The Dudeism Forum

For the other 99 people that got their free copy, and everyone else for that matter...here's my response to the people at Zondervan publishing:

"Hello Nicole,

I hope all is well.

Received my copy of "The Dude Abides" by Cathleen Falsani today.  Was one of the one hundred people chosen through Dudeism.com

We were asked to write a review, then post it on sites such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  But, to be perfectly honest, and after having read half the book (and perused the rest,) that's something that I'm not willing to do.  Unless you want a negative review posted.

There are two main points I'd like to make.

The first is that 75% of the book is simply a description of the Coen brothers' films.  Any freshman in college taking a writing class will tell you that one of the worst ways to write a review, or commentary on, a film is by giving a recap. This displays a complete lack of originality and absence of imagination and critical thinking.  If someone likes the Coen brothers, they wouldn't want to read recaps of the films.  And if someone isn't familiar with the Coen brothers, why would they be purchasing the book in the first place?

And the second point simply being that after each film is described in detail, Ms. Falsani gives a brief explanation of Christian morality.  Not exactly something most Dudeists are interested in hearing.  The free book, and the excellent art work on the cover may draw the attention of Dudeists, but the content of the text is essentially a waste of time.

Whether Coen fan or not, a Dudeist or not, I can sincerely say I can't think of a person to whom I'd recommend this book.

Apologies.

Sincerely,
Steve"

That's cool. That's cool. I'm of a different opinion, personally, but we appreciate everyone weighing in. Here's my reply to this:
http://dudespaper.com/the-dude-abides-a-review.html/comment-page-1/#comment-885

hey who knew that there were people that over analyzed a simple movie

oh wai-

Quote from: TheDudeInMe on September 02, 2009, 10:20:03 PM
hey who knew that there were people that over analyzed a simple movie

oh wai-

-i'm sorry, i wasnt paying attention...

WeAreSame,

As you know from my review at the Dudespaper, I see more to the book than you do.

However, I do agree with you to a certain extent that the book relies too much on recapping the plot. That is a point I wish I had made in my review. I was trying to do the whole brevity thing.

Overall, though, I was still intrigued by her response to the questions she finds posed in Coen Bros' films, although I didn't always agree with her take.

You know, if it wouldn't appear to be a copy-cat move on our part, maybe we should do our own book of Dudeist interpretations of Coen Bros movies. Well, maybe we don't even have to do a book, just an ongoing series in the Dudespaper.

I recently did that to some extent with the movie Dazed and Confused (although I realize what I wrote was just my opinion, man, and that other Dudeists don't see that movie as the cautionary tale that I do, which cool, which is cool).