The Nominal Theory of Good Art William McCauley 9780578054650 Books
Download As PDF : The Nominal Theory of Good Art William McCauley 9780578054650 Books
Set in Seattle, this rapidly moving satirical novel integrates two story lines. In the first are the misadventures of Charles, a failed artist, his long-time lover (and gallery owner), and a bevy of art-world characters. The second story line follows Wally, a plodding, TV-addicted, middle-aged, middle manager, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, a minister, colleagues, and a neighbor. The two themes-Charles' determination to create and sell his art, in spite of his life-long failure to achieve recognition; and Wally's unexpected and improbable blossoming into an artistic genius-come together as Wally's new and single-minded passion for art drags his family and friends into an ongoing battle with the art world to protect Wally from his threatening obsession with art. They fear the change they see in him and they do not understand his awesome talent. His single-minded persistence in the face of their increasingly restrictive actions drives him into the orbit of Charles and his lover. Humorous conflict moves the story with a crisp liveliness and a good deal of energy, in the form of Charles' running quarrels with artists and critics, his rough-edged love relationship with Janice, and his envy-driven resentment of Wally's talent. "The Nominal Theory of Good Art" is an exceedingly well-plotted, literate, and well-written satire that is populated by a score of original characters whose dialog is smart and witty. The development of interesting and plausibly motivated character always comes out of action, and the stable of outrageous characters that inhabit this fine satire move the action relentlessly to a satisfying conclusion that will make you want to return to page one after you turn the last page.
The Nominal Theory of Good Art William McCauley 9780578054650 Books
The Nominal Theory of Good Art presents the congruent tales of Wally, a middle-aged-man who evolves into an astonishing artist, and Charles, a failing, wreck of a painter who evolves into a human being. This satire about the suppression of individualism and genius bears the closest resemblance to an Ayn Rand novel I've ever seen. Her fans should flock to it, but let's not stop there. William McCauley has just the kind of fresh, crisp and efficient voice a majority of readers should love.The only sour note I found in this novel was McCauley's tendency to sketch antagonists as caricatures. If he can get past that, this writer is capable of putting together a truly great novel. Meanwhile, I loved the story and even learned a bit about art in the process. In addition a subplot involving the meaning behind this book's title proved to be an interesting and delightful hook. As a writer, I certainly identified with the concept that quality often takes a back seat to celebrity in determining the success of a book or painting.
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Tags : The Nominal Theory of Good Art [William McCauley] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Set in Seattle, this rapidly moving satirical novel integrates two story lines. In the first are the misadventures of Charles,William McCauley,The Nominal Theory of Good Art,Scriptoria Publications,0578054655,Literature & Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction Literary,Literary,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)
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The Nominal Theory of Good Art William McCauley 9780578054650 Books Reviews
You may ask yourself, as I did before I started reading William McCauley's latest book, what the hell does this title mean? Is this a scientific work? A book of critical essays? Is this a treatise on Art in general? Well The Nominal Theory of Good Art is none of those things. Instead, title notwithstanding, it is a novel; a funny, biting satire that gnaws at the core of how we as a society value art and artistic talent.
Wally Walder is a technical publications manager at a Seattle based company, whose chief hobbies, as a sexagenarian, are watching Matlock and Mayberry RFD reruns on TV and playing cards with his buddy Roy. His doughty wife, Ethel, and septic-tank-pumping son, George are dismayed one day to discover that, after a terrible accident involving a bathroom door, their beloved Wally is not the same celluloid-loving homebody they're comfortable with. He begins seeing shapes and colors differently, sketches everything that interests him and wanders aimlessly exploring endlessly fascinating polygonal possibilities. Until he wanders into a downtown art gallery. Meanwhile, across town, a struggling artist, Charles Gas, continues to pursue his career possibilities with an old girlfriend, Janice, who also happens to own an art gallery (guess which one). Thus, the juxtaposition of McCauley's romp is set
McCauley introduces the reader to a bevy of caricatured characters throughout this intricately plotted farce. There is the lovable yet face-tattooed Boyce; the arrogant and reviled art critic, Dillip; the naive art prodigy, Carnita Vovo and her astrologically challenged, controlling mother; the art collecting oddball dentist, Tim Leuter; and George's faith-based wife, Wanda, whose answer to everything is "Let's pray on it."
The novel, though sometimes mired in clumsy prose, ultimately succeeds in delivering a scathing critique of the art gallery scene, where poseur critics may influence just which art sells and which doesn't, merely by the familiar and fashionable signature/label in the corner of the painting. Hence, the frustrated Charles Gas's "Nominal Theory of Good Art" is born. The book also reveals the ironic means by which we foster artistic talent in this country. Wally is a nuisance, and a liability to his family and to his employer; a threat to some of his contemporaries in the art world and a gold mine to others; he is, as Roy observes, "a worm turned into a butterfly."
McCauley, whose previous works include, The Turning Over, a novel set in Sierra Leone and two short story collections, plumbs new depths with this latest effort. The Nominal Theory of Good Art is no scientific treatise, as the title may suggest, it is a searingly thoughtful and inspired tale that still manages to tease out peals of laughter throughout. I look forward to subsequent literary releases from this talented writer.
3.5 stars
Do you see the world through a dysfunctional lens? Did you ever want to be an artist? Does the corporate world leave you in a fog? Is the intern you trained now your boss? Could an accident be the best thing that ever happened to you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions William McCauley's new book (The Nominal Theory of Good Art) is for you. He interleaves the avant-garde art scene of the Pacific Northwest with an everyday world of characters that I can only describe as Sarah Palin supporters. Along the way he deftly aims his pen at corporate life, people who chat with God, the best use for a television, Safeway clerks, and the secret lives of intellectual clergy. He also pirouettes past psychologists and psychiatric wards, and bustles the reader through a couple of Monte Python-esque scenes involving an unlucky art critic. It's a wonderful read. Don't miss it!
Take equal parts One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock? (Documentary), toss in Rain Man and you have a reasonable map of the territory of this book. The dialog is a trifle stilted but the cast of characters is a hoot and the story is a very entertaining farce about modern art, modern artists and the Nominal -- both meanings of the word -- Theory of Good Art.
Without giving too much away, there are some howlingly good scenes about where the value accumulates in a piece of work, and let's just say it's not on the canvas.
The Nominal Theory of Good Art presents the congruent tales of Wally, a middle-aged-man who evolves into an astonishing artist, and Charles, a failing, wreck of a painter who evolves into a human being. This satire about the suppression of individualism and genius bears the closest resemblance to an Ayn Rand novel I've ever seen. Her fans should flock to it, but let's not stop there. William McCauley has just the kind of fresh, crisp and efficient voice a majority of readers should love.
The only sour note I found in this novel was McCauley's tendency to sketch antagonists as caricatures. If he can get past that, this writer is capable of putting together a truly great novel. Meanwhile, I loved the story and even learned a bit about art in the process. In addition a subplot involving the meaning behind this book's title proved to be an interesting and delightful hook. As a writer, I certainly identified with the concept that quality often takes a back seat to celebrity in determining the success of a book or painting.
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