#363 Self-Design Faults in the Volvo 760 Turbo: A Manual

#363 Self-Design Faults in the Volvo 760 Turbo: A Manual

There are many different kinds of humor, but for the sake of this story, lets say there are only two. There is the kind of humor where something is funny and you laugh, physically, verbally, noticeably, etc. Then there is the type of humor where you cerebrally recognize something is funny, don’t actually laugh and say something like: “Hey, that clever.” Will Self writes this second type of humor. I sometimes find it clever, but never actually laugh out loud.

This is written as a car safety manual, containing sections headed: “instruments and Controls,” “Body and Interior,” “Starting and Driving,” “Wheel and Tyres.” What it really is a manifesto for urban adultery. Bill is trying to rationalize his infidelity and like the ego/id-driven male archetype, he connects sex with automobiles. See? Clever!

Rating: 7-8-6-6 Total= 27

#321 Tough, Tough Toys, for Tough, Tough Boys- Will Self

#321 Tough, Tough Toys, for Tough, Tough Boys- Will Self

Thoughts while driving a fast car, I guess this is supposed to be a road story (until its not). It gives a nod to Kerouac, mentioning both him and "some dharma," but this reads like the author never read Kerouac. It reads like the author thinks this is what other road stories are about.

This story lost me quickly, then slogged on for another thirty pages, containing nothing that aided to the story. Between the random thoughts dropping from the driver’s head, the story suffered from Self’s relentless attempts at cleverness, most of which fell flat.

Good sentences ruined by forced word play or shoe-horned-in metaphors. Take a look at these few clips:

“…there was the sense that as the car plunged south—switch backing over spurs, and charging down hillsides—it was taking Bill out of the unimagined world and into the world that was all too clearly conceived of, fixed in its nature, hammered into banality by mass comprehension.”

“The wands of memories interleaved themselves with the sprigs of scenery, and then the whole hedge of impressions was further shaped and molded by the music which poured from all four corners, before being flattened by the mantra of impulsion.”

I really like rich language, but this is tiresome and feels forced. Self’s writing style is not a voice that hits my ear naturally, but his story telling usually makes the read worth while. This one is a miss for me.

Rating: 6-5-3-5 Total= 19