The Dude Abides

The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers

By: Cathleen Falsani, Rabbi Allen Secher - introduction

Narrated by: Allen Secher

Fans of the eccentric and edgy films of the Coen brothers know there's more going on in their films than meets the eye. Award-winning author and columnist Cathleen Falsani is the perfect guide for Coen fans, inviting them to take a deeper look at the popular films, from their debut Blood Simple to the recent Burn After Reading and all the strange and wonderful films in between.

Falsani looks at the deeper meanings that can be mined from each quirky and enduring Coen film, including such cult favorites as Fargo, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and No Country for Old Men. With a journalist's keen analysis, she unpacks the theological, mythological, ethical, and philosophical content. Readers will discover that the critically acclaimed Coen brothers speak to eternal questions with darkly intelligent humor.

Coen fans, churched and unchurched of all faiths or none, will find in this book a spirited, thoughtful conversation with a good friend (who happens to be a film buff). Readers will appreciate this examination of the intersection of popular culture and spirituality.

narrator hard to listen to

not only is the narrator hard to listen to, but he also penned the foreword. I was super annoyed with his slow talking and weird cadence long before the actual text of the book even began. it never ceases to blow my mind the poor choices audible and authors make with narrators

Little more than a summary of Cohen movies

I was sure that some of the previous reviewers had it wrong, but they were spot on. I'm a fan of the Cohen Brothers, so perhaps I'm less miffed than most might be, but the book REALLY IS VERY LITTLE MORE THAN SYNOPSES OF THEIR MOVIES. There's some talk of common elements and themes, but no real other insight or background information. Interesting, but anyone expecting more than Cliff's Notes on Cohen movies will likely be disappointed.