I just finished reading the third 9/11-themed novel set in New York (Jay McInerneys The Good Life). Previous readings were Claire Messuds The Emperors Children, and Don de Lillos Falling Man. Although all these novels are decent attempts to depict what happened to Manhattan residents after the terrorist attacks, to me, they fall short of capturing the significance of the event in terms of changed history. I think the problem with these books is that all their characters involve upwardly mobile New Yorkers who have the usual upwardly mobile angsts characteristic of residents of that borough. Its mostly about navel-gazing, and they leave you with an even much bigger hole in your soul after you read them. So here I am, still wishing for the Big American Novel of 9/11.....
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 21:38:37 +0000