The slick post-modern magic realism narration never interferes with Carey’s first and greatest strength, which is that of a terrific storyteller. Although the story moves quickly, the writing is almost always tight, beautiful, and compelling, interlaced with delicate puns, and…
Category: Book Reviews
Book Reviews
A review of How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal by Stephen Blake Mettee
If you want to put together a nonfiction book proposal, this is as clear and focused a guide as you could hope to find. Mettee cuts straight to the chase and provides a very easy to follow, no nonsense guide…
A review of What A Piece of Work I Am by Eric Kraft
Much of the novel issues from the stage and much of the language is stagy. Since the explanation for staginess comes after the fact, one is obliged to determine how much satisfaction a belated explanation can give. Contrivance is a…
A review of Terry Denton’s Storymaze Series
So what’s Denton’s secret? First of all, the book contains a quirky narrative interspersed with cartoons. These aren’t the pretty pastel pictures they got with their preschool books though. Denton’s cartoons are only slightly more sedate than Robert Crumb’s Mr…
A review of DeLillo’s Cosmopolis
It is possible that under the poor structure and pretty prose lies a deeper truth – some vision about the world and what matters. Or perhaps we are to read into the book that nothing matters – that in the…
A review of Crabwalk by Gunter Grass
Crabwalk is a complex and difficult novel which challenges the reader to think about history, about perspective, and narrative truth, but keeps the reader at arms length. The story is narrated by Paul Pokriefke, a 50 year old survivor of…
A review of What’s Wrong with Dorfman by John Blumenthal
The style is a marvelous succession of deadpan one-liners, quick and funny. A perceptive reader will see in this a device whereby Dorfman, the narrator, distances himself from his problems. Reviewed by Bob Williams What’s Wrong with Dorfman? By John…
A review of Good Faith by Jane Smiley
Stratford is an interesting narrator, and his passive acceptance, even in the worst of situations keeps the tone of the book light. In typical Smiley style, Good Faith is a tight, fast paced, and carefully set out novel full of…
A review of Stress Free Foods by Lee Gold
According to nutritionist/chef/home economist Lee Gold prolonged stress can lead to significant health problems from heart disease to stroke, ulcers, depression, cancer, diabetes, and more. It is a vicious cycle. The more stressed you get, the more you will develop…
A review of The ABCs of Writing For Children
If you are a writer or illustrator of childrens’ books, or want to be, Koehler-Pentacoff’s book is really a must read. This is no didactic guide from a world weary author, but instead, is a series of questions and answers…