Rachel Kushner's "The Flamethrowers" is one of those novels that has all the qualities of an award-winner with its complex narrative, bold characters and creative theme. It's a uniquely written story narrated by a young girl who's an artist and motorcycle rider during the 1970s. Here's what "The Flamethrowers" is all about.
Category: Book Review
A world of crime on Martha’s Vineyard
A. X. Ahmad has created an intriguing protagonist in his first novel, “The Caretaker.” Add to that India’s nuclear capability, an American hostage in North Korea, a nervous U.S. Senator and a bunch of thugs, and you've got an exciting literary thriller.
The Longlist: What you can read now
It's that time of year -- Britain's Man Booker longlist is out. And so begins the anticipation for which books will make the shortlist, and then which one of them will win the prestigious annual prize for best novel. Being the prize is for novels by British, Irish and Commonwealth authors, including Zimbabwe, the books may or may not have been published in the U.S. So here's the longlist, with short summaries and links to their Man Booker pages, plus identification of the novels we Americans can get our hands on.
When there were monsters
Neil Gaiman is the author of more than twenty books and the recipient of numerous literary honors. His newest novel is "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."
Where lies the ulterior truth?
Poet Christian Wiman wrote an essay about despair that went viral. It explored his life in brief, specifically writer's block, falling in love, being diagnosed with an incurable cancer and faith in God. His new book, "My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer," grew from that essay. Here's a glimpse.
She’s got Daddy issues, with a capital “D”
Constance Schuyler is another one of Patrick McGrath's emotionally unstable characters. In this, his 10th work of fiction, he’s based the psychological twist on Constance's bad relationship with her father. Unfortunately, it creates a bit of a dull dramatic thump. Here's why.
In this Indiana, bird bird bird is the word
Here is a debut novel that's rich in setting and very fun to read. Its odd events are highly entertaining, and the narrator is a good guy with a clever sense of humor. He's tracking birds in deep forests at 5 a.m. and experiencing hilarious situations. Killer tornado included.
A story of friendship, sacrifice and loyalty
Here's a novel categorized for teens, but just like "The Hunger Games" and "The Book Thief," "Code Name Verity" is a good bet for adult readers. It's an involving story created with an unusual narrative strategy, making this Edgar Award-winner a five-star read.
Good reading: faith, passion & madness
Frances and Bernard meet at a writers' colony and thereafter begin a friendship that becomes a romance in this first novel by Carlene Bauer. It's the 1950's, and Bauer creates a small narrative gem that draws from the lives of novelist Flannery O'Connor and poet Robert Lowell.
A place that gets to know you
Mark Brazaitis' Sherman, Ohio, invites comparison to Winesburg and Knockemstiff, the small Ohio towns immortalized in fiction by Sherwood Anderson and Donald Ray Pollock. Except Sherman residents in Brazaitis’ “The Incurables” don't feel trapped, like Anderson and Pollock's characters. Far from it. Here are their stories.
Dogs don’t tell themselves stories
Once again, Sam Savage brings his unique insight and humor to another noteworthy novel. "The Way of the Dog," similar to Savage's previous novels, uses a strong first-person narrator whose personality rises up off the page, as if talking to you in person. His name is Harold Nivenson, and he has a lot to say.
Reading Tessa Hadley
What happens when you read a book by an author whose work is consistently, highly praised, and yet you're unimpressed? I discovered the first take doesn't always ring true. Here's what I experienced when I read "Married Love," a collection of short stories by Tessa Hadley.
In Money, Mississippi, this soul never died
The murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in August 1955 galvanized the nation to end racism. Bernice L. McFadden has fictionalized the historical event, spinning a seductive story with a magical vision. Here you'll also find links to resources concerning the Emmett Till story, including an interview with Emmett's cousin, who was present the night the killers took Emmett from his bed.
A grief unobserved
"La Petite" by Michele Halberstadt and translated by Linda Coverdale is a short (barely beyond 100 pages) memoir set in Paris 1968. It recounts events surrounding Halberstadt's childhood suicide attempt and demonstrates the devastating power of dismissive indifference. Michele Halberstadt is an award-winning French author, journalist and film producer. She's written a brave memoir that concludes with keen revelation.
A thin fabric of time and trust in Prague
"City of Dark Magic" is a fun novel to read. It's filled with mystery, time warp, musical references (Beethoven in particular) and a cast of colorful characters, including a 400-year-old dwarf. Pure entertainment.
The Longest Chapter 