Loving Details For The Attentive
[Kafka, Anti-Semite and other artsy fartsy essays]
Reduced to self-publishing, my recent books get no publicity. Readers’ reviews are about all I can hope for. On 4/20/25, I received this 199 word screed from “western lands”:
In the fast-paced world we live in, sometimes we just need to escape and immerse ourselves in the adventures of others. Whether it’s through books, movies, or travel blogs, exploring different cultures and landscapes can provide a much-needed break from our daily routine. However this travelogue may not be what you expect.
Mr Dinh takes his readers on a journey through various places around the world. However, unlike other travelogues that are filled with exciting adventures and breathtaking experiences, this author’s travels are anything but extraordinary. Instead, the author details mundane activities such as eating at local restaurants, taking public transportation, staying at cheap hotels, and an occassional visit to historical landmarks. While some readers may find this mundane approach refreshing, I find it lacking in excitement.
One of the most controversial aspects of “Kafka anti-semite...” is the author's strong anti-American sentiments. Throughout the travelogue, the author criticizes American culture, politics, and society. From the author’s perspective, America represents everything that is wrong with the world—greed, consumerism, and arrogance. While some readers may appreciate the author’s honesty and willingness to speak out against what he perceives as injustices, others may find his views off-putting and divisive. Better reading elsewhere.
First off, the book in question is not a travelogue, but a series of appreciative essays on Evelyn Waugh, Jack London, George Orwell, Norman Lewis, Paul Bowles, Thomas Jefferson, Fred Reed, John Cassavetes, John Waters and Trần Vũ, etc. There are introductions to more obscure figures like the South African photographer, Billy Monk. My meditation on a mostly unknown writer who killed himself at age 26 is called “Breece D’J Pancake’s Quiet Magnificence.”