 | A WRITER'S WIT |  K. J. Fowler |
MY BOOK WORLD
Pynchon, Thomas. Mason and Dixon. New York: Holt, 1997.
My partner and I listened to the 48-hour Audible version of this book narrated by a fascinating British actor, Steven Crossley. He seemed to bring life to each character with an singular idiolect, particularly to the principals, Mason and Dixon. Often written without speech attribution, the dialogue was easier to understand with Crossley’s superior reading ability. I followed along with a hard copy of the book.
The story of the two men who created the 233-mile boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania—the Mason Dixon line—became better known for establishing a line between the warring North and South of the USA. The novel also sets up a much fuller picture of the men’s lives as individuals and as partners in various ventures. One of the most fascinating may be their noting of the Transit of Venus multiple times and places throughout the world. Mason is laconic and melancholy, whereas Dixon is more garrulous and freewheeling in his dealings with the world—challenging their friendship and partnership to the nth degree at times—but also setting up a unique and rare lifelong friendship.
A long slog of a read, but it is quite worth it, especially if you hear someone else (a professional) read it aloud!
Up Next:
TUES: A Writer's Wit | Sandra Tsing Loh
WEDS: A Writer's Wit | Judy Blume
THURS: A Writer's Wit | Ricardo Güiraldes
FRI: My Book World | Graham Norton, Ask Graham
My partner and I listened to the 48-hour Audible version of this book narrated by a fascinating British actor, Steven Crossley. He seemed to bring life to each character with an singular idiolect, particularly to the principals, Mason and Dixon. Often written without speech attribution, the dialogue was easier to understand with Crossley’s superior reading ability. I followed along with a hard copy of the book.
The story of the two men who created the 233-mile boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania—the Mason Dixon line—became better known for establishing a line between the warring North and South of the USA. The novel also sets up a much fuller picture of the men’s lives as individuals and as partners in various ventures. One of the most fascinating may be their noting of the Transit of Venus multiple times and places throughout the world. Mason is laconic and melancholy, whereas Dixon is more garrulous and freewheeling in his dealings with the world—challenging their friendship and partnership to the nth degree at times—but also setting up a unique and rare lifelong friendship.
A long slog of a read, but it is quite worth it, especially if you hear someone else (a professional) read it aloud!
Up Next:
TUES: A Writer's Wit | Sandra Tsing Loh
WEDS: A Writer's Wit | Judy Blume
THURS: A Writer's Wit | Ricardo Güiraldes
FRI: My Book World | Graham Norton, Ask Graham
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