While this book is a clear indication that Choctaws also like to tell each other scary stories, the implication of that line is that Choctaws have many stories. But when these narratives diverge from Anglo-European expectations, settlers and their descendants almost immediately force them into gothic or horror storytelling structures.
Category: Book Reviews
Book Reviews
A review of Foreign Attachments by Roslyn McFarland
Foreign Attachments is beautifully written, with a great attention to detail and obvious research that brings the characters to life. Jean Rhys is a particularly interesting and tragic character in this rendition with plenty of intrigue left to the reader’s imagination, though I dare anyone to read Foreign Attachments and not give into the temptation to not only begin looking closer at Stella Bowen’s paintings but also exploring Rhys’ story and the work, not so well read these days, of Ford Madox Ford.
A review of Zeke Borshellac by James Damis
The book is a lurid purple-prosed comic masterpiece. I have not had as much pleasure reading a deep dense novel like this since The Sot-Weed Factor, A Confederacy of Dunces, Tristam Shandy, Quixote, Auto-da-fé, Joy Williams. The lietmotif of the book is wretched comic human excess. And ambition. And language! Borshellac begins his self-transformation as a stowaway on a fishing vessel, where he ineffectually disguises himself as a man-sized perch, lolling among the mountainous heaps of fresh-caught fish.
A review of Fall and Recovery by Joanne de Simone
The narrative also encapsulates what it’s like to feel excluded from the community at large, calling out the societal structures in place that demean people with disabilities. Reflecting on various schools and playgrounds, De Simone observes, “We had every right to be there, but I didn’t feel like we belonged.”
A review of Rural Ecologies by Michael J. Leach
Leach’s Haiku varies from three lines to two and sometimes four lines. Like all good haikus the insight and the images come from observations of the natural world. In most of this collection the haiku present an observation followed by a contrast or interpretation of the observation.
A review of The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
As her memoir shows, Kelly Bishop (formerly “Carole”) brought years of experience to the role of Emily. Those of us who were entertained by this determined fictional character will find Kelly as resolute in real life as she was in that role. Her lifelong pursuit of her dream is inspiring.
A Review of Anemone Morning and other poems by Gopal Lahiri
The book is a dreamer’s search for peace and silence in the mind’s quest for spiritual enlightenment. Lahiri explores transcendence while being compassionate and appreciative of his natural surroundings and daily responsibilities. Silence loses its blind opacity as he delves into its depths and finds a summing up of an entire life.
An interview with Shari Caplan
The author of the poetry book Exhibitionist talks about her book, her collage artwork, about being a shapeshifter, the book’s sexual undertone, the “female gaze”, the magic of art, and lots more.
A review of Beware the Tall Grass by Ellen Birkett Morris
Beware the Tall Grass reads like poetic, creative nonfiction, creating a beautiful and believable story that leaves the reader satisfied yet in wonder about what we know and don’t know about the mysteries of life and death. This novel is a compelling read.
A review of Invisible Wasp by Stephanie Powell
There is a surprise in every poem in Invisible Wasp. The poems could be idealistic or pragmatic, or about desires or disappointments, or personal or about the natural world or even imaginary events, but they are always a delight to read.