Book Review June 2007

Daughters of a Coral Dawn - Katherine V. Forrest

Borrowed? No.

What possessed me to read this, I can't possibly imagine. I have a load of books by this author, all from a time when I was looking for books written by women, about women, preferably strong women. She's not a very good writer, but this was in the days before I discovered writers like Sandra Scoppetone, Sheri Tepper, and Sara Paretsky, and was looking for detective fiction to while away the time with. She is not a good writer at all, come to think of it. So why did I read this particular book? A thread over at Twisty Faster's turned into a discussion of feminist utopias in fiction, and this was one of the books mentioned in the thread. I thought it might provide good background for another project I'm working on. Suffice it to say that I've learned my lesson.

Recommended? Good Lord, no.

Reread? Perhaps I'll try again, if I get further on my project and get stuck.

Dictionary of Asian Mythology - David Leeming

Borrowed? No.

An excellent, handy little reference, very useful for looking up things that you kind of know, or ought to know, or vaguely remember, about myths and legends of China, India, and every country around and in between.

Recommended? Highly.

Reread? As needed.

Ethan of Athos - Lois McMaster Bujold

Borrowed? No.

I've always liked Lois McMaster Bujold as a writer of science fiction. She has a certain sly humour and charm. This book was lightweight, a quick easy read, and thoroughly enjoyable. Yes, it was part of the "feminist utopias in fiction" project. The project doesn't have a name yet, and it's not in any way related to "The Bobbed-Haired Girl" project.

Recommended? Light reading, yes.

Reread? Probably not.

Martin Chuzzlewit - Charles Dickens

Borrowed? No.

Although it was slow to start, eventually, as all Dickensian dramas do, this book gripped me, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened next. As always, the bad guys get their comeuppance, and the good their just reward, and of course Dickens is exceedingly verbose, but it was some 800 pages of enjoyment. Verbose but talented. With what skill he describes each scene, each character, how well he delves, without heavy-handed framing, the depths and heights of emotion. Bit cloying in the approved manner of the time, at times, but nevertheless a good read. Most interesting of all is his description of America.

Recommended? Highly.

Reread? Not for a good while.

Palli Samaj (The Homecoming) - SharatChandra Chattopadhyay

Borrowed? No.

Reading another of this writer's works translated into English brought home to me the importance of a good translator. Regrettably, this translation was a bit too literal, and Bangla does not translate directly into English, so much of the beauty is lost, and the idiom is clumsy and ineffective. Nevertheless, as with all of SharatChandra's work, this novel deals with the mores of village life and the difference between the urbanized protagonist and his rural childhood companion, and the maze of relationships, customs, prejudices, and regulations that make up life in rural areas. The book would have been far more enjoyable in the hands of a skilled translator. I wish I could get a copy in the original!

Recommended? Only in the original, or in a better translation

Reread? Only in the original or a better translation

Pather Dabi - SharatChandra Chattopadhyay

Borrowed? Nicki.

The translator of this work is excellent, and this is one of SharatChandra's finest novels. Loosely translated, Pather Dabi means "Right of Way." The novel chronicles the awakening of a young man to the injustices imposed by the society in which he is raised. In parts painful, in parts filled with pathos, excitement, rage, this is a novel to stir one's soul. The British did their best to suppress this work when it was first published. Read it and you'll see why.

Recommended? Highly.

Reread? Whenever I can.

Tears of the Giraffe - Alexander McCall Smith

Borrowed? Smokey again.

An amusing little work of detective fiction about the adventures of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, set in Botswana. I believe the first of those works is about to be turned into a film. The writing is good, the characters well drawn and textured, and the writer captures the sweetness of the native culture along with its suffering from change. Good pace, interesting occurrences. It left me wanting to visit Africa, notably Botswana.

Recommended? Yes, if you like detective fiction, light reading matter, and Africana.

Reread? Probably not. Once you've read a piece of detective fiction, you know how it ends, and then what's the point?

The Amber Spyglass - Phillip Pullman

Borrowed? K.B.

Oh, my. Phillip Pullman has written a fascinating trilogy, part science fiction, part fantasy, all thrilling. The writing was quite good, and although after the first book it became a little more predictable in parts, it was still a rollicking good read. It's being made into a film, and I saw the preview and felt as if I must read the book. The film is beautiful, if it all keeps the same high quality as the preview I saw. I can't wait for it to open. As for the books, I read all three volumes in a single night. So there.

Recommended? Yes, if you like science fiction, fantasy, or fast-paced adventure. Definitely light reading, though.

Reread? Maybe.

The Boss Dog - M.F.K. Fisher

Borrowed? Smoke, again.

I've always loved M.F.K. Fisher as a writer. There's a lyrical quality to her descriptions of scenes and people. Neither overly descriptive nor cloying, yet utterly sympathetic and very visual. This book, as you can tell from the title, is about a dog, and an excellent device was that dog as a way of describing the relationship between a woman and her two daughters and the time they spent living in France. As with all of Fisher's books, it was a veritable treasure of culinary and cultural information. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Recommended? Mais certainement.

Reread? Someday when I have some free time!

The Golden Compass - Phillip Pullman

Borrowed? K.B.

This is the first book in Phillip Pullman's trilogy, and I think the most exciting. His portrait of the little girl who is the protagonist is very good, I think. An excellent writer with a vivid imagination, I blame him for my subsequent insomnia.

Recommended? Highly, for those in search of entertaining reading material.

Reread? Probably, but not for years.

The Subtle Knife - Phillip Pullman

Borrowed? K.B.

This is the final book in Pullman's excellent trilogy. I didn't like it quite as much as I liked the first, but it's still well written and well worth reading.

Recommended? Yes.

Reread? Maybe.

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Smokey's Corner

Today's treat is a poem from Smokey

Misrepresented

The Angels are angry
bitterly and intensely angry.

They feel used.
Used by painters, sculptors,
tombstone carvers and
church leaders.

Their purpose has been misrepresented
for centuries.

Their one and only task
given by their Creator
has been to make each and
every Lesbian
happy
deliriously happy.

© 2007 K Smokey Cormier

Does anyone remember that ubiquitous slogan from the mid-'80s/'90s, "Dip me in honey and throw me to the lesbians"? I used to have a button that said that. I think I'm gonna make me a tee-shirt.

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Books Read in March

Well, this was a piss-poor showing. I guess I need an excuse factory for all the books I failed to read!

Excuse of the Month:

1. Pneumonia - delirious and uncomprehending for ~2 weeks; and
2. Gardening - the weather is beautiful and I have to get all the weeds gone before the annual fire inspections.

Books of the Month:

• A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers
  
  Borrowed? Yes. I blame Smokey.
  

  This book got rave reviews from many well-respected authors and reviewers. Mr. Eggers, when it comes time for you to review my work, I hope you'll develop the same convenient amnesia that appears to be plaguing the entire current administration. This book is very clever.
  
  Recommended? For readers who enjoy cleverness.
  Reread? No. I prefer books that either move me or teach me.
  
  

• The China Study - Thomas M. Campbell and Colin T. Campbell
  
  Borrowed? Yes. Thanks, Jay.
  

  This book has changed my life. The Campbells have put together an excellent and much-needed epic on nutrition and human disease. The epidemic of diseases that faces the 21st century human is very different from the previous century. Our worries center around obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart diseases, cancer. Diseases of affluence and longer lifespans. Except, according to Dr. Campbell, it ain't necessarily so. Why are the wealthiest not the healthiest? Don't we have all the science, the research, the necessary tools? Let Dr. Campbell tell you why. If this book doesn't change your life, I'll eat my hat. Or you'll eat yours, or something. It'd be better for you than that hamburger, in any event.
  
  
  Recommended? Highly.
  Reread? Yes, as soon as I notice any evidence of slackment.
  
  

• The Easy Way To Stop Smoking - Allen Carr
  
  Borrowed? No.
  

  Okay, what's with the self-helpalooza? I'll tell you what. It's time to quit smoking, once and for all. When your lungs feel like hot buttered knives are ripping through them with every breath it is time to stub out the last little stinker and say goodbye to that feeelthy habit. This is an excellent book. Really. The book can be repetitive at times, but repetition is needed when trying to get rid of an ancient and deeply ingrained - and life-destroying - habit.
  
  
  Recommended? To any smoker trying to quit. To families and friends of smokers who want to help their loved one kick the habit.
  Reread? Every time I need to.
  
  

• You Must Set Forth At Dawn - Wole Soyinka
  
  Borrowed? Smoke, again!
  
  

  What a wonderful book! It's so richly evocative of Africa, written with all the love that a person feels for their country and culture. It made me wish I was in Africa, it made me want to read a million books of African history and culture and language, and music, and art, and long for all Africana. It gave me hope. Africa can be the hope of the old world and the new world and the third world. It's funny, Jonathan Raban's book about Africana is the polar opposite of this, though well-written in its own way. Professor Soyinka has played a vital part in Nigeria's history, and is a writer of great talent and skill. I am glad he is still writing.
  
  
  Recommended? Oh, yes!
  Reread? Someday. After reading all the books on African history and culture.
  
  

• Women's Lip - TBD
  
  Borrowed? Gift
  
  

  An amusing little collection of feminist snark, which is going to feature on this blog sooner or later.
  
  Recommended? For amusement only.
  Reread? No.
  
  

• Pronatalism: The Myth of Mom & Apple Pie - Ellen Peck, Judith Senderowitz, Eds.
  
  Borrowed? Nope.
  
  

  This is an excellent collection of essays about the institutionalized pronatalism that has led the global population to increase by 50% over the last 40 years. Whatever happened to the ZPG movement? Forty years ago, governments concluded that the human population of the planet had grown too large and must be managed down to zero growth. Forty years later, we are seeing a vicious wave of pronatalism nearly unprecedented in previous history. Even as people endlessly whine about the rising cost of living, the pollution of the atmosphere, the water, the very earth, the crowded conditions of our cities, the lack of opportunities for young people entering schools and the workforce, we are breeding like cockroaches, with disastrous consequences, and no one is drawing the logical conclusion.
  
  Recommended? Highly. For anyone interested in women's studies, feminism, social studies, population studies, ecology, sustainability, and the fate of the world.
  Reread? As soon as ever I can.
  
  

I just noticed that four out of the six books I read this month were weighty and not a quick read. So there's that in my defense. I will stop beating myself up now and post an updated booklist to be read by July 1.

books

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A Quote For The Ages

I just lost a bunch of stuff that I was going to post, so instead I will post this beautiful quote I found:

How long would it take before a savaged people woke up, recovered their sense of worth, and knocked him off his pedestal into a hole so deep that generations to come would seek his remains in vain?

Wole Soyinka, "You Must Set Forth At Dawn"

He's talking about Sani Abacha, of course, but those words did strike home quite hard. If you haven't read the book already, do yourself a favour and buy, beg, borrow a copy today. And read it. What a life Professor Soyinka has lived!

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