In short: The book has an engaging writing style and is a quick, easy read. However, it is too short to do the subject justice and suffers from oversimplification and insufficient information. My first impression of this book, with its 188 pages of text, was that it was too short to do its subject justice.Continue reading “Review of “The Dark Side of Christian History” by Helen Ellerbe”
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Review of “Reunion: Coda: Book 2 of the Reunion Duology” by Alex Diaz-Granados
Full disclosure: The author and I have been netbuddies for twenty years (YEE GADS!), first “meeting” at the defunct review site, the late great Epinions. This novel is a lyrical story of new love interwoven with a story of acceptance of love lost and self-forgiveness. In his mid-thirties, Professor Jim Garraty is lucky in manyContinue reading “Review of “Reunion: Coda: Book 2 of the Reunion Duology” by Alex Diaz-Granados”
Review of “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan
The Stuff: This young adult novel follows the fortunes of several gay boys and young men. A Greek chorus of gay men who died during the AIDS crisis serves as the narrator. They cannot interact with the living. Peter and Neill are a couple still in high school who have been dating for a while.Continue reading “Review of “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan”
Review of “Blindness” by José Saramago
The Stuff: Not all the cars take off when the light turns green. The man inside seems to be saying something, but it takes a while before anyone outside pays attention or stops to hear him. He cries, “I am blind.” The blindness struck suddenly and without warning. The man cannot drive any further. AnotherContinue reading “Review of “Blindness” by José Saramago”
Review of “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “The Haunting” (1963)
The Haunting (1963) was our Saturday bad movie and pizza night offering. I remember seeing bits and pieces of it years ago on something called broadcast TV. I’ve read that the book it was based on, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, was one of the best horror novels. (Yes, the same ShirleyContinue reading “Review of “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “The Haunting” (1963)”
Review of “Casting the Runes” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown
For October 8 Plot: The story opens with an exchange of letters in which the secretary of the “—Association” tells Mr. Karswell the Association has, after careful consideration, declined to accept his paper, “The Truth of Alchemy.” Mr. Karswell wants to know who’s responsible for the decision. The secretary tells him that he cannot possiblyContinue reading “Review of “Casting the Runes” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Feast at the Abbey” by Robert Bloch: Halloween Countdown
For October 7 Plot: Traveling through a forest to meet his brother, the narrator is caught in a storm and takes refuge in a monastery he happens across. A short, rotund abbot admits him and summons two servants (whom he refers to with the unfortunate term “blackamoors”) dressed in “great baggy trousers of red velvetContinue reading “Review of “The Feast at the Abbey” by Robert Bloch: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Graveyard Rats” by Henry Kuttner: Halloween Countdown
For October 1: Plot:Old Masson became the caretaker of one of Salem’s oldest and most neglected cemeteries after the former caretaker inexplicably disappeared. Generations ago, abnormally large rats migrated up to the burial ground from the wharves. Masson decided they had to go, but the usual measures failed. Every so often, the gravediggers uncover theirContinue reading “Review of “The Graveyard Rats” by Henry Kuttner: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Reunion: A Story: A Novella” by Alex Diaz-Granados
Full disclosure: author Alex Diaz-Granados and I have been net buddies for (is it possible?) nearly twenty years, first becoming acquainted at the now-defunct site Epinions, lo, these many years ago. Plot:Jim Garraty’s dream of becoming a history professor at a prestigious university has come true. He has some well-regarded publications under his belt andContinue reading “Review of “Reunion: A Story: A Novella” by Alex Diaz-Granados”
Review of “After the Forest” by Kell Woods
The Stuff: Hänsel and Gretal have grown up and now live in the Black Forest at the close of The Thirty Years War. Rumors abound of Greta’s childhood doings with the old crone in the woods—did she really push that old woman into the oven?—but, for the most part, the villagers accept her. She bakesContinue reading “Review of “After the Forest” by Kell Woods”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 