NY Times Sunday Book Review

[Peter Giordano]

Steve askes (because I said T. Coraghessan Boyle is bad news):
>I'm sure I've heard the name but I can't think of the context--why is it
>bad news? 
>
I say:
In my opinion TCB is at best an uneven writer - One of his volumes of
short stories is absolutely brilliant (IF THE RIVER WAS WHISKEY) - His
novels are all too often much ado about nothing - He's hip, he's trendy, he's
too cool for words - But he can be brilliant - I dread  reviews by him because
he more often than not reviews himself instead of the work in question - A quick
glance at the review of M & D indicates that he may have stuck to the book
and reviewed it (I'll not say more) - I also could have wished for the times to
select a better reviewer - Boyle is (in my opinion) a light weight (as a 
reviewer)

Peter Giordano
Williams College
Williamstown, MA