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Ann Skea's Bookshelf
Rapture
Emily Maguire
https://www.emilymaguire.com.au
Sceptre
ASIN: B0CKBMVCXG, $11.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Rapture-Emily-Maguire-ebook/dp/B0CKBMVCXG
Rapture is a romance. Not just because it follows the love and passion of an unconventional Benedictine monk and a young girl who is determined not to bury her intelligence and learning in the expected role of submissive wife and mother, but also in the old sense of a tale based on legend, chivalric love, adventure and history.
For Agnes, motherless daughter of the 'English priest' in ninth-century Mainz, love is above all the love of God, and her story is an imaginative invention based on what little is recorded of the life of Pope Joan.
The first accounts of a Pope Joan were written in the thirteenth century. They claim that with the help of a lover she disguised herself as a man, worked her way up through the Church hierarchy and, in 855, due to her learning and talents, was elected as Bishop of Rome. She reigned as Pope John Anglicus (Pope John VIII) for just over two years before giving birth to a child during a Papal procession. She is said to have either died of natural causes or to have been murdered and buried on the spot.
This legend was widely accepted until 1601 when Pope Clement VIII declared it to be untrue. However, its veracity is still being debated.
Emily Maguire has taken the bones of this story and given Joan/John/Agnes a flesh and blood existence.
We first meet Agnes as a clever five-year-old whose favourite occupation is to sit on the floor beneath her father's table and listen to the men he invites to his house.
'The men are merchants and traders, messengers and envoys, clerics and clergymen. They gossip and argue and bargain into the night at her father's table because he is a personal friend and confidant of the Archbishop, and - even a child knows this is not unrelated - a man of both influence and wealth.'
Among many other things, Agnes hears conflicting views of Heaven. It is either 'never-ending light' and beauty, with singing angels, or there is hunger and thirst to make you change your ways.
'To get there you must be pious and humble and follow God's laws every day of your earthly life.'
To Agnes, this 'does not seem worth the effort'. Nature is already satisfying enough, and her place beneath a laden table 'is all the heaven she needs'.
Agnes's mother died in childbirth and her father has brought her up himself and ensured that she is educated.
'She does not know it is odd for a girl to read until one of her father's guests, a Benedictine from Fulda Abbey, spots her bent over a book by the fire and roars as though he's spied a deer hunting a man.
No benefit and much harm derives from women reading, he tells her father, who responds that this man's own order is known to educate girls.
'Girls destined for the cloister, and even then I would have them learn their prayers and hymns by heart rather than risk corruption in this way.''
As she grows up, Agnes learns of history, wars, religion, saints and martyrs, and of pagans (as her German mother had been), and the way men discuss women and sex and can 'beat half the life out of each other and then embrace as tender and loving brothers'. And she learns from watching that men 'might say one thing with their mouths while their bodies said another thing altogether'.
By the time she is in her teens, she has decided views of her own about the things the men discuss and sometimes, to general disapproval, cannot help interjecting them into the argument. She also spends hours in the forests, befriending a litter of boar piglets, and talking to God who, amid the beauties of nature, feels
'as close and real as the bark and the leaves. He moves through her with every breath of loamy air.'
Her need for learning never fades but her father begins to consider her future and thinks of contracting a marriage for her. 'You must know, Father, I do not intend to be married,' she tells him. His response is to observe that 'the convent' must be for her, so she claims that she would be 'a fine abbess': but it is all a joke, and 'she prays that God will send a clear sign of her destiny'.
A moment in the forest and a confrontation with a wild boar leaves her so badly wounded that she spends months in pain, 'awake but somehow not', 'knowing and unknowing'. She is now disfigured, too clever, too wilful, and, born of a pagan mother, she knows no one will marry her into their family. She thanks God that she 'will live and die unwanted by men; that is, free'.
One young man, a clever Benedictine monk who comes to her father's table, does however value her learning. Sometimes Brother Randulf comes during the day and suggests Agnes join him for a walk, and he brings her books from the great Fulda Abbey library. She reads Tacitus, Lucretius, Virgil, Cicero - books that challenge conventional religious beliefs.
'Thus she learns that great and wise men felt as she had as a child on the forest floor. She learns there are systems of morality based on reason rather than God's will... She learns that the monks of Fulda can read most anything they like and call it Christian work.'
Inevitably Brother Randulf falls in love with her, and Agnes, who knows nothing of the power of sexual urges, demands that Randulf explain, which he does. She then demands that he teach her.
Although Agnes does not enjoy her deflowering, it is accompanied by a moment of pure melodrama (this is, after all, a romance):
'Water erupts from the river and they stare at each other, shockingly, insensibly wet. The earth tilts, they tumble, cling together in the reeds as the purple sky swells like the sea, and branches and birds rain down.'
It is convenient, too, that this earthquake kills Agnes's father and destroys her home. Knowing that as an orphan she would be taken in by the nuns but given the most menial tasks to do, and knowing that Randulf is about to return to Fulda Abbey, she sees an alternative:
''Take me with you to Fulda.'
Her will has made itself known after all, surprising her as much as Randulf, who laughs, says 'Agnes!' Laughs, says 'Agnes! What - Agnes!'
'You said yourself I have the mind of a man. Let me use it.''
So they concoct a story. He brings her a tunic and cape, she binds her breasts, he cuts her hair, and they decide that Randulf has met 'him' and learned that he is newly orphaned but is educated, has been a scribe, has spiritual knowledge, and is proficient in Latin, all of which might make him 'worthy of a place' in the Fulda community.
Thus begins Agnes's life as a man and a monk.
Emily Maguire has done her research well. Fulda Abbey was a German abbey, founded in 744, and famous for its scriptorium and library. Her account of Agnes's life while living there as Brother John describes the exhausting regime of prayer and contemplation. After a year, Agnes signs her obedience to the Rule and is fully accepted and tonsured. She is assigned to the scriptorium, learns to prepare goat skins until they become fine parchment, to mix inks, and to write 'the distinctive Fulda script'. She also reads obsessively, then, finding herself compulsively adding her own thoughts to the texts she copies, she 'promises God she will take more care with His work' and begs scraps of parchment on which to write her own texts.
Although she has vowed not to lie with Randulf again, she yearns for his company, but sees him rarely among the other monks. When war and plague have ravaged the land and the abbot is sick, one monk comes to her and hints that he knows her secret:
''It seems we may again have to elect a new father,' he says. 'Perhaps this time it will be you, Brother Eugenius.'
The glint in his eye tells her there is no error; he knew her name every time he called her Johannes and he knows it now. Eugenius, he calls her. The woman famously elected abbot of a house she had lived in falsely for many years.'
She knows she must leave and calls on Randulf for help.
Together they escape from the abbey, travel across a devastated land, face banditry and famine and, thrown together by the horrors they see, become lovers. Agnes, realising that she has become addicted to the pleasures of the flesh but is still yearning 'towards God', acknowledges her 'error', sneaks away from Randulf, and takes a terrifying sea-voyage to Athens, where she is accepted by a group of monks who live independently, so she can continue her work relatively safe from discovery.
Some years later, when she is being sought out by many others for her learning and spiritual wisdom, her gender is again questioned; this time, without judgement, by the leader of the monks. She knows she must flee again, and she heads for Rome.
In Rome, she begins teaching at the Schola Greca, becomes Professor of Theology, and gives public lectures where 'sometimes men are moved to tears by her words'. Pope Leo IV takes notice and invites her to the Vatican. Her piety and outspokenness challenge the wealthy and autocratic Pope, and she eventually becomes one of his closest advisers. She learns about the riches, the jealousies and the political in-fighting inside the Vatican, and she is regarded as an outsider until the Pope tells her:
''Tomorrow you cease to be Brother John. You will become Cardinal Johannes Anglicus, inarguably worthy of a place in the inner sanctum of the Bishop of Rome.'
Ah, my daughter, she imagines God saying - laughing! You may be the greatest trickster in Rome but you have nothing on me.'
On the Pope's death, the Constitutio Romana of 824 (which gave all Romans, laity and clergy, the right to elect the pope), ensures that Agnes, who is popular with the people of Rome, is elected as Bishop of Rome. How she manages this; how she deals with the loneliness of this position; how she becomes pregnant; and how she dies, make up the final few chapters of Rapture.
Emily Maguire tells her story well. She makes Agnes a convincing character, weaves the turbulent history of the times into her life, and finds plausible (almost) ways of getting her to Rome and of keeping her secret. Altogether, this is an enjoyable and thought-provoking tale that left me to ponder on the truth of the legend of Pope Joan, and how, exactly, a woman might convincingly lead a monastic life and achieve the ultimate position in the Church of Rome while being in constant danger of her gender being exposed.
The Players
Minette Walters
Blackstone Publishing, Inc.
https://www.blackstonepublishing.com
9798228315075, $28.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Players-Minette-Walters/dp/B0DJFVTCM6
'A man of Royal descent stepped ashore this day in our fair port of Lyme Regis. Handsomely attired, he declared himself to be Duke of Monmouth, come from Holland to claim his rightful place as King of England.'
It is this man, the illegitimate first son of the deceased King Charles II, who is later found face-down in a muddy Dorset ditch by men hunting the fleeing 'traitor' after King James II's victory over Monmouth's inadequate army at Sedgemoor.
It is this man, too, who is helped by a parson who lifts him from the mud, telling him:
'I am a man of the cloth, my friend. My name is Reverend Houghton and I will give you what succour I can while the many gentlemen who surround you question you about your presence here. I seek only to help you and will remain at your side for as long as is necessary.'
That Reverend Houghton also whispers Dutch phrases to the man goes unnoticed. He seems plausibly charitable, handy with his fists when necessary, and he is clever with his arguments, so the Duke of Monmouth is taken prisoner unharmed. It is no surprise to learn later that 'Reverend Houghton' is just one of the personas adopted by Elias, Duke of Granville, of Winterborne Houghton, and that he is a chameleon-like master of disguise, fluent in several languages, able to banter in French, to adopt a Bristol accent when necessary, and to pass himself off as a customs officer or a farm worker whenever the complicated and clever schemes he hatches in the cause of justice require this.
Elias is the consummate spy. He is a personable and likeable young man with a strong sense of fairness, and he treats others with respect regardless of their position in society. He is determined to fight for the rights of those fellow Dorset men he deems unlawfully imprisoned and facing execution after the battle of Sedgemoor, where they were shamefully abandoned on the battlefield by their leader, Monmouth.
Elias's history is as complicated as the history he and his family have lived through. Minette Walters is adept at making both histories clear. In a prologue, she briefly outlines the 'Aftermath of the English Civil War', and the events that resulted in the crowning of the Catholic convert, King James II, who, in contrast to the much loved 'Merry Monarch', King Charles II, was widely feared and disliked.
Elias, who had served with Monmouth in Charles II's Troop of Horse Guards, and who had been Charles's personal envoy, skilled at travelling abroad incognito, knows that 'Monmouth's recklessness is matched only by his poor judgment'. His clandestine attempts to dissuade Monmouth from mounting an invasion to claim the English throne fail. Elias hears that King James 'wants vengeance', and he knows that
'he will make such an example of the south-west that there will be no further talk of Protestant rebellion.'
Soon, 'in excess of three hundred men and a handful of women' await trial for treason in Dorchester Gaol. Some bear unmistakable battle wounds; many are just boys; and others have been falsely accused of harbouring fleeing 'traitors' - often by neighbours who bear a grudge against them. Elias learns that James has appointed Lord Jeffreys as Lord Chief Justice, and Jeffreys, who is already known as 'the hanging judge' for his harsh sentencing, is rumoured to have dubbed the king's campaign 'the Bloody Assizes'.
In his early attempts to ensure that Monmouth is treated fairly, Elias calls on a prominent Dorset magistrate:
'Anthony Ettrick was eating breakfast when his footman announced Reverend Houghton. Ettrick had a sense that he'd met the parson before, but he couldn't recall where or when, and nothing in his memory conjured up the patronym Houghton. 'Do I know you, sir?' he asked, before spooning scrambled egg into his mouth.'
Elias invents an acceptable lie about an earlier chance meeting, but in the course of explaining his visit he is startled by a sudden interruption from a woman whose presence had been concealed behind a high-backed chair close to the fireplace. Ettrick introduces his daughter, Althea:
'She is the joy of my life when she's not reprimanding me for small infractions of law, logic or philosophy.'
Althea, who has a crippled foot and uses an improvised wheeled chair to get around, has become a recluse, believing she is unacceptable in company. She is suspicious of Houghton and later identifies him from an engraving she finds in her extensive library. Elias sees this library when she allows him to push her there and wait while she consults documents that will help her father assess the claims of the man soon be brought to his house who claims to be Duke of Monmouth:
'the parson moved quietly along the shelves, marvelling at the wealth of knowledge displayed upon them. Bound books, being expensive, were usually the preserve of universities and the rich, but he estimated that upwards of two hundred were gathered in this room. And that number was swelled by piles of pamphlets, gazettes and news-sheets, stacked according to subject on the lower shelves'.
At the same time, Elias surreptitiously observes Althea Etterick, noting her youth and frailness, and her lack of attention to her appearance. From this point on, Althea begins to figure prominently among the other major 'players' in Minette Walters' novel.
Indulged by her widowed father, who, with the help of her brothers in London, buys her whatever books and manuscripts she wants, Althea has schooled herself in philosophy, mathematics and law, reads widely in current news-sheets, and is able to read (but not speak) five languages. She is also a clever manipulator: 'You spin a better story than I, mistress,' Elias tells her, amused when she invents a reason for him seeming to favour the Duke of Monmouth, and understanding that she has worked out his true identity. He also, later, discovers that Althea has adopted the persona of a Middle Temple lawyer, Mister Hugh Milton, in order to write a letter offering her services, as one who has 'strong ties to Dorset', in the trials of the Dorset prisoners:
'Acquaintances there tell me that Dorset gaol is filling with rebels, and that many of the prisoners are vehemently disclaiming any association with the Duke of Monmouth. For that reason, you may wish to employ me as an impartial arbiter of the charges against them.
The Assizes draw close, and to present Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys with a multitude of prisoners, one-quarter of whom may be able to prove their innocence, would be a mistake. You will be aware from your dealings with him that he is irascible and impatient.'
A third major player in this novel is Elias's mother, Jane. Readers who enjoyed Minette Walters' novel The Swift and the Harrier will recognise Jane as the strong-minded woman who had studied medicine and although unable, as a woman, to be registered as a doctor, had opened her own hospital, where she still treats anyone in need of medical attention.
Lady Jane Harrier, as Althea learns after she has discovered Elias's true identity, had been called urgently to help Althea's mother when she was bleeding heavily in childbirth, and she had ensured that the newborn Althea was carefully nursed after her mother died. Neither Althea nor Elias know this when they first meet.
Between these three strong characters, various ingenious ways are found of helping the Dorset prisoners. An important part of all this is Jane's ability to alleviate the severe pain Judge Jeffreys suffers from kidney stones exacerbated by his 'prodigious consumption' of alcohol. Jane manages to convince Jeffreys to stay overnight at Winterborne Houghton House on his way to the assizes. There she diagnoses his condition, treats it while he is in a drunken sleep, and confronts him the next morning:
'You were lucky, sir. The stone was not so big that you couldn't pass it without a little assistance ... I can't prove that wine enlarges the stones, Lord Jeffreys, but I can prove that water keeps them small enough to pass with ease.'
Jeffreys, who is unused to being spoken to so candidly, refuses to give up wine but is thankful for the pain relief her administration of laudanum has provided. He is invariably rude and bad-tempered, but he learns to accept, grudgingly, that both Jane and Elias speak their minds.
Many of the exchanges between Jane and Judge Jeffreys are bracingly funny, and Minette Walters' ease in retailing conversations between many different people - plain-speakers, sycophants, land-owners, lawyers, maids, farm-workers, mariners, and many others, draws the reader compellingly into their lives. History does not overwhelm the human interactions that are the major part of The Players, but Monmouth's horribly botched execution, and the brutal hanging, drawing and quartering of the three hundred men Judge Jeffreys sentences to death, are not glossed over. Elias, Althea and Jane are champions of plain-speaking and honesty, engaging everyone, even the rude and unpleasant Jeffreys, 'frankly and without artifice'. Elias, who has no time for empty-headed women who flutter their eyelashes at him in the hope of attaining a title, is naturally drawn to Althea, who is clever, forthright and independent.
And if some of his inventive and dangerous escapades are not altogether believable, this never interferes with the enjoyment of the story.
Thirst: A Novel
Marina Yuszczuk, author
Heather Cleary, translator
Dutton
c/o Penguin
https://www.penguin.com
9780593472064, $28.00 hc / $13.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Thirst-Novel-Marina-Yuszczuk/dp/0593472063
'There's something defiant about how she doesn't look away when I fix my eyes on her. Her dark hair is a long, tangled mess; she looks like a bag lady, but that's not what unsettles me. There's something about her that doesn't belong here... how can I explain it... in this reality. My heart slams against my rib cage when I realize why she looks so familiar. Fear carves a hole in my chest.'
Alma, in Marina Yuszczuk's prologue, has been wandering with her five-year-old son in Buenos Aires' oldest cemetery, La Recoleta, when the cemetery closing time is announced. Many of those in the 'sea of people surging in the alleys' around the exit gate are tourists who have been photographing opulent tombs and finding plaques bearing famous names. Alma is already feeling nervous as they crowd at the gate when she sees this strange woman staring fiercely at her. The reason for her sudden panic is not revealed until the second part of Thirst, when Alma takes over the narrative. Part one is spoken by the vampire.
I am not usually a reader of vampire fiction but when this book was sent to me I was intrigued: 'feminist Gothic', the 'fragility of vampires', 'nihilism', 'the history of Buenos Aires'. I was aware that horror, death, blood and sex are hallmarks of this genre, and they are all there in abundance in Thirst ... but a feminist vampire?
The female vampire in Thirst does hate the Dracula-like 'Master' who, two centuries ago, took her from her desperate, starving mother for 'a few coins':
'There were many others like me, little girls and boys held captive ... We were at our Master's disposal. He discarded some of us after draining their last drop of blood; he made others last ... When our bodies became the bodies of women, one by one the Master turned us.'
She hates the men who, centuries later, killed the Master, then hunted her and her sisters through the forest, led by a priest: 'his eyes burned with the desire to destroy us'. They staked and decapitated her sisters, but took her to a doctor's house, 'because the poor fools wanted to study one of my kind'.
After her escape, however, she moves to the city, learned 'to play the piano and to 'travel as a woman of society'. She takes lovers - male and female; roams Europe, changing her name 'at each new destination'; and finds 'companions willing to pay my way in exchange for my exotic presence as a mysterious polyglot foreigner'. She kills everywhere she goes, 'because after feeding, I could hardly leave my prey alive with my marks on their necks'. When eventually she kills a powerful woman lover the police get involved and they begin to hunt her. So, she charms her way onto a ship bound for Buenos Aires, determined to 'learn to move without leaving a trace in this new land, to go entirely unnoticed... and have a chance - if only a chance - at survival'.
She is in Buenos Aires, during the yellow fever epidemic of 1871, and allows a doctor, Francisco, who is exhausted by the horrors and the deaths he is dealing with, to rest in the house she has occupied. He is fascinated and aroused by her and begins to undress her, so
'I unbuttoned his shirt, too, and ran my lips along his neck. I could feel the rhythm of his panting against my mouth. His head throw back, he surrendered as I slid my tongue again and again over his Adam's apple, the line where beard meets skin.'
The sex is so intense that she passes out, and she wants his blood, 'but not just yet'.
He returns several times to the house, and he tells her about himself, his family, and his younger brother who is a priest: 'Francisco did his best to heal their bodies and Joaquin tended to their souls, which he deemed to be of greater value'.
So, she visits this young priest's church:
'I sat in one of the pews closest to the door and observed Joaquin... [He] at once attracted me and repulsed me. I was captivated by his fervour and hated everything he represented - the Church that, in its narrow vision of the world, assumed the right to declare that I and all those like me were creatures of the devil, departures from God's plan, when in fact our existence was proof that the plan of which they spoke was an invention of man - and a fairly uninspired one, at that. On the other hand, it was a religion founded on a murder. How could I not find that appealing?'
One night, on her rounds of the city, she follows him into his church, stirs him with a story of her dreams of being ravished by an inhuman beast, then, when she knows he is sexually aroused, she rapes him, performs a blasphemous, bloody ritual on his body, and leaves him 'naked with his arms spread in the form of the cross'. Fracisco, now ill with the fever, learns of his brother's death and realises what she is and what she has done, so he forcibly restrains her while a photographer takes her picture, then reports her to the police before he dies., Again she is forced to flee, and the place she finds safest is the old cemetery.
She knows the history of this old cemetery from the time in 1580, when Juan de Garay named the country Buenos Aires and 'planted a wooden cross on the earth where the main church would be erected', to its establishment as the Cemetario del Norte on the deconsecrated site of the Convento de los Recoletos. The city grows to surround it.
'It opens to receive the dead and also the living, whom it later expels to close over the dead once more, removing them from sight.... Before confining myself forever to my crypt, I spent many nights admiring the multiplication of sculptures, bodies, stone flowers, birds, and inscriptions above our heads, the proliferation of symbols that translate death, the putrefaction of the flesh, into another language - elevated and aimed at eternity, at heaven. '
Her passion is blood and the ecstasy of feeding on her victims, but there is no indication that she is a feminist. Over the centuries of her life she does have one long-term female companion, but she eventually bleeds her to death. Then there is Leonora, the beautiful young girl she rescues from a coffin in which she has been buried alive, feeds on, then, in order to keep her, turns her into a vampire like herself, but Leonora hates her.
During her life in the cemetery, she also makes a friend of Mario, a young Italian immigrant who works there. He knows what she is and keeps her secret, so she eventually entrusts him with a task he swears never to disclose:
'Despair got the better of me, so much had been destroyed during those terrible years, and I wanted to make sure it never happened again... I would retire to my tomb. In the depth of my pain, I remembered the small key that hung from a chain inside my coffin and asked Mario to lock me inside.'
It is this key that, in the present day, is passed to Alma by her mother.
Alma's mother is dying of a degenerative condition which leaves her progressively more helpless. Unable to speak, she writes words, with help, in a notebook:
I opened the notebook to a blank page and pressed a pencil into my mother's hand, then held her hand to the paper. After a struggle, she wrote a word and looked up at me. I turned the notebook around to see it better; it read key. I had no idea what she was talking about.
''A key? The key to this house?'
She said no, more with her eyes than by shaking her head which she could barely move. I put the notebook back under her hand and she wrote two more words: box and papers. That I understood.'
From a box of documents hidden on the top shelf of her mother's bedroom closet, Alma retrieves an envelope. Her mother confirms that his is what she wanted, then writes the word NO in capital letters next to the word key. Alma is called away before she can learn more, and takes the envelope with her. When she opens later, it in the privacy of her old apartment, she finds another envelope inside that contains a document dated 1903. It is written in barely decipherable 'ornate calligraphy', but Alma puzzles out 'Certificate of Ownership' and the words 'mausoleum' and 'Cemetario del Norte'. One of the signatures on the document is decipherable as Senor Mario. There is also a key.
Alma's life is difficult. As well as grief and concern as her mother gets progressively worse, she is in constant pain from a recent spinal operation, she is also recently amicably divorced from Santiago's father and worries about Santiago who lives with her most of the time. Her story begins on November 6th, as she visits the La Recoleta cemetery with her photographer friend Julia, looking for a suitable image for a 'trashy book of urban legends' that her 'bosses' think will sell. It ends on May 8th, when she goes back there with Santiago for the last time. She has sat in the cemetery often, because she finds peace and interest there, but there are also moments of sheer terror and, later, of horror.
To explain more would be a spoiler, but the link between the Vampire and Alma provides all the elements required of this genre, and I found Thirst to be a rich and curious story full of macabre fascination.
Dr Ann Skea, Reviewer
https://ann.skea.com/THHome.htm
Arthur Turfa's Bookshelf
Mycocosmic
Lesley Wheeler
Tupelo Press
https://www.tupelopress.org
9781961209169, $19.95
https://www.amazon.com/Mycocosmic-Lesley-Wheeler/dp/1961209160
Suetonius recorded Nero's comment about mushrooms being divine food, since poisoned mushrooms made his predecessor Claudius a god. Lesley Wheeler uses non-poisonous mushrooms as an extended metaphor in her latest book of poetry, Mycocosmic.
Mushrooms permeate this book of poetry. An under poem extends in the footers
as something edible, something toxic, something mystical, as something that can be used in conjure up another reality altogether.
"People say I'm reserved, but poems can't keep secrets." [p.21]Like mushrooms, what the speaker reveals requires some time develop and when it does, is profound. The speaker talks about growing up, love, and so much more in these poems
Map Projections shows the geography of a family as they live around "A peninsula of cabinets" [p.16] where the seating arrangement is designed strategically for as much protection as can be found. Later poems return to the family in reflection and following its development over the years.
A variety of poetic styles enhance the speaker's message and the reader's enjoyment. Mycocosmic is well-crafted and its speaker guides readers to greater insights.
Arthur Turfa
Reviewer
C.A. Gray's Bookshelf
Becoming Mrs. Lewis
Patti Callahan
Thomas Nelson
https://www.thomasnelson.com
9780785218098, $18.99 pbk / $10.49 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Mrs-Lewis-Improbable-Davidman/dp/0785218092
This was so good... and yet so heartbreaking at the end!
It was recommended to me by an acquaintance, who told me that this is the love story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. I knew she died young, and left him bereaved, so I asked, "It's not about her death, though?" She said, no, it's their love story.
Spoiler alert: she lied. But only kind of... because there's really no way to tell their love story without including her declining health; it's a pivotal part of the story. And there was a *little* redemption, so it wasn't JUST straight heartbreak.
I was immediately sucked into this first person novelization of Joy's life. She is written as such a sympathetic character, trapped in a dreadful marriage at a time when divorce, even for infidelity and abuse, was difficult at best. Because of all the stress (or at least that's what I gathered), her health was delicate. It's at this time in her life that an acquaintance who happens to be an American scholar on C.S. Lewis (strange that there is a scholar whose specialty is on the work of another living scholar) introduces her, via correspondence. I knew that Joy and Lewis corresponded for years while she was still in America and still married, but I think I was always a little in love with Lewis's mind myself, so I SO identified with Joy's feelings for him. What seemed strange to me was that she denied to herself for so long the nature of what she felt, because of Christian expectations (again, never mind that her husband was abusive and cheating). At last, when her health takes a turn for the worse, her doctor tells her that she must get away from her stress, or she will die. So, two years into her correspondence with Jack (as he's known by his friends), she at last indulges what she's wanted to do for so long. She leaves her boys behind with her husband and her cousin Renee (who ironically had come to live with them to get away from her own alcoholic husband), and she goes to England.
What follows is, essentially, a forbidden romance, filled with longing and tension and mental anguish on Joy's part, never knowing what exactly Jack is thinking, even as he becomes increasingly dependent upon her friendship and scholarly support. His actions lead her to believe that he loves her, but when she can stand it no more and all but asks, he essentially shuts her down. She realizes later that he has his own hangups that must be overcome. Joy's husband, meanwhile, falls in love with her cousin Renee, and at long last, Joy finally gets her divorce, and brings her boys to England. What finally brings about a change in Jack and Joy's relationship is the fact that her visa is about to expire, and unless she marries a citizen, she'll be deported. But this is the age in which King Edward VIII abdicated to marry an American divorcee, because the Church of England would never condone it - so Jack assumes the church will not marry them in the eyes of God either.
This is why Joy's illness is so pivotal. It brings their suppressed feelings to a head, forcing out into the open what has long been denied...
I don't like sad endings, but as I said, this one has a *bit* of a bittersweet character to it. And otherwise, so engrossing!
My rating: ****1/2
Language: none
Sexual content: none
Violence: none
Political content: none
C.A. Gray, Reviewer
www.authorcagray.com
Carl Logan's Bookshelf
The Clausewitz Myth: Or the Emperor's New Clothes
Azar Gat
Chronos Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803416212, $15.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Clausewitz-Myth-Emperors-New-Clothes/dp/1803416211
Synopsis: Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) is, by far, the most celebrated military theorist, whose prestige has reached ever new heights with succeeding generations of readers. However, "The Clausewitz Myth: Or the Emperor's New Clothes" by Azar Gat argues that his reputation has been largely inflated because of the notorious difficulties of understanding his major book,
On War (1832). Many of Clausewitz's interpreters, struggling to make sense of his work, have not admitted (to themselves no less than to their readers) that they did not quite figure it out. Hence, 'the emperor's new clothes.'
Returning to the subject in an updated and expanded form after 35 years, the pre-eminent Clausewitz scholar Azar Gat lays out Clausewitz's real intellectual background and the actual development of his ideas on war and its conduct.
"The Clausewitz Myth" makes sense of Clausewitz's train of thought, removing the veils of mystification and idolization surrounding it to clearly explain what the man and his work were about. Thereby the real Clausewitz, with both his significant contributions and his major errors in the field of military theory, replaces the current interpreters' myth of 'Clausewitz the absolute.'
Critique: Exceptionally well written, an iconoclastic work of impressive and detailed scholarship, and a simply indispensable study for every student of war, military theory, and strategy, "The Clausewitz Myth: Or the Emperor's New Clothes by Azar Gat is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Military Strategy & History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. This paperback edition of "The Clausewitz Myth" is also readily available from Chronos Books in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Azar Gat is Ezer Weitzman Professor of National Security in the School of Political Science, Government, and International Affairs at Tel Aviv University, which he twice chaired. Born in Israel (1959), he took his BA from Haifa University (1978), MA from Tel Aviv University (1983), and DPhil from the University of Oxford (1986). His War in Human Civilization (Oxford UP, 2006) was named one of the best books of the year by the Times Literary Supplement (TLS). In 2019 Professor Gat was awarded the EMET Prize in the fields of Political Science and Strategy. (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=FDR4uxUAAAAJ)
Carl Logan
Reviewer
Clint Travis' Bookshelf
Crypto Moments
Ben Brauser, author
Csaw, contributor
Brown Books Publishing Group
https://www.brownbooks.com
9781612546872, $39.95, HC, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Crypto-Moments-Visionaries-Disrupted-Finance/dp/1612546870
Synopsis: Cyptocurrency is a new kind of money that its proponents declare will dramatically alter the world of finance and economics.
"Crypto Moments: How Tech Visionaries Disrupted Global Finance " is replete with details guaranteed to shock and inspire as crypto enthusiast Ben Brauser and crypto expert Csaw's render an account of the genesis and history of cryptocurrency taking the reader on a captivating journey through the basics of the paradigm-shattering currency, with key detours into fascinating crypto trivia that may transform the way you think about the concept of money.
Consider the common pizza. While some would guess that the first-ever object purchased with a Bitcoin had to be more spectacular, it was indeed two supreme pies. Large. As Brauser and Csaw illustrate, the ongoing story of cryptocurrency is charming, quirky, and unexpectedly action-packed. It's a trip through a quantum universe of strangeness.
"Crypto Moments" reveals: A pseudonymous coder acting on a utopian vision. Nakamoto has never been identified, but Brauser provides fascinating clues to his identity; Unimaginable sums of money spent on utterly ephemeral art objects-and the art market will never be the same; Illicit transactions over the dark web; Highly consequential coding overseen by the quirkiest imaginable individuals; A civil war fought over the very infrastructure of Bitcoin -- and more!
Accompanied at every turn by vivid digital artworks of multiple artists depicting crypto's pivotal events, "Crypto Moments" guides us through the rapid highs and lows of cryptocurrency's past with the pace of a breaking-news cycle. Each moment in the saga is not only compelling, but transformative, and absolutely essential for understanding the decentralized economy soon to be barreling down upon us.
Critique: Impressively informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, this large format (10 x 1.5 x 10 inches, 2.4 pounds) hardcover edition of "Crypto Moments: How Tech Visionaries Disrupted Global Finance" from the Brown Books Publishing Group is an ideal introduction to crypto currency, it's history and economic potential/impact. Profusely illustrated throughout, this coffee-table style volume is a unique and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Crytp Currency collections and supplemental Economics curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note #1: Ben Brauser's professional career began in the legal field as an attorney specializing in corporate law. Subsequently, he joined his family office to work as in-house counsel. In that role he began investing in the stock market and various private and public ventures, particularly focused on technology. However, his true passion was ignited when he stumbled upon the world of Web3 and NFTs. He quickly realized how revolutionary and life changing crypto and NFTs are and will become. Communities are a big part of NFTs, and through one of those, he was fortunate to meet Csaw. The minute Csaw shared the idea of Crypto Moments and the opportunity to build it with him he didn't hesitate, and the rest is history.
Editorial Note #2: Being in the crypto space for over a decade, Csaw (www.csaw.io/) has been at the forefront of the adoption wave. In the early days, Csaw built brokerages, set up Bitcoin ATMs around the world, and ran a bitcoin exchange. Pivoting from bitcoin, Csaw then took a step back and began passionately trading and experimenting with all the newest techs and trends - from participating in the ICO craze, DeFi summer, Tomb Fork season, and eventually landing in the NFT space. Here he found his community, and once again his passion had been reignited. Csaw foresees the next ten years to be even bigger with Crypto Moments diving deep into all the space has to offer.
Clint Travis
Reviewer
Debra Gaynor's Bookshelf
Magenta
Sheri Fink, author
Bright Jungle Studios, illustrator
https://sherifink.com
Whimsical World
https://whimsicalworldbooks.com
9781949213546, $24.95, HC, 28pp, (Ages 4-10)
https://www.amazon.com/Magenta-Fantasy-Picture-Magical-Finding/dp/1949213544
A small kitten is lost in the woods; she wanders around forging for food. She finds a fairy door just big enough for the kitten to squeeze through. Kitten is amazed at the fascinating objects filling the room. There is a fireplace and lots of bottles of all shapes and sizes. There is a tree with thousands of pink flowers. Kitten cannot resist the urge to climb the branches scattering pink blooms on the floor. A bowl on the table smells delicious; Kitten is hungry. Kitten dips her paw into the bowl, she slips and falls in.
Suddenly in through the door comes a girl singing and dancing. Kitten hid deep inside the bowl. When Kitten sneezed, the girl reached into the bowl and drew out the kitten. She wrapped the shivering wet kitten in her apron and poured a saucer of milk. The next morning the girl realized the kitten had changed. She gave the kitten a special name, "Magenta." A raven, Obsidian, appears offering his opinion of the kitten but eventually he and Magenta made friends. Finally Magenta had a home and a family.
Long ago I gave Sheri Fink a nickname, The Queen of Whimsical. The Queen once again offers children a delightful book filled with whimsy. The illustrations are beautifully done. Magenta the cat is filled with curiosity. The girl, Iridessa, is kind and thoughtful. Obsidian know cats and birds don't mix... or do they.
The Queen's Cook: Queen Esther's Court #1
Tessa Afshar
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764243974, $29.99, HC, 400pp
9780764243691, $18.99 PB, $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Cook-Ancient-Biblical-Historical/dp/0764243691
In "The Queen's Cook", author Tessa Afshar transports readers back to Ancient Persia where Esther is the queen. Roxannah is talented in culinary arts. She is the daughter of a man that was once privileged. Her father was once kind and loving but after returning from the war he turned to alcohol; his personality changed and now he is cruel. Roxannah has bruises from his anger.
When the king issues an edict the Jewish citizens are placed in grave danger. The king has given permission to kill the Jewish people and keep the spoils. Roxannah's father sees the opportunity to get out of debt and increase his fortune. He planned to kill the Jewish physician, Adin, and take all of his belongings.
The tables turned on the old Laird and he was killed. Roxannah and her mother are left destitute. They have mounting debts and can barely keep food on the table. Roxannah is determined to take care of her mother; She turns to Adin begging for employment. She is drawn to the gentleman. He assists her in finding employment in Queen Esther's kitchen.
Roxannah moves into the magnificent palace. Her fellow kitchen workers resent her, after all she is a woman. She is an excellent cook and soon the head cook trusts her with more and more responsibility. When the cook becomes ill, she is appointed his replacement.
Queen Esther trusts the young woman and mentors her. Queen Esther is a woman of great beauty, intelligence, wisdom, grace and faith. After six years of marriage the Queen has not conceived a child. Her life is one of political intrigue, treacherous plots, constant gossip. Adin and Roxannah overhear a plot to kill Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and the enemy of Esther.
"The Queen's Cook" is an historical fiction that is based on fact. Author Tessa Afshar successfully incorporates scripture in this tale. Readers watch as Adin and Roxannah's relationship slowly develops. The two main characters assist Queen Esther and Amestris. The author's attention to details concerning Haman's plot against Esther, life in the palace for the queen and the employees. The men working in the kitchen were rude, mean and cruel. Roxannah was not Jewish however, she came to believe in God and gave Him her heart.
Beautifully written, "The Queen's Cook" draws readers in and mesmerizes them with life in Persia.
The Rational Bible: Numbers: God and Man in the Wilderness
Dennis Prager
https://dennisprager.com
Regnery Faith
https://www.regnery.com
9781510781498 $39.99 hc / $26.99 Kindle
https://dennisprager.com/prager-the-rational-bible-numbers-god-and-man-in-the-wilderness
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510781498
I've often read the Old Testament Scriptures, but I haven't actually focused on Numbers.
The book of Numbers is one of the first five books of the Torah. This is author Denis Prager's fourth book in this series; it helps readers to understand the importance of the Bible with a focus on the Torah.
He assists readers in applying the Torah to their lives. He never asks readers to accept something on faith alone; he insists the reader uses a reason-based approach. Among topics discussed are:
Skeptical of God
Miracles vs Effort
Debating with God
Not being thankful
Only men could serve as priests
The conscience is not morally consistent
Can extremism be defended
Does everything that happen come from God's will or are we just lucky
Author Dennis Prager presents his text in a simple and an easy-to-read manner. I am eager to delve into other books in this series.
Summit's Edge
Sara Driscoll
Kensington
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496744005, $28.00 HC, $14.28 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Summits-Edge-FBI-K-9-Novel/dp/1496744004
Sadly, I was unfamiliar with this series; I should have listened to all nine by now. While this book stands well alone there are references to past books that make me want to read them all.
The series focuses on FBI handler Meg Jennings and her K-9 partner, Hawk. Meg is a strong female lead. The character is realistic, likeable, knowledgeable, intelligent, and good at her job.
"In Summit's Edge" a mere two weeks before her wedding to firefighter/paramedic, fiance, Todd, Meg and Hawk are called on a special mission. A plane has been hijacked; on board are the board of directors of Barron Pharmaceuticals.
One of the security guards shoots the CEO. The plane crashes on Elk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado along the Maroon Bells Wilderness area. The plane breaks into killing those in the tail section. The survivors have multiple injuries. The hijacker makes a run for it with the CEO's son in hot pursuit despite his injuries.
Meg and Hawk, along with her friend/partner Brian and his K-9 dog Lacey must face treacherous weather in their effort to locate the plane and find the hijacker and Barron. This is a particularly tough mission for Meg, she is terrified of heights. Together Meg, Hawk, Brian and Lacey battle the weather, altitude, cold, lack of oxygen, and slippery unstable rocks; time is running out. This is a challenge unlike any they have faced before.
At the beginning of each chapter a term was defined concerning mountain climbing. It felt like I was on that slope with Meg as she and Hawk climbed the cold rocky mountain. Todd and others feed important information to the team searching for mountain. The details kept me eagerly listening to this tale. Kudos to author Sara Driscoll for the description of the climb and search. I was on the edge of my chair throughout this book.
This book has a special ending that fans will not want to miss.
The Grimm Society
Chanda Hahn
https://www.chandahahn.com
Neverwood Press
B0C9S5SV6Z
9781950440405, $20.99 Hardcover, $14.71 Paperback, $3.99 Ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Grimm-Society-Chanda-Hahn/dp/1950440400
This is a new series and I can hardly wait for book 2. Book 1 "The Grimm Society" revolves around Everly. Her mother left quite some time ago. Everly's father, a detective, had been preparing her, teaching her and challenging her for years so that she would be prepared to fight the Grimm when the time was right. He taught her to profile. How to distinguish truth from lies. He taught her self-defense and how to investigate a crime scene. After her father passed away, there was a sudden change in Everly, she can see things others can't. She is a Griever. A local private school invites her to be one of their students; they will teach her about Grimms and how to survive one.
The new school presents some problems. There is at least one bully. There are two love interests. I'm not sure which one I am rooting for. Strange, but I like them both. I like this book! The plot was strong and well developed. The main character is Everly. She is a strong female lead and appears to be more mature than most people her age. The other characters act their age. The characters are very well done; they introduce themselves in book 1.
"The Grimm Society" kept me guessing; I thought I had it figured out more than once to be lead in a different direction. This book manages to wrap up most of the story line and yet leave it open ended for book 2. Now I eagerly beg the author, "when does book 2 come out? Can I please review it?"
Your Pasta Sucks: A "Cookbook"
Matteo Lane
Chronicle Books
https://www.chroniclebooks.com
9781797229560, $29.99 Hardcover / $15.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Pasta-Sucks-Matteo-Lane/dp/1797229567
My apologies to the author: I've never heard of you. I am so glad I am not familiar with your name because it means I am looking at this book with fresh eyes. I have no connection to you in judging the contents of "Your Pasta Sucks."
After reading this book, I wish I knew you. Your personality shines through in each personal anecdote and story. "Your Pasta Sucks" is so much more than a cookbook; it is humor, hilarious tales. I love the recipes although many are out of my skill level. However, there are a couple I may try.
Kudos to author, comedienne and chef Matteo Lane. I'm glad I've met you.
She Doesn't Have a Clue
Jenny Elder Moke
Minotaur Books
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks
9781250354983, $31.00 Hardcover, $17.00 Paperback, $17.00 AudioBook, $11.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/She-Doesnt-Have-Clue-Novel/dp/1250354986
Meet Kate Valentine, a bestselling mystery writer. Kate is late turning in the draft of her latest Loretta Starling book. She has agreed to attend her, editor/ex-fiance's wedding. Of all the places she wants to be, this wedding would be the last on the list. Maybe the change in atmosphere will encourage her writing. After all the wedding is on a private island off the coast of Seattle, two days of Champagne and a fake smile.
Kennedy is the bride to be. Everyone expects Kate to throw a fit. Kate accidentally bumps into Kennedy, who landed in the gift table. At the rehearsal dinner Kennedy's grandmother announces she is giving the island away. A short time later the bride is found dead. A storm blows up taking down the wedding tent. Kate and Jake begin their investigation and find another body.
Kate has feelings for Jake. But she felt rejected and refused to act on her feelings.
This is a humorous mystery second chance romance. I love it. What a great read. I love the way Loretta tried to give Kate clues, but Kate always managed to ignore them... after all this wasn't a Loretta Starling mystery, this was a Kate Valentine mystery. It was fun watching Jake and Kate together. There were several characters in this tale but most of them were background characters. The secondary and main characters were interesting and well done.
Let's Call a Truce: A Novel
Amy Buchanan
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com/st-martins-griffin
9781250341563, $18.00 Paperback, $26.99 Audio, $12.00 Ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Call-Truce-Amy-Buchanan/dp/1250341566
Juliana was content staying home with her children but after her husband died, she had no choice but return to the workforce, after her husband Jason's death. Being a stay-at-home mom has kept her out of the loop for the last seven years, things have changed, and she must catch up. When the school calls concerning one of her children, she has to cancel a meeting with sexy, hunk, Ben ThShe and Ben Thomas get off to a bad start when she overhears him making comments about her lack of experience as well as her role as mother. Let the feud begin! Juliana is angry and determined to put Ben in his place. The feud doesn't last a few days, or a few weeks, after 2 years it has increased. After the two are forced to work on a project together they start to form a friendship and a relationship.
The sexual tension in this show was so thick you couldn't cut it with a knife. Perhaps all that bickering was due to attraction. The two competitors share a best friend, Asia; she attempts to stay out of the fray but finds it is almost impossible. Once Juliana actually listens to Ben, she realizes there is more to the story than meets the eye.
The character: Juliana was overzealous when it came to Ben. Ben is very nice once you tear down the walls, he has built around him. Let's Call A Truce is an enjoyable office romance read. The glitch in their relationship hits close to the ending. It could have been handled a bit better.
Lady Briar Weds the Scot
Fenna Edgewood
Independently Published
9798345958322, $13.99 Paperback, $4.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Briar-Weds-Blakeley-Manor/dp/B0DMK6DXP6
Author Fenna Edgewood brings readers a Regency romance. This is a light, fast read. Our main characters are Briar Blakeley and Wren Spencer. Briar is a beautiful young woman approximately 22 years old. Her sister was involved in a bad marriage, leaving Briar with no desire to marry. Her brother Dart, the Duke, has offered to present her for a season but she isn't interested. Wren Spencer fought in the war against the French but refused to returned Renfrew Castle because of to a family dispute. He takes a position as gardener for the Blakeley family. He enjoys working in the gardens, especially the herb garden. Percy is a childhood friend that has gone astray; he is a heavy drinker, a womanizer and in need of money. He has always assumed he and Briar would marry and is angry over her rejection.
Percy, Briar and Wren are kidnapped by a group of Scots that intend to drag Wren home whether he wants to return or not. Briar's reputation is in jeopardy from traveling with the men without a female chaperone. Both Wren and Percy ask her to marry them. She turns to Wren and accepts his proposal. Briar has already fallen in love with the Scott. Wren tries to convince himself he is doing the noble thing, but he is deeply in love with her. Not everyone is glad to see Wren return.
I have mixed feelings concerning this cheesy tale. I didn't dislike it. I actually enjoyed most of it, but it needs work. The speech was often off. It was written with too much contemporary thinking. Dart allowed his sister to make decisions for herself, allowed another sister to marry a stable hand. These things would never happen during that era. Then there is Wren. When he first met Briar, he was rude, prickly, annoyed and hasty to get away from her. He worked for her! There was no way a servant could talk to a mistress in such a manner. This tale has a lot of potential but still needs work.
Billy the Kid: The War for Lincoln County
Ryan C. Coleman
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonepublishing.com
9781094102702, $27.99 Hardcover, $17.99 Paperback, $9.99 Ebook, $19.99 Audio
https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Kid-War-Lincoln-County/dp/1094102709
The setting is 1870 New Mexico. The Civil War is over, and the white settlers are making their way west. The native inhabitants are forced to leave their homes. A group of wealthy politicians, businessman and landowners form a cartel; they hold all the power it by theft, graft, and murder. They own The House, a store in Lincoln.
William Bonney, (Billy the Kid) is a seventeen-year-old orphan. He was jailed when he was 15. The sheriff planned to "scare him straight", it didn't work. Billy was so scared he escaped from jail, living on the run from the law ever since. Billy wants a family, a home and people that love him. His mother died. His stepfather is cruel and unloving; he doesn't want to be bothered by Billy or his brother.
John Tunstall, a gang leader takes a liking to Billy and takes him under his wing. John is new to the area; he dreams of opening his own business in Lincoln, competing with The House. Tunstall is murdered, leaving Billy craving revenge.
Author Ryan C. Coleman demonstrates what it would be like to live in 1870. Billy's childhood was very sad and that is what brought him to a life of crime. I enjoyed learning about Billy the Kid. He was part of American history that we tend to overlook. Much has been written about the folk hero; author Ryan C Coleman brings the real Billy to life; he comes off the pages brandishing his fire arm ready to fight.
Debra Gaynor, Reviewer
www.hancockclarion.com
www.facebook.com/bookreviewsbydebra
Israel Drazin's Bookshelf
Mother Courage and Her Children
Bertolt Brecht
Grove Press
https://groveatlantic.com
9780802130822, $9.99 Paperback
https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Courage-Children-Bertolt-Brecht/dp/0802130828
Was Aristotle Always Right?
The highly respected Greek philosopher Aristotle, born in 384 BCE and died at age 62 in 322, was a student of Plato and a teacher of Alexander the Great. In his Poetics. he states that the principal effect of good tragedy literature is the purging of emotions, especially pity and fear. He called this catharsis.
Catharsis is a metaphor derived from the Greek medical term katharsis, which means "purgation" or "purification." Aristotle contended that tragedy arouses terror and pity and thereby affects the catharsis of these emotions. A reader of a tragedy or observer of a tragic play or film enjoys a good drama and then feels good and at ease.
The German playwright Bertolt Brecht, born in 1898 and died at age 58 in 1956, disagreed. He was a Marxist who hated capitalism. He is considered the most influential playwright of the 20th century. He felt that if audiences experienced an extreme emotion followed by a release of stress, as Aristotle claimed, it would benefit no one. The well-controlled and well-behaved citizen has neither improved himself nor society.
Brecht felt the drama should do the opposite. It should build tension, moral concern, and outrage and prompt the audience to take action to resolve the social problems that produced the tragedy. Viewers should be prompted by what they see or read to question life and the world. His plays are called "epic theatre," performances that encourage viewers to think objectively about the issues presented. One of his most famous statements should surprise no one: "Intelligence is not to make no mistakes, but to see quickly how to make them good."
His 1939 play Mother Courage and Her Children is considered his most acclaimed play and one of the best plays ever written. It is a perfect anti-war presentation. It raises questions about capitalism. The play describes the Thirty Years' War during the first half of the seventeenth century. It tells of the many deaths and hardships and explains how neutral countries profited from the war. It insists that conflicts lead to disasters and a coarsening of humanity. Rather than leaving its audience feeling good, the play raises many questions, such as: Was the mother really courageous? What is courage? Why didn't she help her children? What is a mother's responsibility?
The famous 1986 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Elie Wiesel, who also deserved a Nobel Prize for Literature, was born in 1928 and died at 87 in 2016. He also wrote his 57 books to stir the imagination and acts of his readers. He suffered in some Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The Nazis murdered his family. His most famous quote is: "I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides." His goal to encourage questions, concerns, anger, and action earned him the Nobel Prize and many others. People should read his books. They are masterpieces.
I agree with Brecht and Wiesel that tragedies should not relieve emotions, as Aristotle claimed. I interpret the Torah in my many books with this ideaThe purpose of the Torah is to raise questions and provoke thinking and action, not answers. The goal of the acts is the betterment of the world, of respect for all humans, animals, plants, and all that God created or formed.
In short, when we read good literature, we should question what we read and why something is happening. We should seek to be stimulated by our reading to change and improve ourselves and everything. Is what we read proper? Should it have been done differently? Just as the patriarch Abraham questions God's decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18. Should he have also asked God why He planned to kill innocent children? Why was Lot's wife killed when she turned to see the destruction of Sodom? This is not easy. The more we know, the more questions we have. But study is necessary. Formal schooling was never meant to end learning when we leave the school building. Schools teach only the basics, even to PhDs. What we learned when we were younger must be added to. In less than forty days, I will be age 89, and despite having many post-graduate degrees, I study daily.
A Celebration of Jewish Achievements in America (and beyond)
Jonathan Sapir
Amazon
9798895890882, $52.00
https://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Jewish-Achievements-America-beyond/dp/B0DJGJMMGB
Jewish Achievements in America and the World
Jonathan Sapir's 597-page book, A Celebration of Jewish Achievements in America and Beyond, is a must-read, easy-to-read, informative volume about the enormous contributions Jews made in America and the world. The book is filled with eye-opening facts, information most people do not know, and pictures galore.
Jews and non-Jews need to know about this long list of involvements and their influences. Hopefully, this information will help people understand why the current widespread anti-Semitism is misguided.
For example, between 1901 and 2023, the Nobel Prize was awarded to more than 900 people. At least 214 of them are believed to be Jewish or raised Jewish.
Jews contributed significantly to world health. There were 59 Jewish Nobel Prize winners, 26% of whom were worldwide and 38% of whom were Americans.
Ten percent of worldwide winners of the Peace Prize were Jews, and eight percent were Americans.
The economy was an essential concern in the 2024 presidential election. Jews won 41 percent of prizes for work in economics, 51 percent were Americans.
Besides relating the astonishing data of Nobel Prize winners, the book shows the other gifts Jews gave the world in high numbers despite Jews being only two percent of the American population and two-tenths of a percent worldwide.
We read about their profound positive influence upon American and world history, politics, science, technology, arts, literature, movies, music (we read, for example, that without Jews, there would have been no Beatles), food, business, hotels, publishing, stores, fashion, Broadway, comedians, actors, indeed every aspect of society.
Five Biblical Portraits
Elie Wiesel, author
Ariel Burger, introduction
University of Notre Dame Press
https://undpress.nd.edu
9780268207311, $35.00
https://www.amazon.com/Five-Biblical-Portraits-Elie-Wiesel/dp/0268207313
Five Biblical Portraits
The Bible tells stories about many men and women to delight readers, inspire them to act as God desires, help them learn from the lives described, and improve themselves and all of creation.
Many commentaries were composed to highlight and explain the messages of the tales. In Five Biblical Portraits, Elie Wiesel describes the lives and activities of five men mentioned in the Tanakh, the Hebrew name for the Bible. The term is composed of the opening letters of the three collections of books in the Hebrew Bible: Torah. Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016), a Romanian-born American writer, professor, and political activist, received many awards for his 57 books, primarily written in French and English. He received the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal, among his other honors.
When he was fifteen years old, the Nazis kidnapped him and his family and deported them to the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. His mother and younger sister were murdered in gas chambers on the night of their arrival. He and his father were deported to Buchenwald, where his father died before the camp was liberated on April 11, 1945.
He is best known for his first book, Night, in which he tells the horrible experiences he encountered during the Holocaust. However, the brilliant author, who not only deserved the Nobel Peace Prize but also deserved the Nobel Prize for Literature, was also an advocate for peace for all people. He also wrote about the lessons derived from Hasidic teachings, as in the book Souls on Fire, and what we can derive from the Bible, as in this volume. These lessons, if learned, understood, and practiced, would ensure that horrors such as what occurred in the Holocaust would not be repeated.
Five Biblical Portraits is a new 2023 edition of the previously published 1981 popular edition. It contains a new 32-page introduction by Ariel Burger, which, among many other things, reveals Elie Wiesel's paramount thinking. Burger knew Wiesel well. He attended his classes in 1996 and served as his teaching fellow from 2003 to 2008. He tells us that Wiesel once ended a class lecture, saying, "When it is time for me to come before the heavenly tribunal, I will ask God my question. It will consist of one word: Why." Burger comments, "This emphatic, passionate "Why?" lies behind Wiesel's reading of biblical tales."
Burger also writes that Wiesel was convinced that the power of literature lies in its ability to galvanize human action. This includes the Bible. "The text is not - cannot be - neutral, nor is it an end in itself: it must serve to humanize our society."
Wiesel shows this in his discussions of Joshua, Elijah, Saul, Jeremiah, and Jonah's lives and actions.
He informs us that although Joshua led a successful battle during the lifetime of Moses, he was not confident after his teacher's death. The book of Joshua begins with God encouraging him to be strong. We read how he lost a battle when he led the Israelites into Canaan, but he learned from his mistake and was successful when he fought the next time. We also read about his goal to have the Israelites conquer all of Canaan, but he failed to do so. (We are reminded of the advice of Rabbi Tarfon in Pirkei Avot 2:21, "It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work. But you are not free to desist from it.")
He mentions the dispute among scholars about whether God was satisfied with Elijah's activities and gives his view that God was delighted. He notes that many see a marked difference between the depiction of Elijah in the Bible and the ones we see in the many legends about how he helped people after his death. Elijah is the most famous of all prophets. One legend says he will return to earth and announce the messiah's arrival. Wiesel tells many of these legends and reveals much we can learn about proper behaviors and Jewish law. An example of the latter is the tale of a dispute between a single rabbi and most of his colleagues, with God taking the side of the lone rabbi. The rabbis disregarded God's view, saying Jewish law is decided on earth by a majority. One of the many rabbis met the legendary Elijah and asked him how God reacted. Elijah responded, "God said, Natzchuni banai - 'My children have defeated Me.'" Wiesel adds, "I would prefer to change the punctuation, "Please, children, defeat Me!" God loves to be defeated by His children - but only in debates."
Wiesel is bothered by how the Bible depicts King Saul. Saul was Israel's first king and was followed by King David. In many ways, he sees Saul as being better than David. He never dreamed of being a king. God chose him for a task he did not seek. He told Samuel, who appointed him a king, that he did not deserve this honor. Saul's failures fascinate us. David has many wives; Saul only has one. David marches behind his troops while Saul leads them in battle. David committed adultery and had the woman's husband killed; Saul's crime was that he sought a sorcerous to bring Samuel up from the dead to give him advice. Samuel rebukes Saul for not killing King Agag. Is Samuel correct that this act of kindness shows he is unfit to be a king? What does his life teach us?
We are shown the prophet Jeremiah as a man searching for truth. He was born in 645 BCE and began involving himself in public affairs at age twenty-two. He spent more than a decade in prison for his activities. The word "falsehood" appears seventy-two times in biblical literature, half in the Book of Jeremiah. He alone predicted a catastrophe, the destruction of the Jewish state in 586 BCE, experienced it, and lived to tell the tale. He alone sounded the alarm before the fire and, after being singed by its flames, went on to retell it to any who would listen. But people ignored what he said while he was alive, but they listen today. We use his words to describe our struggles.
The prophet Jonah is unusual. He argued with God not to save the people of the city of Nineveh, a city of non-Jews, but to punish them. Why? We read his story at the most solemn moment of the Fast Day, the Holy Day of Yom Kippur. Why? We read his fantastic story, and it moves us to think. Why? Is it about repentance or free choice or the need to think of helping not only Jews but all people? Jonah sits under a plant that shades him as he broods that Nineveh is saved. God kills the plant. Jonah weeps for the dead plant. The Book of Jonah ends with God's question to Jonah, "You feel sorry for the plant, and you want Me not to feel sorry for Nineveh and its people and its animal?" Jonah does not respond. Isn't it true that we, too, are not responding?
Like all of us, the five men Wiesel described had severe problems, for life is complicated. But each of them made it into the Bible. Perhaps this teaches us that we, too, can succeed somehow.
Israel Drazin, Reviewer
www.booksnthoughts.com
Jack Mason's Bookshelf
The Body Brokers
Brian Cuban
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
9798888451588, $18.99, PB, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Body-Brokers-Brian-Cuban/dp/B0CYY2KXFC
Synopsis: Lawyer Jason Feldman finds his girlfriend, Emily, dead of a fentanyl overdose. She was the best thing that happened to him since being forced to rebuild his life, struggling to stay sober after being falsely accused of murder, and being suspended from the practice of law.
When the police write Emily's murder off as accidental, Jason and Emily's roommate, Delaney, begin their own investigation. Together, Jason and Delaney uncover a dangerous secret that endangers not only their lives, but the lives of those around them. Their journey catapults them into the corrupt addiction treatment centers that will go to any lengths to keep them from learning the truth.
Their only chance of survival lies in Doc, a former physician, who holds the key to Emily's past and Jason's future. Will they be able to uncover the truth and expose the powers that be?
Critique: A riveting thriller of a read from start to finish, in "The Body Brokers" author Brian Cuban demonstrates a distinctive and compelling storyteller style. Of special interest to fans of contemporary suspense stories base on the dark side of the fentanyl pandemic currently raging through the country, "The Body Brokers" does not disappoint. While highly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Body Brokers" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) from Post Hill Press.
Editorial Note: Brian Cuban (https://briancuban.com) is a Dallas-based attorney, author, and person in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. He is a graduate of Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. His book, "The Addicted Lawyer: Tales of the Bar, Booze, Blow, and Redemption" is an unflinching look at how addiction and other mental health issues destroyed his career as a once successful lawyer, and how he and others in the profession redefined their lives in recovery and found redemption.
Jack Mason
Reviewer
John Burroughs' Bookshelf
Red Lines
James Bultema
https://www.jamesbultema.com
P.D. Publishing
ISBN TBA, $24.99 HC, $16.99, PB, 399pp
https://www.jamesbultema.com/product-page/red-lines
Synopsis: After a devastating attack on a symbol of American freedom by radicalized domestic Hezbollah terrorists, the US finds itself on the brink of war. Tensions escalate as retaliatory strikes lead to a high-stakes confrontation that reverberates across the globe.
In a game of cat and mouse, submarines prowl the depths, fighter jets streak across the skies, and warships clash in an epic struggle for dominance. With advanced weaponry and strategic cunning, both sides push the boundaries of warfare, drawing the world's superpowers into a conflict that threatens global stability.
Critique: "Red Lines" is the third volume in author James Bultema's 'Sea of Red" series, and continues as an action packed novel of war between the US and Iran that could well be prophetic, With the future of international order hanging in the balance, "Red Lines" takes the reader on a deftly crafted and relentless journey through the complexities of modern warfare and what would and could be the far-reaching consequences of a single, violent act such as we see carried out in the present day with the October 7th attack by an Iran support Hamas on Israel that resulted in more than 43,000 dead Palestinians -- and still more casualties daily with Iran's Hezbollah attacks resulting in Israel responses in Lebanon, and direct exchanges of attacks between Israel and Iran.
A simply riveting read from first page to last, James Bultema is a master storyteller with a distinctive style that never disappoints. While also available for personal reading lists in both a paperback edition ($16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99, Amazon), "Red Lines" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and public library Contemporary military themed action adventure fiction collections.
Editorial Note: James Bultema is a military combat veteran and a retired LAPD officer with over twenty-five years of experience on the streets of Los Angeles. His debut novel, Sea of Red, became a bestseller, earning prestigious awards and recognition as one of the top military thrillers of 2023. Drawing on his experiences from real-world conflict zones and urban policing, Bultema weaves authenticity into every battle scene. With a degree in history and a commitment to thorough research, he ensures his depictions of modern warfare are as accurate as they are compelling. His riveting stories, full of unforgettable characters, resonate long after turning the final page. Attack from Within is the second installment of the Sea of Red series, with the highly anticipated third book, Red Lines, slated for release in February 2025.
John Burroughs
Reviewer
Julie Summers' Bookshelf
Framed for Murder
Marla A. White
Wild Rose Press
https://wildrosepress.com
9781509254293 $18.99 pbk / $5.99 Kindle
Synopsis: After a life-changing injury, Mel O'Rourke trades in her badge for bed sheets, running a B & B in the quirky mountain town of Pine Cove. Her peaceful life is interrupted when an old frenemy, the notorious and charismatic cat burglar, Poppy Phillips, shows up on her doorstep, claiming she's been framed for murder. While she's broken plenty of laws, Mel knows she'd never kill anyone. Good thing she's a better detective than she is a cook as she sets out to prove Poppy's innocence.
The situation gets complicated, however, when the ruggedly handsome Deputy Sheriff Gregg Marks flirts with Mel, bringing him dangerously close to the criminal she's hiding. And just when her friendship with cafe owner Jackson Thibodeaux blossoms into something more, he's offered the opportunity of a lifetime in New Orleans. Should she encourage him to go, or ask him to stay? Who knew romance could be just as hard to solve as murder?
Critique: Set in the quirky yet appealing mountain town of Pine Cove, Framed for Murder: A Pine Cove Mystery features charming characters at cross-purposes. Former law officer Mel O'Rourke shelters a cat burglar while seeking evidence to prove that her fugitive is innocent of murder, a precarious situation that becomes an order of magnitude more complicated when the dashingly attractive deputy sheriff Gregg Marks is on the case! And Mel's romantic relationship with cafe owner Jackson Thibodeaux becomes complicated when he gets the opportunity of a lifetime in New Orleans - far away from the life and the bed & breakfast business that Mel has built. Is their time together over? Does she dare she ask him to forfeit New Orleans to be with her, when her own life is tangled up with trying to solve a murder on behalf of a thief? A cozy mystery perfect for curling up to read during the cold winter, Framed for Murder is highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre.
Salmon Moon: River of No Return
Julie Weston
https://julieweston.com
Encircle Publications
https://encirclepub.com
9781645995821, $26.99, HC, 244pp
https://www.amazon.com/Salmon-Moon-Return-Moonshine-Mystery/dp/1645995828
Synopsis: Sheriff Charlie Azgo lies wounded in a derelict house on the Salmon River in Idaho. Nellie and her black Lab dog Moonshine board a river scow to rescue him. A small gang of criminals escapes with a sack of gold, one in a dory on the river, one on a horse into the wilds, and the third...
The sheriff, Nellie, and Moonie - along with nurse Janie, and Ace, a riverboat sweepman - give chase on the River of No Return. In and out of the river, they run rapids, catch salmon, and meet miners and settlers as they pursue the fugitives. Will they capture their man... or woman?
Critique: With "Salmon Moon: River of No Return" think -- a cozy mystery set in 1920's Idaho! This is author Julie Weston's sixth novel in her simply outstanding 'Nellie Burns and Moonshine Mystery' series from Encircle Publications. An original and fun read from start to finish for action/adventure mystery buffs, "Salmon Moon: River of No Return" is especially recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should also be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition is readily available in paperback (9781645995814, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Julie Weston (https://julieweston.com) is the author of the Nellie Burns and Moonshine Mysteries: Moonshadows (a Finalist in the May Sarton Award for Historical fiction), Basque Moon (Winner of the 2017 WILLA Award for Historical Fiction), Moonscape (Bronze Winner of the Foreword Award for Mystery), Miners' Moon (Bronze winner in the Will Rogers Medallion Awards for Mystery), Moon Bones (Encircle Publications, October 2022), and Salmon Moon: River of No Return (Encircle Publications, November 2024).
Julie Summers
Reviewer
Kirk Bane's Bookshelf
The 33 1/3 B-Sides: New Essays by 33 1/3 Authors on Beloved and Underrated Albums
Edited by Will Stockton and D. Gilson
Bloomsbury Academic
www.bloomsbury.com
9781501342455, $26.95, paperback
https://www.amazon.com/33-B-sides-Authors-Beloved-Underrated/dp/1501342940
Pop culture aficionados are undoubtedly familiar with Bloomsbury Academic's acclaimed 33 1/3 Series, which examines important albums in music history. My library, for instance, contains at least a dozen books from this celebrated collection. The publisher has now returned with this fantastic volume, skillfully edited by Will Stockton (Professor of English at Clemson University) and D. Gilson (Assistant Professor of English at Texas Tech University), which offers more than fifty incisive and entertaining essays, most about four pages in length, on "beloved and underrated albums."
"Questions central to the essays," Stockton and Gilson assert, "include: How has this album influenced your worldview? How does this album intersect with your other creative and critical pursuits? How does this album index a particular moment in cultural history? In your own personal history? Why is the album perhaps under-the-radar, or a buried treasure? Why can't you stop listening to it?"
Contributors to this superb anthology consider such diverse albums as Robert Johnson's King of the Delta Blues Singers (1961); Leonard Cohen's Songs of Love and Hate (1971); The New York Dolls' Too Much, Too Soon (1974); The Cars' Candy-O (1979); R.E.M.'s Chronic Town (1982); Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking (1988); Sinead O'Connor's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990); De La Soul's De La Soul Is Dead (1991); Prince's Emancipation (1996); The Smashing Pumpkins' Adore (1998); Nine Inch Nails' The Fragile (1999); and Bob Dylan's Love and Theft (2001).
Clare Nina Norelli's essay on The Doors' Strange Days (1967) ranks among the book's best. "Over the course of [the LP's] tight thirty-four-minute run time," she observes, "a mood of detached alienation prevails that allows each song to feed seamlessly into the next. From its cover artwork, which depicts a group of carnival folk cavorting in a gray New York alleyway, to its lyrical content and weird timbres, it is clear that Strange Days is an album dedicated to outcasts, to those who are lost, unhappy, and at odds with the world around them." Norelli concludes, "To my mind, Strange Days is the band's most solid and evocative offering. My interest in Jim Morrisson and The Doors may have diminished somewhat in the years since their music soundtracked my lonely teenage reveries, but the moody Strange Days has remained a favorite record."
Great stuff! Bloomsbury Academic and 33 1/3 have provided music fans another terrific volume.
Kirk Bane
Reviewer
Margaret Lane's Bookshelf
The Wisdom Whisperers
Melinda Blau
https://melindablau.com
Morehouse Publishing
c/o Church Publishing Incorporated
www.churchpublishing.org
9781640657137, $26.95, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Whisperers-Golden-Guides-Laughter/dp/1640657134
Synopsis: "The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter" is a deeply personal and heartwarming book in which journalist Melinda Blau confronts the stereotypes surrounding life's later chapters, drawing from unexpected friendships with the remarkable women she affectionately dubs "my old ladies".
Through intimate storytelling and candid reflections, Blau peels back layers of societal judgment to uncover the hard-earned wisdom and resilience that come with the unfolding of years.
From her relationship with Henrietta, a vibrant nonagenarian, Blau discovers that age is less a number and more the unexpected twists and turns of a life fully lived. Zelda, ever the free spirit, shows that the sparkle of youthful passion can persist well into later years -- she's nailing tennis serves even in her 90s.
Then there's Anne, a Holocaust survivor who proves that at 98, it's still not too late to pen your life story.
Yet, "The Wisdom Whisperers" isn't simply a compilation of friendship tales. It is also a clarion wake-up call that encourages us to build meaningful connections across different phases of life. These bonds are mutually enriching, offering us valuable insights and a depth of understanding that is impossible to obtain from our contemporaries.
At its heart, Wisdom Whisperers is about the boundless opportunities that unfold when we dare to look beyond age as a limiting factor.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter" offers an extraordinary and inherently fascinating approach to creating (and appreciating) the latter years of life, the issues of self-esteem while aging, and, from a Christian perspective, the joy life has to offer as we grow older in years and younger in spirit. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library and senior center collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Wisdom Whisperers" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) as well.
Editorial Note: Melinda Blau (https://melindablau.com/) is an Award-winning journalist who has been researching, writing, and speaking about relationships and social trends for more than forty years. "The Wisdom Whisperers" her 16th and most personal and important book to date. It introduces readers to nine admirable women in their 90s and 100s whose paths to aging illuminate the joys of the journey and its roadblocks. Melinda calls these friends "my old ladies" and now, at 80, proudly joins their ranks.
The Moonflowers
Abigail Rose-Marie
www.abigailrosemarie.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662522970, $16.99, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Moonflowers-Novel-Abigail-Rose-Marie/dp/1662522975
Synopsis: Tig Costello has arrived in Darren, Kentucky, commissioned to paint a portrait honoring her grandfather Benjamin. His contributions to the rural Appalachian town and his unimpeachable war service have made him a local hero. But to Tig, he's a relative stranger. To find out more about him, Tig wants to talk to the person who knew her grandfather best: Eloise Price, the woman who murdered him fifty years ago.
Still confined to a state institution, Eloise has a lifetime of stories to tell. She agrees to share them all -- about herself, about Tig's enigmatic grandmother, and about the other brave and desperate women who passed through Benjamin's orbit. Most revealing of all is the truth about Whitmore Halls, the mansion on the hill that was home to triage, rescue, death, and one inevitable day that changed Eloise's life forever.
As Tig begins to piece together the puzzle of her mysterious family tree, it sends her spiraling toward a confrontation with her own painful past -- and a reconciliation with all its heartrending secrets.
Critique: Eloquent crafted with an impressive storytelling skill, "The Moonflowers" is all the more impressive when considering that is is author Abigail Rose-Marie's debut as a novelist. Original, fascinating, emotionally engaging, inherently fascinating, "The Moonflowers" is gothic historical fiction at its very best. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Suspense/Thriller Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Moonflowers" from Lake Union is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Abigail Rose-Marie (www.abigailrosemarie.com) is a writer from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She holds a PhD in creative writing from Ohio University and an MFA from Bowling Green State University.
Margaret Lane
Reviewer
Matthew McCarty's Bookshelf
That Librarian
Amanda Jones
Bloomsbury Books
bloomsbury.com
9781639733538, $29.99 US / $39.99 CAN / $12.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/That-Librarian-Against-Banning-America/dp/1639733531
The importance of giving students the opportunity to experience a wide variety of books, cultures, and lives is an essential aspect of the freedom that we value here in America. The efforts by certain organizations and individuals to ban books or censor libraries or even free speech is a specific and dangerous threat to that freedom. That Librarian by award winning librarian Amanda Jones, is a chronicle of just how those efforts at censorship or book banning can become very personal and extremely dangerous. That Librarian is a crucial weapon in the fight against extreme efforts to alter the ideals and beliefs that make America a wonderful place to be.
Extreme efforts at book banning and censorship curtail the freedoms that Americans take for granted. The extent of Amanda's maligned infraction against those on the fringes of society was speaking at a local library board meeting. Amanda writes with an articulate sense of justice and an understanding of how important her work is and the positive legacy that her work has left on Livingston Parish, Louisiana as well as the United States of America as a whole. Amanda's efforts were not intended to belittle anyone or cause conflict, but rather were intended to show how dangerous efforts at censorship can be. Those efforts were corrupted and misconstrued by extremists who are not interested in protecting children but rather in furthering their own agenda.
That Librarian is a great read. Amanda writes with honesty and conviction and shares her personal struggles with how she has been treated by extremist groups. She shares her heartbreak but also her hopes and the uplifting messages that have kept her going over the last two years. That Librarian is a much needed journey through the last two years of American life. Amanda Jones is an excellent writer, true hero, and an outspoken advocate for inclusion. That Librarian is her call for action and understanding.
Matthew W. McCarty, EdD
Reviewer
Michael Carson's Bookshelf
Shut Up and Feel: An Adult Picture Book On Emotions
DJ Corchin, author
Dan Dougherty, illustrator
The phazelFOZ Company, LLC
www.shutupfeel.com
9781732864627, $17.99, HC, 48pp
https://www.amazon.com/Shut-Up-Feel-Picture-Emotions/dp/1732864624
Synopsis: Through humor, relatability, and a healthy dose of profanity, "Shut Up and Feel: An Adult Picture Book On Emotions" transcends the boundaries of conventional picture books. This book is for all we who are adults. From the award-winning duo of bestselling children's books, A Thousand NO's and Do You Speak Fish? comes an unapologetic ode to the complexities of the human experience, guaranteed to resonate with anyone who feels the messiness of emotions.
Truly a one-of-a-kind adult picture book for all of us from 18 to 88, "Shut Up and Feel: An Adult Picture Book On Emotions" by the team of author/storyteller DJ Corchin and artist/illustrator Dan Dougherty is original, singular, fun, informative, memorable and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections.
Editorial Note #1: DJ Corchin is an author and/or illustrator of over 24 children's books. A Thousand NO's illustrated by Dan Dougherty launched to wonderful reviews, became a Barnes & Noble Bestseller, and won the Eric Hoffer Award for Best Children's Book. Additional award-winning titles include Do You Speak Fish?, The I Feel... Children's Series, The Band Nerds Book Series, and If You Find A Unicorn, It Is Not Yours To Keep.
Editorial Note #2: Dan Dougherty (www.linkedin.com/in/dan-dougherty-98a74910) is a writer, illustrator, creator of ongoing comic strip "Beardo", published in the Southtown Star and Daily Illini, as well as in three collected volumes released in 2008 and 2009, and 2011, and on one of the largest comics websites in the world, www.gocomics.com/beardo . He is also the winner of the the 2012 Shel Dorf Award for Syndicated Print Strip of the Year.
Michael J. Carson
Reviewer
Robert Prochaska's Bookshelf
If Not
Thomas Sanfilip
Ara Pacis Publishers
www.arapacispublishers.com
9780991114634, $22.95
It is sometimes the case that the illusions people have of themselves or of other people are much stronger than the reality of the lives actually lived. Events that may have been preceded by mere happenstance can have a lasting effect on the parties involved, and intense relationships can reveal many hard truths beneath the surface. Thomas Sanfilip's short story collection, If Not, conjures the human experience in its full spectrum, but what it conveys about the complexity of that experience is what gives it the weight of its pages. Many of Sanfilip's stories have a recurring motif of blue sky, unending light, and vast distances that cannot be fully explored. It is as if the characters become subsumed at times by the light, and either it illuminates their most private thoughts, or diminishes them as the day turns into night.
Nowhere is the thin line between the illusory and the real more vivid than in "The Concept." The narrator describes a relationship he is having with a woman whose tattooed adornments cover most of her body, "blood-reds and blues merging into each other like the spines of an armadillo." The story is a difficult one to tackle, but Sanfilip does so with a brutal honesty, yet it is the ephemerality of the markings and how Sanfilip decodes them that is so effectively described and which makes this story a standout.
"The White Mistress" is another poignant piece that centers on an aged ex-dancer who flirted with Hollywood fame but is now living hand-to-mouth. When an employee at an art gallery can find no information on an artist the old woman inquiries about, she invites him to her apartment to see paintings of herself as a young woman done by an artist many years earlier. Her revelations made in subsequent conversations eventually expose a tragic truth underlying the ultimate sacrifice, caused by an obsessive devotion, that propels the story to its thought-provoking ending.
"Imperium" is another story told from the point of view of a tormented woman, Sarita, who is simultaneously revolted and allured by her indiscretions with men, sometimes for money. She stumbles home from a nightmarish sexual encounter with Rafael, who seems to be the only man in her life that she can control with all her visceral powers, despite ultimate emptiness. There is a married man in her life, but that relationship is an obligatory and fruitless exercise each time she meets him. The prose writing has a cinematic pace that elevates each encounter and gives the ending resonance.
However, it is not only women whose inner selves are revealed in Sanfilip's stories, but the motives and sometimes mundane lives of men as well. There is always a search to find a reason for each character's intentions in Sanfilip's pieces, be it guarded or outwardly displayed. This aspect of Sanfilip's fiction is a distinct departure from most contemporary short stories.
One such example is a mystery shrouded in an enigma, the centerpiece in the story "In the Style of Gunter Schmidt." A man traveling abroad is taken by a painting in a cafe that is identified as a homage to the painter in the title. If this very bland and lifeless work was meant to copy the real artist, the man thinks, then he must set out to seek the man so honored, Gunter Schmidt. The artist lives in a mystical house overlooking a lake, an ethereal landscape that is vividly described. As we learn more about how Schmidt views art, we finally get to enter his studio. There is much to contemplate here in terms of what lengths one man will go in search of an interpretation of a world where nothingness is the central, and overriding, symbol.
In another story, "Shrikantha," a mother and young daughter become an integral part of a strange relationship involving an aging ascetic who, enchanted by the child's innocence and beauty, ingratiates himself in their lives. As if finding a gateway to his senses, but with no ulterior intention, the child provides the purity and innocence the man is constantly seeking. In "Shrikantha," what transpires is the story of a man who sees his life force slowly ebbing away, but is in store for a surprise validation even he did not expect.
Several stories - "The House Next Door" and "The Very Best Part' - deliver unexpected twists that caught me off guard, but nevertheless were very satisfying. The first thought I had was that these plotlines would have made for top-notch screenplays for The Twilight Zone. In contrast, "Arc de Triomphe" is a touching piece about a man who invites his dying sister to visit him in California, and the resultant emotional turbulence, with the refracted waves of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, offers a poignant conclusion.
There are many examples in Sanfilip's collection of 24 stories of a clearly spiritual, metaphysical world that is given very little weight in our material lives. He has found that world by taking careful inventory of his visions in clear, sparse prose that leads the reader down new pathways of interesting and often unexpected revelations that brilliantly resonate at every turn of the page. Few writers today can boast such mastery over their work, while at the same time provide a depth that leaves the reader breathless and profoundly moved. Sanfilip is just such a writer, driven by a belief in the purity that often struggles to the surface of the human experience wherein his characters invariably must face the enigmas and perplexities of their own lives.
Robert Prochaska
Reviewer
Roberto Márquez's Bookshelf
White Wife/Blue Baby
Gail Howard
All Things That Matter Press
https://allthingsthatmatterpress.com
9798988335351, $15.99 PB, $5.99 Kindle, 191pp
https://www.amazon.com/White-Wife-Blue-Baby-Howard/dp/B0CK9RFGD2
White Wife/Blue Baby is author Gail Howard's unassumingly elegant, poignantly stirring chronicle of her struggle against the "somber logic," the "anxiety that never ends" of a devout Catholic upbringing within her suburban Irish-American working-class family, its surrounding parochial community, and a Chicago and still larger America grappling with its "vicious race problem." It is these desolating personal traumas that give rise to that community's calculated silences, strategic secrecy, and self-flagellating "punishment theory," with their ultimate emotional toll standing at the center of Howard's absorbing story. Her abrupt awakening to the complications of crossing the color line, which "not to know the depth and breadth of... was part of being white," emerges as a complementary facet of those traumas and their effect.
Her misplaced guilt and shame were initially precipitated by "the drinking Dad brought back from Iwo Jima," which, as Howard turns 15, compelled her mother to banish him from their home, as well as the recurrent sexual abuse and exploitation (in and out of his office) of the family doctor who was also her mother's close friend; and, at seventeen, being raped by her church pastor. "The tall man who linked us to God..." she writes, "tossed me into a black hole." "[E]ither the church was a sham and Monsignor was evil, or I was evil (...) but I knew how to keep a secret. We'd been pretending Dad wasn't a drunk for years." Her critical unmasking of these men's conduct and the mute complicities of their professional and institutional settings is striking and effective.
When Gail meets Emmon, a Black civil rights worker, during the summer of 1967, a loving relationship emerges and comes as something of a healing balm and signal turning point. The gloomy, self-condemnatory voices, Howard tells us, were still there, "but I could barely hear them," and "concealing our relationship would mean I was ashamed of it, when just the opposite was true." The racial divide that their relationship stands in obvious defiance of--like her mother's initially unyielding rebuff of their union--and their own quite different experiences of the evasive tactics and survival skills the relationship required remained all too emphatically in place.
Not quite a year later, Howard discovers, to Emmon's excited delight and her mother's chagrin, that she is pregnant with their unborn child. Initially wary of marriage--"it was the long, slow mistake my parents had made"--yet fully committed to Emmon, she ultimately consents to their wedding and their mutual responsibilities as parents. When Carolyn, their daughter, comes to full term and is finally born six months later, it is with the baffling oxygen deprivation of "Blue Baby Syndrome." Carolyn's malady keeps her hospitalized for a time and, after a brief sojourn at home, has her returning to undergo a life-saving surgery to only ten days later and unmercifully have it finally take her only eight-month-old life. The inexorable, enduring grief of this period, the "roar of rage [at death] [that] moved up and out from a core I didn't know I had," her assumption of "[her] new job: telling the world that Carolyn had existed," is the effective climax of her tale.
Primarily focused on the years from 1962 through that winter of 1969 and written against the fiery backdrop of the civil rights movement and contemporary protests against the Vietnam War, Howard's narrative concludes with a summary postscript of her more self-assured experience of the two decades following, which include the more normal, quite healthy, birth of two more beautiful daughters, now all-grown; her and Emmon's eleven years of marriage and their eventual divorce; and which ultimately see Howard herself happily remarried, "And with my daughters' support," knowing precisely where she belongs.
A good read if ever there was one, her memoir's affective depth and revelatory acuity stand as a potent testament to its protagonist's sturdy mettle, grace, and indomitable humanity.
Roberto Márquez, Reviewer
Professor Emeritus, Mt. HolyokeCollege
Robin Friedman's Bookshelf
The Underground Railroad: A Novel
Colson Whitehead
Vintage
9780345804327, $17.00 pbk / $11.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Underground-Railroad-Pulitzer-Winner-National-ebook/dp/B01A4ATV0A
Storytelling On The Underground Railroad
Americans have become a morally self-critical people. We think harshly when we reflect on history, particularly as it involves slavery and the treatment of Native Americans. This strong moral self-criticism is reflected in American life and politics and in our literature. Colson Whiteheads's Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winning novel "The Underground Railroad" is an example in the view it takes of slavery and race relations in the United States and, to a lesser extent, of the treatment of Native Americans. For example, late in the novel a strong advocate for African American rights, Lander, gives a speech and says:
"And America, too, is a delusion, the grandest one of all. The white race believes -- believes with all its heart -- that it is their right to take the land. To kill Indians. Make war. Enslave their brothers. This nation shouldn't exist, if there is any justice in the world, for its foundations are murder, theft, and cruelty. Yet here we are."
Colson Whitehead has said that he had the idea for "The Underground Railroad" 16 years before its writing. He realized when he first thought about the book that he lacked the maturity as a writer to make it work. I think he showed commendable self-understanding and restraint. I read an earlier novel of Whitehead's "John Henry Days" which makes similar broad-based criticisms about American race relations, economics, and culture. I found the book polemical and unconvincing. In the following years, Whitehead learned about literary writing. With its criticism of the United States and its failings, "The Underground Railroad" is a stunning work of creative storytelling. It drew me in from the outset and kept me engaged. The book deserves its accolades.
This multi-textured, multi-themed novel is largely set in the 1850s, the decade prior to the Civil War. In 1850, Congress had enacted the Fugitive Slave Act as part of a series of compromises which provided for the return of slaves who had fled for their freedom. Whitehead's novel tells the story of slaves who fled a brutal Georgia plantation in their quest for freedom. The main character is young woman, Cora who early in the book shows a willingness to stand up for herself and for other slaves. Cora's life was influenced by her grandmother, Ajarry, and her mother, Mabel. Mabel had escaped years earlier from the plantation leaving Cora behind.
The first part of the novel describes the cruelty of plantation life and Cora's decision to escape with a young man Caesar. The novel's first sentence reads: "The first time Caesar approached Cora about running north, she said no." This portion of the book has a strongly realistic tone.
The remainder of the novel tells of Cora's escape and long quest for freedom. The tone shifts markedly from realism to imagination. Cora and Caesar manage their escape on the Underground Railroad. It is not the Underground Railroad of history . It is a real railroad, hidden underground, with stations, conductors, and agents that extends to the deep south and works to carry slaves to freedom. Cora takes this mythical Underground Railroad several times during the course of the story.
So too, Cora's destinations do not purport to describe the United States of the 1850s. In the course of the story, Cora travels to South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Indiana with a final scene set on a journey West. At each destination, Cora encounters a situation based loosely on subsequent events in American history and also, in places on the Holocaust. It is not a "real" Underground Railroad or a "real" depiction of places. Rather the story becomes a work of imagination which encourages reflection on American race relations, primarily, and on all--too-common inhumanity. The journey is described in the novel as inspired by "Gulliver's Travels". Each section of the story has its own characters and Cora has many adventures. The slave catcher, Ridgeway, who had unsuccessfully sought to capture Mabel, Cora's mother, is a pervasive presence through Cora's journeys. Cora's quest for freedom also relates back to her plantation experience. including her brutal rapes which hinder her ability to be close to a man, and to her mother, grandmother, and Caesar and others.
"The Underground Railroad" succeeds as a work of creative fiction which involves the reader in the characters and places of the story. The reader can reflect upon the harsh, moralizing criticism of the United States through the eyes of the people and events of the story. Literature often runs a line between moralizing and polemic on the one hand and imaginative engaging portrayals of the human condition on the other hand. With the sharp social criticism of this book, the novel stays on the literary side of the line.
A great deal is made of train travel in the book. In a passage repeated several times during the course of the story, Lumbly, an agent of the Underground Railroad, tells Cora: "If you want to see what this nation is all about, I always say, you have to ride the rails. Look outside as you speed through, and you'll find the true face of America."
I have long been a lover of trains and have taken many long distance trips, including a trip from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C. These trips were on trains operated by Amtrak or its predecessors and were above ground. Lumbly's advice to Cora was sound and I learned something of America from my journeys. There is much to see and learn about our beloved country. It includes but is broader than Cora's experiences on the Underground Railroad.
Haydn Late Symphonies Vol 1; Nos 93-95
Joseph Haydn, composer
Adam Fischer, conductor
Danish Chamber Orchestra, performer
Naxos
http://www.naxos.com
B0C8C21JMN, $19.99, CD
https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574516
Haydn's London Symphonies With Adam Fischer -- Vol 1
Over a 14 year period beginning in the late 1980s, conductor Adam Fischer and the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra recorded the complete symphonies of Joseph Haydn at Esterhazy Palace. Years later, Fischer has returned to the Haydn symphonies with a cycle of the final 25 (nos. 80 --104) recorded with the Danish Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble Fischer has led for the past 25 years. This CD, the first in the series, begins with Haydn's famed "London" symphonies, the final 12 of his career, and it includes Symphony Nos. 93, 94, and 95, recorded in September and November, 2022 at the Royal Dutch Academy of Music, Copenhagen.
In his liner notes for the CD, Fischer likens the atmosphere at a London performance of Haydn symphonies to that of a modern rock concert. Fischer says that Haydn performances must be "powerful, stormy, exciting" with enthusiasm, verve, and surprise. This is particularly the case because Haydn's symphonies tend to be unfairly less esteemed than the symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven.
The three symphonies on this CD are indeed performed with excitement, enthusiasm and surprise. They kept me involved after being away from Haydn's symphonies for a short time. The performances are rhythmical and angular with dominant wind sound and heavy percussion. Tempos are fast, with the exception of the slow introductions to the first movements of symphonies 93 and 94 which are taken unusually slowly. Fischer and the orchestra use unusual bowing techniques, described in the liner notes, which influence the quality and shape of the sound at several places in the music.
The performance is by a small chamber ensemble on modern instruments . It is not a "period" style performance but aims to capture Haydn's spirit.
The most famous of these three symphonies is no 94, in G major the "Surprise" for the loud orchestral chord in the second movement. The "surprise" movement is taken unusually quickly but I found it and the "surprise" effective. It will be the work of immediate interest to newcomers to Haydn. The symphony no 93 is a larger scaled work featuring a lovely slow movement introduced by a string quartet and concluding with a surprising solo for the bassoon towards the end. Symphony no. 95 in C minor is the only work of the "London" symphonies in a minor key. It features contrapuntal writing in the last movement.
This CD was released to substantial fanfare and became a best-seller for a classical disk. Most of the many reviews were highly laudatory. They praised the enthusiasm of the performances and their liveliness while expressing reservations about some of the bowing techniques, for example. An exception, and a type of devil's advocate was David Hurwitz whose review is titled "Adam Fischer destroys late Haydn". Hurwitz is critical of this CD in every way, from the use of a chamber orchestra, to the eccentric bowing, to the tempi. He finds the performances unimaginative. Hurwitz obviously knows and loves Haydn and I learned from his review to listen more with a critical ear. With the various issues he raises, I found myself more in the company of the other reviewers of this CD who enjoyed it and who found it opened fresh perspectives onto Haydn.
The symphonies of Haydn are inexhaustible. Listeners will enjoy hearing these works performed by many orchestras and conductors with varying interpretations and emphases. I enjoyed this CD even while listening to Hurwitz's reservations and the milder reservations of other reviewers. I look forward to the remaining CDs in the series.
Total Time: 60:27
Haydn Late Symphonies Vol 2: Nos 96-98
Joseph Haydn, composer, Adam Fischer, conductor, Danish Chamber Orchestra, performer
Naxos
http://www.naxos.com
B0CG3952BW, $19.99, CD
https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574517
Revisiting Haydn's Symphonies -- Nos. 96.97.98
This CD is the second in a projected cycle featuring the last 25 symphonies of Joseph Haydn with Adam Fischer conducting the Danish Chamber Orchestra.. In the 1980s-1990's, Fischer had recorded Haydn's complete symphonies with the Austro-Hungarian Symphony Orchestra at Esterhazy Palace. He is thus revisiting the Haydn symphonies after many years with this new project. I too am revisiting the Haydn symphonies. From about 2004--2006, when I was new to the possibilities of amateur online music reviewing, I reviewed Haydn's symphonies on Amazon, largely single CDs, each of which included three symphonies. The reviews included various orchestras and conductors, including Fischer and his earlier Haydn cycle. It was good to find Adam Fischer recording a substantial amount of Haydn again and to revisit this great composer with him.
The opening CD in Fischer's cycle began with the first three of Haydn's London Symphonies, nos. 93-- 95, and this CD continues with symphonies 96,97,and 98. As Fischer states in his liner notes, the goal of this series is to bring Haydn to life for a modern audience by showing how exciting, surprising, and sublime his music is. He analogizes the reception of Haydn's symphonies by his London audience to that of fans at a modern rock concert. This CD succeeds admirably in his aim. The Danish Chamber Orchestra plays with enthusiasm and verve without a dull moment. It is a period-informed performance on modern instruments with some imaginative interpretive choices by Fischer. The CD was thoroughly enjoyable, more so than the first CD in the series.
The CD features generally quick light tempos and excellent dynamic range for a small chamber orchestra. There is balance between the strings and the winds with some excellent wind ensemble and solo passages. The reading captures the frequently angular character of the music, with a mix of legato and staccato passages. There are many dramatic, and humorous, pauses in the scores which Fischer and the Orchestra play to the hilt. The readings captured as well the large-scale character of these symphonies, including the extensive use of counterpoint in several movements.
The symphony no. 96 in G major, "Miracle" is the most familiar of these works, due to its nickname, and receives a convincing, rapidly-paced reading. I enjoyed rehearing the following less familiar symphonies more, no. 97 in C major with is a large, varied, triumphant work and 98 in B-flat major, a work of depth which includes a slow movement said to be written in tribute to Haydn's friend, the recently deceased Mozart. The symphony has a majestic feel and includes a keyboard solo toward the end of the final movement which Haydn himself played at the work's premier.
This CD has received deservedly excellent and informed reviews. David Floyd in Music Web International (December 2023) wrote that "Fischer's new recordings are satisfying supplements to a well-stocked library of Haydn's music and safe introductions for those discovering this music". The reviewer for "Infodad" noted that "Fischer is overtly committed to trying to give modern audiences a sense of just how exceptional Haydn's effect was in the composer's time, and while his approach sometimes overdoes matters of pacing and balance, at other times it effectively highlights just how special Haydn's symphonies were when first heard - explaining both their huge popularity with audiences and the reasons they were so extremely influential among other composers." Remy Franck's review in "Pizzicato" concludes that "the music is, to a truly exceptional degree of rhetoric, exactly what one would ideally imagine a Haydn performance to be." Ralph Moore's review for MusicWeb International (November 2023) offers good detail on each of the symphonies and on each movement. He concludes that "Those who have acquired the first volume will want this, too."
The recording was made at the Royal Academy of Music, Copenhagen in September and November, 2022. The liner notes are by Adam Fischer, and Keith Anderson with Soren Schausser providing excellent discussion on Haydn's stay in London. I enjoyed reading the supportive materials and then simply hearing the flow of Haydn's music. I am looking forward to revisiting Haydn through the remaining CDs of this series.
Total Time: 69:11
Haydn Late Symphonies Vol 3, Nos. 99--101
Joseph Haydn, composer, Adam Fischer, conductor, Danish Chamber Orchestra, performer
Naxos
http://www.naxos.com
B0D775QRLY, $18.79, CD
https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574518
Adam Fischer Revisits Haydn -- Symphonies 99, 100, 101
From the 1980s through 2001, conductor Adam Fischer (b. 1949) recorded the complete Haydn symphonies with the Austrio-Hungarian Symphony Orchestra at the famed Esterhazy Palace. More than twenty years later, Fischer has returned to the Haydn symphonies conducting the Danish Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble he has led since 1997. Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra are working with Naxos to record the last 25 Haydn symphonies, following their recordings of the symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms. In addition, in 2015, Fischer and the ensemble won the 2015 International Classical Music Award for their performance of the complete Mozart symphonies.
The first two CDs in this new Haydn series included the first six of Haydn's "London" symphonies, while this new CD includes the next three, from Haydn's second trip to London, symphonies 99-101. It is wonderful to revisit Haydn with Fischer as he returns to the composer after many years with new insights and approaches to the music.
Haydn's symphonies are performed in more different styles than the music of any other great composer. The styles include "period" performances on historical instruments in allegedly authentic performance styles through large-scale performances with the full resources of the modern symphony orchestra. Fischer offers another alternative. His performances use a relatively small orchestra of about 42 musicians. They perform on modern instruments and make no claims to adopt historical performance practices. As Fischer explains in his liner notes and in interviews, the aim of the series is to bring Haydn to life for the modern listener to allow an emotional response to the symphonies similar to the response of the listeners in his days. Fischer believes, probably rightly, that Haydn's symphonies still are undervalued as compared to the symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven. He endeavors in his readings to correct this perception by showing the liveliness, depth and range of Haydn's symphonic output.
His performances succeed, which is not to say that other performances of Haydn fail. Each of the three works on this CD are individuated with its own character and each is a delight. The tempos in the outer movements, following the slow, stage-setting introductions, are lively. The slow movements of each piece tend to be their most unique and most emotive with the reflective character of symphony 99, the famous "military" movement of no. 100, and the tick-tock of the "clock" symphony, no 101, which rises to a moment of grandeur. The minuets and trios glitter. The instrumentation is clear with passages for winds, brass and percussion. The string players use a variety of bowing techniques, with a mixture of legato and staccato passages. The performances are thought through with many twists and turns and surprises and will hold the listener's interest. Haydn's symphonies have their own character rather than the characteristics of Beethoven or Mozart. They are intended to be enjoyed more than heaven-storming or idiosyncratic. Haydn offers a serene, universal classicist voice that should not be downgraded in comparison to the voices of other composers. That is the promise of these recordings, and Fischer delivers.
I am enjoying listening again to the later symphonies of Haydn with Adam Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra, and I look forward to further CDs in the series. The CD was recorded from October 12-- 14, 2023 at the Concert Hall, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. II listened to this recording on Amazon Music.
Total Time: 73:10
Haydn, Late Symphonies, Vol 4, Nos. 102-104
Joseph Haydn, composer, Adam Fischer, conductor, Danish Chamber Orchestra, performer
Naxos
http://www.naxos.com
B0D9YXPQGP, $19.99, CD
https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.574519
Revisiting Haydn With Adam Fischer: Symphonies 102, 103, 104
Joseph Haydn's "London" symphonies bring joy and inspiration to our troubled, fractious world. Haydn composed these twelve late symphonies during two visits to London in 1791/92 and 1794/95. Conductor Adam Fischer recorded the complete Haydn symphonies at Esterhazy Hall some years ago, and he has turned to recording the final 25 Haydn symphonies late in his career with the Danish Chamber Orchestra. The first four CDs include the "London" symphonies, and this CD includes the final three works, the culmination of Haydn's symphonic writing. Fischer is revisiting the symphonies after much conducting and musical experience, and I have been revisiting them with him, after years of listening to Haydn.
In his brief liner notes, Fischer writes that Haydn achieved great popular success when these symphonies were performed in London. His goal is to try to capture the appeal of this music in its accessibility, grandeur, and changing emotional tones for a modern audience. He conducts an outstanding chamber orchestra of about 40 musicians which is smaller that the orchestra of about 60 which first performed this music. The orchestra performs on modern instruments. Fischer makes changes and emendations in performance practices, on occasion, to bring out the music for modern audiences. The goal is to bring to Haydn symphonies the appreciation they deserve as Haydn is still sometimes under-estimated..
These three final symphonies are large-scaled, varied and grand. They make extensive use of counterpoint and harmonic variety and also incorporate folk material. The CD program notes by Soren Schauser are brief, allowing the listener to hear the works fresh and without encumbrance.
Symphony no. 102 in B-flat major deserves the nickname "Miracle" given erroneously to an earlier work, symphony 96, because a chandelier fell during its performance without causing injury. Some critics regard this symphony as Haydn's best. Haydn scholar H. Robbins Landon described the work as "Haydn's loudest and most aggressive symphony at least in its outer movements." The work features a sharp contrast between the slow opening introduction and the lively fast opening movement. The symphony features changes of mood and harmony, beautiful woodwind solos, and extensive counterpoint.
Symphony no. 103 in E-flat major is known as the "Drumroll" due to its ominous opening passage for solo tympani which is followed by the slow introduction and then quickly paced first movement. This is a beautifully structured work with the tympany, slow introduction and movement theme coming back for a reprise at the end of the opening movement. The second moment features lovely variations on two related themes, while the finale begins with a horn call and works from a quiet opening to a grand, triumphal conclusion.
The final symphony no 104 in D major begins with a tonally ambiguous slow introduction followed by an allegro developing a single theme rather than the more usual two themes. The theme is treated with great variety, including creative instrumentation, and much counterpoint. The movement is followed by a reflective slow movement and an unusually glittering minuet. The finale is likely based on a Croatian folk melody, but it has an urbane lively character that brings to mind a stroll through London city streets. The work comes to a magisterial conclusion, fitting to its character and to Haydn's symphonic creativity.
This is music that brings joy and inspiration. Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra play with enthusiasm and commitment and fulfill their goals of performing Haydn for modern audiences and showing that his work deserves high stature. There can't be too much Haydn. Lovers of music, whatever their experience with Haydn, will enjoy this CD.
Total time: 78 minutes
Robin Friedman
Reviewer
Roisin Smyth's Bookshelf
Elis: Irish Call Girl
Anna Rajmon
https://www.annarajmon.com
Independently Published
9798990794771, $8.99
https://www.amazon.com/ELIS-Irish-call-Anna-Rajmon-ebook/dp/B0D74HK3D5
Synopsis: Elis: Irish Call Girl is the debut work of a young Czech writer and illustrator called Anna Rajmon. It is a memoir of her time working in Ireland's dark sex industry, which she was forced to enter due to the pressures of single parenthood following the end of her tempestuous first relationship.
With a daughter to support, she had no option except to try and make ends meet as an escort in Ireland. Her memoir exposes the harsh realities of a world that few know of, showing how exploitative, manipulative, and dangerous this heartless world is.
However, throughout her journey in this bleak environment and the numerous personal setbacks she encounters on the way, Anna Rajmon shows her strength and determination to do what's right for her family. She also shows the importance of maintaining a sense of humor in all situations.
Critique: Brutally forthright and beautifully written, this haunting memoir shatters many illusions people may entertain about Ireland, exposing the country's wretched sex industry in all its ugly detail. It's a very raw, very honest book, telling the true story of a smart, vulnerable young woman who went through unspeakable horrors but proved resilient enough to survive them all. At times, it can make for uncomfortable reading as few details are spared.
That said, Anna Rajmon has the rare knack for telling the most horrible stories in the most humorous way, so Elis: Irish Call Girl is much more readable and far funnier than you would think a book like this would be. As sarcastically amusing as she is, however, this is a serious woman. And she has a serious story to tell about a dark underworld that is not well known. And it's a story that deserves to be heard.
Editorial Note: Anna Rajmon is a writer and illustrator who lives in the Czech Republic. Her writing has been published on Reedsy, Novelo, Goodreads, and her own blog at www.annarajmon.com. Her story has been featured in the Irish Examiner, Writing.ie, and Global Comment. Elis: Irish Call Girl is her first published book.
Roisin Smyth
Reviewer
Sam Fulwood III's Bookshelf
YIKES! 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Lived to Tell About 'Em
Jeffrey James Madison
https://victorkilofund.org
Independently Published
9781624293160, $30.00 pbk / $20.00 digital / $20.00 audiobook
https://victorkilofund.org
With the publication of "YIKES! 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Lived to Tell About 'Em", author Jeffrey James Madison provides a captivating and revealing look into aviation's high-stakes world, where split-second decisions are critical, and mistakes, even small ones, can have enormous consequences. This engaging collection, based on real incidents reported to the FAA's Aviation Safety Reporting System by actual pilots, showcases the experiences of pilots who found themselves in unexpected and often harrowing situations -- offering readers both suspenseful storytelling and valuable insights.
Madison's experience as an airline pilot and aviation safety expert shines through in every chapter. Structured to highlight specific aviation mishaps and challenges, the book includes intriguing titles like "Runaway Airplane," "Hypoxia," and "Black Hole Departures." These topics aren't just thrilling on the surface; each story digs into the human factors behind them, exploring themes such as overconfidence, miscommunication, and moments of hesitation. Madison's writing makes complex aviation concepts easy to grasp, making YIKES! a compelling read for both industry professionals and general audiences. His storytelling provides a clear view into the mindset of pilots under stress, capturing the responsibility, precision, and adaptability required to succeed in this field.
A standout quality of YIKES! is its exploration of the psychological aspects of piloting. Madison delves into how cognitive biases, stress, and expectation can affect a pilot's judgment. These stories show how mental pressures play a significant role in how pilots respond to situations. In "Praise for Pilots", two pilots flying a small, four-seat Piper Archer heard "a loud bang", followed by total power loss while being vectored around weather by ATC. They shut down the engine, trimmed for best glide and declared an emergency. ATC vectored them to a an airport 6 miles away, under the clouds. "We saw the airport beacon through the clouds. My copilot secured all loose items in the cockpit while I made a right 360 degree turn at 2,000 feet." From there, the pair made an uneventful landing. They submitted their story "as evidence that resource management works, and that current safety training initiatives are paying off."
Madison's engaging prose makes these lessons relatable not only to those in aviation but also to readers interested in human behavior and psychology. He demonstrates that even the most skilled and knowledgeable pilots are susceptible to moments of error - a fact that serves as both a caution and a lesson.
For example, In, "Asleep at the Yoke!", one pilot fell asleep while flying and flew past his destination by several hundred miles, only to jolt himself awake over the Gulf of Mexico. Just in time to witness his plane run out of fuel. After radioing a Mayday, he successfully landed his plane in the Gulf (a 'la Sully on the Hudson). Thankfully the Coast Guard heard his Mayday call and hoisted him out of the water, where he'd been clutching a seat cushion as a flotation device. That pilot's takeaway from the event was NOT that he needed to get better sleep, but that he needed to learn how to swim.
The book's deeper purpose elevates it beyond a mere compilation of thrilling tales. YIKES! is a platform to champion diversity in aviation. Madison is one of a few Black pilots in an industry where Black representation hovers around just 3%. For women, it's less than 5% and for Asian Americans, under 4%.
Madison's dedication to supporting diversity shines through in his commitment to the Victor Kilo Fund, through which he channels the proceeds from YIKES! to support scholarships and full motion flight simulators for under-resourced flight schools and Civil Air Patrol squadrons. This mission, embedded in each story, adds an inspiring dimension to the book, turning it into a call for change within aviation.
YIKES! has already been warmly received by the aviation community. Hans Yao, a 737 Captain with Southwest Airlines, describes it as "a book that speaks to the heart of every pilot," noting how Madison's stories reflect situations many pilots have encountered but rarely discuss.
James Aaron Modeste, an FAA Chief Flight Instructor, praised YIKES! for its contribution to Aeronautical Decision-Making, pointing to its value in training pilots at every experience level.
And Grant Crentfeldt, of Merlin Labs, an aviation innovation research company wrote, thought the book was important enough that he bought one for each pilot on his staff. The praise from within the industry speaks to the book's authenticity and importance as a resource on aviation safety and the human factors involved in flying.
Madison's accessible storytelling style also makes YIKES! suitable for a wide audience. YIKES! taps into the longstanding tradition of "hangar flying," a practice where pilots gather to share experiences, swap stories, and learn from each other's mistakes. Madison captures this spirit of camaraderie and continuous learning, reminding readers that while flying may often be a solitary task, the knowledge gained is shared by all who take to the skies. This sense of community is central to the book's appeal, fostering an understanding of the shared responsibility pilots hold and the lessons they pass down to future generations.
Ultimately, YIKES! 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Lived to Tell About 'Em is more than a collection of cautionary tales. It is a tribute to resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. Madison's commitment to supporting diversity and fostering education in aviation shines through, making YIKES! a book with lasting impact.
In fact, YIKES! is a thought-provoking and entertaining read for more than just pilots, and aviation enthusiasts. The stories in it encourage readers to reflect on how we approach challenges, adapt, and grow. If you enjoy stories of survival, human ingenuity, dosed with a healthy sense of humor, this book delivers.
Sam Fulwood, III, Nonresident senior fellow at American Progress
Author of Waking from the Dream: My Life in the Black Middle Class
Author of Full of It: Strong Words and Fresh Thinking for Cleveland
Suanne Schafer's Bookshelf
Zahara and the Lost Books of Light (Book 1 of the Zahara series)
Joyce Yarrow
https://www.joyceyarrow.com
All Bilingual Press
https://allbilingual.com
9798986688640, $16.99
https://www.amazon.com/Zahara-Books-Light-Joyce-Yarrow/dp/B0BVSTWTMM
In Zahara and the Lost Books of Light, the first of two books in Joyce Yarrow's Zahara series, when Spain offers citizenship to descendants of the Jewish community who were expelled in the past, young Seattle-based journalist Alienor Crespo decides to document her journey to recover her Sephardic family's past. She has been blessed - or cursed - with the ability to connect spiritually with deceased female family members, and this paranormal ability guides her along the way, revealing an enormous underground archive of religious books that were saved through divine intervention from the book burnings carried out by the Spanish Inquisition, particularly one at the Plaza de Bib-Arrambla. Very quickly Alienor learns that Spain's distant past with its anti-Jewish sentiments and more recent Fascist past still echo in the present. The novel becomes a women's fiction thriller as she uncovers Rightist political intrigues and plots to destroy this library.
Joyce Yarrow deftly weaves past and present - far-right Spanish politics and the Inquisition - into a cohesive whole that also reflects what is happening in the United States currently. The settings and food seem authentic and are well-described, giving a true flavor of Spain. This novel of strong women and books blends women's fiction with a touch of romance with thrillers - what could be better?
Stolen Lives (Book 2 of the Zahara series)
Joyce Yarrow
https://www.joyceyarrow.com
All Bilingual Press
https://allbilingual.com
9798989794621, $15.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CXLR3DM3
Stolen Lives is the second in Joyce Yarrow's Zahara series. In the first, Zahara and the Lost Books of Light, Seattle-based journalist Alienor Crespo decides to document her journey to recover her Sephardic family's past when Spain offers citizenship to those wrongfully dispossessed. In Stolen Lives, she has achieved her goal and has remained in Spain, becoming involved in another family-related mystery. She works with her new love, Mico, to uncover cases of stolen children. Franco's Fascist regime has discovered a "gene" that causes people to become degenerates and join the communists. The children of these women are stolen and placed with "good" families to have that gene eradicated. The novel becomes a women's fiction thriller as Alienor uncovers Rightist political intrigues and plots to destroy evidence that such atrocities were committed and a search for a hidden cache of gold coins.
Joyce Yarrow deftly weaves past and present, far-right Spanish politics and the current situation in Spain into a cohesive whole that also reflects what has happened in the United States in the past. Think of the placement of Native American children into government schools and the attempts to extinguish their culture. Also, later, during the Baby Scoop Era of the mid-20th century, babies were placed for adoption from "maternity homes" often with no consent from the birth mothers. The settings and food seem authentic and are well-described, giving a flavor of authentic Spain. The novel is short at 250 pages but ends rather abruptly.
Like Zahara and the Lost Books of Light, Stolen Lives is novel of strong women, blending women's fiction with elements of thrillers.
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver
Harper Perennial
https://www.harpercollins.com
9780063251984, $30.95
https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Copperhead-Novel-Barbara-Kingsolver/dp/0063251981
Demon Copperhead, the protagonist of this eponymously titled novel, is born in trailer house in Lee County in the southern mountains of Appalachia to a teenaged mother with substance abuse issues. To tone down her labor pains, she overdoses as her son comes into the world. Over several years, Damon (AKA Demon) goes from having little to having less. His Melungeon father has already died an accidental death at the Devil's Bathtub. His mother, a foster child herself, lacks the financial or emotional means to care for her child. She eventually marries an abusive husband and, as a consequence of the abuse, overdoses again. Eventually, after one final OD, his mother dies. He goes from having the sole solace of actually having a mother - albeit a poor one - to being an orphan and, as an older child, more difficult to place for adoption. Demon is placed in a series of foster homes that go from bad to worse. In one, he is treated like a slave by a tobacco farmer, underfed and overworked. He goes from being an honor roll student to barely passing as he spends autumn months harvesting tobacco. He finally runs away, seeking his paternal grandmother who sets him up to foster in a football coach's house. When he is injured, he is prescribed Oxycontin and follows in his mother's footsteps with addiction.
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel takes on a lot of complex social issues: the abysmal care America provides under the foster care system; domestic and child abuse; drug abuse; big Pharma and Oxycontin; and the contrast between the haves and the have nots in the world. The characters are complex and fully developed, appealing, but often not terribly nice and even more frequently self-sabotaging. In this purported retelling of Dicken's David Copperfield, Kingsolver fully captures a young man's voice, somewhat akin to that of Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye. Demon is strong, resilient, and has occasional insights that are far too old for his chronological age. I felt such strong empathy for poor Demon that I had trouble putting the book down to go to sleep. A wonder of a book.
Zeke and Ned
Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana
Simon & Schuster
https://www.simonandschuster.com
9780743230179, $21.99
https://www.amazon.com/Zeke-Ned-Larry-McMurtry/dp/0743230175
Zeke and Ned is a western in which Larry McMurtry works his magic, as he did in his magnificent, Pulitzer-Prize-winning Lonesome Dove series, in capturing the essence of life during America's more rustic years. In this case, he and his co-author fictionalize true events that occurred in the early 1870's in western Arkansas and Oklahoma's Indian Territory, specifically events centered around two Native American men. Ezekiel Proctor (1831-1907), is a mixed blood Cherokee who, as a child, survived the brutal Trail of Tears. He is a distinguished man who fought on the Union side during the Civil War, then served as a marshal, sheriff, and senator of the Cherokee Nation. Edward (Ned) Christie (1852-1892) is the son of Trail of Tears survivors. A gunsmith and gunsmith, he too served as a senator of the Cherokee Nation. Both are flawed, though essentially good men, devoted fathers, and loving husbands.
Zeke and Ned follows these two men and their intertwined lives (Ned marries Jewel, Zeke's eldest daughter) beginning when Zeke accidentally kills his latest extra-marital lover, Polly Beck, the wife of a White man. This is the inciting incident for a string of events that ranges from tragic to comic, noble to pathetic, tender to vicious as the Beck brothers demand justice and the US Government gets involved. The novel deals with heavy themes such as bigotry against Native Americans including burning of their homesteads, rape, and murder by US marshals who are far worse criminals than those they are deputized to hunt down as well as the US's attitude that Native Americans need to be governed by Whites, and the inevitable pursuit of America's Manifest Destiny. The violence grows in intensity from the initial accidental killing to a full-fledged military siege of a fort Ned builds to protect his family after his wife is beaten and raped.
Bandit Heaven: The Hole-in-the-Wall Gangs and the Final Chapter of the Wild West
Tom Clavin
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250282408, $27.00
https://www.amazon.com/Bandit-Heaven-Hole-Wall-Chapter/dp/1250282403
As the child of an intolerant oil field worker, I grew up all across the western United States. Little did I know that when I read Bandit Heaven: The Hole-in-the-Wall Gangs and the Final Chapter of the Wild West I would recounter many of the places I'd lived.
Bandit Heaven is somewhat the story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid but is much more than that: It is a history of the end of the American Wild West. During the late 1880s and moving toward the turn of the 20th century, these remote locations - Robbers Roost, Brown's Hole, and Hole in the Wall - provided shelter for hundreds of bank robbers, train robbers, cattle rustlers, horse thieves, and killers, who rode through mountain passes and deserts to move from hideout to hideout. Their stories are almost more fabulous than any fictional western. The Pinkerton Detective Agency, federal Marshalls, and others search for these banditos, whose wanted posters frequently read: Wanted Dead or Alive. Populating this book are women, too, whores and others who shelter, feed, and even love these desperados. This was a fun, interesting read, although Clavin tends to meander a bit, dropping one story and picking it up again later. There are lots of characters to keep up with, but many readers will already know by name, as these men are the stuff of legends.
The Bastard Brigade
Sam Kean
Little, Brown and Company
https://www.littlebrown.com
9781529374889, $22.99
https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Brigade-Renegade-Scientists-Sabotaged/dp/0316381683
The Bastard Brigade is nonfiction that reads like a thriller. It is the gripping story of the development of nuclear bombs during the 1930s and 1940s and the scientists and spies who are determined to keep the Third Reich from developing the bomb. In scope it is rather like The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel but somehow much more interesting and readable.
Part I deals with the pre-war years and introduces the major characters, ranging from Moe Berg (a Jewish baseball player who moonlighted as an agent for the OSS, predecessor to the CIA), to Irene and Frederic Joliot-Curie (the daughter and son-in-law of Marie Curie), Robert Oppenheimer, Wernher von Braun, and many others.
Part II focuses on 1942 and multiple discoveries in the field of physics. The Germans, unfortunately, got a head start and spent millions of Reichsmarks on their efforts to provide a definitive way to take over the world. When Hitler threatens the West with a super weapon, the Allies become concerned and rapidly accelerate their own efforts with the Manhattan Project. The Allies then developed an ad hoc "Bastard Brigade" of people like Moe Berg and others who would become the Alsos Mission and venture into Axis territories to spy on the German war effort, steal uranium and heavy water, sabotage labs and manufacturing sites, and even kidnap or assassinate members of the Nazi Uranium Club. Parts IV and V focus on the happenings in 1944 and Part VI on 1945.
Author Kean has a degree in physics so is quite knowledgable about the subject of nuclear physics. There are helpful illustrations that depict atomic fusion and other abstract concepts as well as a list of major and minor characters and a list of sources. Chapters are short, helping maintain a fast pace, which must be difficult with such a weighty subject. The writing is deft and informative without being overly technical. I remained fascinated throughout.
A Thousand Times Before
Asha Thanki
Viking
c/o Penguin
https://www.penguin.com
9780593654644, $29.00
https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Times-Before-Novel-ebook/dp/B0CKSHDPL6
A Thousand Times Before is a sapphic love and marriage between two women, Ayukta and her wife Nadya. Nadya wants a child, but Ayukta doesn't. Aykuta has a secret that she doesn't tell her wife until she is about to lose her over the issue of children: that she, Akyuta, is the recipient of a family heirloom, a magical tapestry handed down typically from mother to daughter. It allows the women to record their past as well as to influence the future by adding new elements. I admit I was somewhat confused in the beginning until I realized this was a sapphic relationship.
There is a touch of magical realism here with the tapestry, but the novel is more about the Partition of British India into the separate countries of India and Pakistan in 1947. India became primarily a Hindu country while Pakistan became a Muslim country separated by the Radcliffe Line. About 14.5 million people moved from one country to another, resulting in massive numbers of refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed during violent episodes at the time. Author Thanki writes of the time without giving much background. This book is probably best read by someone who has some sense of what the Partition was like.
Suanne Schafer, Reviewer
www.SuanneSchaferAuthor.com
Susan Bethany's Bookshelf
New Beginnings: Annabelle's Story
Charlotte Parker-Caminos
https://www.charlotteparkercaminos.com
Ledge Media
https://www.ledgemedia.net
9781944891862, $29.95, HC, 297pp
https://www.amazon.com/New-Beginnings-Annabelles-Charlotte-Parker-Caminos/dp/1944891862
Synopsis: Emigrating alone from Hungary to the United States with her small daughter, Paula, Annabelle is unprepared to experience the unforeseen events and challenges she will encounter.
Alfredo engages with her on the crossing and decides to help her through a crisis she faces. He would like to be there for her, but he faces an unhappy pre-arranged marriage to Lucia. And Annabelle, who thought Franz, her child's father, would soon join her, realizes that her life has taken another turn.
Now, at her wits end, Annabelle tries to discover how she will survive in her new country. She wonders if a future exists for her, after all. Alfredo wonders if he will even have a future.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish (and all the more impressive when considering that it is her debut as a novelist), author Charlotte Parker-Caminos, with her distinctive storytelling style, has raised her novel, "New Beginnings: Annabelle's Story", to an impressive level of literary elegance. Emotionally engaging and having a special appeal to readers with an interest in immigration and cultural heritage themed stories of hardship, hope, and happy endings, "New Beginnings: Annabelle's Story" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "New Beginnings: Annabelle's Story" is also readily available from Ledge Media in a paperback edition (9781944891879, $15.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95) as well.
Editorial Note: Charlotte Parker-Caminos (www.charlotteparkercaminos.com) has been writing her whole life. Her short story, "Remembering Reggie" was published in The Villager magazine, management articles were featured in Dental Economics Magazine and an interview with her was included in an HR.com article about Human Resources Management philosophies. She writes a blog (www.afteriretireiwill.com linked below), has self- published a children's book (We Have A New Baby At Our House) available on Etsy.com.
Susan Bethany
Reviewer
Tristen Kozinski's Bookshelf
Waite on the Ripper (The Celestial Wars #1)
John C. Campbell
The Creative Now
https://www.thecreativenow.com
B089MYMPCK, $4.99 pbk / $0.00 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Waite-Ripper-Celestial-Wars-Campbell/dp/B089M1F9RM
Waite on the Ripper suffers from a simplistic plot and overly straight forward prose.
While introduced as a fantasy-murder mystery, the plot evolves into a simple hunt the monster narrative. This would have been a bit disappointing but fine, except there is little 'hunting' involved, as the monsters just keeps attacking the protagonists: there's no tracking it down, no discovering weaknesses, which in turn devolves the plot into a series of mediocre action scenes.
The characters suffer from the prose, which is often used to bluntly describe them, their motivations, and personalities. Many of their interactions, and the conjoined events, are also streamlined: there's a moment where Harmon meets Smoke and Harmon is experience a psychological attack by a demon. Smoke touches Harmon's shoulder and Harmon is pulled from the assault, whereupon shortly thereafter he's deduced that the attack was unnatural and that Smoke was meant to be his friend all along, both of these conclusions with next to no interaction with Smoke.
That is a recurring style to the book; conflict/drama will be introduced and then resolved a chapter later, or a new character is added and they're treated relatively quickly by Harmon as an old friend.
The result is a book that's over simplistic.
Sinister Magic (Death Before Dragons)
Lindsay Buroker
https://lindsayburoker.com
Privately Published
B084TVCCK2, $10.99 pbk / $0.00 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Sinister-Magic-Fantasy-Dragon-Dragons/dp/1951367030
Sinister Magic is a solid, but not overly exciting contemporary fantasy. The main character is competent, but a little boring until more of the side characters enter the story, whereupon she fills more of a straight-woman role. Val is reasonably likable, but again that likability is mostly tied to the secondary characters without whom she falls a little too much into the gruff, keep-people-at-a-distance archetype to be fun. Part of this is because she lacks personal motivation outside of a barebones protect the people. There's no particular goal she's working towards and so exists in a self-inflicted narrative purgatory. As the story progresses and she either forms, or allows herself to engage in preexisting relationships in a meaningful way, Val becomes more likable.
The world building is fairly standard fantasy races in a contemporary setting, and not much unique or interesting is done to expand on the concept. The book also exists in a weird limbo of whether the common person believes in the fantastical or not; the government denies it, but every other character is aware or it, and theres videos of krakens and wyverns on Youtube.
The prose and secondary characters are fine, and the pacing of the story is quick. The plot is somewhat action dependent, but Val as a character suffers enough personal turmoil and challenges that it's not overly noticeable.
Those Above (The Empty Throne)
Daniel Polansky
Hodderscape
9781444779899, $15.99 pbk / $1.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Those-Above-Empty-Throne-Book-ebook/dp/B00TXN4ZYC
Those Above is a book that ends up feeling like an extended prologue; it is primarily set-up, character introduction, and only just begins sprouting its plot after the first half the book. This is a shame because the book is actively well written, with consistently strong prose, reasonably complex characters (though they suffer other flaws) and a recurring ability to sell the desired emotion, effect, and undertones of its major scenes. It is also a primarily empty book. Very little of actual consequence occurs in the book as to affect the plot, and only half of the four POV characters (one of those two being largely regulated to an observer for the entire plot) experience meaningful events in regards to their own stories.
The characters themselves, while reasonably complex and defined, never cross over into likable over even particularly compelling despite their complexity: The general has no personal motivation and goals and largely just exists in the world: The Widow is a political creature, but all her 'opponents' in the political amphitheater are incompetent, and her own goals are entirely ambiguous, leaving her plot-line almost entirely irrelevant aside from providing justification for the grander narrative: The gutter-born is violent and malingering and doesn't experience a character arc, or naturally grow into anything and, much like the general, is largely bereft of motivation besides whatever immediate vice or situation he finds himself in: The final character is just an observer and does largely nothing through the book.
The world-building is decent and its creative elements are well sold, with the Others feeling powerful and inhuman, but they are about the extent of the story's fantasy elements.
I listened to the audio book for Those Above and the reader did an excellent job with a heavy, gritty voice that really helped to sell some of the cooler scenes and provide a sense of epic-ness throughout.
Children of Earth and Sky
Guy Gavriel Kay
Berkley
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
https://www.penguin.com
9780451472960, $20.00 print / $13.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Children-Earth-Sky-Gavriel-author/dp/147362813X
Heavily inspired by the conflict between the Ottomans and the Byzantines, and the fall of Constantinople, Children of Earth and Sky is a story about grand and epic events from the perspective of small people. It is well written and the narrative environment is rich, full of drama and conflict, and many elements of the book skew quite grim, featuring deaths (often meaningless in the context of the story) disregard for human life, and casual castrations. The book's tone is dark and mature enough for the Author to successfully pull off bluffs and exert threat upon the reader. The characters themselves are reasonably complex in their internal motivations, but are kept at a certain distance from the reader making it slow for me to connect with them. There are a couple action scenes throughout the narrative, and they are effective but the action is not the purpose of this story. A particularly enjoyable aspect for me was how effectively the author achieved the 'epic' feel of these, the prestige and pomp of certain characters, events, and empires.
The element of the book I struggled the most with, was the characters. The aforementioned distance is part of it, but the characters themselves also aren't particularly fun. The events are likewise often joyless, and while there are moments of intense relief, it is fundamentally a book that is meant to be compelling rather than 'enjoyable.' This will suit many readers, but I tend to be more character driven; I am most compelled by stories where I want something for or from the characters, and Children of the Earth and Sky is not about it's characters. This is not to say that its character's don't not have personal narrative, just that those personal narratives are subordinate to the grander plot and more often than no incidentally resolved.
A final, more personal element, is that I dislike the Author's use of sex in his books, and Children of Earth and Sky (especially the first several chapters) uses it quite heavily.
Tristen Kozinski, Reviewer
Kozinskibooks.com
Willis Buhle's Bookshelf
Manifest Your Immaculate Conception
Alexander Reynolds
The Proof of Truth
https://manifestyourimmaculateconception.com
9798990962903, $17.95 PB, $8.95 Kindle, 450pp
https://www.amazon.com/Manifest-Your-Immaculate-Conception-Those/dp/B0DHQVBRXM
Synopsis: The primary hurdles to spiritual and healthful living are the challenges we must face when changing. instant gratification, temptation, and addiction are obstacles that we will inevitably experience in modern living.
With the publication of "Manifest Your Immaculate Conception: A Book for All Those Who Shall Live", ascetic poet Alexander Reynolds provides a 'real world practical' instructional guide for anyone who is struggling with suffering and experiences a sincere spiritual longing.
After discovering something that relieves suffering, Reynolds maintains that it is one's personal responsibility to share it with others so they can benefit. Drawing on his own personal experiences, with an impersonal flavor (the opposite of rhetoric), In "Manifest Your Immaculate Conception" Reynolds has assembled a collection of practical and powerful insights and poems intended to entertain, instruct, and uplift the reader along their earthly journey, their temporal sojourn, as well as:
Understand their purpose in Life;
Break through their biggest vice;
Realize their spiritual Light; and
Channel their inner might.
Simple and spiritual insights invite the reader to vicariously venture into an imaginary adventure facilitated by Reynold's actual experience. "Manifest Your Immaculate Conception" is replete from start to finish with meaning, fairly beaming with cohesion, and filled with a rhythmic prose.
As a whole, this unconventional book presents an unusual reading experience; it is clear, yet mysterious. There is something about it that one just can't put a finger on; it is conspicuous while simultaneously ambiguous. Even so, if the principles are applied and perspectives understood, the reader will discover their inner bliss and, of course, realize their Immaculate Conception.
Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking study holding a special interest for readers concerned with mental and physical healing, New Age mysticism, and metaphysical approaches to self help, "Manifest Your Immaculate Conception: A Book for All Those Who Shall Live" by Alexander Reynolds" is exceptionally well written and throughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. A life changing, life enhancing, life embracing read from cover to cover, "Manifest Your Immaculate Conception" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Self-Help/Self-Improvement and Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "Manifest Your Immaculate Conception" is also available to non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.95) from The Proof of Truth.
Editorial Note: Based in the boondocks of the Adirondacks, Alexander Reynolds is an ascetic with a YouTube channel. As a 90s baby from an ordinary working-class family, he lived on mac 'n' cheese with sliced hot dogs and Fruity Pebbles. Later, as a juvenile, he ran into legal trouble. A series of inexplicable mystical experiences and a close encounter with physical death corrected his course and set him on his current path of Awareness. From what he witnessed, he made it his mission to share his knowledge and information through dissemination.
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
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