25 Books in 25 Days: #1 A Way of Life, Like Any Other

After reading Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch – a reading memoir by someone who reads a book a day for a year – and then watching Madame Bibliophile do ‘Novella a Day in May‘ – I’ve decided I’m going to try something similar myself.

I’ve done a few weekends where I read as many novellas as I can, just to whittle down my tbr piles. And now I’m going try… 25 Books in 25 Days. Basically a book a day, though I may end up finishing off some I’ve got on the go. And sometimes those books will be SUPER short, depending on what else I’ve got on. But it’s a fun challenge, especially to see if I can fit it around my job etc., and will help me read some of the books I’ve got waiting for me.

And I’m going to write really quickly about all of them, as they happen, at least until I fail. OPTIMISM. I’m just going to go with where/how I got the book, a quotation, and quick general thoughts.

A Way of Life, Like Any Other (1977) by Darcy O’Brien

I bought this in April 2012, in Barter Books up in Alnwick, presumably because it’s a lovely NYRB Classics edition – though I do also seem to remember seeing it around the blogosphere.

It’s told as though a memoir by the child of Golden Age Hollywood actors (who are now a bit down on their luck). The main character negotiates a life dominated by his temperamental mother, but also filled with larger-than-life and slightly surreal other characters. The tone is heightened, but extremely engaging – and I really enjoyed it as a quirky, disruptive, often disjointed view of Hollywood. I’ve not read the introduction yet, so I don’t know how much Darcy O’Brien had to base on his own life.

“Stand there a minute,” he said. “I think I see a resemblance to your father.”

“I’m tired, Mr. Pines.”

“Please call me Peter. It’s in the mouth. You have his mouth. He was a very handsome man. You love him, don’t you.”

“Every son loves his father,” I said, getting into bed.

“You’re very young. It’s very hard on you, isn’t it? I know. I went through it myself. My father walked out when I was five.”

I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to hear about Mr. Pine’s father. He meant well. We all do.

“I think your mother deserves better than that cretin, don’t you?”

“He’s all right,” I said. I felt like crying all of a sudden. I turned my face to the wall. Poor Mother was going to be alone again. And poor Anatol, what would he do? Go on at Disney till he dropped? I felt sorry for everybody. What was I going to do? I wished people could stay together. I thought about baseball.

 

30 thoughts on “25 Books in 25 Days: #1 A Way of Life, Like Any Other

  • June 11, 2018 at 11:16 pm
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    Well that’s a challenge and a half even if the books are short…..

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:23 am
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      Wish me luck!!

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:11 am
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      I did associate it with you in my mind, but couldn’t remember if you’d reviewed it or just posted a nice picture.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:11 am
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      Thanks Christina!

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  • June 12, 2018 at 6:50 am
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    Good luck Simon! I really enjoyed doing Novella a Day in May so I hope you have as much fun with this. I’ve not heard of this novel but I’m very tempted by a quirky view of Golden Age Hollywood.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:10 am
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      Thanks for being the inspiration! I was super impressed by how you did it :)

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  • June 12, 2018 at 7:06 am
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    I love this idea. I may try this later in the year when I have little on (I am not a fast reader)

    Have fun!

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:10 am
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      Oh fun, let me know if you do!

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  • June 12, 2018 at 8:10 am
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    What a challenge. Love short books though and this one was rather fab when I read it a while ago.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:10 am
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      Yes, luckily I really like novellas – I really appreciate the skill in economy.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:09 am
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      Thanks Pam!

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:09 am
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      Thanks! And yes, I might empty the tbr pile of novellas by the end of it!

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  • June 12, 2018 at 10:12 am
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    Great challenge — I know I would fail miserably! Do you have all the books chosen in advance? if not I recommend Up at the Villa by W. Somerset Maugham. It’s wonderful, and very short, you can easily read it one sitting. I’m looking forward to see what you choose!

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:09 am
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      I’m not choosing them in advance – I’m enjoying just picking something off the shelves each morning – but I have actually read Up at the Villa before. I agree, very good!

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  • June 12, 2018 at 10:32 am
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    Well, you’re off to a great start with this book. I absolutely loved it when I read it a few years ago. Such a hoot. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those stuffed bears in the movie director’s house – what a terrific image!

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:08 am
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      Yes! So odd and so winning.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:08 am
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      Thanks Paula! Luckily I’m medium-to-fast reader, so fingers crossed…

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  • June 12, 2018 at 5:38 pm
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    Wow 25 books in 25 days is a great challenge – good luck. I’m only on 58 books for the year so far. Look forward to seeing what you read. I often find the novella more satisfying than a longer novel. A Way of Life like any other is not one I had heard of before, seems like you’re off to a good start.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:07 am
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      Since I usually read about 100 books a year, it’s definitely a step up! But hopefully a fun challenge :)

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  • June 12, 2018 at 10:13 pm
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    Good luck! I could do this if I didn’t have a job but with working 8 hours a day, it will be a challenge for sure.

    Also A Way of Life, Like Any Other sounds really good and would have fit in The 1977 Club too. :)

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:07 am
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      Yes, the job definitely gets in the way!

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  • June 13, 2018 at 3:20 am
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    Oh you wacky overachiever. I like your ambition and, even more, like how practical both novellas and short reviews are for ACOB. Well played, sir.

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    • June 13, 2018 at 10:06 am
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      Haha! Ithankyou. I was feeling a bit like it was ACOB-cheating, so I’m not checking whether or not the books match gaps in my century until the end of the 25 days…

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  • June 14, 2018 at 5:03 am
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    What a challenge!! You got game!! ;) Really interested to see what comes up… cheering you on from the sidelines!!

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