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Title: Make-Believe Town: Essays and Remembrances by David Mamet ISBN: 0-316-54340-3 Publisher: Little Brown & Co Pub. Date: 01 April, 1996 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.75 (4 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: A Collection of Essays
Comment: The 3 that I give this collection of essays is due to the fact that some of the essays are a pure delight and would earn the book a 5/5 stars, while others are down right offensive and whiney. I'd like to focus on the positive and say that any fan of Mamet should definitely buy this book. It is a quick read and a pleasure (mostly).
On the positive side, the book consists of 24 short essays, of which a few are among the most wonderful that I have ever read. Of particular interest was a story about gambling in Chicago. It is worded so beautifully, that the reader aches when it finishes. Another story is about his days as a copy editor on a pornographic magazine that is rather entertaining. Finally, there is an essay that all would-be writers will love called 'The Diner' that discusses the craft of writing in relation to where one writes ' as well as a number of takes on screenwriting, etc. I've left out a ton of great essays out, but this at least gives a window into the breadth that this book covers.
On the offensive side, I too am a Jew. However, Mamet becomes so 'Us v. the Christian them' in some of the stories that I was actually turned off to him as a person. One essay criticizes 'Shindler's List' as being a terrible movie as if Mamet has ever written or directed anything as powerful. In another, he talks on the subject of minority rights in such a way that I want to slap him upside the head and tell him to quit his whiney driveling. Finally, in the wake of September 11th, his criticism of the government and their military actions were enough to cause me to put the book down.
As is always the risk in personal essays, some make me value Mamet as a talented writer, and some make me want to see his career come to a bitter end. The only way you too can judge is to buy this book and read it. At the end of the day, I'm happy I went on the journey' but wanted to warn you all about some of the sights.
Rating: 5
Summary: Wow - What a smart guy!
Comment: Having been my first Mamet book, I was startled to realize just what an extraordinary talent lay beyond the creation of his play 'Glengarry Glen Ross.' Looking back, it was naive to think that a mere 'hack' could have written such an invective piece (which I first viewed as the popular major motion picture), that talent like that would be present in any endeavor. And that is the case with Mamet's 'Make-Believe Town : Essays and Remembrance.' I urge any fan, casual or dedicated, to read this book for Mamet's insight is spellbinding. It felt like I was actually spending time talking to the guy. Gosh. I really do love this book. -I'm gushing!
Rating: 4
Summary: Pure Mamet
Comment: Mamet writes on a variety of subjects, some "of importance" others meerly ruminations on past events or experiences. This leads to a certain uneven nature, as some essays seem like throw-aways in light of their immediate neighboors in the book. By the same token, some of the lighter subjects are the best in the book.
Overall: very good and required Mamet reading for any fan.
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Title: The Cabin: Reminiscence and Diversions by David Mamet ISBN: 0679747206 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 December, 1993 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Writing in Restaurants by David Mamet ISBN: 0140089810 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1987 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Three Uses of the Knife: On the Nature and Purpose of Drama by DAVID MAMET ISBN: 037570423X Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 13 June, 2000 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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Title: True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor by David Mamet ISBN: 0679772642 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 March, 1999 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: The Cryptogram by David Mamet ISBN: 0679746536 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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