On the Merits of Weschler

Brooklyn’s Doug Diesenhaus shares his favorite read of the year.

Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet Of Wonder by Lawrence Weschler – In reading Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonder, I had an experience similar to the author’s sense of dislocation in observing his seductive subject, the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles. He writes, “the visitor to the Museum of Jurassic Technology continually finds himself shimmering between wondering at (the marvels of nature) and wondering whether (any of this could possibly be true).” You’ll speed through this book and be so fascinated with Weschler’s incredible writing on how we look at art, facts, and history that you’ll have to check out two other great Weschler pieces: Boggs: A Comedy of Values and his recent magazine prototype Omnivore.

Everybody is always recommending Weschler. I’ll have to add him to my list.