John Gardner published "Grendel" in 1971, eleven years before his tragic death at age 49 in a motorcycle accident. The story is a spin-off taken from the medieval epic poem "Beowulf," giving us the viewpoint of the monster Grendel, whom the Scandinavian hero Beowulf slays. A rare acquisition of the book's ARC brought Gardner's novel to my attention again.
Category: First Editions
Stories about holy absolutes, and more
"What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank" is Nathan Englander's new collection of short stories. Each of the eight stories engages us with challenging topics regarding human nature and the lives of orthodox and non-practicing Jews. Enter the elephants. Here's what I'm talking about (when I talk about Nathan Englander).
Frankly, my dear, nobody gave a damn
Timing is everything, and for Caroline Gordon that was particularly true for her novel about the American Civil War. Had she published "None Shall Look Back" prior to 1936, some believe her Southern war story would've trumped Margaret Mitchell's classic. I wanted to read Gordon's novel and find out for myself. Here's the outcome.
A book list and a control measure
I discovered these six books via review publications. I think they offer the promise of good reading and thought I'd share what I've learned. Brief descriptions and links to more information included. Ficion and non-fiction.
19 Pictures, 22 Recipes: A Cookbook by Paola Ferrario
Paola Ferrario's slim book combines photographs with family recipes. In accompanying essays, the author shares personal stories and life commentary. You won't find this book on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble. Here's why.
Some didn’t believe, some kept flying
Peter Sis' new book, "The Conference of the Birds," is based on an allegory about the search for divine truth written in the 12th century by a Sufi poet. It's richly illustrated and provides an encouraging story for the determined traveler.
Shopping Brooklyn bookstores
It's that time of year when New York City teems with holiday lights and traffic jams surrounding the department stores, Rockefeller Center and Times Square. On a recent visit, I avoided the crowds and headed to Brooklyn, where I found a small herd of that endangered species, the independent bookstore.
Santa-land in the Mission District
Here's a novel to sink into for its place and characters, a dive bar filled with diverse patrons you won't easily forget. Enter its world and you'll meet Owen in a Santa suit, Shambles, No Eyebrows and many other colorful people. This exceptional novel, "Damascus" by Joshua Mohr, is brilliantly quirky and compassionately heartfelt.
Our imperfect memory
Julian Barnes is the author of 11 novels and three books of stories. His fiction has been nominated three times for past Man Booker prizes, and this year he snagged the win. "The Sense of an Ending" is spare in size but large in emotional scope. The narrator, a retired London man in his 60s, is forced to reevaluate his memories after receiving an unusual inheritance. Easily read in one sitting and unforgettable for the messages Barnes imparts about how we remember our past.
Obsession of a modern-day Ahab
When Ohio artist Matt Kish got the idea to illustrate the Signet Classic paperback of Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," he decided to produce an illustration for every page. (The Signet Classic runs north of 500 pages.) He completed the project in 543 days. Here's the story of how that happened, and illustrations from the beautiful book that's published by Tin House Books.
History is now and England, 2060-1940
Thank you Connie Willis for science fiction I've embraced and enjoyed in "Blackout/All Clear," award-winning time travel that goes backward in time, from 2060 to 1940.
An impulsive reaction turns fatal
Will Allison's "Long Drive Home" is a tense psychological and emotional drama so well executed it made me want to never put it down and nervously walk away from it at the same time.
Swedish crime from Karin Alvtegen
Here's an author to keep your eye on. She has three novels published in the U.S. and a style in the crime novel genre that's smart and captivating. I paid a hefty exchange rate so I could read her newest book "Shadow," and it was worth every British pound sterling.
Adventures in vintage drug paperbacks
I attended Pulpfest 2011 with a list in hand of 36 colorful book titles that included "I Am a Teen-Age Dope Addict," "The Marijuana Mob" and "Reefer Girl." Here's why, and what I learned about the books, plus photos of some that came home with me.
The story of “Jasper Jones”
Craig Silvey's novel is part murder mystery part coming-of-age story. The book's been winning awards and even got short-listed for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. But is it for teens or adults?
The Longest Chapter 