LITERATURE

Insomniac City: New York, Oliver, and Me

by Bill Hayes
Bloomsbury USA. Feb. 2017. 304p. photos. ISBN 9781620404935. $27; ebk. ISBN 9781620404959. MEMOIR
COPY ISBN
This memoir is quite compelling when Hayes (The Anatomist) writes about his relationship with writer and neurologist Oliver Sacks, and much of this consists of direct quotes from Sacks. Otherwise, the narrative comprises rather forgettable musings on the author's experience of New York City and the death of a previous partner. Because this account was quite obviously put together from disparate pieces, it doesn't jell as a coherent work. Perhaps it should have been presented as a collection of writings rather than as a book-length memoir.
VERDICT Admirers of Sacks will want to seek this out for the glimpses into his personal life; general readers need not bother.
Reviewed by Derek Sanderson, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY , Nov 17, 2016
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells
by Barry, Rebecca Rego
REFERENCE

The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers
by Berne, Debbie
NONFICTION

Greasepaint Puritan: Boston to 42nd Street in the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes
by Cantu, Maya
NONFICTION

The Lede: Dispatches from a Life in the Press
by Trillin, Calvin
NONFICTION

Somerset Maugham and the Cinema
by Calder, Robert
NONFICTION

Finding a Likeness: How I Got Somewhat Better at Art
by Baker, Nicholson
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?