I wish Meaghan Garvey would come to the mid-west UK - like Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire or Shropshire. They'd bore her shitless probably, but she'd liven the place up no end, and write a silk purse from a sow's ear in the process. In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy her missives from a mysterious place I've never visited, and someday hope to, and get her book, assuming it's available in England. Thanks for the review. These days I like later Dylan more too, especially if 'late' extends as far back as Oh Mercy, but when you're in your twenties, as I was when I discovered that 60's elecric Dylan hot streak, he was just right for that time of life.
Sounds great, I need to finally check out her work. It sounds like Garvey is living my (every American man's?) fantasy life. You can just drive places...
Now I'm remembering that it's you who first got me on Garvey last spring! I've read and loved everything she's written in the last 14 months or so, especially that interview with Daughn Gibson (speaking of a Dylanesque character). I suggested to my local library that they buy MDW and they bought it so I'll be reading it in the next couple of weeks. Your description makes me sure I'm going to love it just as much as the rest of her writing...
Lesy’s classic, Spoon River Anthology (which Lesy quotes from), and William Gass’s “The Pedersen Kid” are about all you need to read to know what the Upper Midwest used to be like (grim). Is it different now? Let’s hope so.
ahhhh man gonna cry... I owe you like 10 beers next time I'm in LA <3
I wish Meaghan Garvey would come to the mid-west UK - like Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire or Shropshire. They'd bore her shitless probably, but she'd liven the place up no end, and write a silk purse from a sow's ear in the process. In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy her missives from a mysterious place I've never visited, and someday hope to, and get her book, assuming it's available in England. Thanks for the review. These days I like later Dylan more too, especially if 'late' extends as far back as Oh Mercy, but when you're in your twenties, as I was when I discovered that 60's elecric Dylan hot streak, he was just right for that time of life.
There are people out there who prefer late Dylan, and I feel SO FUCKING SEEN RIGHT NOW.
Sounds great, I need to finally check out her work. It sounds like Garvey is living my (every American man's?) fantasy life. You can just drive places...
Now I'm remembering that it's you who first got me on Garvey last spring! I've read and loved everything she's written in the last 14 months or so, especially that interview with Daughn Gibson (speaking of a Dylanesque character). I suggested to my local library that they buy MDW and they bought it so I'll be reading it in the next couple of weeks. Your description makes me sure I'm going to love it just as much as the rest of her writing...
Readers may be interested to know that the book's title is a nod to Michel Lesy's sadly forgotten "Wisconsin Death Trip" of 1973. William Gass reviewed it in The New York Times https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1973/06/24/97443856.html?pageNumber=293
Lesy’s classic, Spoon River Anthology (which Lesy quotes from), and William Gass’s “The Pedersen Kid” are about all you need to read to know what the Upper Midwest used to be like (grim). Is it different now? Let’s hope so.
A Wisconsin lunch: brat, cheese curds, apple sauce, and a Leinie.
This book seems awesome, great writeup. Also seconding reading Wisconsin Death Trip - also, you may be interested in these NYRB editor notes on their review of that book: https://digitalexhibits.library.wustl.edu/s/gass/item/14132