Let The Great World Spin, I Am Not Myself These Days and Three Cups of Deceit Reviews
by Jenners • 10/05/2011 • 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Fiction, I Titles, K Authors, L Titles, Literary, M Authors, Memoir, Non-Fiction, T Titles • 59 Comments
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCannPublisher: Random House, 2009
Pages: 400
Genre: Fiction, Literary
Where I Got It: Bought it for my Kindle
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Brief Description: This is not an easy book to summarize. The basic idea is that, on August 4, 1974, a tightrope artist named Phillippe Petit illicitly walked across a wire stretched between the towers of the World Trade Centers in New York City. (This really happened by the way. Look at the photo below.) 
All around the city, people were buzzing about what Petit was doing. Using this unusual event as the backdrop for the book, McCann weaves together a series of stories involving a priest and his brother, a pair of mother/daughter prostitutes, a young artist and his wife, the judge who hears Petit’s case and his wife, and a group of mothers who have lost their sons in Vietnam. Like Petit in the book, McCann is performing a high wire act of his own—attempting to balance multiple stories on what begins to feel like a razor-thin wire.
My Thoughts: This book is an example of a new type of sub-genre that C.B. James recently discussed in his review of Ivan and Mischa: books told via “a series of interconnected short stories.” (Other examples of this sub-genre include A Visit from the Goon Squad and Olive Kitteridge.) However, unlike A Visit from the Goon Squad—which felt fresh and exciting and new (if not a little confusing)—I thought this book wasn’t well served by the interlinked stories style. First of all, the first story involving the priest John Corrigan felt way too long. We spend so much time getting to know him, that when McCann shifts to another story, it was very jarring and abrupt. Plus, it takes quite some time for all the stories to come together and intersect—almost until the last third of the book. Finally, I thought McCann overdid it on the interconnections between the characters. By having seemingly EVERYONE in the book end of up being connected in some way, it made New York City seem like a small town where everyone knows everyone else. This felt so unrealistic to me, and I just couldn’t buy into the story. So although I recognize what he was trying to do with this book, I think that (unlike Phillippe Petit) McCann stumbles and falls. Still, it was an interesting read, and I’m glad I gave it a try.
I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-PurcellPublisher: Harper Perennial, 2006
Pages: 308
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Where I Got It: Bought it
My Rating: 4 stars
Brief Description: Kilmer-Purcell’s first memoir (before the The Bucolic Plague) chronicles his days as a drag queen named Aqua and his doomed love affair with a crack addicted male escort who specializes in S&M. The relationship between Josh and his boyfriend Jack is the heart of the book, and it shines brightly before exploding into a supernova of pain, addiction and loss.
Josh Kilmer-Purcell as Aqua
My Thoughts: Kilmer-Purcell seems to have lived enough lives to fill many memoirs. Although it was hard to reconcile the Josh in this book (alcoholic ad man by day and drag queen by night) with the bumbling but persevering gentleman farmer of his second memoir, his wickedly sense of humor and self-depreciation was instantly familiar. Frankly, I’m impressed that Josh survived the days chronicled in this book long enough to transform himself into one of the Beekman Boys. Although this memoir is often really funny and fascinating in a “let’s see how the other more flamboyant half” lives sort of way, it is also filled self-destructive behavior that I found both compelling and horrifying. (I must warn you that this book isn’t for everyone. If graphic descriptions of gay sex, S&M, or drug use offends your sensibilities, steer clear!) Although Jack and Josh don’t live anything near a conventional lifestyle, their love affair feels doomed in a tragic Romeo and Juliet sort of way. And just because the heart being broken belongs to a 6-foot drag queen who keeps live goldfish in his corset doesn’t make this story any less affecting, emotional or touching.
Three Cups of Deceit by Jon KrakauerPublisher: Anchor, 2011
Pages: 96
Genre: Non-Fiction
Where I Got It: Bought it for my Kindle
My Rating: 4 stars
Brief Description: In this 30,000 word short-form book (which you can download from Byliner.com for your e-reader or as an audio book), journalist Jon Krakauer documents the result of his investigation into Greg Mortenson’s various misdeeds and deceptions. If you don’t know already, Mortenson is the author of the best-selling book Three Cups of Tea and the founder of the Central Asia Institute (CAI), which was created to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the years since his book was published, Mortenson has been a tireless advocate for the CAI and his books—raking in millions of dollars in donations. (Krakauer himself donated $55,000 to Mortenson’s cause.) However, when questions were raised about Mortenson’s management style and financial dealings, Krakauer felt compelled to investigate. The results of that investigation are documented in this book. Krakauer makes a damning case against Mortenson—exposing a series of falsehoods from Mortenson’s books (the most shocking being that Mortenson’s kidnapping by the Taliban NEVER HAPPENED!) and how Mortenson used the CAI as “his own personal ATM” and as a vehicle for augmenting his own profile and personal wealth. In addition, Krakauer exposes how numerous schools built by the CAI are “ghost schools”—sitting empty and abandoned due to lack of support and staff.
My Thoughts: Although I haven’t read Three Cups of Tea, my parents and brother were ardent supporters of Mortenson and his organization. When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it—not only because I respect Jon Krakauer as a person and a journalist, but because I knew how much Mortenson’s work had affected my parents and brother. When I told my brother I was reading this book, he asked to read it too. Despite his admiration for Krakauer, he was convinced that Three Cups of Deceit would not change his opinion about Mortenson. However, after reading it, his mind was changed …. and he felt as deceived as Krakauer and countless other Mortenson supporters. If you’ve read Three Cups of Tea or Mortenson’s other books or made a donation to the CAI, I urge you to read this book to fully understand the degree of fraud, deceit and financial misdeeds perpetuated by Mortenson. I’m sure Krakauer and other Mortenson supporters wish this wasn’t a book that had to be written, but I think it is best for all involved to get the truth out there.
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These sound interesting, especially I Am Not Myself These Days. ‘chronicles his days as a drag queen named Aqua and his doomed love affair with a crack addicted male escort who specializes in S&M.’<- if that doesn't grab your attention, I don't know what will
Nice reviews.
I know — and it lives up to how outrageous that books sounds! Of course, to some people, I’m sure that description is a huge turn-off!!!
The whole Mortenson thing just angers me to no end. I enjoyed the book, thought the second one was better and donated to the cause. I mean, really, educating girls in Afghanistan… SO important on so many levels! And the deceit. I should probably read Krakauer’s book. Thank you for the review, I didn’t know it existed
I’m sure you’ll be even angrier when you read the Krakauer’s book since you sound quite invested in what Mortenson and his ventures. It is a terrible shame that the good ideas of what Mortenson stood for got very corrupted and messed up as money and fame affected him.
I’m so with you re: John Corrigan’s story being too long in LTGWS. I didn’t mind how all the short stories ended up connected, but I can see how it might annoy some.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on I Am Not Myself These Days, especially. The author lived near the bookstore where I used to work, and I know we sold books at a couple of events for him. I’d heard the book was pretty good, but not much else about it.
The longer I waited to review LTGWS, the more I decided I didn’t like it!
And I Am Not Myself These Days is definitely not a mainstream book like The Bucolic Plague is. It is good though. He can write and he has a great sense of humor. How neat that you got to be in his orbit for a little bit. I’d love to meet him or hear him talk one day.
My husband loved Let the Great World Spin but I haven’t read it yet. He loves deep literary fiction though, so his likes don’t often line up with mine. (So when he likes a book I get a little wary of it.)
I never did read Three Cups of Tea, which is surprising because I usually love that kind of nonfiction. When it was all the rage I had that knee-jerk reaction of not wanting to jump on the bandwagon. Then someone whose opinion I trust told me that the stories seemed very self-serving. So I just decided it wasn’t one I wanted to read. I was glad I hadn’t wasted my money supporting the author once I heard about all of his misdeeds.
Your friend was on the right track with the Three Cups of Tea book. I’m glad I didn’t read it either. It would have hurt more to read this book.
And I know what you mean about being wary of a book that someone else likes that you know you don’t totally see eye-to-eye with!
Love all 3 mini-reviews! I’m like you – I trust Krakauer implicitly too & if he uncovered untruths with the three cups of tea guy what purpose would he have to lie – especially if k.. Had donated $$ too! So sad that people stoop to such depths.
I think the fact that he donated such a significant sum makes his case more damning and his motivations more credible. It is a sad thing. It seemed that he (Mortenson) got carried away with his own hype and celebrity.
After reading your thoughts and everyone’s comments, I think that Three Cups of Tea is a must read.
And I hate it when characters are way too connected in a storyline too.
Thanks for the reviews Jenners
At this point. I’d just read Three Cups of Deceit and skip Mortenson’s book. Why line his pocket any further!
I totally wouldn’t have read Three Cups of Tea but was convinced to by someone and I really believed in Mortenson and what he was doing (though I never got around to donating or anything). And yet, as soon as Krakauer’s allegations came out, I started remembering how some of the things in the book just seemed too good to be true. Apparently they were, right? I wonder how hard it was for Krakauer to research his own friend and colleague. Sad.
The Mortenson thing is a really sad situation. So many people believe in him and what he was doing, and it got very messed up. I can’t imagine how Krakauer felt investigating someone that he donated $55,000 to because he believed in him and his mission. It must have been very difficult to do.
I read Stones into Schools and bought it hook, line, and sinker. Luckily I didn’t contribute to the organization. I read Three Cups of Deceit and agree with you that it is important for all of the Three Cups of Tea fans to read and understand. I was really disappointed in Mortenson and feel like Krakauer did a great job exposing him.
I think tons of people (Kraukauer included) bought into Mortenson’s story hook, line and sinker. I’m not sure if the word on Krakauer’s book is reaching all those people who bought Mortenson’s book, but I hope it does.
I really like the novels made up of interconnected stories. But I could definitely see where the length of each one, especially as they compare to each other, is something that should be taken into consideration. I have that book on my TBR and still look forward to it though.
I am so glad I never read Three Cups of Tea or got invested in that. That whole thing makes me so mad!
I do think that if one story goes on too long, the whole book can fall apart. For me, the first story went on and on and on a bit too long. It felt out of balance.
And I’m mad about the Three Cups of Tea thing and I didn’t even read the book or donate money. It is just a sin that he took advantage of people like that.
dang, i can’t believe this. SO many loved the “tea” book.
i appreciate, as always, your candor.
It is very sad about Three Cups of Tea. So many people believed in what they thought he was about. It was so sad to hear that he didn’t live up to it.
Like I said on James’ site, I like interconnected short stories, so I may have to pick up A Visit to the Goon Squad.
I think Goon Squad is the coolest and most original of those types of books. I suspect you would LOVE it. It seems right up your alley.
The tight rope photo is amazing, I would love to read an article on the subject of that real moment in time. And Aqua is hot as a drag queen, not as hot as my cousin, (he/she is phenomenal.) I love drag queen shows. They are fabulous.
I like stories told via interconnected short stories. Olive Kitteridge was a good one, not my fav though. I like Goon Squad better.
There must be books on the tightrope walker. When I think about what he had to do to organize it, it must be a fascinating story. Apparently, it wasn’t an officially sanctioned event.
And how cool that you have a drag queen cousin!! That must spice up family gatherings!!!
I have yet to read Olive Kittredge but I’m hoping to try it within the next year.
You always have intriguing mini reviews. I am trying to read Made in the USA but it’s kind of like a lifetime movie
Hmmm…Made in the USA. Who is the author?
I can’t even believe this, because I loved Three Cups of Tea and now I feel duped. I am SO going to buy that book and read up on the scandal. I hate that there is one though.
I know. My brother was all up in arms saying that there was no way that Krakauer could have make his case but it was pretty damning. It is sad that this happened. And I feel for Krakauer too because he was a total Mortenson supporter.
I’ve had a signed copy (David Oliver Relin) of Three Cups Of Tea for quite a while but haven’t read it. After reading this post I’m more interested in reading it as well as Three Cups of Deceit.
I think it is best to read both books back to back. I’m sure it will be even more eye-opening.
I Am Not Myself These Days sounds very entertaining. I have Let the Great World Spin on my shelf but I just haven’t made the time for it yet.
Drag queens are nothing if not entertaining! And if you read Let The Great World Spin, I’ll be curious to see if you like it or not.
I tried Let the Great World Spin in print and then in audio and gave up on the fourth story both times. Too many errors and just didn’t even remotely grab my interest. I am so glad I’m not the only one who was less than impressed.
I Am Not Myself These Days is going on my list along with Bucolic Plague (which I own and haven’t read).
Normally I’d say anything Krakauer goes on my list, but I didn’t read the Three Cups book and had no interest in it. Now that there is controversy, I have even less interest. I’m tough. LOL.
Sounds like you gave Let The Great World Spin a good try. I’m glad to be in your good company in not loving it.
And it would be a hoot to read both of Kilmer-Purcell’s memoirs together. They are wildly different!
And you are tough. Maybe you should whip Greg Mortenson into shape.
I loathed 3 Cups of Tea because of the writing, and I always felt bad because what kind of person did that make me to loathe a book about such a good cause? And now is it petty of me to feel relieved that Mortensen really isn’t all that and a bag of chips?
See, this totally lets you off the hook!! I heard the book wasn’t that well written, which is why I avoided it in the first place despite both my parents urging me to read it and sending me their copy.
They all sound interesting! Thanks for the reviews.
They are interesting for wildly different reasons. I love when I review a bunch of books that have almost nothing in common. I seem like a crazy reader.
I really enjoyed Let the Great World Spin but it took me awhile to fully appreciate it. The story of the tightrope walker worked in some ways but not in others. I never really thought about whether the connections between the characters made sense, mainly because it took awhile to get to these connections. I think what I enjoyed most was the writing.
I don’t really get WHY he had to work in the tightrope walker angle because, as you said, it didn’t always fit in. I felt like I was continually missing something. It felt like a stew with a lot of different ingredients in it but it just didn’t come together.
Oh my! I think I’m going to have to look for I am Not Myself These Days!
I suspect it is one of the more unique memoirs out there!
I’m glad to hear what you have to say about Let the Great World Spin, which just didn’t work for me, either. I thought, given the glowing reviews and awards, that the problem was me…I’m so relieved :whew!:
I’m relieved to hear you weren’t the biggest fan either!! I always doubt myself when a book is lauded by awards and bloggers I respect. I think “What am I missing exactly.” But I’ve realized, over time, that some books work for me and some don’t and that is just what it is!
Thanks for the reviewing of these three very different books, I have to say that out of the three my choice would have to be I Am Not Myself These Days as it sounds like such a fun quirky read.
Quirky is a good way to describe that book!
Though I really want to read all three of these, I think the weirdness of I Am Not Myself These Days pretty much guarantees that I will be adding that one to my shopping cart soon! As you know by now, I am not offended with flagrant strange behavior in the books that I read, and the mention of the live goldfish in the corset has me so very curious! I also have Let the Great World Spin, and haven’t read it yet. I have heard varying things about it, some loving it, and others saying that it just didn’t work for them. I am interested in seeing what I think about it. Great mini-reviews today. I loved them!
The whole drag queen/S&M escort stuff was VERY interesting … but I’m sure some would find it offensive and repulsive. I’m not one of those … and I’m glad you’re not either.
It would be fun to see what you think of Let The Great World Spin. Sounds like it might be a “love it” or “hate it” kind of book.
Unlike Sandy, I am DELIGHTED that you didn’t like Let The Great World Spin, because (a) I don’t want to want to read it and (b) I did try, but went DNF after just a few pages. And I think Krakauer is terrific. I haven’t read this one yet, but now that I have more time since I don’t have to read Let The Great World Spin (heh) maybe I will!
See, a great service I have done you. I’m curious WHY you got turned off after a few pages. I read it for the Reading Buddies over at Erin Reads so I’m not sure if I would have gone DNF if I hadn’t had that going for me.
I can honestly say that none of these particularly appeal to me. Well, the middle one might be interesting – and I do remember thinking the “gentleman farmer” review from his later life sounded okay. But that’s a good thing. I don’t NEED to want to read every book I read a review of!!
I can’t imagine having to read every book I read a review of. It would be mind-boggling!!!!!!
What a group of books! The first I might check out of the library first…the 2nd my library probably doesn’t even have :/ and the 3rd disappoints me to no end. I have 3 Cups of Tea on my TBR…I’m taking it off as soon as I finish this comment and would love to read Three Cups of Deceit. I am just naive enough to be completely upset when people who supposedly have done something good get sucked in by their own greed and power issues…WTF?
I suspect the second book isn’t in most libraries … HAHA. And it is sad about the Three Cups of Deceit. A lot of people believed in what that guy was doing.
I really liked the audio version of Let the Great World Spin. Very curious about Three Cups of Deceit as I did read Three Cups of Tea (but didn’t really care for it).
I’ve heard that Three Cups of Tea wasn’t very well written, but now even the facts of the book aren’t necessarily true either.
And now I’m wondering if audio was the way to go with Let The Great World Spin.
Well, I am devastated that you didn’t love Let the Great World Spin. On audio, it was probably one of the best books I read a couple of years ago. But you aren’t alone, not all loved it.
My son’s class all read Three Cups of Tea, so that expose was a big deal in our house. I’ve not read Krakauer’s report, but he usually covers his bases.
Sorry to let you down on not loving Let The Great World Spin. I think it was your review that got me to add it to my TBR pile in the first place … so you owe me a refund! HAHA! I could see that it might work better on audio actually.
And I wonder how many teachers who had kids read Three Cups of Tea dropped it after this Krakauer thing or discussed it. I trust Krakauer implicitly.