Somebodies & Nobodies: Overcoming the Abuse of Rank; Robert W. Fuller
I chose this one due to clicking around on amazon. I saw the title and became intrigued. The author argues that while race and gender have been dealt with as sources of power, there is one that transcends all-rank. "I'm a doctor" or "I'm the perfect student" among many, many others helps to perpetuate a sick cycle of abuse. Fuller doesn't argue that we should leave communally as equals, but rather, argues that rank is good in that in performing their jobs correctly, we are doing something beneficial. Where rank does become harmful is when someone uses their rank to intimidate or humiliate a person "below" them. The iron-fisted teacher, the condescending manager, the brow-beating business owner, all have a role in the anxiety and other negative emotions that flow from people every day.
Fuller came about doing this book as he was university president and as such, was use to certain perks and privileges. Once he retired, he found that he "lost" his status and that it was unsettling. That is another insight that is written on quite a bit-a person can find themselves on both sides of the rank line many times. An interesting read, though somewhat monotonous.
Cell; Stephen King
My first Stephen King book in ages. This one took off with a bang right from the start and held my attention through the mid-way point. The ending suffered a bit, but in zombie movies, how does one keep it "fresh" and moving along? Not even King has mastered this aspect of zombie writing.
The Defense;VN
The better Nabokov book that I read this month. A man crushed by his own genius. The ending was very shocking to me and the patterns of the man's life and how it revolved around chess would be a joy for anyone to read. The writing style of Nabokov is at his best on this one.
The Eye; VN
A disappointment, it was hard to "track" in my mind's eye. To be honest, I floated right through it. Perhaps I will read it again this next month.
