I've read it and I meant to do English chapter summaries, but I just haven't had the time do to that properly.
I have mixed feelings. Wiesner is very much writing for a German audience- it's hard to put into words how I mean that. How do I describe that... I somehow expected a more 'culturally sensitive' approach, to be honest.
For some reason I expected someone who has spent so much time in the US and around MJ to sound a bit more, ahem, worldly, to be honest. I did not get the feeling that Wiesner grasped some of the nuances.
Other parts have me confused, wondering and thinking, gosh, perception differs in people. When he described Forest Lawn- I was honestly scratching my head which grave or cemetery he visited- he made it sound as if it was an outdoor and accessible grave that can actually be easily visited.
But there are a few very funny stories in it as well. Overall it is very respectful and doesn't try to chop Michael to pieces with an overt "let's humanize and chop him down to size" bits.
If you expect great literature- then that is not the book for you. But it's an easy read, no dry spots etc. A few interesting details here and there.
Book needs serious editing though if it were to be translated into English as English/American readers tend to express themselves slightly differently- especially when it comes to sensitive matters such as philosophy, religion and spirituality. Overall though it was interesting to read how Wiesner perceived the NOI, for example.
I don't regret the purchase.
Chamife, if you speak Dutch- give it a try, why not. It is not too complicated- especially when one already has knowledge on Michael's life and the timeframe in which things happened- why not try reading it.
Happens to me all the time. Thanks to Michael I feel pushed enough to read books in French and Italian where I otherwise might be too apprehensive to even try it.
Btw, I intended to include the book in this thread- and I will probably end up doing English chapter summaries in that thread as well. (hopefully next weekend)
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...s-genres)-MJ-books-contemporaries-fans-others
