Category Archives: Uncategorized

Review of "The Lousy Adult" Alongside Stephen Graham Jones's "Not For Nothing"

Posted on September 3, 2014 by williamjcobb

So the Dallas Morning News published this last Sunday a review of several books by (ex or present) Texas writers and my book of stories The Lousy Adult was one of those mentioned, but the cooler thing is that it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in books, The West, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged Book Reviewing, Fiction Writing, Good Fiction, Stephen Graham Jones, The Lousy Adult | Leave a comment

On Running the Austin, Texas Marathon at Age 56: a Survivor's Story!

Posted on February 25, 2014 by williamjcobb

So I like how everything has become a “survivor’s story” now, even the most humdrum of accomplishments, like “I stood in line for three hours to get tickets to the Lady Gaga concert, and I survived!” Now running a marathon … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Marathon Running | Leave a comment

On Morris Collins's Knockout Debut Novel, "Horse Latitudes," and the Anxiety of Influence, Part 2

Posted on June 26, 2013 by williamjcobb

So in my review/comments about Kent Wascom’s debut novel The Blood of Heaven I mentioned how the press release hyped it as being similar to Cormac McCarthy, which it is, stylistically, but how I don’t think his feet should be … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Uncategorized | Tagged Book Reviewing, Cormac McCarthy, Fiction Writing, Good Fiction, Morris Collins | Leave a comment

On Kent Haruf's new novel, "Benediction," and Anticipation for the Upcoming New Coen Brothers' Film, "Inside Llewyn Davis"

Posted on June 11, 2013 by williamjcobb

So Kent Haruf’s new novel, Benediction, came out last February, but I waited until I came to Colorado to buy it, because I know Kent. He lives near Salida, about fifty miles from where my summer (writing) home is, and … Continue reading →

Posted in books, books/film, The West, Uncategorized | Tagged Book Reviewing, Coen Brothers, Fiction Writing, Good Fiction, Kent Haruf, The West | Leave a comment

James Franco Does William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying," Plus Cormac McCarthy & the Kiss of Death

Posted on May 15, 2013 by williamjcobb

So it’s buzz-building time for James Franco’s film version of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, which has to be one of the goofiest Southern Gothic classics of all, published in 1930, early in Faulkner’s career. Famous for its image of … Continue reading →

Posted in books/film, Cormac McCarthy, Uncategorized | Tagged As I Lay Dying, Book Reviewing, Cormac McCarthy | Leave a comment

"The Place Beyond the Pines": True Grit or Truly Gritty, With a Nod to Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Posted on May 6, 2013 by williamjcobb

So last night I caught the new Derek Cianfrance film The Place Beyond the Pines in St. Louis, once-great Gateway to the West, though the film should more fittingly be seen at a small cinema in New Paltz, New York, … Continue reading →

Posted in books/film, Film, Uncategorized | Tagged Film, The Place Beyond the Pines | Leave a comment

On What We Learn from Birds, as "The Bird Saviors" Appears in Paperback Next Month

Posted on April 21, 2013 by williamjcobb

So in yesterday’s New York Times there’s a good piece about what birds can tell us about climate, here. I’m definitely a birder, though I prefer the term “birdist,” and have my own style in BirdWorld: I don’t join herds … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, books, Climate Change, The West, Uncategorized, Water Crisis | Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Climate Change, Cormac McCarthy, Good Fiction, The Bird Saviors, The West, Water Crisis, Wildfires | Leave a comment

Review of Jim Crace's "Harvest"

Posted on March 12, 2013 by williamjcobb

So my review of Jim Crace’s new novel, Harvest, appeared Sunday in the Dallas Morning News, here. I liked the book, mainly for its style more than its subject or story, which was taken to task in an interesting review … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged Book Reviewing, Fiction Writing, Good Fiction | Leave a comment

Review of "Oz: The Great and Powerful," Plus "The Paperboy" Meets "The Master"

Posted on March 10, 2013 by williamjcobb

So last night I stumbled into the new James Franco/Mila Kunis special effects love-a-thon Oz: the Great and Powerful, and could easily do one of those catty, snarky Hollywood send-ups that go, “It was like The Princess Bride meets The … Continue reading →

Posted in books/film, Film, Nicole Kidman, Pete Dexter, Uncategorized | Tagged Film, Nicole Kidman, Oz: the Great and Powerful, The Master, The Paperboy | Leave a comment