Okay, so the more that I thought about this, the more ridiculous this concept feels to me, books on tape or CD or whatever. I am able to read so the existence of these types of paraphernalia are completely useless to me, and yes, I get that not everyone can read or not everyone has time to read (which is an excuse
STOP WATCHING TV). The idea of listening to a book being read to me is just as unappealing as it sounds. There is some feeling that holding and reading an actual book provides where listening to it on CD just does not carry the same weight or effect. But, I digress. Fight is the first book from Eugene Robinson, vocalist of Oxbow, and is largely anecdotal with quite a bit of a sarcastic humor while still having some interview material and other assorted research.
The book is not a standard "novel" format but a bit larger; this format allows for the myriad of gritty pictures and a wider layout for the text so that it is not a jumble of words that can at times prove difficult (see eye candy). This is definitely not to say that the book is poorly written and depends on the visual aesthetic, but quite the contrary, Robinson's stories are pretty vivid and entertaining. The chapter that discusses hockey fights with Tie Domi (a hockey enforcer that made his money fighting for several teams in the NHL) is particularly enjoyable as Domi goes down a list of some of the techniques and unspoken rules that his ilk follows. The list of tough guy hockey players is pretty funny to see, but it lacks some individuals that should probably be there.
The CD does have an additional track that the book does not have which, if the book is enjoyable enough, might be worth having to checking out in order to hear the anecdote that is titled, "The One Finger Punch." But even then, it is two CD's of listening to be done as Robinson waxes on about fighting through personal experience and talks with other "fighters." His tone is at least entertaining at times which keeps ones attention while rifling through his book at a steady tempo. Hearing the anecdote regarding Leonardo DiCaprio's research for The Departed does bring a smile to my face as Robinson does an effective job of relating it. Short shocks of music are strategically located throughout the tracks to bring attention to parts or bring one's attention back to the CD if it is waning.
Eugene Robinson composes quite an entertaining read and on CD he is equally entertaining, but high literature this is not. It is definitely not something I would read more than once, and honestly, I will probably never listen to the CD again either. Fight is just not my cup of tea. However, if mixed martial arts or boxing or street fighting are interesting topics to read about for you, then Fight might just be up your alley. At least Hydra Head's first book on CD is an entertaining experience.
