Thursday, February 19, 2009

SHADES OF THE 60S

Sway by Zachary Lazar

3/7/09 - My review copy of Sway showed up yesterday, and it's all I can do not to dive in right away because it looks so good! I especially like the cover art. Jagger was so gorgeous back then. (I am a sap for "bad boys," and that's sure his look in that photo.) Anyway, I started on the first page of the first chapter and when I got to page 7 I had to force myself to put it down and finish the books I'm already reading. The first chapter has to do with the Manson family, which is still one of the creepier things about the 60s. Anyway, my eyes keep getting drawn back to that cover art, but I'm holding firm (so far).

I hope to be able to start reading it on Monday after a weekend gorging on my other review books (see TBR sidebar).

Tomorrow's the drawing for the free copies of Sway, so be sure to leave a comment if you haven't already done so.

*****************************

Oboy, oboy! Or, as we used to say back in the day, groovy! No, wait ~ I never really said "groovy," did I? God, I hope not. Cool. Hip. Bitchin' maybe. Never groovy. *shudders at the thought*

Anyway, back at the ranch (another 60s slang term ~ I'm full of 'em tonight, aren't I?!), I just heard about this really cool book about the 1960s scene. I have to say, I am excited about the chance to read it! I mean, it's about the era of my own misspent youth. How can I resist? I'll be reviewing it here as soon as possible. In the meantime, here is a description of the book from the Hatchette website:

Three dramatic and emblematic stories intertwine in Zachary Lazar's extraordinary new novel, SWAY--the early days of the Rolling Stones, including the romantic triangle of Brian Jones, Anita Pallenberg, and Keith Richards; the life of avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger; and the community of Charles Manson and his followers.

Lazar illuminates an hour in American history when rapture found its roots in idolatrous figures and led to unprovoked and inexplicable violence. Connecting all the stories in this novel is Bobby Beausoleil, a beautiful California boy who appeared in an Anger film and eventually joined the Manson "family."

With great artistry, Lazar weaves scenes from these real lives together into a true but heightened reality, making superstars human, giving demons reality, and restoring mythic events to the scale of daily life.

"One hypnotic tone poem.... It is not the now-historic acts of violence that make Sway so riveting, but its vivid character portraits and decadent, muzzy atmosphere, all rendered with the heightened sensory awareness associated with drugs and paranoia.

The near miniaturist precision with which he describes Keith Richards's attempts to master his guitar, Brian Jones's acid trips and Anger's obsessive desire for Beausoleil bring this large-scale tableau into stunning relief." --Liz Brown, Time Out New York

I've got up to five copies to give away courtesy of the nice folks at Hatchette Book Group. To enter, please leave a comment here along with a way for me to get hold of you if your name is pulled from the hat. You can also blog about this contest for a second entry. Contest ends March 8 when I put all the names in the aforesaid hat and get my neighbor's cat to pick the winners. *mreow* >^..^<

Open only to U.S. and Canadian residents with a mailing address other than a P.O. Box.

*slouches over to pile of CDs to see if I can find my copy of Beggars' Banquet*

28 comments:

Gwendolyn B. said...

O.K! I'd like in on this one too! I've already got the Stones on the tape deck, I mean disc player, er, I mean iPod. (Is there anything newer?) Thanks for the chance!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I Twittered about this contest! (http://twitter.com/ASeaOfBooks/status/1231876064)

Julie said...

This looks like a really great read! Thanks for the chance to wine!

Cheers,
Julie

julie.sherritt[at]gmail[dot]com

ikkinlala said...

This looks like an interesting book. I'd love a chance to win a copy.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Mary Kontrary said...

I can't find my "Beggars Banquet" CD. I bet my daughter "borrowed" it. (Funny how much more she enjoys "my" music now that she's an adult when, as a teen, she hated it. :) But I do have one of my favorite singles, "Sympathy for the Devil," on my iPod, so all is not lost.

Bridget said...

I've posted this on Win A Book.

Unknown said...

I'd like to enter the contest.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'd love a chance to read this book, thanks.
unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail .com

scottsgal said...

After reading several reviews this is on my must read list. Please enter me to win

msboatgal at aol dot com

Dawn M. said...

This book sounds really interesting. Count me in, too!

Thanks! :0)

Unknown said...

This book sounds great!

Marie said...

Oooo...I'd really like to read this one. Please enter me. Thanks.

lazydaisy0413[at]yahoo[dot]com

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your drawing. Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

Hey! Enter me please. I'd love to win this book. Thanks!

tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

darbyscloset said...

I love the sound of this story, for I love stories that are made up of smaller stories!
Thanks so much,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Meljprincess said...

Oh Man! This book appeals to me greatly. I was in a band so I can relate to the drama. It would have been cool to hang with the Stones years ago. Ive also studied serial killers and Manson is high (no pun intended) on my list. Rock culture and history? HELLS YA!

Mel K.
Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

Brenda Witchger/Brynn Bonner said...

Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

carlene said...

Please include me in your drawing.
Thanks
Carlene
willreadforever@verizon.net

Sara said...

I want to win. Please enter me. Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) com

Bridget said...

I've posted this on Win a Book. Don't enter me though

Donna said...

I would LOVE to have this book to read while recovering from surgery! I really hate all 4000 channels they have on tv! LOL

Nothing beats a great book and this one sounds like one! Please enter me :)

donnaewilliamson AT gmail.com

Sage Ravenwood said...

I would love to be entered in this drawing. This is one book I truly believe BOTH my husband and I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo

ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

LuAnn said...

Please include my name in the drawing!
reading_frenzy@yahoo.com

The Brunette Librarian said...

:) Looks good!

rachie2004 at yahoo dot com

Tell your neighbor's cat to pick me :P

kalea_kane said...

Sounds good. I don't know about Jagger looking gorgeous, but maybe once I see the cover (hint, hint). :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Kelly

enroutetolife(at)gmail(dot)com

Elisabet said...

definitely my kind of book. Hope I win.
Elisabet
liveleisurely@yahoo.com

JaniceH said...

I remember the time well! I'd love to win the book!

jlhal@verizon.net

The Giveaway Diva said...

ohh wow this sounds like a great one!!