Book Review #4 (2.13.11)

Book Review

In his own words, a singular man’s double life

By Dwight Garner

Book: Under the sun” by Bruce Chartwin.

Published on February 17, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/books/18book.html

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“In his own words, a singular man’s double life” by Dwight Garner seems to criticize the book called “Under the sun”, whose book is by Bruce Chartwin. He uses some of literary techniques to show this.

Garner describes Chartwin as “not thoroughly likable”, which is a harsh diction choice. It shows disapproval toward him. Garner also describes Chartwin as “wicked”, which seems to suggest that Chartin is not kind. This seems to be one of the strengths of this piece. The use of diction clearly shows the author’s position.

Imagery is one of the techniques that Garner used. He states that reading Under the sun is like “watching an angry gecko seize a passing trouser leg.”, which clearly creates negative feeling toward the book itself since gecko on trouser leg tends to create negative feeling. This also seems to be one of the strengths of this piece since imagery contains strong vivid images about certain things and can contain vital information regarding the subject.

Garner uses syntax as well to criticize the book. For instance, he states that Chartwin “restlessness- he need to be “perpetuum mobile”…-made him one of the least conventional men on the planet.” The use of “-“, or also known as dash, creates extra redundant and boring sentence, thus creating negative feelings toward Chartwin. Because Garner uses literary techniques well and that book review is well constructed, I have unable to find any weakness in this piece. The critical perspective of this particular book review seems to be New Historicism. Not only Garner focuses on the book, but also author’s background. 

There seems to be a connection between this piece and Anne Frank’s diary, in which I read in freshman year. Dwight Garner states on Under the sun, the voice “grows lovelier, grainier, more confident, more wicked.” Anne Frank’s diary’s voice seems to do that, too. In the beginning, the voice seems to be weak. For example, it seems to have less confident. However, as the story progress, it becomes stronger and more confident more than ever.