Scott Graham
A lovely story about special children in a home intended to keep them safe from the world, and the world safe from them. As the protagonist learns to love the children and find love for himself, he spreads his wings (figuratively) and having emerged from his self-imposed cocoon, acts for the protection and betterment of the inhabitants of the titular house on the cerulean sea. Told in a Grimms Fairy Tale fashion, the author's prose fits the story well, which makes the immersion into the magical world of the novel easy for the reader. Although a skinch heavy-handed at times, the tale has the right message. Who can resist a winsome son of satan?
An exploration of the life of Joan Lindsay, the author of the novel, The Picnic at Hanging Rock, the novel, and movie adaptation. The synchronicities and coincidences in the life of the author, the probable mysteries the story was based on, and the open ended nature of the story has remained with me for 45 years. This book does not resolve the mystery of what happened to the girls of Appleyard College or its real life equivalent, but it is a satisfying investigation into why the book was written and film adaptation made. Primarily it is a description of the extraordinary woman who may have lived the mystery, dreamt of the story, put it to paper, and oversaw its film adaptation in a small way. Well worth the time of the fan of the novel and/or the movie.
An illuminating examination of the island and people of Tangier Island, VA. Without going into the details, I do admit that although I found the book interesting, well-written, and often compelling, I also think that it paints a less than flattering picture of the inhabitants who cling to a way of life that is literally disappearing around them. Although some will find their resolute determination to pursue their life in the Chesapeake crab grounds and oyster beds admirable, others will see their unforgiving piety and deliberate blindness as arrogant and repugnant. Worth reading? Definitely. Don't be surprised if you end the book with no sympathy for the inhabitants of the island which is swiftly becoming an archipelago before it sinks into the bay, perhaps ironically to host new generations of the blue crabs that they make their livelihood.
Another good reading experience from Mr. Barzak. I enjoy his stories of the living interacting with the dead very much. This novel involving the destruction of a town by a cluster of tornadoes, as told through the post-cataclysmic experiences of the young female protagonist, was apparently intended for a young adult audience but that doesn't preclude a more mature reader from enjoying it. There isn't a lot of depth to the ideas presented here; it's straight plot with little character development beyond the protagonist, and not much exploration of the idea behind how a sudden death might leave someone stranded on this side of the veil. I started and finished the book during the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, so that was what the times called for, an enjoyable and well-written easy read.
A very good book that pales in comparison to its older sibling, The Time Traveler's Wife.
I wanted to love it but I only liked it very much. Most of it I had already learned through various interviews and one-man-shows. If you're new to Mel Brooks' personal and professional story, then this is an excellent book to learn all you need to know about Mel Brooks' formative years both in youth and profession. Well written and at times funny, but always entertaining, it just seemed to be a little bit perfunctory.
Another Compelling Story from Mr Barzak.
A very imaginative and compelling read, more overtly magical than One for Sorrow and The Love We Share..., but just as wrapped up in love and death as each. Strongly recommended. Note to author: I look forward to reading your autobiography one day. There has got to be a very interesting story behind your unique vision.
Short stories by Fyodor Sologub, who I would best describe as a cross between O'Henry and Kafka.
One of my favorite books, and one of only a few that I've re-read more than once. An emotional tour-de-force.
Eerie melancholy story of the friendship between two teenage boys, one living and one dead. Made into the also quite effective film “Jamie Marks is Dead”
A dense analysis of the history and music of Steely Dan through its permanent and transient members, its music, and the characters in the songs from Steely Dan, or characters both real and fictional related to the same. Highly recommended for Dan fans and enthusiasts. Others should listen to the music of Steely Dan for a couple decades before diving in to the deep end, because I kid you not, this book is the deep end and there ain't no lifeguards.
