i became obsessed with that book when i was about 19.
Yes, that's the sort of thing i love, the decoding.
The black chemical turning the paint white, the question about the minister being both rind and heart, good GOD i loved that book. I read it 3 or 4 times. Can you suggest another?
Oh, also, check out this Ken Burns doc on the dust bowl.
Fucking PBS. They are experimenting with pay walls, so i can't link you directly to it. There are other ways i could get it to you though if you are interested.