As much as I have enjoyed Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander novels they have been far from perfect. The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest takes that imperfection and turns it up to ten. The driving events are so preposterous it's hard to take the final novel of the series as seriously as its predecessors. At the same time, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest is hard to put down. Larsson has created characters that one is willing to spend time with no matter if the story they are involved with works or not, which in itself is a great achievement.
The book chronicles Mikael Blomkvist's attempts to prove Lisbeth Salander innocent of the events that occurred in the previous novel and thwart the plans of a clandestine government agency trying to quiet everyone who can out them. There are many problems with how the plot plays out, but my biggest hang up is the members of the agency themselves. The reader is supposed to believe that the members of this secret group, who have been functioning for over 30 years, who are having people killed, phones tapped, residences bugged, can't pick up on the fact that people are doing the same stuff to them. Blomkvist can figure out that the police have a tail on him, but highly trained members of the secret governmental agency have no clue. I found that hard to believe and once you lose that the plot falls to pieces.
Even if the story felt ridiculous, I kept reading because, if anything else, this novel does a good job of wrapping up the time we've spent with the characters over two other books. Larsson's greatest accomplishment is creating a group of characters that are endlessly interesting and entertaining. Many times over the three novels I found myself ravenously reading pages upon pages of mundane detail and I can't credit that to anything but the depth of the characters. I shouldn't care how many frozen pizzas Salander picks up at a convenience store but I do. Larsson makes all the time and emotion put into the characters pay off. We're given resolution without tying everything up with a pretty bow. The characters have problems that may never be solved but that's what makes them so enduring in the first place.
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest has more problems then I'd wish to get into here. It is far from the great or perfect novel people make it out to be. But in the end, character rises above everything else. It's a good read, not a great one, and even though, plot wise, it's a poor ending to the saga, it works as an endcap to our time with the characters.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Movie Review: Wanderlust
What is it about comedy that makes it a young man’s
game? Is it a closeness to the average
person? Is it a fresher take on
life? Is it a lack of creative
pressure? Whatever it is, it has become
quite obvious that the older and more successful a comedian becomes the less
funny he gets. This is best seen in the
movies, where comedians and comedy writers hit the scene with new fresh
hilarious material that slowly becomes more watered down and mainstream the
older they get. Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow,
Eddie Murphy, these are guys who made names for themselves with edgy ground
breaking comedy, they started out in movies that would show up on almost
everyone’s top 10 lists, but now they crank out nothing but rom-com slop.
It looks
like you can now add David Wain and Ken Marino to the list. The one time members of the influential
sketch comedy troupe The State and makers of comedy classics like Wet Hot
American Summer have just released Wanderlust.
Wanderlust was a movie I wanted to love but only found typical watered
down romantic mainstream crap. This
seems to be the type of movie one makes when success has been reached. Wain finally reached some level of mainstream
success with 2008’s Role Models and now gives us something that only hints at his
wonderful sense of humor. Maybe it is
studio pressure that causes the humor to be watered down. I understand that the more money the studios
put in the less control you get and the more pressure there is to appeal to a
wider audience, but it pains my heart to see great comedic names to be attached
to something so bland.
I am being a little harsh. Wanderlust
isn’t without its funny moments. There
were scenes where I found myself laughing out loud.
Alan Alda is great and steals every scene he's in. Michaela Watkins is amazing as Ken Mario's drugged up southern house wife. Her subtle yet intense approach to being married to the world's worst human is hilarious. And, of course, Paul Rudd has his moments, the funniest being when he tries to psychic himself up to have extra-marital sex with Malin Akerman.
You can see Wain’s and his other State friend’s sense of humor sprinkled
throughout the movie, but at its heart Wanderlust is a mainstream romantic
comedy and that’s what shines through. I
hope this movie is an aberration, that the next David Wain movie will have all
the off beat absurdest humor we’ve grown to love, but if history is any sign, don’t
hold your breath.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Top 5: Sketch Comedy Teams
I'm a huge fan of sketch comedy. If one can have a favorite form of comedy, sketch comedy would probably be my number one. That's not saying I don't love a good sitcom or that I don't spend way to much time searching out great stand-up, but if given a choice of only one type of comedy for the rest of my life, I would pick sketch. A great sketch can be absurd, poignant and satirical all at the same time. The only problem is as great as sketch comedy can be, when done wrong it is painful to watch. Just like any other form of comedy, there is an art to a well written, well acted sketch and not everybody is fit to create good art. What I love most about sketch comedy is that it's usually a group effort, a collection of different comedic voices coming together to make a masterpiece. In my opinion these groups are the masters of the art. I'm only listing sketch shows that were teams (no Dave Chapelle). When ranking I tried to figure in how much they made me laugh and what legacy team or show left and what the team members have gone on to accomplish...
5) The Ben Stiller Show
This comedy group looks like it will be forgotten by history even though it was highly acclaimed when it was on air and has spawned HUGE comedy careers. Some of the biggest names in mainstream comedy were part of this troupe, Ben Stiller, Judd Apatow, Andy Dick, Janeane Gaarofalo, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross. With out this show there is no Mr. Show (not ranked because I never watched it even though I am aware how beloved it is in comedy circles) and maybe no 40 Year Old Virgin. Most of the sketches were making fun of popular culture, stuff like "Counting With Bruce Sprinsteen" and "Die Hard 12: Die Hungry." My favorite was probably the Lassie spoof they did with Charles Manson playing the role of Lassie. The show didn't last long, one season on MTV and 13 episodes on Fox, which is why it is forgotten, but that doesn't make it any less funny or important.
4) SCTV
I feel this show doesn't get the recognition it deserves either. I'm guessing because it was a Canadian show it never carried the weight of Saturday Night Live, but many of the cast members would go on to SNL bringing the characters they created for SCTV with them. The cast list is a Who's Who of comedy, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Dave Thomas. They revolutionized the art of the sketch comedy television show and paved the way for the glut of sketch shows in the 90's. I really don't think I need to list the legacy these comedians have left behind because they are all that big. Without a doubt, my favorite SCTV skits are the "Great White North" sketches. The McKenzie brothers are one of my favorite comedic creations, with Strange Brew being one of my favorite all-time comedy movies.
3) Saturday Night Live '90-'94
Since this was more a list of comedy teams then comedy shows, I didn't think it was right for the list to just say Saturday Night Live so I picked a cast that I felt was the best. I know I could take a lot of heat for not picking the original cast. If you're talking just legacy it's hard to argue against them. Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Bill Murry, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris are like the Rolling Stones of sketch comedy. But my favorite cast will always be from the early 90's. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with nostalgia, I was in my teens when this cast was going strong, but I also feel strongly that this group was just as big and influential as the original. Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade... are there any bigger names in comedy today? These were the people who shaped my young comedy mind and I couldn't imagine my teenage years without them. This group went on to make some of the best comedy movies of the era as well, Wayne's World, Bill Madison, Tommy Boy. I will always argue this was SNL's best cast.
2) The State
This MTV sketch show is starting to become forgotten even though many of the cast members play huge roles in today's best comedy. I loved this show as a teenager and have followed the members on to there new project with crazy devotion. Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Kerri Kenney, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, David Wain all made up the shows cast. If you don't recognize the names you don't pay attention to comedy. They've had numerous Comedy Central shows (Stella, Reno 911, Viva Variety), written movie blockbusters (Night At The Museum, The Pacifier), starred in comedy classics (Wet Hot American Summer). Their humor hits on all levels, it can be mainstream, it can be absurd, it can be sentimental. The best of The State includes sketches like "Doug", "Monkey Torture" and "$240 of Pudding."
1) Monty Python
This one is a no brainer. Sketch comedy as it is today would not exist without Monty Python. Sketch comedy existed before, but wasn't as smart. It has existed after but has only been a pale imitation. The biggest problem with sketch comedy is how to end a skit. You have a premise, you have some jokes but how to you wrap it all up in three minutes, how do you end things while maintaining the funny? Monty Python was the troupe that solved the problem by not ending the sketch, but instead just moving on. When the jokes ran out they didn't keep going just to wrap things up, they didn't try to come up with a punch line to go out on, they just found an absurd way to move on to the next thing. If the original SNL cast is the Rolling Stones of comedy, Monty Python is the Beatles. In my mind, all of today's comedy comes from Monty Python and they are by far the greatest sketch comedy team of all time.
Honorable Mentions: Kids In The Hall, Human Giant, Upright Citizen's Brigade
5) The Ben Stiller Show
This comedy group looks like it will be forgotten by history even though it was highly acclaimed when it was on air and has spawned HUGE comedy careers. Some of the biggest names in mainstream comedy were part of this troupe, Ben Stiller, Judd Apatow, Andy Dick, Janeane Gaarofalo, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross. With out this show there is no Mr. Show (not ranked because I never watched it even though I am aware how beloved it is in comedy circles) and maybe no 40 Year Old Virgin. Most of the sketches were making fun of popular culture, stuff like "Counting With Bruce Sprinsteen" and "Die Hard 12: Die Hungry." My favorite was probably the Lassie spoof they did with Charles Manson playing the role of Lassie. The show didn't last long, one season on MTV and 13 episodes on Fox, which is why it is forgotten, but that doesn't make it any less funny or important.
4) SCTV
I feel this show doesn't get the recognition it deserves either. I'm guessing because it was a Canadian show it never carried the weight of Saturday Night Live, but many of the cast members would go on to SNL bringing the characters they created for SCTV with them. The cast list is a Who's Who of comedy, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Dave Thomas. They revolutionized the art of the sketch comedy television show and paved the way for the glut of sketch shows in the 90's. I really don't think I need to list the legacy these comedians have left behind because they are all that big. Without a doubt, my favorite SCTV skits are the "Great White North" sketches. The McKenzie brothers are one of my favorite comedic creations, with Strange Brew being one of my favorite all-time comedy movies.
3) Saturday Night Live '90-'94
Since this was more a list of comedy teams then comedy shows, I didn't think it was right for the list to just say Saturday Night Live so I picked a cast that I felt was the best. I know I could take a lot of heat for not picking the original cast. If you're talking just legacy it's hard to argue against them. Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Bill Murry, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris are like the Rolling Stones of sketch comedy. But my favorite cast will always be from the early 90's. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with nostalgia, I was in my teens when this cast was going strong, but I also feel strongly that this group was just as big and influential as the original. Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade... are there any bigger names in comedy today? These were the people who shaped my young comedy mind and I couldn't imagine my teenage years without them. This group went on to make some of the best comedy movies of the era as well, Wayne's World, Bill Madison, Tommy Boy. I will always argue this was SNL's best cast.
2) The State
This MTV sketch show is starting to become forgotten even though many of the cast members play huge roles in today's best comedy. I loved this show as a teenager and have followed the members on to there new project with crazy devotion. Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Kerri Kenney, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, David Wain all made up the shows cast. If you don't recognize the names you don't pay attention to comedy. They've had numerous Comedy Central shows (Stella, Reno 911, Viva Variety), written movie blockbusters (Night At The Museum, The Pacifier), starred in comedy classics (Wet Hot American Summer). Their humor hits on all levels, it can be mainstream, it can be absurd, it can be sentimental. The best of The State includes sketches like "Doug", "Monkey Torture" and "$240 of Pudding."
1) Monty Python
This one is a no brainer. Sketch comedy as it is today would not exist without Monty Python. Sketch comedy existed before, but wasn't as smart. It has existed after but has only been a pale imitation. The biggest problem with sketch comedy is how to end a skit. You have a premise, you have some jokes but how to you wrap it all up in three minutes, how do you end things while maintaining the funny? Monty Python was the troupe that solved the problem by not ending the sketch, but instead just moving on. When the jokes ran out they didn't keep going just to wrap things up, they didn't try to come up with a punch line to go out on, they just found an absurd way to move on to the next thing. If the original SNL cast is the Rolling Stones of comedy, Monty Python is the Beatles. In my mind, all of today's comedy comes from Monty Python and they are by far the greatest sketch comedy team of all time.
Honorable Mentions: Kids In The Hall, Human Giant, Upright Citizen's Brigade
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Book Review: Zone One (48 in 2012? #8)
In Zone One, Colson Whitehead has taken a usually mindless
genre and turned it into a literary exercise.
To call this book a zombie novel wouldn’t be fair to those who read
zombie fiction or those who try to avoid it.
You won’t find the usual gore and suspense that the typical genre fare
holds. What you will find is wonderfully
writer prose and a valiant effort to use the zombie apocalypse as a metaphor
for the state the current population is under.
I know, I know, that’s the metaphor almost every zombie story tries to
make, but Whitehead does it by studying the characters instead of through
zombie attacks. Although those
characters sometimes boarder on cliché, there is plenty to take from the world
that Whitehead has created.
I’m not sure that Zone
One reaches the heights it’s intended too, but it is an enjoyable read. The world Whitehead has created is stark and
filled with poignant stories, even though it lacks any suspense or intense
action. The prose is what keeps the
novel ahead of its zombie genre brethren.
The vocabulary is beautiful and the pacing poetic. It’s not the best zombie novel I’ve read, but
an enjoyable read none the less.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Walking Dead: Judge, Jury, Executioner
I've been on board with The Walking Dead and its writers even though they has taken a lot of criticism. They might not be following the comic books to a tee. They might not be cranking out the most intelligent hour of television on the dial. They don't fill every minute of air time with zombie gore, either. But I've enjoyed the story they have been telling and the characters they have developed up until now. In my eyes, "Judge, Jury, Executioner" is The Walking Dead's first misstep. I understand why the writers did what they did, on a show like this you have to make the audience fear they could lose any character at any time, but I think Dale's death was misplaced and I fear the event's repercussions.
The Walking Dead is set in a world consumed by death; it's everywhere you look and at the core of every story told. To think that our favorite characters are immune to death themselves would be disingenuous to the world they now live in. At the same time, you would like to think their deaths would have some greater meaning in the grand story being told, that the writers would use the loss of a character to make the story richer. I just don't see that with Dale's death. It was random and meaningless, almost as if the writers realized they needed to kill someone off to keep true to the show and Dale seemed as good as anybody.
If Dale's death has any meaning, it's that hope and humanity are now dead in the world our character's are living in and that message scares me more then it having no message at all. Dale had grown to become the conscience of the group, the person who kept them grounded and reminded them there are still choices on how to behave. By having him die in such a random and pointless way, I can't help but feel hope died with him. If he died in some heroic gesture it would have supported his beliefs and the theory that there is still something to being living and acting with civility for. But instead we are left with the feeling that there is no room anymore for people like Dale and his humanity.
Even more bothersome for me is that his death came on the heels of such a great moment of hope. Rick stopping the execution of Randall after seeing the blood lust in his son's eyes was such a poignant moment; a realization where the group was headed and the effect it would have on the future. Now, who is going to carry that message on. Rick? As powerful as the moment may have been for him, I'm not sure it was a transcendental moment that is going to totally change his outlook on things. Rick is still the leader and leaders have to make tough choices. Him becoming the conscience of the group isn't realistic to his status. Andrea? She had some nice moments in the episode where Dale helped her see the errors in her behavior of late, but we've spent almost two seasons documenting her downward spiral. I don't think it's realistic to believe she's suddenly done a 180.
So, as far as I can see it, we're left with no hope. And as much as I understand that being a possibility in the world the show takes place in, I don't understand it from a story telling point of view. Why are these characters continuing on if there's no hope? Why am I watching if it's just a matter of time before all the characters are dead and society fails to exist? I want Dale's death to have meaning and purpose other then the loss of hope. The season isn't over yet, there is still more story to be told and maybe the writers are going to make it all come around, but I need to be given a glimmer of hope if I'm going to stay interested in the plight of this group of survivors. Hopefully that glimmer will be coming soon.
The Walking Dead is set in a world consumed by death; it's everywhere you look and at the core of every story told. To think that our favorite characters are immune to death themselves would be disingenuous to the world they now live in. At the same time, you would like to think their deaths would have some greater meaning in the grand story being told, that the writers would use the loss of a character to make the story richer. I just don't see that with Dale's death. It was random and meaningless, almost as if the writers realized they needed to kill someone off to keep true to the show and Dale seemed as good as anybody.
If Dale's death has any meaning, it's that hope and humanity are now dead in the world our character's are living in and that message scares me more then it having no message at all. Dale had grown to become the conscience of the group, the person who kept them grounded and reminded them there are still choices on how to behave. By having him die in such a random and pointless way, I can't help but feel hope died with him. If he died in some heroic gesture it would have supported his beliefs and the theory that there is still something to being living and acting with civility for. But instead we are left with the feeling that there is no room anymore for people like Dale and his humanity.
Even more bothersome for me is that his death came on the heels of such a great moment of hope. Rick stopping the execution of Randall after seeing the blood lust in his son's eyes was such a poignant moment; a realization where the group was headed and the effect it would have on the future. Now, who is going to carry that message on. Rick? As powerful as the moment may have been for him, I'm not sure it was a transcendental moment that is going to totally change his outlook on things. Rick is still the leader and leaders have to make tough choices. Him becoming the conscience of the group isn't realistic to his status. Andrea? She had some nice moments in the episode where Dale helped her see the errors in her behavior of late, but we've spent almost two seasons documenting her downward spiral. I don't think it's realistic to believe she's suddenly done a 180.
So, as far as I can see it, we're left with no hope. And as much as I understand that being a possibility in the world the show takes place in, I don't understand it from a story telling point of view. Why are these characters continuing on if there's no hope? Why am I watching if it's just a matter of time before all the characters are dead and society fails to exist? I want Dale's death to have meaning and purpose other then the loss of hope. The season isn't over yet, there is still more story to be told and maybe the writers are going to make it all come around, but I need to be given a glimmer of hope if I'm going to stay interested in the plight of this group of survivors. Hopefully that glimmer will be coming soon.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Book Review: The Strain (48 in 2012? #7)
There are some books that while I am reading them I see them playing out like a movie. I imagine what the scene would look like and how the text could be slightly changed to work in its sister format. The best example I can think of was World War Z,which I almost wrote a script for because the story was screaming for the big screen. I couldn't help but picture how the action would play out and how the unique style of writing would work in a movie format. I certainly wasn't the only one to see the book's potential because the movie is coming out later this year. The Strain gave me that same feeling, but as I sat there reading, picturing the movie scenes in my head, I never fooled myself into thinking I could adapt it since it's co-author is one of the best movie makers out there, Guillermo del Toro.
The Strain is an exceptional horror story. It has you on the edge of your seat from the first few pages and never lets up. The action is intense, the suspense is as good as any I've ever read. It's yet another vampire book, yet it felt fresh and new in every way. The authors treat vampires more like viruses then creatures of the night and give the transformation from human to monster a whole new mythology. The creatures that haunt the pages of the book felt like a mixture of zombie and vampire and functioned in ways that have never been explained in other vampire book that I have read.
It feels odd to say that someone is breathing new life and mythology into the vampire genre at this point in the game, but that's what The Strain has done. This isn't your teenage daughter's vampire story. This isn't Anne Rice or Charlaine Harris's vampire stories. It is much closer to Bram Stoker then what we see today, but takes away all the mythology and superstition Stoker created. It's a horror story, not a love story. And I can't wait until del Toro comes out with the movie.
The Strain is an exceptional horror story. It has you on the edge of your seat from the first few pages and never lets up. The action is intense, the suspense is as good as any I've ever read. It's yet another vampire book, yet it felt fresh and new in every way. The authors treat vampires more like viruses then creatures of the night and give the transformation from human to monster a whole new mythology. The creatures that haunt the pages of the book felt like a mixture of zombie and vampire and functioned in ways that have never been explained in other vampire book that I have read.
It feels odd to say that someone is breathing new life and mythology into the vampire genre at this point in the game, but that's what The Strain has done. This isn't your teenage daughter's vampire story. This isn't Anne Rice or Charlaine Harris's vampire stories. It is much closer to Bram Stoker then what we see today, but takes away all the mythology and superstition Stoker created. It's a horror story, not a love story. And I can't wait until del Toro comes out with the movie.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Top 5: Current Authors
I don't do enough of these things on book topics, so I thought I come up with something that celebrates my favorite hobby. Today is Top 5 Favorite Current Authors. This is authors who are currently publishing books. It is also my favorites, not necessarily the best (although I'd like to think I have a pretty good eye for good prose)...
5) Chuck Palahniuk
Best know for Fight Club, Palahniuk has a way of writing about the disgusting in a very frank way. Haunted has a short story in it that actually made me vomit a little in my mouth. As gross and vulgar as Palahniuk can be, he is also a great story teller, a brilliant satirist, and an intriguing social commentator. His books aren't always easy to digest, but they are well written and highlight aspects of humanity we aren't always willing to look at.
4) Michael Chabon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is one of my all time favorite novels. I remember getting to the last few pages and feeling depressed that the book would soon be over and the characters would no longer be in my life. Chabon paints wonderful characters that draw you into the stories he is telling. He's probably the most highly acclaimed author on my list. Can't wait to read the new book he has coming out later this year.
3) Dan Simmons
Chabon may be the most acclaimed, but I think Simmons is the most talented. Simmons has written at least one novel in every conceivable book genre except Romance and nails every single one of them. I can't imagine his publisher is happy with this, but he does it so well and is able to keep his own voice so strong that he carries a large audience with him no matter the genre. His most famous work is probably the Hyperion sci-fi novels, but he started with horror (Song of Kali is a horror masterpiece) and has written hard boiled PI (Hardcase), crime thriller (Darwin's Blade) and historical fiction (The Crook Factory).
2) Nick Hornby
I relate to Nick Hornby's work more then any other piece of literature. High Fidelity is easily my favorite novel of all time. I've read it at least three times and can never get enough. I feel like Hornby writes me better then I can do myself. His books aren't pieces of art, they aren't the best prose I've ever seen, they don't make deep social commentary. There is just something about his sensibilities that I love and am drawn to. His characters and their dilemmas feel real, not a construct of plot or commentary and I really enjoy that.
1) Chuck Klosterman
Klosterman makes me think. Both his fiction and his essays are written from a point of view that questions our way of thought. He uses pop culture to make points about how we relate as a society and question how we think as a people. And, he does it all without taking himself or his work seriously. I love Klosterman because I walk away from his writing with a good laugh and a deep thought to carry around.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Franzen, Joe Nesbo, Jeffrey Eugenides,
5) Chuck Palahniuk
Best know for Fight Club, Palahniuk has a way of writing about the disgusting in a very frank way. Haunted has a short story in it that actually made me vomit a little in my mouth. As gross and vulgar as Palahniuk can be, he is also a great story teller, a brilliant satirist, and an intriguing social commentator. His books aren't always easy to digest, but they are well written and highlight aspects of humanity we aren't always willing to look at.
4) Michael Chabon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is one of my all time favorite novels. I remember getting to the last few pages and feeling depressed that the book would soon be over and the characters would no longer be in my life. Chabon paints wonderful characters that draw you into the stories he is telling. He's probably the most highly acclaimed author on my list. Can't wait to read the new book he has coming out later this year.
3) Dan Simmons
Chabon may be the most acclaimed, but I think Simmons is the most talented. Simmons has written at least one novel in every conceivable book genre except Romance and nails every single one of them. I can't imagine his publisher is happy with this, but he does it so well and is able to keep his own voice so strong that he carries a large audience with him no matter the genre. His most famous work is probably the Hyperion sci-fi novels, but he started with horror (Song of Kali is a horror masterpiece) and has written hard boiled PI (Hardcase), crime thriller (Darwin's Blade) and historical fiction (The Crook Factory).
2) Nick Hornby
I relate to Nick Hornby's work more then any other piece of literature. High Fidelity is easily my favorite novel of all time. I've read it at least three times and can never get enough. I feel like Hornby writes me better then I can do myself. His books aren't pieces of art, they aren't the best prose I've ever seen, they don't make deep social commentary. There is just something about his sensibilities that I love and am drawn to. His characters and their dilemmas feel real, not a construct of plot or commentary and I really enjoy that.
1) Chuck Klosterman
Klosterman makes me think. Both his fiction and his essays are written from a point of view that questions our way of thought. He uses pop culture to make points about how we relate as a society and question how we think as a people. And, he does it all without taking himself or his work seriously. I love Klosterman because I walk away from his writing with a good laugh and a deep thought to carry around.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Franzen, Joe Nesbo, Jeffrey Eugenides,
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