Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close v. Veronica
presented by
ROUND ONE
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
v. Veronica
Judged by Kate Schlegel
There are two ways of thinking when it comes to re-reading books. Some argue the first experience of a book is the best, never to be re-created with a second reading, while others vow multiple readings can enhance the reader’s understanding and opinion of a book. I am firmly in this second category, a veteran re-reader since elementary school.
Nevertheless, I read Veronica and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close just one time each for this tournament, and I’m basing my choice of the winner of this round on their re-reading potential. Veronica, while beautifully written, didn’t keep me coming back for more even as I was working my way through it. And I do mean “working.” The story of a middle-aged woman remembering her days as a model and the friends she made—one in particular, who died of AIDS—is terribly sad and slow. Though it’s short, at 227 pages compared with Extremely Loud’s 340 or so, the prospect of reading it again is daunting.
I’ll mention that this is one of the first books I’ve seen to successfully address the trauma of the Sept. 11 attacks without turning overly sappy.
Foer’s book, dealing with the aftermath of Sept. 11, is also sad at times, but it’s lightened considerably by a preternaturally engaging young narrator and a plot that actually feels like it’s going somewhere. Foer relies on photographs, font quirks, and other gimmicky interruptions to keep the plot moving along. Normally, I wouldn’t appreciate that, but in this case they contributed to the overall feel of the book as a keepsake or scrapbook of a child. The best part is that while they look childish, there’s a writerly reason for them, content behind them—making me think a second reading would uncover more meaning.
(In addition, and as an aside to New Yorkers, I’ll mention that this is one of the first books I’ve seen to successfully address the trauma of the Sept. 11 attacks without turning overly sappy or whipping out the American flag.)
I’m honored to have the chance to pick the winner in a match-up between a National Book Award finalist and a TMN reader favorite. In this case, I’m siding with the readers. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close moves along to the next round.
Advancing:
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Match Commentary
with Kevin Guilfoile
First of all, let me say that “rereaders” such as Kate are killing the book publishing industry. People who reread novels are buying only half as many books as their monoreading counterparts. At a time when the overall consumption of literary fiction is bottoming out like Paul Prudhomme’s Mardi Gras float, we simply must have zero tolerance for people who reread books they’ve already digested. Rereading Midnight’s Children, for instance, is no different from breaking into Salman Rushdie’s luxurious Manhattan apartment and stealing a wheel of imported cheese. Teenagers who go see Dodgeball seven times might be saving the movie business, but rereaders are destroying book publishing and they ought to be ashamed of themselves. It’s simple: Read a book. While reading, pay very close attention. Mount the book like a 12-point trophy buck on a shelf in your living room. Go read another book.
Nevertheless, the public finally gets what it’s been clamoring for: Competent and morally accountable political leadership. Ha! I’m kidding. Obviously nobody anywhere in the world gives two short hairs about that. Of course what I’m talking about is the cage match between Brooklynite lovers Nicole Krauss and Jonathan Safran Foer. As frustrating as it must be to lose the Rooster, ladies and gentlemen, think how maddening it would be to have a constant reminder of your bitter defeat doodling about the house in the form of a free-range cock.