The Fermata

not for me

I found this book a little too prurient for my taste. I don't consider myself a prude, though I can be somewhat old-fashioned. Perhaps that was my problem. I only got about 100 pages through this book before I decided there were books I'd feel better spending my time on. I did enjoy some of the writing style and perspective, but I was impatient with the lack of forward motion. It was highly anecdotal, and I couldn't see where it was going, and became less and less interested in finding out where it might go.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Intellecutal Erotica

Although many reviewers dismissed the central premise of this book as a sophomoric misogynistic fantasy, Baker is able to make the protagonist someone who genuinely likes women. The prose itself is outstanding,(even the non-dirty parts), and the characters interesting. And 'the good parts' are so far and away the most erotic I have encountered. I introduced my wife to this book, and she in turn told several friends about it. Our copy is somewhat tattered from loaning out, but we always get it back, as everyone decides they need their own!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Nicholson Baker's The Fermata is a strange read . . . awkward an

Nicholson Baker's The Fermata is a strange read . . . awkward and
hard-to-categorize, much less review. It's comprised of equal parts
literature, science-fiction, romance, comedy, erotica, and memoir. On
the one hand, it absolutely deserves an five-star review for its sheer
audacity, innovation, and mastery of language. This is a very clever,
beautifully written novel that manages to deliberately meander without
boring the reader. It's also a very humorous novel, not so much in a
laugh-out-loud sort of way, but one which succeeds in delivering a smile
(or more often a smirk) per page. When I allowed myself to become lost
in Arno's voice, I quite enjoyed the read, even as I rolled my eyes and
scoffed at his good-natured laziness. It's no wonder Baker gets far more
attention as a purveyor of literature than as a genre author, but you
get the sense that's entirely how he likes it. Having said all that,
this is a book that struggles to earn more than a single-star review for
its plotting, pacing, and story-telling. It's is a story comprised of
musings, observations, and asides, in which very little happens to
advance the plot. Being a fictional memoir does excuse the narrative
struggle to some extent, but the 'fictional' element does demand
something more. There's a great concept at the heart of the story, with
Arno able to freeze time and manipulate those around him, but his own
odd sense of morality and decorum won't allow him to exploit it, while
his own laziness holds him back from maximizing it. Of course, Arno and
his failings are, essentially, the story, so it's hard to find him at
fault. Still, it's a read that frustrated me to no extent because it
adamantly refused to explore the concept. If you're a fan of literate
novels, one who favours concept over content, and one who appreciates
narration over narrative, give The Fermata a shot. It is a fun read
(taken in small doses) but the novelty does wear thin after a while. On
the other hand, if you're at all intrigued by the concept, but (like
myself) tend to lean more towards plot and characterization that
storytelling showmanship, try giving Dean Koontz's Dragon Tears a read instead.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Inventive

Inventive use of language to produce some very detailed descriptions. I bought House of Holes and The Fermata at the same time. I started House of Holes first which almost made me delete The Fermata without reading it. I'm glad I did because it is so peculiar, but I don't think I would bother with any more of Baker's stuff. I should sue him to retrieve the couple of hours of my life spent on House of Holes.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Outstanding Mix of Humor and Erotica

Other reviewers have said that this is a guy's book. While it is true that The Fermata undoubtedly has an innate appeal to men, I whole-heartedly recommend it for women as well, if for no other reason than to gain insight into the way men think. Which I think Baker has captured very well. I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately bought and read all of Baker's other books. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. None even came close to this excellent work, which is a terrific blend of humor and erotica.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Awesome

Tragically accurate. Well written. A genre transcending work.

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A diff'rent kind of enjoyable read.

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. A friend had glowingly recommended it so I said, 'sure why not?' I've repeatedly thanked my friend ever since I finished it. This is truly a guy's book and while I've heard some criticism of the juvenile premise, we must not forget that most guys are pretty juvenile when it comes down to it. BRAVO Nicholson Baker!

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Baker Rules!!!!

I have read The Fermata, and I have read Vox as well. Baker, to me, is one of the only writers out there for real men (guy Guys.)My only complaint about Baker is that he writes a new book so seldom that I lose patience. The Fermata is a guy book. There is no man alive that hasn't pondered what he would do if he could freeze time. Baker illustrates what most of us have thought about.

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