Hey there. After perusing your library, I'm thinking I'll read Remains of the Day and something by Alfred Bester. I can't believe I never heard of him 'til now. I might also read Lonesome Dove. I'm not really into westerns, but it still seems worth reading--the sort of book that transcends genre (hopefully). Thanks for sharing.

posted by chearst at 4:48 am (EST) on May 24, 2008

Hey Abbot,

Actually I recommend "Blood on the Forge" very highly. It is an amazing snapshot of life in the inner cities for black workers who migrated north during the early 20th century. It's grim, gritty, and you can feel the sweat and bile on your skin as you read it. It is a hard hitting novel, there is no letup, but you do get caught up in the lives of the Moss brothers. Really fantastic stuff and I'm amazed that it dropped off the map into obscurity. That's one of the things I like about NYRB Books, they just pluck these gems out of nowhere and bring them back into print.

Ken

posted by kwohlrob at 1:15 pm (EST) on Mar 21, 2008

Hey there. Thanks for adding me as a friend. I'm amazed I actually found someone else who has read "Blood on the Forge." Every time I mention that book, people give me blank stares.

posted by kwohlrob at 8:09 am (EST) on Mar 19, 2008