Memory; mythology; and obsession collide in this ldquo;slyly charmingrdquo; (New York Times Book Review) account of the giant squid.In 1874; Moses Harveymdash;eccentric Newfoundland reverend and amateur naturalistmdash;was the first person to photograph the near-mythic giant squid; draping it over his shower curtain rod to display its magnitude. In Preparing the Ghost; what begins as Harveyrsquo;s story becomes spectacularly ldquo;slippery and many-armedrdquo; (NewYorker.com) as Matthew Gavin Frank winds his narrative tentacles around history; creative nonfiction; science; memoir; and meditations about the interrelated nature of them all. In his full-hearted; lyrical style; Frank weaves in playful forays about his trip to Harveyrsquo;s Newfoundland home; his own childhood and family history; and a catalog of peculiar facts that recall Melville rsquo;s story of obsession with another deep-sea dwelling leviathan. ldquo;Totally original and hauntingrdquo; (Flavorwire); Preparing the Ghost is a delightfully unpredictable inquiry into the big; beautiful human impulse to obsess.
#2163283 in eBooks 2013-03-03 2013-10-06File Name: B00FOGG45K
Review
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. I was a little disappointed in the presentation of the quotesBy Jessica GregoryI was a little disappointed in the presentation of the quotes... I feel like the page design could have been a little more interesting; or have the art itself take up more of the space with the quotes being more of a subtitle (like a print of the art would look); especially since the pages are perforated for the opportunity to hang them. I was also disappointed at the amount of digital artwork; as I thought most of the pieces would be more like mixed media art journal pages. Overall; the book is okay and is what it represents itself to be; I just wasnt overwhelmed with excitement and inspiration when I first flipped through it.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A delightful and inspirational book for anyone who loves quote and art books.By Joseph J. TruncaleI have always loved inspirational quote books and beautiful art. Here is a fantastic book (Inspirational Quotes Illustrated: Art and words to motivate by Lesley Riley) that has combined the two subjects into one volume. The introduction explains the ldquo;story behind this book.rdquo; All the rest of the book includes ldquo;Quotes and Art.rdquo; Each page has a quote interwoven into an art piece to provide the reader with a visual delight along with the quote. There is also a list of contributors and an index in this 144 page volume. One of the many things I like about this book is that most of the quotes are short and to the point. I guess this is the reason my favorite poems are in most cases short rather than long.If you are a Lesley Riley fan or love inspirational quotes and art; you should check out this wonderful book.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read; write and enjoy haiku).4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. If you love art and words together . . . .By Jeane M. ParkerThis is a beautiful book. In fact; I was so inspired by it; I took the book apart; added additional quotes and words of wisdom Ive collected over the years; and rebound it. This book is already making a difference in my studio.