Book cover bogey

As soon as I walked into Book City yesterday I zeroed in on a collection of Virginia Woolf stories that I had to buy … partly because it was on sale for under $10, and partly because my aunt Sue, who’s starting her Masters in September, plans to study Virginia Woolf and how physics fits into her work. She explained her thesis to me last time she was in town (slowly and more than once, if I remember correctly), but I’m still at a bit of a loss when trying to articulate exactly what she’s studying. 

I figured with the new book, I’ll have at least attempted Mrs. Dalloway when I see her next and will be able to throw out random statements like: “I found that Woolf’s stream of consciousness style really helped explain the law of relatively.” Having never taken physics (BA history, thank you very much), I’m not really sure where to go with that …  

Anyway, also picked up the new Jonathan Coe novel, The Closed Circle, because I enjoyed The Rotter’s Club and thought I’d give it a go. Almost put the book back on the shelf because it drives me crazy when there’s no story outline on the back cover or inside flap. With most novels priced in the $20 range, publishers are asking readers to take huge leaps of faith when they plaster the book with endorsements but no summary. Personally, I couldn’t give two hoots if The Guardian loved the book, I’d like to know what it’s about before leaving the store.  

Flipped through to the author’s note and saw that it’s a continuation of The Rotter’s Club. Okay, thank you. Now, I’ll buy it.