This collection is enjoyable to read and thought-provoking, but uneven. Some of the essays are really great but a couple of them are pretty mediocre, which is why I gave this a 3 instead of a 4. The interview with Mark Strand goes on a bit too long and most of Strand's answers are pretty snobby and some of the essays are a little too heavy on the privileged person apologizing for their privilege trope, but overall it's worth checking out. I'm looking forward to hearing Mr. Shawn speak tomorrow (3/16/2012) and will be bringing this book along as reference. I enjoyed this book greatly, not because I agree with Shawn on a lot of issues, but because where we disagreed, I found his perspective and ideas to be thought-provoking and challenging. Many of the essays were penned in the early 2000's, during the immediate months following 9/11 and during the escalation leading to the 2nd Iraq War. I found many of his sentiments during that time reflected my own thoughts and many more reflected things I had never considered. Mr. Shawn has a colloquial, easy-going, self-effacing writing voice. He doesn't take himself too seriously, but he does take the issues of our times seriously. Despite the extreme sensitivity of the subject matter, I don't feel that he is writing to incite or inflame--rather, his writings strike me a cathartic and as his way of trying to sort out the world. His works are definitely NOT for everyone...particularly if you identify yourself on the more conservative spectrum of politics. Shawn identifies himself as very liberal and many of his ideas would probably annoy (or worse!) a section of our society, considerably.
What do You think about Essays (2009)?
My Provocative and Stimulating Dinner with Wallace.
—jon
