AUDIO

Traveling Sprinkler

by Nicholson Baker
6 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 7 hrs. Dreamscape Media. 2013. ISBN 9781629230917. $59.99; Playaway digital; digital download. F
COPY ISBN
Paul Chowder is a middle-aged poet who's looking for a new medium, and his background in music makes songwriting seem like a viable option. Chowder wants to write a protest song but keeps circling back to love songs, perhaps because he is still in love with his ex-girlfriend. He struggles with life's daily distractions while searching for his future, and his constancy pays off at last. Baker's sequel to The Anthologist is presented as a stream of consciousness monolog. Random thoughts and associations intermingle as the story slowly unfolds, allowing Baker to interject a wealth of information about music, composers, poets, and traveling sprinklers. The author narrates the story beautifully.
VERDICT Recommended. ["Baker, a National Book Critics Circle Award winner, is always daring, and what results here is a witty and enticingly coherent blend of the everyday and the profound," read the starred review of the Blue Rider hc, LJ 9/15/13.]
Reviewed by Joanna Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Libs., Providence , Feb 15, 2014
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

MEDIA

The Last Shot: City Streets, Basketball Dreams
by Frey, Darcy
MEDIA

The Bitter Truth
by Williams, Shanora
MEDIA

Southern Man
by Iles, Greg
MEDIA

Little Rot
by Emezi, Akwaeke
MEDIA

The Phoenix Ballroom
by Hogan, Ruth
MEDIA

Horror Movie
by Tremblay, Paul
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?