The Last Days of Disco, With Cocktails at Petrossian Afterwards
by Whit Stillman

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Book Reviews of The Last Days of Disco, With Cocktails at Petrossian Afterwards

Book Review: Astounding and Beautiful
Summary: 5 Stars

Stillman's movies have been compared to Woody Allen many times, notably by Roger Ebert. While it is unlikely you will find a bigger Woody Allen fan than yours truely, I think the comparison is off the mark. Perhaps they both deal with similar comedy of manners and city life, but Stillman is not Allen. That is a good thing. Stillman, clearly influenced by many sources, is an original voice.

The other reviewers have done an outstanding job of explaining this extraordinary novel. We all say, "the book was better than movie" but when has a book been written after the film, by the screenwriter and turned into a novel that smoothly references the film? Got me. The book WAS better than the movie, but that is besides the point.

I watched the film (for the 3rd time) shortly before the I read the book. While I found the actor's images in my mind, it also made the references to the movie much easier to recall. They work best as companion pieces. I loved getting to know Jimmy, a really good guy. The book was moving and made me nostalgic for the early '80s when I was 6 or 7 and my own growing up years. Stillman touched a nerve. Even if you don't enjoy Stillman, you might enjoy the book.

By now, Stillman's signature style is well known. Ingenious dialogue,confused, but good young people. The film triliogy (Metropolitan remains the masterpiece) is now done, but what a way to end. I loved this book so much. This is not a very clear or literary review, but something about this book struck me very deeply. Not since Nick Hornby has a writer struck me like this. I find myself thinking it over often and looking forward (as I often do with his films) to reading it again.

I particularly enjoyed hearing what had become the characters in the "cocktails at the Petrossian" and "epilogue" sections. Fascinating revelations and lessons. I wonder, what happened to Charlotte? That we never know. No matter.

Poignant, hilarious, and fascinating. Read it. You will be changed.

Summary of The Last Days of Disco, With Cocktails at Petrossian Afterwards

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