Acting the Giddy Goat
A...compelling look at young artists resistina the crass manipulations of commerce.
- The Globe & Mail
...nothing if not a Toronto novel.
- Philip Marchand, The Toronto Star
...the funniest first novel of 2002.
- W.P.Kinsella, Books in Canada
...a gloriously overstuffed sack of a book, bulging with ideas, philosophy,
and postmodern gambits, lumpy with a richness of characters...both thought-provoking
and genuinely affecting.
- The Vancouver Sun
...an attentive, pepysian book of diaristic realism...un-trendy and highly recommended.
- WestEnder, Vancouver
I was surprised at a number of things when I read "Acting the Giddy Goat."
I was surprised at how well written it was, how intelligent, how both funny
and touching. Mostly I was surprised—despite the novel's forays into the
fantastical--at how true it all was. I wasn't always sure what Mr. Tanner was
doing, but I knew it was the same stuff great novelists do. This is a huge glorious
symphony of a novel. Tanner introduces themes, explores and inverts them, and
sends the whole thing hurtling toward an exciting and uplifting conclusion.
A wonderful read.
- Paul Quarrington, Author of Whale Music and King Lear
Writing with cinematic intensity and a pitch-perfect ear for dialogue, Mike
Tanner has invented a cast of characters so real they could walk off the page.
I know these people. By turns funny, philosophical, and edgy, he's slipped into
their skins to render their individual dramas with a skillful combination of
compassion and objectivity, the close-up and the wide angle. Everyday concerns
are probed with intimacy and astonishing clarity, and the strength of the language
gives weight and glitz to even the smallest moments.
- Eliza Clark, Author of Miss Your Like Crazy and What You Need
Mike Tanner's fantastic first novel is NOT about a dysfunctional family; it
is that rarest of beasts, a genuine novel-of-ideas. Tanner holds up modern life
in his hands like a prismatic ball, and turns it this way and that, examining
its facets. But what he understands best is the human heart, and human relationships,
and where they intersect and conflict with human ambition, both failed and realized.
Over and over again, reading it, I found myself saying, "Yeah, that's right"
or "Right on" or simply "True."
- David Eddie, Author of Chump Change and Housebroken
Flat out Rock
Who do you think were the most influential ten bands of the ‘60s? The Beatles and The Rolling Stones immediately come to my mind but what other bands rate this top billing? Check out Flat–Out Rock: Ten Great Bands of the 60’s to see if your choices are in this fascinating compendium of Classic Rock bands.
Author and musician Mike Tanner has written a terrific book that brings together the music, culture and politics of the 60’s into a highly readable and informative resource for teens and adults. As a musician and recording artist, Tanner has an insider viewpoint that will be irresistible to readers. His book goes beyond the usual fan memorabilia, demonstrating the importance of the artists who were pivotal forces in the 60’s and to the ongoing popularity of rock music today. Tanner’s writing is clear, and his background in communications and English language instruction gives his text a superior plain speaking flow that carries the reader effortlessly from one chapter to the next. I very much enjoyed reading this 160 page book, practically devouring it in one sitting because of Tanner’s original and rhythmic prose.
Tanner takes on all the well-known characteristics of the 60’s, sex, drugs, social unrest, women’s liberation, through the lens of the musical artists who created some of the most enduring rock music ever. His well-researched information provides an authentic perspective of this musical generation and the artistic vision that shaped the powerful sounds and the social controversy these famous (and infamous) groups generated.
The book’s style uses the same structure for all ten bands, including a front page, background, band members, best songs, best albums, band influences and each band’s musical descendants. The superb design breaks up the predictability of this format very nicely with the use of striking, high quality photographs, graphic side bars and colourful pages. Annick Press has done a bang up job in creating a cultural history book that has the look and feel of the 60’s. The unusual size of the book astutely insures that it is big enough to show off the superb photos and design but small enough that it fits easily into teen backpacks.
The extensive selected bibliography and further reading suggestions will lead the readers to other valuable sources. The list of cited materials for the original quotes and photo credits demonstrate the impressive research and unusual sources Tanner used.
As many information specialists know, teens and adults enjoy nonfiction as much as fiction. Flat–Out Rock: Ten Great Bands of the 60’s is a wonderful book for both types of readers and is highly recommended both for school and public libraries.
Highly Recommended.
Lee Anne Smith is a youth services librarian and Head of the Cambie Branch for Richmond Public Library in Richmond, BC.