates change, especially the modern love of the self, things, usually big things.  And across the water from his cottage, a Mc Mansion is going up, much to Harry's pique.  A good part of the book is spent in a dialogue between Harry and his dog, Hector, a Westie, who happens to be able to talk and for good measure, unlike Harry, he's a born again Christian.  I could see myself in much of Harry, bemoaning the loss of a way of life we were used to, we were comfortable with,  that time  before computers, iPhones,  iPads, and now the ubiquitous selfie, took over modern life.  His struggles to stop the building of this monstrosity ultimately fails miserably to his embarrassment, and he seems to, at the end, give in to this new way of life. Rosenblatt can be quite funny, making fun of modern man, especially those with wealth.  He knows the Hampton's well, the boutiques, the upscale cheese and cooking stores, the bistros catering to the rich. I was surprised I did not like the novel more because I agree with much of his ranting against consumerism,  modern materialism, its experiments in insignificance.  But the story, the narrative action. was lacking.  Too bad.  I much prefer his non fiction, especially KAYAK MORNING.

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