Life After Genius
M. Ann Jacoby
Grand Central, Oct 29 2008, $24.99
ISBN: 0446199710
Theodore Mead Fegley grew up in High Grove, Illinois under the thumb of a martinet mom and an indifferent dad who was too busy running a funeral parlor and furniture store. Being a genius, Mead faced bullies and unfair physical comparisons to his older athletically gifted cousin as if brawn supersedes brain every time although Perry is his only friend. At fifteen he accepts a scholarship to attend Chicago University on a three year track.
At school, he focuses on solving Riemann Hypothesis while flourishing under the mentoring of Dr. Alexander. However, as he succeeds at math, he fails at personal relationships. Now on the verge of graduating at eighteen, Mead must give his presentation even as his long time college rival and enemy math major Herman Weinstein tries to destroy his research; instead feeling emotionally deceased he flees for home.
Though the key characters seem to come out of typecasting 101 boy genius, contemporary readers will enjoy this well written character study that looks at the down side of being the brain. Mead is an interesting protagonist whose intelligence without an emotional anchor leads to his shutting down his brain. Readers will appreciate his struggles to belong as LIFE AFTER GENIUS can prove disconcerting.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, October 11, 2008
O Little Town-Don Reid
O Little Town
Don Reid
David C. Cook, Oct 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 9781434799302
In 1958 in Mt Jefferson, Macalbee’s Five & Dime manager Milton Sandridge is informed that fifteen year old Millie Franklin has been caught shoplifting. Milton would prefer to ignore the crime as the culprit is the daughter of Reverend Paul Franklin, pastor of the Methodist Church, but there are too many witnesses. He calls Police Lieutenant Buddy Briggs who comes over to talk with Millie before taking her home. Millie is upset and angry, but refuses to say anything further. Her father and her mother Dove ask her why.
Widower Walter Selmon, Milton’s father-in-law, is rushed to the hospital where his other son-in-law Camp Sterrett is a doctor. The medical tests conclude he is dying, upsetting his two adult daughters, Milton’s wife Colleen and Camp’s spouse Doris. Doris’ oldest of two sons, seventeen years old Louis informs his parents he impregnated sixteen year old Shirley Ann Briggs; who informs her dad the sheriff and her mom Amanda.
The key to this engaging historical fiction is the fully developed small-town cast who each has flaws, makes mistakes, and has issues. The subplot involving a teenage Walter and an actress in 1904 is well written but can distract from the prime 1958 drama. Still O LITTLE TOWN is a delightful inspirational tale with the theme of forgiveness running through both tracks accentuated years later with the tradition of the roses emphasizing all is forgiven.
Harriet Klausner
Don Reid
David C. Cook, Oct 2008, $16.99
ISBN: 9781434799302
In 1958 in Mt Jefferson, Macalbee’s Five & Dime manager Milton Sandridge is informed that fifteen year old Millie Franklin has been caught shoplifting. Milton would prefer to ignore the crime as the culprit is the daughter of Reverend Paul Franklin, pastor of the Methodist Church, but there are too many witnesses. He calls Police Lieutenant Buddy Briggs who comes over to talk with Millie before taking her home. Millie is upset and angry, but refuses to say anything further. Her father and her mother Dove ask her why.
Widower Walter Selmon, Milton’s father-in-law, is rushed to the hospital where his other son-in-law Camp Sterrett is a doctor. The medical tests conclude he is dying, upsetting his two adult daughters, Milton’s wife Colleen and Camp’s spouse Doris. Doris’ oldest of two sons, seventeen years old Louis informs his parents he impregnated sixteen year old Shirley Ann Briggs; who informs her dad the sheriff and her mom Amanda.
The key to this engaging historical fiction is the fully developed small-town cast who each has flaws, makes mistakes, and has issues. The subplot involving a teenage Walter and an actress in 1904 is well written but can distract from the prime 1958 drama. Still O LITTLE TOWN is a delightful inspirational tale with the theme of forgiveness running through both tracks accentuated years later with the tradition of the roses emphasizing all is forgiven.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Love Song of Monkey-Michael S.A. Graziano
The Love Song of Monkey
Michael S.A. Graziano
Leapfrog Press, Nov 2008, $13.95
ISBN: 978098154802
PO Box 2110
Teaticket, MA 02536
www.leapfrogpress.com
Twentyish Jonathan is dying from AIDS. He has given up on life, but heeds his wife Kitty’s pleading to try one last desperate gambit. He agrees to see Dr. Kack inventor of the top secret Kwark King cure to see if his life can be saved.
Dr. Kack admits his device is still experimental as the intense pain on human subjects has led them to give up and the tests on animals have all ended in their death. Jonathan is willing to try and becomes the first subject to make it through all the stages of the radical molecular modification that makes his body “unbreakable” in accordance with Kack. However, he never fully comes awake and acts like he is some sort of living dead. As such Kack and Kitty dump his semi comatose body into the ocean where Jonathan’s love for Kitty sustains him while he begins the trek back to human civilianization starting with his soul.
Mindful of Spielberg’s A.I., this is a fascinating dreamlike character study that insists the power of love enable people to do extraordinary deeds; as Jonathan did. His goal throughout is to return to his beloved Kitty that sustains him through the medical procedure and his incredible travel to the beyond and back. A whimsical parable that focuses on the strengths and weakens of humanity with the message of "To err is human; to forgive is divine." by Alexander Pope running throughout the deep story line.
Harriet Klausner
Michael S.A. Graziano
Leapfrog Press, Nov 2008, $13.95
ISBN: 978098154802
PO Box 2110
Teaticket, MA 02536
www.leapfrogpress.com
Twentyish Jonathan is dying from AIDS. He has given up on life, but heeds his wife Kitty’s pleading to try one last desperate gambit. He agrees to see Dr. Kack inventor of the top secret Kwark King cure to see if his life can be saved.
Dr. Kack admits his device is still experimental as the intense pain on human subjects has led them to give up and the tests on animals have all ended in their death. Jonathan is willing to try and becomes the first subject to make it through all the stages of the radical molecular modification that makes his body “unbreakable” in accordance with Kack. However, he never fully comes awake and acts like he is some sort of living dead. As such Kack and Kitty dump his semi comatose body into the ocean where Jonathan’s love for Kitty sustains him while he begins the trek back to human civilianization starting with his soul.
Mindful of Spielberg’s A.I., this is a fascinating dreamlike character study that insists the power of love enable people to do extraordinary deeds; as Jonathan did. His goal throughout is to return to his beloved Kitty that sustains him through the medical procedure and his incredible travel to the beyond and back. A whimsical parable that focuses on the strengths and weakens of humanity with the message of "To err is human; to forgive is divine." by Alexander Pope running throughout the deep story line.
Harriet Klausner
A Silent Ocean Away-DeVa Gantt
A Silent Ocean Away
DeVa Gantt
Avon, Oct 14 2008, $13.95
ISBN: 9780061578236
In 1836 eighteen years old Charmaine Ryan is euphoric to leave behind her hateful father, the Harrington family who she worked for three years, and her impoverished life in Richmond, Virginia to start over as a governess to the wealthy Duvoisin family. Thus she sails on the Raven heading to the three West Indies islands Les Charmantes. She meets on the ship, Paul Duvoisin, the illegitimate son of family patriarch Frederic.
On the isles she meets the rest of the family to include the reclusive Frederic, his young breeder trophy wife Colette, his heir John (born of his first late wife) and his three young children from his second marriage whom Charmaine is in charge of. She thinks she has found paradise but soon realizes each has dark secrets and enemies. Charmaine begins to help the entire Duvoisin dynasty not just her charges cope especially when Machiavellian schemer Agatha Ward plans to replace Colette as the spouse, but with no brats.
More a historical epic than a romance, A SILENT OCEAN AWAY is an engaging family drama starring a heroine whose coming of age takes her from naïve admirer to pragmatic defender. The vast cast is strong so that key players are fully developed and secondary characters add depth to the plot. Sub-genre fans will appreciate this fine West Indies early nineteenth century saga.
Harriet Klausner
DeVa Gantt
Avon, Oct 14 2008, $13.95
ISBN: 9780061578236
In 1836 eighteen years old Charmaine Ryan is euphoric to leave behind her hateful father, the Harrington family who she worked for three years, and her impoverished life in Richmond, Virginia to start over as a governess to the wealthy Duvoisin family. Thus she sails on the Raven heading to the three West Indies islands Les Charmantes. She meets on the ship, Paul Duvoisin, the illegitimate son of family patriarch Frederic.
On the isles she meets the rest of the family to include the reclusive Frederic, his young breeder trophy wife Colette, his heir John (born of his first late wife) and his three young children from his second marriage whom Charmaine is in charge of. She thinks she has found paradise but soon realizes each has dark secrets and enemies. Charmaine begins to help the entire Duvoisin dynasty not just her charges cope especially when Machiavellian schemer Agatha Ward plans to replace Colette as the spouse, but with no brats.
More a historical epic than a romance, A SILENT OCEAN AWAY is an engaging family drama starring a heroine whose coming of age takes her from naïve admirer to pragmatic defender. The vast cast is strong so that key players are fully developed and secondary characters add depth to the plot. Sub-genre fans will appreciate this fine West Indies early nineteenth century saga.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Single Thread-Marie Bostwick
A Single Thread
Marie Bostwick
Kensington, Nov 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758222572
In Fort Worth, Texas, Evelyn Dixon thought her life was pretty good. That is until she figuratively receives two shotgun blasts into her gut. First her husband informs her he is leaving her; second she learns she has breast cancer.
Needing to get away, Evelyn moves to New Bern, Connecticut where she opens up a quilting store. As she begins to heal, Abigail Burgess, her niece Liza, and Margot Matthews enter her store. Each has issues with Abigail and Liza struggling with the sudden death of the latter’s mom and Margot looking for a job hopes quilting will bring her fresh contacts. These four begin to bond one stitch at a time.
Although the inspiring single thread that runs through this well written uplifting character study is not new as there are a bunch of examples out there, Marie Bostwick provides warn look at starting over while coping with at best a life changing emotional issue. The story line is driven by four women who each are coping with difficult poignant problems that lead to them finding a sisterly bond with one another; as the power of friendship helps each of them deal with the deck dealt them.
Harriet Klausner
Marie Bostwick
Kensington, Nov 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758222572
In Fort Worth, Texas, Evelyn Dixon thought her life was pretty good. That is until she figuratively receives two shotgun blasts into her gut. First her husband informs her he is leaving her; second she learns she has breast cancer.
Needing to get away, Evelyn moves to New Bern, Connecticut where she opens up a quilting store. As she begins to heal, Abigail Burgess, her niece Liza, and Margot Matthews enter her store. Each has issues with Abigail and Liza struggling with the sudden death of the latter’s mom and Margot looking for a job hopes quilting will bring her fresh contacts. These four begin to bond one stitch at a time.
Although the inspiring single thread that runs through this well written uplifting character study is not new as there are a bunch of examples out there, Marie Bostwick provides warn look at starting over while coping with at best a life changing emotional issue. The story line is driven by four women who each are coping with difficult poignant problems that lead to them finding a sisterly bond with one another; as the power of friendship helps each of them deal with the deck dealt them.
Harriet Klausner
Time of My Life-Allison Winn Scotch
Time of My Life
Allison Winn Scotch
Shaye Areheart (Crown), Oct 7 2008, $23.00
ISBN: 9780307408570
In Westchester County, New York, anyone who knows Jillian Westfield will believe she lives the perfect life in her lovely upscale family home. Her husband Henry adores her and their infant daughter has a vocabulary of sixteen words. She seems to be the model of lifestyles described in the upbeat family living magazines she reads. However, Jillian is unhappy as she is already tired of cleaning up their daughter while her lawyer husband hides behind long office hours. Adding to her despondency is learning that her post graduate college lover, Jackson is getting married.
Following a deep, chi-clearing massage, Jill awakens not to her daughter’s cries, but somehow seven years ago when she worked in Manhattan advertising and dated Jack yet remembering her future. Each time she reaches a major decision point, she considers selecting the other opportunity she rejected the first time. As she redoes pivotal points even Jill wonders where her selections will leave her.
With nods to It’s A Wonderful Life and Peggy Sue Got Married, TIME OF MY LIFE is a poignant character driven drama as the heroine gets the chance to answer the what if fantasies people make about their past. Jillian carries the wonderful story line as she debates herself on whether to select the alternatives or follow the same path she already knows where it is going. Allison Winn Scotch provides a deep tale of second chances.
Harriet Klausner
Allison Winn Scotch
Shaye Areheart (Crown), Oct 7 2008, $23.00
ISBN: 9780307408570
In Westchester County, New York, anyone who knows Jillian Westfield will believe she lives the perfect life in her lovely upscale family home. Her husband Henry adores her and their infant daughter has a vocabulary of sixteen words. She seems to be the model of lifestyles described in the upbeat family living magazines she reads. However, Jillian is unhappy as she is already tired of cleaning up their daughter while her lawyer husband hides behind long office hours. Adding to her despondency is learning that her post graduate college lover, Jackson is getting married.
Following a deep, chi-clearing massage, Jill awakens not to her daughter’s cries, but somehow seven years ago when she worked in Manhattan advertising and dated Jack yet remembering her future. Each time she reaches a major decision point, she considers selecting the other opportunity she rejected the first time. As she redoes pivotal points even Jill wonders where her selections will leave her.
With nods to It’s A Wonderful Life and Peggy Sue Got Married, TIME OF MY LIFE is a poignant character driven drama as the heroine gets the chance to answer the what if fantasies people make about their past. Jillian carries the wonderful story line as she debates herself on whether to select the alternatives or follow the same path she already knows where it is going. Allison Winn Scotch provides a deep tale of second chances.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Next Stop-Ivan Sanchez
Next Stop
Ivan Sanchez
Touchstone, Oct 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9781416562672
NEXT STOP is a fascinating but also sad memoir of life in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx in from 1978 to the early 1990s. However unlike most memoirs looking back at a “war zone”, Ivan Sanchez does not tell much about his escape. Instead he focuses on survival, a sort of social Darwinism in practice. The neighborhood is filled with crime mostly violent from professional arsonists collecting fees for torching buildings so owners can collect insurance to drug wars over who peddles where (fundamental capitalistic supply and demand). To live another day, you needed a crew to provide 360 degrees of protection for one another, but that was no guarantee. Readers will be abhorred at the violence, but more so at the way it is taken for granted as part of living in wild Bronx. Well written with plenty of heart, this is not an easy read for unlike TV this is real life; for this reviewer who grew up in the Bronx and knows the locations like Creston Ave near Fordham Rd it especially hits home.
Harriet Klausner
Ivan Sanchez
Touchstone, Oct 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9781416562672
NEXT STOP is a fascinating but also sad memoir of life in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx in from 1978 to the early 1990s. However unlike most memoirs looking back at a “war zone”, Ivan Sanchez does not tell much about his escape. Instead he focuses on survival, a sort of social Darwinism in practice. The neighborhood is filled with crime mostly violent from professional arsonists collecting fees for torching buildings so owners can collect insurance to drug wars over who peddles where (fundamental capitalistic supply and demand). To live another day, you needed a crew to provide 360 degrees of protection for one another, but that was no guarantee. Readers will be abhorred at the violence, but more so at the way it is taken for granted as part of living in wild Bronx. Well written with plenty of heart, this is not an easy read for unlike TV this is real life; for this reviewer who grew up in the Bronx and knows the locations like Creston Ave near Fordham Rd it especially hits home.
Harriet Klausner
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