FREAKONOMICS -- Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

FREAKONOMICS: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
William Morrow -- hc
New York -- 2005 -- 242pp
ISBN: 0-06-073132-X

The simple, logical answers to economics may not always be correct. Levitt and Dubner explore some complex issues behind some mighty big questions.

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I'd heard quite a bit about this book and was looking forward to giving it a read. I wasn't necessarily disappointed, but I wasn't tremendously impressed, either.

What Levitt and Dubner have done seems all too obvious to me. That some of these issues haven't been researched in the way that Levitt has dug into them, is what seems more astonishing. To me, this is a 'common sense' book. Nothing seems 'far out there' but rather it seems logical.

I can, however, see where this line of thinking is ground-breaking. If Levitt weren't so 'decorated' with degrees and laurels, his ideas would be summarily dismissed by the academic world, and this book would never have seen the light of day. Fortunately this book is out there and popular, and common sense can regain its place.

An interesting, recommended book.

THE LAST YANKEE & BROKEN GLASS -- Arthur Miller

THE LAST YANKEE
With a new essay
About Theatre language
and
BROKEN GLASS
The Fireside Theatre -- hc
New York -- 1994 -- 180pp
ISBN: 1-56865-104-X

Two short plays with doctors and pschosomatic illnesses and an essay.

THE LAST YANKEE (2m, 3f)
BROKEN GLASS (3m, 3f, cellist)

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Two interesting plays that I was not particularly familiar with. The Last Yankee is a play which explores the illness of depression and how often we ignore this, particularly men if the woman is depressed. There is, of course, more going on here, but ultimately the men in the play don't seem to understand or appreciate their wives' conditions.

Similarly, Broken Glass is more of a mystery, following a woman who suddenly collapses and no longer has the use of her legs, despite the fact that doctors can find no physical reason for the affliction. A clue to the mystery is her obsession with photos of humiliated Jews in Germany (the play takes place circa 1939).

Both plays are quite well written and, being shorter (long one-acts), don't become the soporific, nearly didactic plays that I have sometimes felt Miller's play become.

It's too bad that both don't have more life, but I suspect that being one-acts, there is less desire for them.

The essay was interesting at the time of reading, but otherwise forgettable.

YOU KNOW I CAN'T HEAR YOU WHEN THE WATER'S RUNNING -- Robert Anderson

Random House -- hc
New York -- 1967 -- 92pp
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 67-22664

Four one-act plays:

The Shock of Recognition (3m, 1f)
The Footsteps of Doves (2m, 2f)
I'll Be Home For Christmas (1m, 2f)
I'm Herbert (1m, 1f)


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Is it possible that I've never actually read these plays before? An old professor of mine used to talk about this so much, I felt as though I knew the plays, but once I began reading, I was hooked, and very aware that they were quite new to me.

All four of these short plays are extremely well written and would be incredibly fun to see staged. Though quite humorous, each seems to have an adult edge, making them not quite viable for the high school crowd.

Of the four, I laughed quite a bit while reading "I'm Herbert" and would like very much to see and/or direct this play.

Highly recommended reading.

THE MYSTERIOUS EDGE OF THE HEROIC WORLD -- E. L. Konigsburg

Atheneum Books For Young Readers -- hc
New York -- ©2007 -- 244pp
ISBN-10: 1-4169-4972-0

An unlikely friendship develops between two precocious sixth graders as they unite to sort through the belongings of an eccentric, pretentious, and intriguing neighbor. Through old letters, parts of a memoir,the introduction to an art exhibit, and thumbnail biographies of the artists deemed unfit by the Nazis, readers are educated about this aspect of Nazi repression. Dramatic revelations about the victimization of homosexuals and other figures during the Holocaust also become part of the story. In spite of these necessary intrusions, readers will be eager to discover the truth about the Zenders and the suspicious art treasure. (edited from School Library Journal)

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I admire Konigsburg's writing and plotting, and her willingness to attack unlikely and even uncomfortable issues, but perhaps she's attempted too much with this book.

The art mystery here is intriguing (and much better than that from Chasing Vermeer), and Konigsburg does a wonderful job bringing together the storylines from many different directions. The idea of art stolen by Nazis and recently being rediscovered seems very topical. However, I felt that bringing together two families, from two different sides of the stolen art saga, was not only incredibly coincidental, but maybe had a theme ringing a little deeper than could be handled in even a mature YA book.

One drawback to having won two Newbery Medals is the perceived need to follow up with something, better, stronger, deeper. Yet perhaps rather than focusing on the issues, more attention could be paid to the characters and situations.

Not my favorite Konigsburg book, and not a recommended book.

DOUBT, a parable -- John Patrick Shanley

Theatre Communications Group -- tpb
New York -- ©2005 -- 58pp
ISBN: 1-55936-276-6
A one act play

2005 Pulitzer Prize Winner


A priest and a nun with doubts about the others' sincerity and motives.

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First, I will clearly state that I've never been a fan of John Patrick Shanley. That said, I enjoyed this play. Surprisingly so.

Although the sunject matter of homosexuality and the Catholic church don't particularly pique my interest, the writing on this was crisp.

What I liked the most was that this script seemed to be the archetype script as described in the first chapter of Jeffery Sweet's Solving Your Script ... "The Power of the Unsaid Word." Although not mentioned by name, the audience clearly understands what the older nun is referring to when discussing possible inappropriate meetings between a priest and a young boy. But by not actually saying the words, we are drawn in, waiting for someone to come right out and say it. Very well executed.

Unfortunately, the ending is clearly no ending. And while I've read some discussion about this, I feel cheated at not having a conclusion. I don't feel it's "clever" or "realistic" ... I feel it's a cop-out.

I AM MY OWN WIFE -- Doug Wright

Faber and Faber, Inc. -- tpb
New York -- 2004 -- 80pp
ISBN: 0-571-21174-7
2004 Pulitzer Prize Winner
2004 Tony Award Best Play

Two Act Play
1 actor

A two-act, one person play about the (in)famous German transvestite Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, who survived the Nazi regime and the Communist dictatorship of Germany.

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A very interesting play. The research was incredible and the style in which this is written is moderately unique for a popular play (to have a one-person play, but with multiple roles).

The subject is wonderfully dramatic. A transvestite. A transvestite who collects "things." In Nazi Germany.

But then comes the conflict and drama. It is suggested that she actually worked with the Nazis as an informer. Or did she? Ultimately, Charlotte's life becomes more of an enigma rather than less, the more the author gets to know her.

Despire the hollowness of the ending, it rings true, perhaps disappointing the audience.

A very interesting script.

THE UBU PLAYS -- Alfred Jarry

Grove Press, Inc. -- tpb
New York -- ©1969 -- 148pp
ISBN: 0-394-17485-2
Translated from the French by Cyril Connolly and Simon Watson Taylor

Three plays:
UBU REX
UBU CUCKOLDED
UBU ENCHAINED

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I'm doing a little Ubu research and decided to read through these plays again. I don't think I've done so since my college days.

Still off-beat an dunusual, I can better understand now, though, why this is considered to be a pre-cursor to the Theatre of the Aburd, rather than the beginning of the Absurdist movement. There are elements here that perhaps more strongly resemble the commediea del'arte theatre than the absurdist theatre.

I was struck, this time, by the high sense of political mockery here. I see this same type of theatre today.

Worth reading (or even re-reading) to those theatre lovers out there.

THE LAST KINGDOM -- Bernard Cornwell

HarperCollins Publishers -- hc
New York -- ©2005 -- 333pp
ISBN: 0-06-053051-0


With most of Britain conquered by the pagan Danes, only Alfred the Great can save his country.

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Although this book is ostensibly about Alfred the Great, and his managing to save England from the Danes, this particular book (the first of a series) is actually about Uhtred, son of Uhtred (and also son of Ragnar [a Dane]), an English eldorman and inheritor of the city of Bebbanburg.

Captured by the Danes as a youth, Uhtred is taught the Danish ways, including how to fight. As a young man, Uhtred fights for Alfred against his very friends and Danish families.

Uhtred is a character of tremendous strength and cunning. He is not unlike Conan, only written in a best-selling book, rather than in a small-press fantasy series.

I enjoyed the book, as I often enjoy bestsellers for their ease and excitement in reading, but it lacks the meat which makes it "literature" and long remembered. Still, I'll probably read others in the series.

THE STORM -- Frederick Buechner

Harper SanFrancisco -- hc
New York -- ©1998 -- 199pp
ISBN: 0-06-061144-8

Shakespeare's The Tempest in a modern setting.

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I have enjoyed the works of Frederick Buechner, and looked forward to this retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest, but actually found it to be rather dull and bland.

The set-up and history of Kenzie and Kia was interesting, and the characters throughout were interesting. Buechner writes his characters' idiosyncracies so well!

But the plot failed to interest me. Is it because I already knew what would happen? Or was it because he was trying so hard to stay true to the Shakespearean story? hard to say. Only that this didn't grab me at this time.

MONOPOLY: THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS GAME-AND HOW IT GOT THAT WAY -- Philip E. Orbanes

Da Capo Press -- hc
Cambridge, MA -- ©2006 -- 262pp
ISBN-10: 0-306-81489-7

As described in the title, a history of the famous Monopoly® game.

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This was a fantastic book! Part history, part economics, part business, part game-playing. There was just the right amount of all of this that I felt I understood how the game developed and why it thrived.

The depth of research was incredible. And like so many things that have withstood the test of time, it is interesting to note that this game was rejected a number of times before it was finally given the opportunity to sit of the store shelves. It speaks to the creators' perseverence that it didn't fade away.

I found the history of the game during the way years to be quite fascinating.

Really a book worth reading!

FRANK WALSH'S KITCHEN AND OTHER STORIES -- Bonnie Flaig Prinsen, editor

Nine Dragon Press -- tpb
Preston, MN -- ©2005 -- 174pp
ISBN: 0-9746633-1-X
subtitled: The Story Project of Fillmore County, Minnesota

A collection of essays and memories of, by, and/or about Fillmore County and its residents.

Introduction - Bonnie Flaig Prinsen
Choosing This Place
"The Big Woods" - Dana Gardner
"This Place" - Nancy Overcott
"A Sense of Place" - Becky Stocker
"In Less Than An Hour" - P.J. Thompson
"Here On The beach" - Wayne Pike
"A View of the Prairie" - JoAnne Agrimson
"Beautiful Mountain" - John Torgrimson
Small Towns
"Village Lottery" - Donovan Ruesink
"A Sign of the Times" - Steve Befort
"Happiness at Christmas from Coast to Coast" - Beverly Lewis Crowson
"Rollerskating" - Marcelle Vrieze Shipton
"Lost and Found" - Marjorie Taylor Smith
"The Tawney Store" - Gary Stennes
The Natural World
"Tornado Watch" - Trudy Schommer
"Tick Removal" - Jeff Kamm
"Fish Out Of Water" - Wayne Pike
"The Raccoon" - Tom Driscoll
"A Skunk's Legacy" - Wayne Pike
"Ginseng Hunting" - John Torgrimson
Close Calls
"Welcome Back" - Laverne C. Paulson
"The Day the Boys Took Flight" - Peter Snyder
"Christmas Eve 2003" - Herb highum
"Missing the Bus" - Tim Gossman
"Hello, Central?" - Cheryl Serfling
"Adventures in Driving" - Erik Paulson
"Pride Goeth Before the Fall" - Jeff Kamm
"The Day the Lights Went Out at Mystery Cave" - Carol Thouin
Reminiscence
"Memories of an Indentured Farm Kid" - Al Mathison
"Hot Hay!" - Marjorie Taylor Smith
"Garden Genes" - Ann Marie Lemke
"A Mother's Fear" - Herb highum
"A Railroader's Daughter" - Marjorie Evenson Spelhaug
"Spring Banquet" - Carol Hahn Schmidt
"Feathered Friends" - Bonnie Heusinkveld
"The Wheelchair Ride" - Carol Hahn Schmidt
"A Tractor Story" - Richard Prinsen
Food
"Buying and Selling with Susie" - Anna Rae Nelson
"Great-Uncle Richard and the Oatmeal Cookies" - Rose Breitsprecher
"Broken Eggs" - Peter Snyder
"A Disapponting Watermelon" - Ida Mae Bacon
"Do-It-Yourself Groceries" - Kathleen Mulhern
Characters
"Starter Fluid" - Wallace Osland
"Almost Mud Time" - Mary Lewis
"Uncle Ingvald" - Signe Housker
"There he Is" - John Brink
"Reuben's House" - Nancy Overcott
"Frank Walsh's Kitchen" - Charles Capek
"Only One Life" - Craig Ostrem
Life's Lessons
"Snoose" - Wayne Pike
"Summer School (Psychology 101) on the Farm" - Elisabeth Olness Emerson
"The Fort Snelling School Bus" - Curtis A. Fox
"The Music Prodigy" - Margaret Boehmke
"Sports Car Fever" - Jon Laging
"Guilty" - Richard Holle
"My First Cigarette" - Mary Jo Dathe
"Baseball and Red Horsin'" - Gary Feine
Biographies

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This is a delightful collection or remembrances of small town life. It's the real stories of a Mayberry R.F.D.-like community. Not all of the writing is easily readable, but one can tell that it comes from the heart.

I like a beginning, middle, and an end when I read something, and many of these short pieces do not have that. It's just the middle, or maybe only a beginning, and sometimes just an ending. For this, it can be hard to read, but the pieces are so short that one can do it easily enough.

THE THIRD WITCH -- Rebecca Reisert

Washington Square Press -- hc
New York -- 2001 -- 307pp
ISBN: 0-7434-1771-2

Madness and revenge highlight this story of the third witch from Shakespeare's story of Macbeth.

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I'm never quite sure how to feel about a story that picks up on a minor character from a more famous work. Sometimes it can be done quite well (see Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead) and other times be quite dull (see The Turquoise Ring).

This particular book does a great job of tying in many of the scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth, and in that it is fun to watch the parallels ... to see what else might have been happening during some of the pivotal moments of the play, and then see how the two works come together in specific moments.

The "take" on this third witch is interesting, and there were times that I enjoyed the method in which she was portrayed. I did have some serious problems with the story, however. I felt it was just plain wrong to have this young woman be the daughter of Lady Macbeth (yes, I understand that this was the motivation for her revenge), long thought to have died.

Perhaps I could have accepted this convention if it weren't for the fact that this young woman, one of the three witches, was also instrumental in saving Prince Malcolm, Fleance, and causing Macbeth's delusions of seeing the dead Banquo (by placing Banquo's belongings on a chair where only Macbeth could see them). According to this book, it was also the third witch who warned the Macduff family of their impending doom, and she even tried to save the children but was trapped by the murderers and only by a bit of luck did she survive where all the others in the Macduff home were killed.

My main problem with this book, then, is that the author tried to weave just a few too many incidents into the work of one person. It might be fun for the reader familiar with the play to see these work together, but it does distract from the "reality" of the story.

And finally, I was frankly disappointed that the story had such an incredibly happy ending. it was contrary to everything else in the book, and contrary to the source for this story. It brought this story into the realm of fairy tale at the very last moment.

Not recommended except for those who might enjoy the Macbeth parallels.

TOM SWIFT AND HIS JETMARINE -- Victor Appleton II

The New Tom Swift Jr. Adventures #2
Grosset & Dunlap -- hc
New York -- ©1954 -- 208pp

illustrated by Graham Kaye

Boy genius, Tom Swift, invents an atomic-powered submarine and faces a new bunch of baddies.

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My sons sure have enjoyed my reading these 1950's books aloud to them at bed time. Not everything holds their interest (strangely, both The Hobbit and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [two of my absolute favorites] have had them bored, but perhaps it's time for me to try those again), so I find it interesting that these books, which I find a tad dull, are still capturing young boys' imaginations.

What I find most interesting about the Tom Swift books is that the science seems a bit behind the times now, yet totally plausible, and yet was certainly ahead of the curve in the mid-1950's. Certainly all the ramifications of using atomic energy were not clear, as evidenced by Tom's lackidaisical use of uranium and atomic energy.

The chapters move along quickly, with great amounts of time passing in a single sentence. Nearly every chapter ends in a cliff-hanger, whish always had my kids asking for the next chapter, even though it was well past bedtime. I can't help but groan, though, when one a chapter ends and it looks like complete ruin, danger, or death for Tom and his buddy, Bud Barclay, and the next chapter starts with the "genius" slapping his forehead and saying something akin to: "Sheesh, Bud, I forgot to flip this switch!" In this book, both boys are about to be crushed to death by a giant squid, deep in the ocean. They try to shoot it with a special Tom Swift underwater ray gun, and nothing happens! The next chapter actually begins with Tom realizing that the ray gun's safety was still on.

And aside from his intellect, Tom relied quite a bit on circumstance to get him out of harms way.

A fun read, and judging by my sons' reactions, still a recommended read as well.

DUTCHMAN'S FLAT -- Louis L'Amour

Bantam Books -- pb
Toronto -- ©1986 -- 241pp
ISBN: 0-553-26188-6
cover art: Frank McCarthy

A collection of short stories, each with a forward by the author.

"Dutchman's Flat"
"Keep Travelin', Rider"
"Trail to Pie Town"
"Mistakes Can Kill You"
"Big Medicine"
"Man From Battle Flat"
"West of the Tularosas"
"McQueen of the Tumbling K"
"The One for the Mohave Kid"
"The Lion Hunter and the Lady"
"A Gun for Kilkenny"

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The choice to read this book was based on the fact that I was heading out on vacation to the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota. It seemed appropriate, then, to read some western fiction, and of course when one thinks of westerns, one usually thinks of Louis L'Amour.

I've actually quite enjoyed the L'Amour books I've read in the past. I've described L'Amour as a very good story-teller. I still hold this to be true. Perhaps not a great writer, but he knows how to engage the reader in his particular genre.

The stories in this collection vary quite a bit. Most seem rather formulaic and all rely on a few favorable circumstances for the hero to succeed, rather than based on the hero's own good works.

Even so, the glimpses of good story-telling can be found in most of these stories. Still, I would recommend a Louis L'Amour novel before this collection of stories.

THE THIRD LIFE OF PER SMEVIK -- Ole Rolvaag

Harper & Row -- tpb
New York -- 1971 -- 136pp
ISBN: 0-06-097076-6
translated by Ella Valborg Tweet and Solveig Zempel

Just before the turn of the century, a Norwegian immigrant writes letters home to describe his experiences.

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This book, in the form of one-sided letters (all FROM Per Smevik) sets a nice tone for the Norwegian immigrant in the mid-to-late 1800's. His letters are written either to his father, or his brother.

Although one-sided, we get a good sense of what the family thinks of this man's journey to America; what they like and what they didn't like about his being here.

I expected this to be a bit dry, but found the style very conversational and easy to read. At only 136 pages, it moves quickly.

I recommend this as an interesting read for those who might enjoy history, Scandinavian literature, or just something a little different.

THE ELVEN WAYS, BOOK 1: THE WAYS OF MAGIC -- Scott Ciencin

AvonNova -- pb
New York -- ©1996 -- 278pp
ISBN: 0-380-77980-3
cover art: Darrell Sweet


Young Tom Keeper is an artist in a time and place when being an artist is not good. Tom meets up with an angel who promises to take Tom to apprentice with a famous artist. Tom learns much about the ways of the angels during his journey.

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I have really enjoyed the works of Scott Ciencin that I've come across before, and so was really looking forward to this particular work. At the beginning I was really enjoying it and looking forward to my time in the novel -- how often does one come across a book in which art and being an artist plays a major part of the plot? Weaving artistry and magic and fantasy together seemed like a blend written just for me.

But then the book took a turn.

In looking back on this work I fear that it is a jumbled mess of plots that don't quite weave together well. Plots, sub-plots, and characters all seem to be tossed aside as the book moves on, and new characters and plots are revealed, leaving us to wonder just what this book is about.

One thing that I did find quite interesting is that there is much here that would seem to be would allow a pretty good case against J.K.Rowling and her Harry Potter series ... the idea that Tom can't be killed by his enemy because there is a part of his enemy inside him. Of course there's more, and the Potter books are much more entertaining, but there are more than a few such similarities. I did check the copyright, and Ciencin's book is copyright and published in 1996, the first Harry Potter book was published in the U.S. in 1998 and in Great Britain in 1997.

There is much here that makes me want to read the second and even third books, but I am disappointed that this did not turn out to be the book that it seemed to be at the start.

Reluctantly, this is not recommended.

NIGHT OVER DAY OVER NIGHT -- Paul Watkins

Alfred A. Knopf -- hc
New York -- 1988 -- 294pp
ISBN: 0-394-57047-2

A German SS soldier is in a sacrificial unit bound for, and meant to hold off the Americans at the Battle of the Bulge.

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I have greatly enjoyed the works of Paul Watkins that I've come upon, and looked forward to reaching back and checking out this, his first novel -- the novel which brought him some acclaim.

Fortunately this was not my first venture into the works of Paul Watkins or I likely never would have read more.

In the previous books of Paul Watkins that I've come across, his protagonists are all of the same ilk, rather dry, melancholic sorts, but they've all had goals ... something to strive for or something to discover. Sebastian Westland here seems lost. In all aspects of his life, he is lost. But more than that, he doesn't even seem to mind being lost. I was tempted to think that he was searching for a way to stay alive, but I don't know that this would be true.

With a character who is lost and doesn't care, and a setting and character background that is so incredibly foreign, what then is there to hold the reader to the story?

My recommendation is to pass on this and try one of Watkins' other books.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS -- J.K. Rowling

Scholastic, Inc -- hc
New York -- ©2007 -- 759pp
ISBN: 0545010225
illustrations by Mary Grandpre

The seventh, and last, book in the Harry Potter series, in which the battle between good and evil, Harry and Voldemort, must be settled, with one of them meeting the ultimate end.

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Although I was to read this book in any event, I read this earlier than planned simply because my wife and daughter had already read the book and were wanting to be able to talk about it.

I did enjoy this book more than the last couple that had come out. A richer plot, a strong conclusion, and characters that actually find ways to grow and mature made for a more enjoyable read. There were, however, times when this book could easily have been trimmed. The idea of Harry and friends stealing right under the noses of their enemy grew redundant. And their use of some seemingly basic spells and charms to pull off their thievery makes one wonder how and why these things aren't done more often.

A sequence in the Ministry of Magic seemed too easy, and a section in the most impenetrable bank seemed not only easy, but a bit dull.

A constant series of camping in the woods to avoid detection grew monotonous, and one wonders why the three friends continued to wear a cursed charm, even when they knew it was giving them such negativity ... and then when it mattered a lot, they simply took it off and kept it in a bag. Why hadn't they done it earlier?

It has been decidedly well known that there is death in this book, and even the death of characters familiar and popular with the readers. Without giving away any of the ending, I will say that none of the deaths surprised me, but there were two, maybe more, characters who did not die, which did surprise me.

Whether you like the Harry Potter series or not, it is undeniably the most spectacular series of books in recent publishing history. The expectations for this last book have easily made it the most anticipated book of the century. Anyone interested in the written word, publishing, fantasy, children's books, or even fads or modern culture, should take the time to check out this series of books.

This book was definitely one of the better in this series.

STAND BY FOR MARS! -- Carey Rockwell

A TOM CORBETT Space Cadett Adventure: STAND BY FOR MARS!
Grosset & Dunlap -- hc
New York -- ©1952 -- 216pp
Willy Ley technical advisor
illustrated -- no illustration credits given (or found on the internet)



Three young men join the Solar Guard Corps and could become the best unit in the fleet if they can learn to get along. Tom Corbet, from Earth, is the unit leader; Astro, from Venus, is the mechanic; and Roger Manning, from Earth, is the navigator with a chip on his shoulder.

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Another boys' adventure book from the 1950's which I read out loud to my sons at bed time. they both enjoyed it, but not quite as much as the Tom Swift book that I read previously.

Although a little harder to read that the Tom Swift series, this contained a nice "meesage" of the need for cooperation and working together. The curmudgeonly Roger Manning never really seemed to come clean with what his grudge against the Corps really was about.

Still, a pretty decent sci-fi book from 50+ years ago.

THE LITTLEST HITLER: stories -- Ryan Boudinot

Counterpoint -- hc
New York -- ©2006 -- 215pp
ISBN-10: 1-58243-357-7

Short stories.

"The Littlest Hitler"
"On Sex and Relationships"
"Bee Beard"
"Blood Relatives I)My Mother Was a Monster II)Profession"
"Drugs and Toys"
"Contaminant"
"Civilization"
"Written By Machines"
"The Flautist"
"The Sales Team"
"Absolut Boudinot"
"So Little Time"
"Newholly"
Acknowledgements

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It takes more than quirky characters and unusual circumstances to create short stories. Sadly this book doesn't offer anything more than such.

A massive waste of time.

TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING LAB -- Victor Appleton II

Grosset & Dunlap -- hc
New York -- ©1954 -- 208pp

illustrated by Graham Kaye

Tom Swift, Jr., son of the original Tom Swift, in his first book adventure. With a newly deisgned "Flying Lab," Tom and crew go to South America to look for a rare, secret deposit of uranium, before a band of rebels finds it. Kidnapping and aeronautic maneuvering punctuate the plot in this book.

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I've read this book out loud twice now, once to each of my sons. They love the story, even though some of the "science" is beyond their ken. I imagine that a young, boy genius inventor is always a favorite of young boys.

The only really disappointing part of this book, for me, was the hint of extra-terrestrial communication. It is highly suggested that a group of scientists from Mars are trying to contact the Swifts, and that we are to keep reading the series to find out when that contact is made.

As much as I like science fiction, I was hoping that this series would stay "inventive" rather than sci-fi.

THE SHIRLEY TEMPLE EDITION OF CAPTAIN JANUARY & THE LITTLE COLONEL -- Laura E. Richards & Annie Fellows Johnston

Random house -- hc

New York -- 181pp

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 59-10879

The Shirley Temple Edition

Captain January by Laura E. Richards

The Little Colonel by Annie Fellows Johnston

With illustrations from the motion picture featuring Shirley Temple

The original stories that the Shirely Temple movies were based on, combined in one volume.

Captain January tells the story of a young girl, parented by a lighthouse keeper after the ship she was on as an infant, went down in a storm. The girl's relatives discover her but decide that the keeper loves her so much and she looks on him as a father, and decide to leave her be.

The Little Colonel tells of a young girl raised by a crotchety old soldier. The old soldier comes to change his ways with the help of the girl and a servant.

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These books certainly have the feel of older storytelling for children. The style was a bit dry, and the portrayal of the black servants was horrifyingly stereotypical. Not something that would be allowed to see print today.

I don't recall ever having seen The Little Colonel, so I can't compare the book and the movie, but I've often enjoyed watching Captain January. The movie added some much needed plot, but the basic premise is basically sound.

Hardly a book to recommend, and even if I did, I'm not sure where anyone would be able to find it.

MAMMOTH -- John Varley

Ace Books -- hc
New York -- 2005 -- 364pp
ISBN: 0-441-01281-7

The world's richest man uncovers a mammoth inside ice, and next to the mammoth, a man ... with a modern briefcase! The man hires a staff to "fix" what he assumes is a time machine in the briefcase.

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I hadn't realized how much I have missed reading Varley until getting into this.

The title, and the premise as described on the jacket, didn't do anything for me, but as I have always enjoyed a John Varley book I decided to read this as well, and am glad I did!

Varley has a way of engaging the reader, bringing us into his story, rather than keeping us as observers.

This is not Varley's best ... there are a number of "problems" I had with it, and it was moderately easy to predict the outcome, but a mediocre Varley is still better than most.

Part of the problem was the dual focus that was distracting rather than intriquing. The idea of creating new mammoths from the DNA of a found mammoth implanted in modern elephants would be enough for a book, but then that's been done with Jurasic Park. The modern creation of the time machine would also be enough for a book, but has also been done in abundance. The idea of the protesters didn't really go anywhere even though there was a slight tie to them later.

Still, despite the faults, this was a fun science fiction read.

THE DA VINCI CODE -- Dan Brown

Doubleday -- hc
New York -- 2003 -- 454pp
ISBN: 0-385-50420-9

Conspiracy. The Catholic Church. Leonardo DaVinci. Throw them together for a best-selling book.

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It's easy to see why this book became a best-seller. The writing is crisp, the plot intricate but accessible, it relies heavily on page-turning chapter endings and rather stock characters and a couple of "red herrings" to keep the reader in surprise.

It was a rather quick read, but some of the very basic premise got off to a rather shaky start, in my opinion, but without it, there would have been no book.

One of the basic problems with a book like this is that you can really make anything in to a code to explain some kind of mystery. I could take my birthdate and use it to prove how the numbers mean whatever I want them to. And so this book does it with numbers and paintings, etc.

I predicted what was going to happen, and who the "bad" guys really were, even though some of the misleads were pretty convincing. Still, there were moments that were fun and I did get caught up in the page-turning action at times.

This is far from being a great book, but few best-sellers are.

DARK MATTER -- Philip Kerr

DARK MATTER: THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON: a novel -- Philip Kerr
Crown Publishers -- hc
New York -- ©2002 -- 345pp
ISBN: 0-609-60981-5

As told by Isaac Newtown's assistant, Christopher Ellis, Newton and Ellis investigate some unusual death's which may have a bearing on the Royal Mint.

*****

Although it took me a while to get into this novel, I rather enjoyed it, for the most part.

I never really had any sense that this was Isaac Newton, other than the fact that other characters would refer to him as such, and occassionally make reference to one of his scientific theories. He was, however, an interesting "detective" for a crime novel. He seemed to be quite masterful at observation and with a pretty good sense of human character (despite being pretty terrible at social discourse), and often tries to instruct his assistant in being a better observer. Mr. Ellis, is his strength and protector.

As with any good mystery, there are "red herrings" and extra bits of knowledge that aren't necessary for solving the crime. What I enjoyed most about the book, though, was the historical aspect of the workings of the British mint and Newton's role there. What I would have liked to seen a bit more of would be a sense of this being Issac Newton rather than a wiley detective. What I didn't care for was the relationship between Ellis and Newton's niece (Miss Barton) which had no real bearing on any other aspect of the book (other than to add a couple of steamy sex sequences).

I enjoyed the read, but not necessarily enough to seek out other books by Kerr (but I wouldn't discount one if I saw one that piqued my interest).

DAMNATION ALLEY -- Roger Zelazny

Gregg Press -- hc
Boston -- ©1969;1979 -- 157pp
ISBN: 0-8398-2505-6

In a post-holocaust world where the United States is divided into different nations, and the sky is filled with solid materials that rain down unexpectedly, a convicted criminal is enlisted to drive across the country from the nation of California to Boston to deliver an antiserum to fight the plague.

#####

Zelazny knows how to tell a story and keep the reader interested.

It's been at least two decades since I first read this book, so decided that I really ought to read it again. I enjoyed the read, but upon reflection, decided that it really isn't much of a book. It's an adventure story, and we're pretty certain from the beginning that the "hero" will make it to the end, and so it becomes a story in which we read to see what is around each corner. It's rather fun to put the pieces together (Zelazny, more than any other writer that I can think of, starts a story in the middle and let's the reader make discoveries along the way) and to find new challeneges along with the main character. Still, nothing really "happens." A man drives across a devasted country.

Fun to read this Zelazny work again, but wouldn't recommend it as a first foray into reading Zelazny.

THE BEST AMERICAN NONREQUIRED READING 2005 -- Dave Eggers, editor

Houghton Mifflin Company -- tpb
Boston -- ©2005 -- 325pp
ISBN-10: 0-618-57048-9
Introduction: Beck

Another book in "The Best American Series." This is a collection of material that doesn't smoothly fit into any of their other categories.

Foreward by Dave Eggers
Introduction by Beck
"Passing Periods" -- Joe Sayers
"The Mediocrity Principle" -- Anders Nilsen
"Florida" -- Daniel Alarcon
"The Death of Mustango Salvaje" -- Jessica Anthony
"Tiger Mending" -- Aimee Bender
"Free Burgers for Life" -- Ryan Boudinot
"Five Forgotten Instincts" -- Dan Chaon
"Lundon" -- Amber Dermont
"A Lynching in Stereoscope" -- Stephanie Dickinson
"Heavy Metal Mercenary" -- Tish Durkin
"My Little Brother Ruined My Life" -- Stephen Elliott
"Tearaway Burkas and Tinplate Menorahs" -- Al Franken
"The Lost Boys" -- Jeff Gordinier
"Roadkill" -- Kate Krautkramer
"Hell-Heaven" -- Jhumpa Lahiri
"At the Cafe Lovely" -- Rattawut Lapcharoensap
"Catalogue Sales" -- Molly McNett
"Bohemians" -- George Saunders
"Manifesto" -- George Saunders
"The Joke" -- J. David Stevens
"The Myth of the Frequent Flier" -- Jonathan Tel
"Girls I Know" -- Douglas Trevor
"They Came Out Like Ants!" -- William T. Vollmann
"Diary of a Journal Reader" -- Lauren Weedman
Contributors' Notes
Notable Nonrequired Reading of 2004

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I'm not likely to return to the series any time soon. Absolutely NONE of the stories stand out favorably as I look back at the titles. I do recall laughing aloud at the Al Franken piece, but I'm hard-pressed to recall any of the details (ah...yes...a USO tour, I believe).

"Free Burgers for Life" reminded me of something I might have written 20+ years ago ("The Girl in the Lime-Green Bikini Bathing Suit"), and look back upon wondering what the hell I was thinking to ever think it was worth publishing. But because I could "relate" it is one of the only pieces that I can recall fairly clearly.

Of course I recall those that I just finished reading, but I don't understand the purpose of "They Came Out Like Ants!" and I thought "Diary of a Journal Reader" was just plain horrible in every possible way.

Don't bother with this collection.

THE GHOST WRITER -- Philip Roth

A Fawcett Crest Book -- pb
New York -- ©1979 -- 222pp
ISBN: 0-449-20009-4

A young writer, excited by the prospect but wary of making the wrong impression, is granted the opportunity to meet his "idol," a famous author, where the young man's imagination take over, creating wild, yet slightly plausible possibilities.

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I wasn't sure where this book was going to go when I started it, and now that I'm done, I'm quite certain that I don't know where it's been.

Who is the "ghost writer"? Is it the young man, Nathan Zuckerman, who's own work is still so new that it hasn't it's own body? Is it the old author, E.I. Lonoff, who isn't the embodiment of the writer that Zuckerman was expecting; who freely admits that all he does is "turn sentences around." Is it the girl, who Nathan imagines to be Anne Frank, living her life under an assumed name, and only Lonoff knows her true identity? Is it Hope, Lonoff's wife, who creates the only drama in Lonoff's life by leaving and accusing Lonoff of having an affair with the young girl? Is it all of them? Is it none of them?

This is the sort of book that one needs to read in school to be able to discuss in order to pick out what's going on. To be read, solo; digested only by the reader, leaves the book remarkably empty, and yet I feel there's so much more there to it.

Not recommended at this time, but to be shelved and read again.

THE DANTE CLUB -- Matthew Pearl

Random House Trade Paperbacks -- tpb
New York -- ©2004 --380pp
ISBN: 0-8129-7104-3

In Boston, 1865, America's first Dante Alighieri scholars (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, and J.T. Fields) work to translate The Divine Comedy, while a murderer terrorizes Boston by methods that only the Dante Club can decipher.

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I had picked this book up a number of times in the bookstores, seriously considering buying it, but each time I would put it back, uncertain as to why it both attracted me and yet I couldn't come to actually purchase it.

When I saw it on the "new books" shelf at my library I was eager to give it its chance.

It seems that my first instincts of maybe/maybe not were right on.

This was an interesting book, and a cleverly plotted mystery, and the historical aspects were fun to explore.

On the other hand, it was dry and slow-moving, and the historical figures of Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell and Fields were about as bland as any character could possibly be.

I'm glad I read it, but I cannot recommend this.

DANIEL MACIVOR 2 PLAYS: NEVER SWIM ALONE & THIS IS A PLAY -- Daniel MacIvor

Playwrights Canada Press -- tpb
Toronto -- ©1993 -- 101pp
ISBN: 0-88754-524-6

Two one act plays.

Never Swim Alone (2M, 1F)
This Is A Play (1M, 2F)

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These two plays were both of an "experimental" nature. Somewhat of a cross between Tom Stoppard and Jean-Claude van Itallie, perhaps. I enjoyed both of them, though Never Swim Alone was a little more confusing and with less clear purpose.




This Is A Play was actually quite funny and I would seriously consider doing it if I had the right performers. The main point of it is that three actors are performing a play and while we do hear some of their dialog, we mostly hear their thoughts. What makes it quite funny is that they don't think much of each other or the play itself.



Worth a read if you're interested in theatre.

THE BEST SHORT PLAYS 1982 -- Ramon Delgado, editor

Chilton Book Company -- hc
Radnor, PA -- ©1982 -- 257pp
ISBN: 0-8019-7144-6

Part of the best short plays series. Included in this volume:

Introduction

Thymus Vulgaris -- Lanford Wilson (2F, 1M)

Ball Boys -- David Edgar (3M)

Chocolate Cake -- Mary Gallagher (2F)

The Dance and the Railroad -- David Henry Hwang (2M)

Vivien -- Percy Granger (2M, 1F)

Napoleon's Dinner -- Samuel Shem (3M)

Reflections In A Window -- Beverly Byers Pevitts (9F, 1M)

Today A Little Extra -- Michael Kassin (2M, 1F)

Minnesota Moon -- John Olive (2M)

In Fireworks Lie Secret Codes -- John Guare (3M, 2F -- possibly adaptable)

Twirler -- Jane Martin (1F)

Cumulative Index 1968-82

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I will admit that I read these plays now, differently as to when I read them while in school. Now I look at them as possible plays for the local high school students to perform for competition. In that respect, most of these failed to pique my interest.

Minnesota Moon is still a pretty good play (I saw it while in college), but for me, a play with two men and no women won't go very far. I'm lucky to get one male of decent ability, but usually get five or six females who are worthy actors.

Of most interest to me was In Fireworks Lie Secret Codes, which seemed to be adaptable as to which characters were women and which men. However, the story was a bit bland. It might bear further reading.

Today A Little Extra was probably the most touching play, but it's Jewish characters and low-rent neighborhood-setting is all going to be lost on my midwestern, Scandanavian-descendant high school kids.

This series is always worth looking at for anyone interested in the theatre.

A DELICATE BALANCE -- Edward Albee

Atheneum -- hc
New York -- ©1966 -- 190pp
Library of Congress catalog card number: 66-28773
Three Act Play.
Pulitzer Prize Winner.

A study of suburban couples facing the crisis of their daily lives.

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This play seems rather typical of the period for which it was written. A bit boring by today's standards and I think that even a remounting would have to be seen as a period piece rather than a current look at human behavior.

I wouldn't mind seeing a brilliant, current production, by I can see where I might easily be bored by a less than stellar performance. A good director will keep the humor out front and the drama, biting at the edges.

PROOF - David Auburn

Faber and Faber -- tpb
New York -- ©2001 -- 83pp
ISBN: 0-571-19997-6
Two Act Play.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

After the death of her mathematical genius father, Catherine, who gave up her own study of mathematics to tend to him, claims that she is the author of a mathematical proof found in the attic among his unpublished, mostly incoherent notebooks by Hal, one of his former students. But what "proof" does Catherine have that she, and not her father, is the author? Her older sister, home to attend the funeral, doubts her claim and, in fact, doubts Catherine's own sanity. Hal, who has professional ambitions of his own, isn't exactly disinterested and may not be trustworthy; his sleeping with Catherine has also complicated the issue. The elusiveness of genius in general and the difficulty of a mathematical proof in particular here become metaphors for the uncertainties of love, trust, and personal integrity. [from Amazon.com]

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I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised, but I enjoyed this play more than I thought I would. I expected it to be a bit dry, but it was actually quite lively and the relationships were well-defined (though I did feel that there was a certain leap to affection that was a bit rushed).

A minimal cast and a well-crafted tale brought this story to life. I would like to have seen it done. I will admit to wondering, even upon finishing, whether or not the young woman actually wrote the proof or not. Why don't we trust that it was her? Is it because she's a woman? Young? Why?

I enjoyed reading this from the viewpoint of a script reader. Does it have all the ingredients for a play to move from the slush pile to being a contender for a prize? Definitely. I most certainly would have moved this on. (And no, I don't say that just because it did win the Pulitzer.)

A play worth reading/seeing.

THE DRAGON OF LONELY ISLAND -- Rebecca Rupp

Candlewick Press -- tpb
Cambridge, MA -- ©1998 -- 160pp
ISBN: 0-7636-1661-3

Three children meet a three-headed dragon on their aunt's remote island, off the coast of Maine.

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I really wanted to like this book. It had the look and intrigue of a magical book of adventure. Instead, I found it to be sorely lacking.

One would expect that a children's book with a dragon would have a high level of adventure, but this is not the case. Instead, the three children discover the dragon in a cave, but each time the children visit, only one of the three heads is awake. That head tells a story of its past. Therefore, the only actual adventure is TOLD to the reader, through the dragon, rather than experienced by the children in the book.

The book is simple in scope and "quiet," but it lacks for story and adventure.

Sadly, a book to ignore.

THE LAND OF OZ -- L. Frank Baum

AERIE Books -- pb
? -- ? -- 178pp
ISBN: 1-55902-989-7

In which the young boy, Tip, runs away from the witch, Old Mombi, saves the Emerald City from an army of girls, restores the Emerald City with the rightful ruler, journeys the Land of Oz with the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman and his own creations, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Saw Horse, and the Wogglebug and the Gump.

#####

First, the edition of this book is somewhat odd. I purchased it on eBay, not knowing what edition I was getting. It turns out to be a books from Wal-Mart (printed right on the cover on what appears to be a large orange sticker, but is actually part of the printing. There is absolutely no publishing or copyright information inside the book. Doing an ISBN search on both Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com bring up Oz books, but different Oz books on each site, neither being the one I currently posess.

The book definitely suffers from the usual second book syndrome. Trying to recreate the magic of the first book, by altering just a few things. Keeping a few of the characters from the original book as a tie to the story's roots, Baum places a boy in the main role (Tip) instead of the girl, Dorothy. Jack Pumpkinhead replaces the Scarecrow as the "idiot" for whom everything needs explaining.

I've been reading this aloud to my boys at bed-time, and they've been enjoying it, remembering even minor details, even if we happen to have a week between nights that I read. From their point of view, it's a wonderful story and certainly had them engaged, even though some of the language was hard to follow.

I've enjoyed reading it because I've never read anything but the first in the series. We will read more of the Baum Oz books, but I will read something else in bewteen Oz stories.

While I didn't necessarily care for the story so much, I will say that the characters and interactions between characters was so incredibly different from anything else I've read. Perhaps that's why the boys have been enjoying it as much as they have. Even Harry Potter doesn't compare to absurdities and uniqueness in these Oz books.

Although I've had some fun reading this, I can't exactly give it a recommendation. It's just a bit too slow and with no real plot.

SPY HIGH: MISSION ONE -- A.J. Butcher

Little, Brown and Company -- tpb
New York -- ©2003 -- 214pp
ISBN: 0-316-15587-x

Six high-school-aged students are recruited by a top secret "spy school" to form "Bond Team." Their first "assignment" is learn to work as a team -- an assignment that proves harder to manage than it first appears.

#####

I bought this book a few years ago, wondering if it would be appropriate for my children who are going through a "spy" stage in their play and reading. Sadly, the answer is, "no."

The writing itself is very typical YA fare -- nothing outstanding, nothing too deep or difficult, but it doesn't talk "down" to an average reader either.

However, the book suffers from a lack of focus for its intended audience. The relationships, the blood and gore, death, age of the main characters, etc., speak to a high school readership. But the hackneyed plotting, use of stock "bad guy" characters speak to a younger audience that aren't as familiar with the over-use of these characters.

Not recommended for any aged reader.

GREAT RIVER REVIEW -- Fall/Winter 2003

Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies -- tpb
Red Wing, MN -- ©2003 -- 94pp
ISBN: 1-884102-14-x
Editors: Richard Broderick, Robert Hedin
#39
Cover Illustration: "St. Croix River Series: Upper Marsh, Looking West from William O'Brien State Park" by Perry Ingli

A magazine with essays, poetry, and fiction by: Lucian Vasiliu, Ephraim Glaser, John Minczeski, James Gurley, Katharine Jager, Julie Suk, Richard Robbins, Patricia Gordon Russell, Catullus, Jim Daniels, David Lloyd, Rene Char, Jim Barnes, Dixie Salazar, James P. Lenfestey, Wayne Johnson, Thomas R. Smith, Dave Johnson, Frank Eustis, Mark Neely, Michael Walsh, Terry Savoie, Joe Paddock, Carol Pearce Bjorlie, Tracy Sitterly, Claude Clayton Smith

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For the most part, I really enjoyed this issue (though there is still much more poetry than I care for). Of the longer works, "The Necessity of Returning" by Ephraim Glaser had me totally engaged in his life. "The Last Resort" by Patricia Gordon Russell was interesting and well-written (and thematically tied well with Glaser's memoir), but it didn't go anywhere and was left with the feeling of, "So?"

Wayne Johnson's, "Rhubarb" was just plain fun and a delight to read. The selection from "Lapping America: An Interstate Odyssey" by Claude Clayton Smith was very interesting, and an interesting premise, but I felt as though Clayton was the wrong person to take the odyssey. He came across as rather self-absorbed and not at all open to seeing and learning on his journey.

I never feel qualified to comment on the poetry. i don't care for poetry, 90% of the time. I find passages like "Poplar shed their ice in the windows/of the darkened homeless shelter" to be completely pointless. This passage doesn't even bring an image to mind. (I use this example because I actually liked another poem "Seven" by the same poet.)

It is because I don't care for reading poetry that I stopped subscribing to Great River Review many years ago. I am glad that a nearby library carries these back issues so that I can read the longer works. This issue made for interesting and engaging reading.

GREAT RIVER REVIEW -- Spring/Summer 2006

Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies -- tpb
Red Wing, MN -- ©2006 -- 119pp
ISBN: 1-884102-20-4

#44
Editorial Staff: Richard Broderick, Robert Hedin
Cover Illustration: Ann Jenkins - "Building in Fog"

Essays, poetry, and fiction by: Christopher Dickey, Leslie Adrienne Miller, Stanley Plumly, Jane Hirshfield, Anthony Bukoski, John Balaban, Naomi Shihab Nye, Georges Godeau, Dorianne Laux, Jean Nordhaus, Yehuda Amichal, Dalia Rabikovitz, Arych Sachs, Judith Kitchen, Marvin Bell, Roger Parish, Grete Tartier, Drake Hokanson, Max Garland, Gabriel Fried, Linda Pastan, Colette Inez, Barbara Paparazzo

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This mostly an uninteresting assortment. The first essay, "Firebombings: From My Father's Wars to Mine" by Christopher Dickey was interesting, though it isn't likely to stay with me too long.

And while I generally don't care at all for poetry, the best part of this issue was the found poetry by Roger Parish, "Three Greek Epitaphs."

I'm glad this was in the library. It wasn't worth buying, though I like to support the small press magazines.

THE GEESE FLY HIGH -- Florence Page Jaques

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS -- hc
Minneapolis -- ©1939; second printing 1964 -- 102pp
illustrated by Francis Lee Jaques

An account of a winter vacation down the Mississippi River in the Arkansas and Louisiana backwaters.

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The only reason to own this book is for the splendid black and white drawings of Francis Lee Jaques. Certainly it is why I bought it. The Jaques' had quite a reputation for their outdoor/nature writings and drawings, but Florence's writing, memoirs, seems so simple and unexciting. Whereas Francis' drawings still shine magnificently. No one has been able to match his work even today.

From the writing, I mostly got that Florence felt she was in over her head, and didn't like being left alone on backwater islands while Francis and a guide would take off in the canoe to search for ducks.

If you happen to see this book, it is well worth your time to thumb through it and admire the great pen and ink drawing work.