The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2004)

by Mark Haddon



Mark Haddon has written a moving novel about love and bravery through the eyes of a British autistic boy. Christopher discovers his neighbor's poodle dead, impaled by a pitchfork, and, because he adores puzzles, he sets out to solve the mystery of who killed Wellington . But Christopher is autistic, a boy who doesn't like to be touched and cannot decipher emotions beyond the tools his teacher has taught him, and so the task requires the huge effort of testing rules and facing his own fears. A literalist by neurology, he deconstructs life into a set of mathematical equations and physical laws. This unique perspective makes him a good detective on one level, where clues and logic rule, but it also fails him on another, higher one because he cannot understand the magnitude of what he uncovers.
That Haddon was able to write a book from Christopher's point of view with all his quirks and still make him lovable is extraordinary. By necessity, the writing is simple and unadorned, but the language of details elevates it from the mundane. The insertion of mathematical puzzles and drawings add to the reader's understanding of how Christopher's mind works. Haddon's real skill is an understatement that allows the reader to comprehend what is going on even if Christopher cannot. Although Christopher cannot grasp subtlety and nuances, the reader can, and that's where the true force of this exceptional novel lies.

This short, easy to read book can be completed in a couple of sittings, although its impact will last much longer.

Keep It Together (2003)

by Guster



I have been with Guster since Lost and Gone Forever, and Keep It Together surpasses their superb earlier work. I am proud to say that EVERY SIGNLE person I have introduced this CD to-- I usually start with the catchy "Careful," has loved them.

This is the CD where Guster break out of their "those three guys with the bongo drummer" mold and launch into superb pop rock-- one of my friends who I convinced to go with me to one of their shows described their sound as kind of "Toad the Wet Sprocket with happier lyrics." But I think they stand on their own as one of the most unique, tuneful, and underappreciated (except by their fans-- count me as one!)/underestimated bands out there.

Keep it Together starts out with "Diane," which builds up and showcases singers Adam and Ryan's unbelievable vocal harmonies. This continues throughout the CD-- every song here is superb! "Ramona" is one of my favorites, with everyone pitching in for some Beach Boys-esque heartfelt harmonizing for a genuinely touching song.

Playing along with them on the CD, and touring with them as well, is the talented Joe Pisapia, who rounds out their sound and from what I have heard is now a permanent member of the band. Despite what many may see as a band that is no longer who they were, I see this as a band who is willing to evolve, experiment and grow, and it pays off.

If you like MUSIC at all, you will not be disappointed with Keep It Together. This is a catchy, toe tapping, sing-along CD that I had in extremely heavy rotation for two years straight.

And if you get a chance to see Guster live, GO!!!! They are great and will make you a huge fan if you are not already. I cannot recommend this CD more highly, which is why it is on my desert island list.

Altered States (1980)

Directed by Ken Russell



If there is such a thing as genetic memory, than all the phases of human evolution must lie somewhere in our genetic code. What if there was a way we could tap into that stream of information through consciousness? What would we see? What would we learn? Professor Eddie Jessup (William Hurt in his debut role) is intrigued by the data being produced by the use of isolation tanks to induce altered states of consciousness, and decides to undergo the experience himself. What he discovers at first is the ability to relive with total clarity experiences of his childhood. As he continues these experiments, his visions become more acute and filled with religious illusions. Years go by and Jessup has become sedated with the trappings of academia, leaving him unfulfilled and longing for the good old days of experimentation and wonder. He visits a tribe of Mexican Indians that use a hallucinatory drug to evokes a common experience in all users and has the trip of his life! What might he learn inside an isolation tank while being under the influence of this drug? Would he be able to peel away the layers of evolutionary time back to early man and beyond? Perhaps even back to the first thought? His scientific curiosity will not let him resist this challenge. With Ken Russell's visuals and the incredible musical effects of John Corigliano, this film can be absolutely exhilarating.