Loved her book of essays, Partly Cloudy Patriot, but not so crazy about this one.
Unfamiliar Fishes is a short book about the history of Hawaii. One sentence summary: Ruled by a monarchy for many years, visited by many foreigner sailors, and then by Christian missionaries, whose ancestors gradually took over the government, which lead eventually to it being annexed by the United States. Like most history, a very sordid story.
In my opinion Vowell get’s a bit carried away with mundane details that most people, including me, won’t find all that interesting. On the other hand, it’s an unfamiliar story, I learned a lot.
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The filmmakers try to determine the origins of the popular dish. Claims a Mr. Peng created it in Hunan, took it with him to Taiwan, then U.S. I’m skeptical, but who knows?
Sometimes you read a book by an author and you make a real connection with his work. For example, I pretty much love everything Hunter Thompson wrote. I have nothing in common with him on a personal level. Love books but I don’t think I’d like to have spent time with him.
Definitely one of my favorite movies. Intellectually lively, seriously funny, and insightful about relationships, and just life in general. I could watch it every year, even more.