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Very few words about very long stories.

Let's talk about reviews and writing first. Two things:
1. I review novels I have enjoyed reading. If I did not enjoy reading it, I usually don't review it. I may have issues with themes, plots, characters, but I may still like the book. I do not trash writers, stories, writing. I find nasty reviews are covers for bad critical writing skills. If you know how to write, you know how to say something without being nasty. Otherwise, don't write.
2. I do not write more than quick summary of plot. I like to talk about the energy of a book. What made it work. What themes the author touched upon. Character development. Did I learn something? Etc.

A few mainstream books.

9/30/2020

OK.Commercial.
Commercial fiction is fast and light, but, for me, it truly needs to lift me out of my present life and place me elsewhere. After last night's train wreck (September 29 Presidential debates, or that is what they are calling it), we will all want to be lifted out of this present life, right? Ellen Meister knows how to do that. LOVE SOLD SEPARATELY is a mystery with a side romance. It also educates us a bit about the shopping network and lives of struggling actors.
A fast read with interesting family subplots, clever whodunnit, romance, and even observations about the evolution of addiction (although the story does not delve into addiction deeply, and it shouldn't). Take a break from the chaos of 2020 and treat yourself to this book!

Now, literary.

I've read every novel Ferrante has written, so I couldn't miss this.

This is another coming of age story about a girl whose life changes when she uncovers her family's secrets. She latches onto a very eccentric, unstable but deadly honest Aunt who teaches her to see her parents, her life for exactly what it is. Remove the cover of pretension and beauty and underneath you find something else.

The development of character was not quite as in-depth and interesting as the Neapolitan books, but it has the usual, brilliant and complex interior monologues and excellent prose. The aunt--Vittoria--is another great Ferrante character--eccentric, unstable, at times cruel and abrupt, other times vulnerable and brilliant.

Everyone wanders around a bit blind until they finally find truth and regain footing. And the girl does eventually figure out how to take control in a quite interesting way at the end.

"There's a black veil that can drop and any moment. It's a sudden blindness, you don't know how to keep your distance, you crash into things."

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September 09th, 2020

9/9/2020

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I forgot to review this on amazon, although I did tweet a recommendation for it. I will paste this on amazon. I know this one came out a couple of years ago, but it's still out there and I want to include it in my reviews. Like Blackbird Blues, this story shifts in time, back and forth. It grounds itself primarily in the era surrounding WWI, in the forest of Sweden, where a strong, insightful and independent woman--Anna comes of age. Sixty years later she is visited by her niece who has personal relationship issues. We go back and forth in time and slowly unravel Anna's sad and frustrating story, which reflects intense obstacles Swedish women--like all women during this time--had to overcome in order to survive and thrive. Anna not only survives, she learns how to grow into her true self. She is a woman way beyond her time. This is based upon a true story, and therefore is not only entertaining but also educational. The writing is wonderful. The character inspiring. It has a quiet, slow feel to it, and the switch in time can be confusing. But I don't mind lingering when the writing is this good. I don't mind refreshing my memory when a shift in time occurs if I like the character, enjoy my effort. This book is very well done. The writer knows what she's doing and has a poetic heart. Bravo!

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September 04th, 2020

9/4/2020

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How do I begin? This is such a great collection of work, it's hard to know how to pinpoint exactly why I loved all of these poems. There are poets who emote on a page with metaphor. I read a few of their poems but never finish the collection, because once you've read one, you've read them all. And I tend to enjoy stories I get lost in.

But this is Tiff Holland. She writes poems you cannot stop reading. Poetry that goes to the center of her heart, her love, her struggles, powerfully, with clarity and charm. These poems are so deep and personal, so wrenching and funny, you feel you're sitting in a room with her as she calls her life out to greet you.

"In some theories of time,
everything is happening at once,
your birth and death and all your lovemaking:
in one corner of the curved universe,
you're playing catch with your brother
in the backyard, wearing the shorts
and matching ball-caps from the photo/on the shelf beside the kitchen window.... "

Yes. But it all happens like this at once when a poet knows how to grab you and hold you to the pages of her life.
I hope this collection gets attention. It needs to win an award. Brilliant.

Len Joy has penned another one! I like Len's writing because he's mainstream but still small press with a literary style. He should be with a big House, but, unfortunately ageism is rampant in the industry. Don't want to get political, so I'll stop now. I will put up the review I posted at Amazon.com:

Len Joy once again delivers his "Richard Russo-ish" small town story that centers around conflicts, intimate friendships, and loss. If you've read Len Joy's first novel, American Past Time, you're familiar with Dancer Stonemason, the main character. Dancer lost his chance at baseball because of an impulsive, short-term focussed decision--go for that one big night, that no hitter. This one night ruined his arm and career, and his life's trajectory reflected that overwhelming loss.

We are now with Dancer all grown up. He's old, grumpy, but still compassionate in that way that makes him lovable and forgivable. Once again, he's dealing with loss—the loss of his beloved son. Loss is a huge hole that seems to be in this man forever. Loss of hope, loss of love, loss of child. He now meets up with a war veteran dealing with all kinds of identity issues and personal conflicts. They strike an unusual friendship that slightly alters each other’s paths.

Actually, the novel develops several complicated characters. The writer moves the camera from story to story, connecting each one with various conflicts. In fact, as a massive storm moves towards the town, with all of impending doom, an emotional storm moves amongst the denizens. Those with short term focus of course suffer the more painful consequences. And unfortunately consequences of one in small towns are consequences of many.

Another fast, well written, novel by a writer who understands small towns and the men who live there.

Very few words about very long stories.

A few mainstream books.

September 09th, 2020

September 04th, 2020

September 02nd, 2020

September 02nd, 2020

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