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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Books The Pleasures of Reading The Beaufort Diaries

Posted by on Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 12:30 PM

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Sometimes I get books that are highly enjoyable, but they're basically review-proof: They're short entertainments that don't really need a whole lot of explanation. Earlier this year, I read T Cooper's The Beaufort Diaries and I've wondered how to write about it ever since. If you like strong new voices in fiction, you should already know the name T Cooper: Lipshitz Six or, Two Angry Blondes is a brilliant novel about immigration, Charles Lindbergh, and the fine art of Eminem impersonation.

But Beaufort isn't really a successor to Lipshitz Six. It's not reallly a novel, for one thing; it's slighter, more like a fable or a fairy tale. It's about a polar bear who winds up in Hollywood and becomes a star with the help of Leonardo DiCaprio. The book is profusely illustrated (Alex Petrowsky's full-page illustrationss are sketches and collages of Beaufort on lobster boats, by pools, flirting with skinny girls at malls) and it's a slight little thing; you could (and should) read it in an afternoon.

And it just works, you know? Cooper introduces us to a strong voice that manages in the span of less than a hundred pages to become likable and real. It's a delicious little treat of a book (like Fup, or The Tale of the Unknown Island). It's perfect for when you're feeling a little different from everyone else in the world, and it leaves you feeling happy. It'd make a fine Christmas gift, but you should make sure you read it before you share it.

 

Comments (8) RSS

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gloomy gus 1
Thank you! I can think of five or six people for whom this looks pretty perfect.
Posted by gloomy gus on December 1, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Canuck 2
Hey, gus, btw, thanks for your Secret Histories rec. I'm enjoying it!
Posted by Canuck on December 1, 2010 at 12:43 PM
3
Your description reminds me of a book I read a few years ago about a bear coming to the big city...but I can't remember the title or the author.

This sounds good, though. I'll add it to the list.
Posted by Sheryl on December 1, 2010 at 12:44 PM
gloomy gus 4
Good deal, Canuck. He certainly made the most of what he had at hand...
Posted by gloomy gus on December 1, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Canuck 5
Heh.
Posted by Canuck on December 1, 2010 at 12:52 PM
6
@3

Probably "The Bear Went Over The Mountain" by William Kotzwinkle. I immediately thought of that when reading Paul's blurb. Very funny book!
Posted by LP Steve on December 1, 2010 at 1:00 PM
7
@6 - Yes! That was it. You've saved me hours of fruitless searching until I figured that out, because my brain can't let go of those things.
Posted by Sheryl on December 1, 2010 at 1:16 PM
sikandro 8
I'm a little late on this one, but I thought I'd pop in to say I loved The Tale of the Unknown Island.
Posted by sikandro on December 16, 2010 at 3:15 PM

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