Clifford Garstang
Mark Brazaitis's sixth book of fiction, Truth Poker, is a collection of superb short stories divided into three themed sections. In one sense, the fictions are a continuation of his past work, as these stories, like those in his 2012 collection, The Incurables, are also tied to the fictional town of Sherman, Ohio, and the campus of Ohio Eastern University. And, as in his earlier writing, Brazaitis draws on his own Peace Corps experience by featuring Volunteers in several of the stories, including those set in Guatemala, his country of service.
See the full review here . . .
Review of Truth Poker
Wow. What a powerful book. It's an epic tragedy. The voices and the setting have a credibility that I rarely see in contemporary books. Highly recommended realistic fiction about drug addiction.
This is a collection of poetry unlike anything I've read before although the work that comes closest is O'Brien's own play, The Body of an American. Both works are about the war reporter Paul Watson who won a Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photograph of the desecration of the body of an American soldier.
For my full review, see Review of War Reporter by Dan O'Brien
Terrific book. Saunders meets Coover. Full review here: Review of The Dark Will End the Dark
This is a terrific collection of gritty stories set (mostly) around Detroit, dealing with (mostly) workers affected by the economic downturn and changes in the auto industry. Some of the stories are pretty bleak, others hold out hope some hope–but not much. But they're all hard-driving and entertaining.
My full review here: Review of Your Life Idyllic at Best New Fiction
I have mixed feelings about this book. Parts (the Iranian Colonel's point of view) are excellent; parts (Kathy Nicolo's point of view) sometimes are nothing more than cheap melodrama. On the whole, it's a compelling read, but I consider it flawed.
Here's my full review: Review of House of Sand and Fog
De Waal should stick to biology, because he's weak on philosophy and logic. I found the discussion of “morality” in bonobos and chimps interesting and compelling. It's absolutely clear that morality doesn't depend on religion. And he seems to acknowledge that religion is just a comforting lie, but that doesn't seem to bother him. Atheists are rude to point this out, he says. No, they aren't. Aren't we all obligated to speak the truth?
Although my Chinese is not good enough to get a real flavor for poetic language (I've studied Mandarin off and on for years), I enjoyed having the originals of these poems along with the English translations. Even in translation, Zhai's poems are powerful evocations of life in China and beyond.
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. In most of the stories in the collection, women are willing participants in extramarital relationships. These are frank, honest stories. No punches pulled. Besides that, these are strong women. Not invulnerable, and many of them are wounded in some way, but they're all strong.
~ from “Nichola's Mother”
“Her world is only as large as her bread,
her sky
the blackbird
flying across the window,
all juices for her
start and end with grapes.”
The translator worked with the poet to create these lovely English-language versions of poems originally written in Hindi. A unique book, a rewarding reading experience.
The writing in this collection is first rate (no wonder it won the Drue Heinz Prize!) Also, I love the innovations in structure in some–but not all–of the stories. Don't rush through the book, though. Savor each story.
Some of these stories are weirder than others, but they're all terrific. My favorite is probably the least weird, though: “Measures of Sorrow.” This is a fine book.
See full review here: Review of Miracles and Conundrums of the Secondary Planets by Jacob M. Appel
Enjoyable and thought provoking, these poems explore family and work-life candidly and with genuine emotion. Terrific book.
I enjoyed Dispatches very much, and appreciated Tharp's growth over the period described in the book. In the sections covering his early days in the country, Tharp is condescending toward Koreans (in the tradition of Paul Theroux—a former Peace Corps Volunteer—who never met a local he couldn't make fun of). But over time, it's clear that Tharp's affection for Korea and his understanding of the country have grown, so that in the later sections of the book the self-portrait is of a man who is much more in tune with his surroundings. I also was touched by Tharp's account of the loss of both his mother and father while living abroad (which closely paralleled the deaths of both of my parents while I lived in Singapore in the ´80s and early ´90s), and the challenges of being so distant from family. I also could relate to Tharp's experience in other ways, including his love of Korean food and his struggles with the Korean language.
See full review at Perpetual Folly: Dispatches
Miss the '60s? Read this book to experience it, again or for the first time. Boruch writes vividly about a hitchhiking trip from Illinois to California that manages to touch on all the mind-expanding happenings of that age, from hippies to communes to Esalen, cramming a decade into Spring Break. I enjoyed this memoir a lot.
What a terrific book of poems! I've been reading a few each morning and deeply admire the lyrical approach to pain, suffering, recovery, and love, sometimes all in the same poem.
Continuum is a stunning collection of poems by an important figure in America's Black Arts Movement, writer, musician, and activist Mari Evans. One can only begin to understand the experience of African Americans by reading works like this.
Go here to see my complete review: Review of Continuum by Mari Evans
I don't read a lot of essays because so many of them, in my opinion, miss the mark. They're too narrow, often, and maybe tell a funny/sad story that happened in the author's life. A really good essay, though, one that takes that story and expands it, is a real joy. And that's what I found in this collection. Highly recommended.
My review is here: Review of Phoning Home by Jacob M. Appel
This is a very personal collection of poems, reflecting the author's love of people, animals, and places.
This is a very short, dark novel about the Christiania district of Copenhagen – anarchy, drug culture, depressed. The narrator is a drifter who thinks he's found a home here, but the world crumbles around him.
See my full review: Welcome to Christiania by Fred Leebron
Tucker's previous book, Life Before Life, included more cases, so if that's what you're interested in you should start there. Here, after discussing several cases, Tucker attempts to explain to skeptics how any of this is possible, and at least to me the quantum physics and other theories are unconvincing. Still, a very interesting book and subject.
I especially enjoyed this book because I also served in the Peace Corps in Korea and, like the author, also taught in the University English Education Program. This is a detailed account of one volunteer's two-year service, and will be of interest to anyone who has served, or is thinking about serving, in the Peace Corps.
My full review is here: Review of The Time of the Monkey, Rooster, and Dog