james greer

Film socialisme

Via James Greer, a free and legal artist-offered download of Jean-Luc Godard’s latest (and perhaps final) film: Film socialisme, which according to IMDB = “A symphony in three movements. Things such as a Mediterranean cruise, numerous conversations, in numerous languages, between the passengers, almost all of whom are on holiday… Our Europe… Our humanities. Visits to six sites of true or false myths: Egypt, Palestine, Odessa, Hellas, Naples and Barcelona.” Here’s a trailer:

Film / 17 Comments
June 4th, 2010 / 1:01 pm

The success of The Failure by James Greer

The Failure is a hell of a book. Greer is a funny writer, a smart writer, and a talented synthesizer of contemporary life with an older kind of storytelling. It’s greatest success, though, is its chorus of voices.

The plot, briefly: Guy Forget has discovered a scheme to make money on the internet, but he needs start-up cash. Unable to secure it from family, he decides that, with his friend Billy, he will rob a Korean check cashing business.

Much of the book is dialogue, characters in conversation, with little scene setting beyond the précis masquerading as a chapter title at the beginning of each section. The book moves back and forth through time and location—the introductions for each paragraph are the signposts that put the writing that follows in context. With no moments to stop and look at the scenery, as it were, the weight of the novel is right there on the characters. The book is concerned with a different kind of location. The location of the relationships between its characters.

Guy and Billy are the book’s down-at-heel Abbott and Costello. Guy, like all great losers, considers himself moments away from the win that will change his life. Billy, his dim bulb partner-in-soon-to-be-disastrously-failed-crime.

Let me ask you a question: who do you think would win in a fight between a squirrel and a cat? said Guy.

-Depends on the cat, obviously, said Billy. -But in general the cat. I had a cat once, used to kill squirrels and bring them back to the house, as presents, or trophies, or something…

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Uncategorized / 11 Comments
April 21st, 2010 / 6:51 pm

James Greer Book Tour

James Greer, author of the most recently released, The Failure, from Akashic, is on the road. If you’re nearby, don’t miss this one. James is a force, and Steven Soderbergh agrees: “James Greer’s The Failure is such an unqualified success, both in conception and execution, that I have grave doubts he actually wrote it.”

Quimby’s Bookstore–CHICAGO, IL–1845 W. North Ave.,
*Featuring Zach Dodson, author of Boring Boring Boring Boring Boring Boring Boring, and Natalie Edwards

Wed., May 5, 7pm–CINCINNATI, OH–Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road

Thurs., May 6, 7:30pm–DAYTON, OH–Books & Co., 350 E. Stroop Rd.
*Robert Pollard from Guided by Voices (the band in which James once upon a time also played) will introduce James!

Sat., May 8, 10am-4:30pm–COLUMBUS, OH–Ohioana Book Festival, State Library of Ohio, 274 E. First Ave.

Tues., May 18, 7pm–NEW YORK, NY–Bluestockings Books, 172 Allen St.
*Featuring Maggie Estep, author of Alice Fantastic and Joseph Mattson, author of Empty the Sun

Wed., May 19, 7pm–NEW YORK, NY–Center for Fiction, 17 East 47th St.
*Akashic spring book party featuring Arthur Nersesian, Cristina Garcia, Bernice L. McFadden, and James Greer and Joseph Mattson, author of Empty the Sun, with cohosts Melvin Van Peebles and Johnny Temple! AN EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED!

Thurs., May 20, 7pm–BROOKLINE, MA–Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St.
*Joseph Mattson, author of Empty the Sun

Author News / 7 Comments
April 21st, 2010 / 1:20 pm

Little House on the Bowery Reading

Dennis Cooper, James Greer, and Mark Gluth read at City Lights, March 16, 2010

Web Hype / 8 Comments
March 24th, 2010 / 8:49 am

Dennis Cooper | Mark Gluth | James Greer Tour

Good news for West Coast kids: Dennis Cooper, Mark Gluth and James Greer will be touring on the west coast in the next few weeks, in support of the Little House on The Bowery. Don’t miss these underground new-post-avant-narrative visionaries or you’ll be catching the rehashed versions of them in 5 years!

Mon., March 15, 7pm
Book Soup
8818 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
*Featuring Mark Gluth, James Greer, and Dennis Cooper.

Tues., March 16, 7pm
City Lights
261 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA
*Featuring Mark Gluth, James Greer, and Dennis Cooper.

Thurs., March 18, 7:30pm
Powell’s
1005 W. Burnside
PORTLAND, OR
*Featuring Mark Gluth and James Greer

Fri., March 19, 7pm
Richard Hugo House, Cabaret Space
1634 11th Ave.
SEATTLE, WA
*Featuring Mark Gluth and James Greer

Author News / 4 Comments
March 8th, 2010 / 1:07 pm