Book review: Body of Knowledge
Note – 2/2/2010
Body of Knowledge has been picked up by Ridan books.
It has had some spelling corrections and they slapped a new cover/title on it.
The book is now titled “Finding Reason”
Congrats Bryce!
~~~
A quick bit of background info:
As a member of Goodreads.com and LibraryThing.com I have come across a great number of books that I would otherwise not have had exposure to. This is in part due to the face to face nature that these sites allow you, in regards to authors involved with the systems.
Coming across Bryce Anderson’s Body of Knowledge is one of the shining moments of my involvement in both systems (and book blogging in general).
On both GoodReads and LibraryThing, there are a significant number of authors, publishers, and general book fans who run drawings to get exposure. They will have a certain number of books which are going to be given to a random selection of people. The intent is to get some person to person marketing, reviews of advance copies, and generate a buzz. Originally, I ran across Body of Knowledge, it was for a book giveaway. Reading through the short blurb on the book, it caught my interest and I placed a request to be in the drawing.
A few hours later, I got a message from Bryce. He made mention of my interest and knowing the low level of statistical likeliness that I would win a copy, offered me a deal I couldn’t refuse. The book ended up on my desk at work last Friday.
Review:
I have no doubt that this is one of the books that will endure generations, as they say, one of the “Next Great American Novels”.
Body of Knowledge, written by Bryce W. Anderson (from here referred to as BoK), has a simple and intriguing description printed on its back. Initially, it was this cover text that pulled me in:
An ant has two stomachs. I know this because my neighbor told me. He’s incredibly intelligent and we’ve talked every evening on his porch for—has it only been two months? He’s taught me to look at everything differently, and I’ve learned so much: the nature of time, the value of inquiry, and an understanding that even the impossible can sometimes be true. He’s become my mentor, guide and best friend. So you see, I had no other choice but to see if I could kill him.
… Where to go from here is difficult. Virtually no other details of the story can be discussed with out spoiling aspects of the tale.
The story follows the personal interactions of two men: Bryce (named after the author) and JP. Bryce awakes one morning to find a bizarre man (JP) across the street, moving into his neighborhood. Reluctantly, Bruce crosses the road and introduces himself. What follows is one of the most intricate and detail oriented stories I have read in 10 years. But it is not the story I expected, and I think that is they key to the books greatness.
Initially, I think I was like many others, cracking the pages of BoK was to going to bring out an anxious plotline, filled with deep-seated murder plans. I expected a generic book that was carried by it’s lively characters alone. I expected to be entertained.
About a third of the way through this book, I was caught off guard. The plot was nothing like I expected. There were no intricate plans laid. The story is far from being generic. As a side effect, I was completely unable to guess how it would end. Anderson presents the book in a manner that allows you to make your own conclusions. You can absorb the story with out having to worry about being pulled or pushed onto a mold. The book is not heavy handed; you are not told how to experience it.
Nutshell view? I was not merely entertained; I was driven to devour this book. I needed to know how it ended. Now, I need someone to read it so I can talk about it. The drive to devour still exists, but is funneled into a need to discuss. This is a book club book, worthy of sitting down over coffee and biscuits and bullshitting. I have passed my copy over to my fiancé so she could read it. In the meantime, I am a knot… tied to ideas I cannot discuss. I am being tortured.
I look forward to when the pages of my copy get older, when they take on the musty cinnamon/dried leaves odor of yellowing decay. I love this smell, and it is one of the main reasons I prefer used books. I think this small change will compliment the text in a manner no review I write could. After you read it, let me know if you agree.
Buy this book!
Author’s website: http://www.bryce-anderson.com
Glad you liked the book!! I ran across this becaue a friend on GoodReads mentioned it to me. It certainly has an interesting “back cover” and the start of the book pulls you right in. You are right in that you really can’t discuss it too much without spoiling it so I’ll just say that I wich Bryce a ton of sucess.
It is difficult for new authors to “Get their word out” so I’m doing what I can for Bryce as I have for my own husband. Chances are small to “break out” but I wish him much success.
Robin Sullivan
Wife of author Michael Sullivan | The Crown Conspiracy | Avempartha | Nyphron Rising (Oct 2009)
nice! thanks for stopping in.
i went to your husbands site and liked what i saw.. will likely pick up a couple of his books next payday
yeah, getting the word out has always been the hardest part from what buddies of mine have said.
I have a solution to your problem about wanting to discuss this book with others – There is now a Bryce Anderson Group on Good Reads that you can access at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/20137.Bryce_Anderson
I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to read Bryces Book “Body of Knowledge”. Everyone that I have shared it with so far has ordered no less then Three books to keep one on hand and orders for their family and friends. I hope to see another book from Bryce soon.
I’ll be the first one in line to buy it.