Writers Books

Writers are often told, "Write what you know." Good writing needs a ring of truth, an authenticity, and enough details to make it real and believable. In "Writer's Block," Bruce Kimmel has done just that. The story takes place in the world of musical theater, a world Mr Kimmel knows intimately. Arthur Myerson, a writer, is having difficulty with the second act of "Bus and Truck," a new musical that is not quite coming together. Tempers flare, the plot thickens, and then, the young composer/lyricist is found dead.

Although myself a mystery lover, I know I would have enjoyed this story even if it hadn't been a mystery. The characters are colorful yet real, the plot interesting, and it moves along nicely. It's clever and well-crafted, a fascinating read that is likely to be a hit with theater lovers and mystery lovers alike. It also has a surprise ending, which I quite enjoyed. A must-read for the theater crowd, and a good pick for all.

Bruce Kimmel has produced a mystery book that even professed "whodunit haters" will love. From the first words of the story you are drawn into the world of 1960's musical theatre, skillfully painted by one who knows it well.

In no way is this the usual formulaic treatment found in your average mystery/thriller, and Mr. Kimmel throws one heck of a curve ball,,,several times!

I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, unable to put it down, and then tover the next week re-read it again... and again.

I highly recommend this novel to mystery lovers, mystery haters and anyone who has ever been in, attended or heard of a Broadway musical. Highly entertaining, and thought provoking.

I must say that, as one who is not normally a reader of mystery, I was wary that this book might not be for me...I am happy to say that I was wrong. So intrigued was I by the 1960's Broadway background that I was easily swept into the story--one that kept and held my attention not only through a series of interesting plot twists and narrator turns, but also stuck with me in such a way that I was still contemplating the story days after I finished. That, I believe, is the sign of a good read. Well done, Mr. Kimmel. The Kritzer books are next on my list!

Bruce Kimmel, whom a lot of us came to love as the leading producer of show music over the last decade-plus, had a career previous to that in film and television (we won't count his early theater work, since that was largely school-based). For the last couple of years, he has pursued a third career, that of novelist, with the zeal and savoir-faire that have marked his two previous endeavors.

Unlike his recent Kritzer trilogy, Writer's Block is a neat little mystery, with a "Deathtrap"-like structure that provides a nice surprise about halfway through the book (not so surprising when one considers that Ira Levin and Kimmel are friends). What really makes Writer's Block tick, though, is Kimmel's insider knowledge of the trappings of musical theater, and he peoples his book with a nice gallery of not-so-secretly renamed folk from the golden age of Broadway: think Merrick, Champion, Laurents, Sondheim.

I only have two minor quibbles with this book, and they are very minor--most importantly, I wish it were longer, with more time devoted to fleshing out the characters and giving them a bit more backstory. The characters are exceedingly well-drawn in the time that is given to each in the book, but my sense is if you don't have a pre-existing image of David Merrick or Gower Champion, you might not get the full gist of their counterparts in the book. My second quibble is with where the murder is placed. It's where it is for a reason in the book, but I personally wished the book would have started with the murder, then begun with the story as written, leading to the first denouement about halfway through. I've probably been reading too much Dan Brown lately.

If you are a fan of musical theater, or books with unexpected surprises, you are certain to find Writer's Block well worth your while.

The true test of a good book is if you can't put it down. Well, in that case, WRITER'S BLOCK passes with flying colors! Set in 1969 in the world of musical theatre, this murder mystery takes you through the out of town try-outs of a new musical, BUS AND TRUCK.

You get to meet Arthur, the book writer who can't seem to finish Act Two (hence the title, Writer's Block); Stanley the brilliant young composer who stubbornly refuses to cut any of his songs; Galen the talented director/choreographer; and Conrad the bossy producer who wants a hit show.

The story is compelling and full of twists and turns, including a very surprising "twist" half way through the book.

This is a mystery like no other you've read. I would definitely recommend it.

This is a necessary, indespensible resource for anyone desiring to become published. It is completely detailed with every iota of info you could possibly need for submission. It also provides helpful anecdotes & facts about the whole process of getting published.

If you want to find out where to submit your novel or story, there's no doubt that Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market is about the best place to look. Unfortunately, despite the 2000 edition's claim of containing 250+ book publishers, the number I found suitable for a fantasy novel was pathetically small. A publisher for children that doesn't have a fantasy list has always seemed to me like a butcher shop without sausages, a hot bread shop without French loaves, a sweet shop without toffees ...
However, this is a publishing fault rather than a criticism of the book. My only criticism of the book itself is that you have to shelve out somewhere in the region of US$22 every year. Using last year's edition could land you up addressing your package to the wrong editor.

And, no, that's NOT a typo.

While every Writer's Digest Books "Market" title is a valuable source of information about who to contact and what to send, the reputation is slightly tainted with this year's edition of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. The very same guide that admonishes the hopeful author and illustrator to dot every "i" and cross every "t" is riddled with the kinds of typographical and grammatical errors that send one's dreams to the dreaded slush pile.

Examples:

"Paula Danzier collaborated with friend Ann M. Martin for 'P.S. Longer Letter Later' and it's (sic) sequel 'Snail Mail No More.'"

"Her book is a first-person account of three days in the life of Memphis Riley, a thirteen-year-old girl who has lived with her grandmother Naomi four (sic) five years. . ."

". . .and also deals with sibling rivalry from the point of view of an 'only dog' dealing with the edition (sic) of a new baby."

Throughout the book, the reader is constantly exhorted to put together a professional, error-free presentation but that advice can be a little disheartening when one's own Bible doesn't practice what it preaches.

Let's be honest. In a field saturated by talented writers, there is no substitute for having some help from inside the industry. However, for any persistent writer or illustrator who has the talent, but no "in," there is no substitute for this listing, which gives one hope for publication without candy coating the difficult task of breaking into this field.

The listings are easy to use, and writer/illustrator-oriented, really bending over backwards to provide enough details about each potential publication company to prevent wasted effort. If you have an agent, or the means to get your manuscript or portfolio looked at by someone who matters, use that. But if not, use this book to maximize your effort and chances.

What's to say about Children's Writer's and Illustrator's market? If you write or illustrate children's books you have to have this book. A library edition won't do because this book has to have yellow highlighting and colored tabs applied! and then too, it needs to be constantly updated as new information arrives about which editor is working where and which publisher is still in business. No, every writer and illustrator needs their very own copy!

Bonshea is a work of immense courage, a true tale of heartbreak and salvation. By exposing what was done to her by the court system, by the religious authorities and by their enabling cronies as she took the moral high ground by
leaving an abusive husband, the author gives readers the tremendous gift of her hard-won insight and spiritual awakening.

As shocking as it may be, Coral's story resonates with the truth. I hear pleas for help from protective mothers like Coral every day, week after week, year after year--all of them pleading for their very birthright, their greatest right, which is to be a mother.
She pinpoints, with heart-piercing accuracy, the historical hatred of females and of the feminine that has permeated societies, including our present one, for eons. Her personal story of living with and divorcing an abusive "religious" man who was not cheered on by the community's religious, governmental, and legal authorities mirrors the persecution of all women who, like Coral, choose to say "no" to male dominance and power. These include Middle Age "witches," midwives, mothers who protect their children from a father's abuse,mothers who dare to have careers and mothers who elect to stay home with their children. Coral also calls out for the only true cure for the dark side of human nature, and that is to live in the light.

Coral's work is a special blessing for me and for my sisters throughout this country. Not a single particle of the wisdom Coral shares misses the mark.

Mo Therese Hannah, Ph.D.

Casting religion in a negative light, can often invite a strong reaction mixed with accusations of heresy and un-Godliness. Such reactions can have a chilling effect on those who might wish to express a negative human experience, namely domestic abuse, where religion has been used as a vehicle to enable the abuse. In Bonshea, Coral Theill confronts this troublesome dynamic in an anecdotal account which underscores the degree to which religion, and the legal system, can be used to enable systematic domestic abuse. In doing so, Coral Theill has ventured into relatively uncharted territory in a manner which may well draw detractors, but at the same time offers great validation for those who find themselves entangled in an abusive relationship buttressed with religious justification. In addition to broaching this form of religious distortion, Bonshea also illustrates the degree to which the legal system can also be used as a vehicle to further perpetuate abuse even after the victim has chosen to take a stand against the abuse. In Bonshea, Coral Theill has clearly chosen to take a courageous stand. It is a stand that comes with a cost, but whose dividends are measured in the strength of the soul.

Every so often a book is written that touches the heart. This is such a book. BONSHEA is an unforgettable story that will leave an indelible mark on your psyche.

Every so often a book is written that touches the heart. This is such a book. BONSHEA is an unforgettable story that will leave an indelible mark on your psyche.

...And the truth shall set her free...
Bonshea: Making Light of the Dark, is a most incredible description of an abused victim's life. Evil is out there seeking to conquer and destroy all those with which it comes in contact. We must stand on the truth and not give in to fear. The injustices that Mr. Warner inflicted not only on Coral, but her children as well, are not of God. The creator of Heaven and Earth did not intend for others to be maimed physically, emotionally, or spiritually in His name. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar. It must be difficult for those who have not experienced abuse to relate or understand those who have. But it doesn't make it any less real. The affects of abuse can be long lasting, and if the victim doesn't honestly seek healing, the crippling will continue on for life. I am praying that the truth will set Coral free indeed.

This is such an important novel. Everyone needs to read this book, especially as the issue of torture is finally center stage in American politics. The author's writing is beautiful, unusual, and distinctive. She is clearly someone whose career readers should follow. I recommend this book whole-heartedly. I could not put it down.

A brilliantly-written, moving book about the takeover of British-occupied Singapore by the Japanese in WWII.
This story is ingeniously told through masterful writing which is at times poetic, at times cryptic and always beautifully descriptive.
The superbly-drawn characters are utterly human, believable and many-layered. No cliches or stereotypes here.
This novel is political, historical, psychological, and deeply emotional. It seems to transcend time and place.

In the middle of "Breaking the Tongue", Vyvyane Loh repeats Somerset Maugham's warning that:

"'A work of fiction ... is an arrangement which the author makes of his experience with the idiosyncrancies of his own personality.' In other words, if someone messed with him, he'd write him into a story."

It seems that most of the ethnic groups in Singapore must have "messed" with this Malaysian author and she's written them into a mean-spirited parody of life in the island state during the 1940's.

At the center of the action are the Lim's. Father Lim is a sadistic snob, who evicts a homeless family from their temporary shelter in his drainage ditch. Mother Lim is a mentally unstable self-mutilator with the morals and varnished claws of a cat. Junior is a whiny adolescent. Little Sister doesn't have a speaking part, but her Confucian saint of a grandmother makes up for it by reciting large tracts of Sun Tzu at the drop of a hat. The various members of the family detest each other and that is the only part of the book that truly makes sense.

Alert readers will have noticed by now that "Breaking the Tongue" is a farce, not a literal history of Singapore. It didn't take any `courage' to write, just a lot of spleen.

An American reader confronted with a passage of Chinese characters might think: "Well, this is Chinese text so if it were read aloud it would come out as Chinese." This however is completely false. The tens of thousands of incredibly complex Chinese characters are ideograms, they represent not sounds but meanings such as man, flower or war. As a matter of fact, there are many Chinese languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese or Hokkien. All of these spoken languages sound entirely different but they are all written in the same set of Chinese characters. A long time ago the Japanese also adopted Chinese characters to write their language which is of course completely different from Chinese. The practical Japanese use an alphabetic script as well, so in practice a passage of Japanese writng might consist of a mixture of Chinese ideograms and alphabetic symbols. It is clear therefore that if you were erudite enough you could write any language including English in Chinese characters. Conversely, if you were to read aloud a passage of Chinese text you could do so in any language including English. Chinese text in other words is sound-independent, language-independent or as we might say tongue-independent.

In this book, near the end, the English text is occasionally replaced by passages of Chinese characters which are of course incomprehensible to the average American reader. This does not mean that the author has switched from English to Chinese but only that she has abandoned (or broken) the tongue. This is one meaning of the book's title, but only the metaphorical meaning.

There is a literal meaning as well. At the end of the book, the main character Claude Lim cuts out (or breaks) his own tongue. This operation is described in very clinical detail reminding us of the fact that the somewhat intimidatingly brilliant author is in fact a practicing physician who writes Nobel Prize quality novels in her spare time. The reason Claude cuts out his tongue is that he is an "English educated" Singaporean Chinese which meant in the colonial pre-war period that he was taught only English and could not speak a word of Chinese. After the Japanese conquest in 1942 and related personal events, Claude rejected his English education and wished to revert to his Chinese heritage. Since he could speak only English he accomplished this by cutting out his tongue ao that he could no longer speak any language but make only grunting sounds.

The reader may be pleased to hear that in modern independent Singapore Claude Lim's linguistic dilemma can no longer occur. English is now the primary language of education for all Singaporeans but each ethnic group is also taught their "mother tongue" whether it be Malay, Tamil (a southern Indian language) or (Mandarin) Chinese. So there are four official languages in Singapore and every Singaporean of normal intelligence is at least bilingual.

Well, it has taken me the space of a longish Amazon review and I have managed to explain only the title. To explain the body of the book as well is obviously beyond the scope here. But perhaps you can see what I mean when I describe this book as of Nobel Prize quality. I do not mean that Vyvyane Loh will receive the Prize in the near future since the Swedish Academy will not award it for a first novel. What I mean is that there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that she will receive the Nobel eventually. This book has the literary quality and the depth that would be expected. It is also has the exotic setting that is evidently much liked in Stockholm. So congratulations Vyvyane, a great literary future for you is assured.

In BREAKING THE TONGUE Vyvyane Loh successfully brings to life the myriad of cultures and languages resulting in a rich tapestry of colors and flavors of Singapore, situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. The days of the British Empire are numbered as the Japanese threaten to invade Singapore in the days leading up to Second World War. Within the unstable economic and political landscape is Claude Lim, a young Chinese boy who was raised to only speak the language and admire the mannerisms of England. His parents taught him that the Chinese along with other non-whites are barbarians; the British are much more civilized and cultured. There is little uncertainty that the British will succeed in protecting Singapore from the Japanese menace.

Despite their initial beliefs the Japanese experience minimal difficulties advancing south through Malaysia towards Singapore. After his family flees to the relative safety of the countryside Claude is left behind to resume his studies. However, shortly after their departure the routines of everyday life are interrupted when the bombings begin and war becomes more apparent. Claude along with Brit Jack and Chinese Ling-li who strive to survive day by day while running a defunct medical clinic. They dodge bombs and the chaos of the streets to buy food and run the injured to the hospital without knowing when or if any type of normalcy will return to Singapore.

One of this novel's strengths is the manner in which Loh highlights and exposes the issues of cultural identity and belonging. There is Claude who is a devout Anglophile and who has essentially turned his back on his cultural identity, Jack who is British but is interested in the peoples of Singapore, and Ling-li who is strong pro-China. These three divergent individuals bunker down and explore their own cultural identity. Throughout the course of this book Claude slowly realizes that all his father taught him is not necessarily true. He begins to regret not knowing the various Chinese dialects and opens his eyes to the futility of his parent's choices.

BREAKING THE TONGUE is a book that is well worth seeking out and reading. It is filled with mystery, intrigue, and action and there's much to enjoy.

The Bucky Wilson Story is a wonderful adventure for children of all ages, whether a read-to-me story for a pre-reader, or a book for the more experienced reader. Bucky Wilson shows children that you don't need to be big in size to be important, that the size of your heart and your courage is much more important. With Christmas just around the corner, this book makes for a perfect gift!

This book is a very educational read and helps get the Southampton swim team pumped up! A must read for all Southampton swimmers and people interested in Russian midget circus clowns!

This book is teeming with wit that parents will enjoy as well as a grand sense of imagination and creativity that children will cherish. Despite being what some might call an uptight "yuppie" high school principal, I love it nearly as much as my kid! I've read it to my son Sam and even my colleague Keith's son Ronnie about 6 times through, simply because we all enjoy it so much. The 124 pages ensure that it won't just be another picture book you can read your kids in one night. You can spend a few weeks on it, and your kids will want to hear it over and over, so you save money on children's books! It is a story of resiliance that teaches good lessons, and the amount of creativity captured in the tale is incredible. What is more incredible is that this David J. Stott unfortunately has no other books to buy; however, I check the site frequently, anticipating any possible future work of his. He is a talent to say the least, and his ability to appeal to youngsters is something I could sure use in the faculty of my high school! In conclusion, this is a book you should order right away--your kid will be so hooked on it that he or she might even read it on their own (if old enough), and reading is surely a much safer activity than many others that appeal to children these days, such as dodgeball, MTV, and the like. There are some big kids that play dodgeball these days...

hey this book is very cool! i think everyone should read it.. even if u r afraid of clowns!! the clown in this book is the bestest clown ever!! so anyways i recomend this book to anyone!! 4 all ages!

This is a great book and represents my circus very well. Bucky was a true hero and he will be remembered forever.

What this book does is teach a chilkd that the only person that they can truly rely on is themselves. It teaches a child how to be self aware and alerted. It also allows the parent to bond with the child through lesson of education for both. This book also has alot of extras that all parents should have, like a list of emergency contacts and information on how to put together an I.D kit. this alone is worth the money.

As a father I always try to find ways to protect my chiuldren. This book teaches everything I needed to know. A easy book to read and easy book to use as an educational tool for my kids.

The book gets strait to the meat ant holds your attention until the ending. Maurice Woodson did a wonderful Job. I recommend this book very much.

The book gets strait to the meat ant holds your attention until the ending. Maurice Woodson did a wonderful Job. I recommend this book very much.

Exceptional! An Informative Gem! No household should be without this one!

The added material is a major plus. Run don't walk to buy this book!

From Gary Chapman. I was tired of hearing all these stories about Teddi Winograd from my ever-loving wife, Ingrid. After reading Chit Chat, however, I know why she admires her. Ingrid credits Teddi with giving her so much savvy about the ways of business. And I've picked up some ideas that are helping me in my own field, too. I still can't believe that Teddi Winograd went from earning 20 cents an hour to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It only took thirty hard years!

From Merrill "Moe" and Maxine Ordesky. Chit Chat reads better the second time around--especially when you wrote about me and the trials and tribulations of working together while I was at The Broadway Department Store. Maxine re-reads a chapter a night. I think I'll take it away from her!

From Paul and Megan Holmberg. We had the good fortune to meet Teddi Winograd at a conference in Washington, DC recently. What an interesting life she has led! She even told us the year she was born. (Of course, a woman who tells you the truth about her age, will tell you anything!) And she did!

Raechel Donahue, a freelance writer in Los Angeles, writes that Teddi Winograd tells a fashionable and romantic tale.

The title for Teddi Winograd's auto-biography is somewhat misleading. "Chit Chat This 'n that: The Rocky Road to Success" promises (and delivers) a fair amount of dish, but don't think that the only lesson between the covers is "Don't kiss and tell." Instead, the woman behind Teddi of California offers a primer on the fashion industry and a parallel historical chronology that entails much more than the rise and fall of hemlines.

From her grandfather's emigration from Russia to her rise to the top of the fashion elite, Teddi's narrative combines romance and captivating anecdotes with a remarkable insight into the apparel business. Alongside the poignant story of Teddi's unflagging devotion to her beloved husband, Sam, and their adored children is a meticulous record of the progress of women's rights in the increasingly inter-twined worlds of business, society, politics and family. An added bonus is the wonderful collection of personal photos, fashion sketches and advertising artwork. From the 40's through the 90's, Teddi Winograd was the bellwether of each trend, interpreting the needs of women and effectively creating a convergence of fashion and function.

Although peppered with famous names from Chairman Mao to Ronald Reagan, the only delicious tidbits in Chit Chat are the offhanded revelations of scandals-the This 'n That. Straightforward recollections of spy tactics in the cutthroat clothing business, shame-less betting 'shenanigans' in sports and frightening revelations of the machinations of wealth and politics are tossed off with an equanimity that could only come from having earned success by honest means.

If Danielle Steele wrote it, it would be a captivating bit of fiction. But Teddi's story is true, and that makes it all the more amazing.

From John P. Nucklos

Teddi Winograd, has a story to tell. It's her own personal story and she tells it in over 400 pages of compelling detail in her book, Chit Chat This 'n That: The Rocky Road to Success. Prompted by her grandson's searching questions about his family history, Teddi decided to record her history in a way that would enlighten and entertain her family for generations to come.

"When I sharpened my pencil and delved into my past, I realized my life-which spanned over seventy years-was a microcosm of our times," says Teddi. From the Roaring Twenties, through the Market Crash of the Thirties, to the Internet Boom of today, Teddi offers a unique and personal twist to the vast sweep of history and change of the last three quarters of a century.

Dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Sam, to whom she celebrated over 50 years of loving companionship, Teddi not only tells how she and Sam created a successful apparel company out of nothing, but she also relates the personal triumphs and setbacks that accompanies them on their "rocky road to success." Full of the type of personal observations and nuances that are often lost as a generation passes on, the book is sure to be a lasting legacy to her children and grandchildren. "Personal history gives you a wonderful opportunity to put your life in order and see how you arrived to where you are now; for your family, it offers a powerful narrative on how the family developed," says Professor Gerald Larue of the Andrus Gerontology Center. "The best kind of personal history is one that you write and then pass on to other family members to enrich with their own memories and stories."

Not only will Teddi's story be a pleasure to read for her family, but it is sure to be an inspiration to anyone who aspires to fulfill their own American dreams.

Gabo is something else. He is, to put it simply, an astounding writer, with a verve of language and a capacity for fleshing out great characters and fantastic stories unparalleled by any living writer. I daresay he is the best living writer, at least of those who are famous, and I doubt many who read him would disagree that he is at least among the best.

This collection of stories draws upon several other volumes, and spans a fair portion of his very long career (may he live a thousand more years!). If you have read any Garcia Marquez, you will love these little gems as much as you loved his novels-- I enjoyed "Innocent Erendira", "The Very Old Man" and "The Handsomest Drowned Sailor" best of those I recall; sadly, my copy was lost so I don't have a reference at hand.

If you have not read any Garcia Marquez: first, I recommend you do so IMMEDIATELY... there is a reason he is quite famous and a reason he is so renowned; both are very just. This volume is a nice starting point, a gateway drug into the wonderful world of Gabo. Work backwards: the early tales are good, but do not exemplify Garcia Marquez at his fullest strength, and to really appreciate him in the beginning you should really read him at his fullest capacity.

You will almost assuredly devour this little volume and end up begging for more. I recommend, of course, ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE (his masterpiece, and worth reading no matter what you think of his other works!!!), LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, his COLLECTED NOVELLAS, and his more recent STRANGE PILGRIMS, which is another excellent collection of short stories.

But what are you doing reading my review? Get this book and any other Garcia Marquez you can get your hands on, and read, read, read!

I have never thought that Gabriel Garcia Marquez deserved his 1982 Nobel Prize for literature. I think that it was manifestly an award given because of the politicized nature of the author's work. The three novels of his that I've read- Love In A Time Of Cholera, The General In His Labyrinth, and One Hundred Years Of Solitude- are examples of occasionally poetic phrases and images trying to tidy up nonexistent narratives, cardboard caricatures, and a puerile imagination and understanding of the world. In short, they are vapid interminable wordstreams with little deeper meaning. While no great fan of the also overrated Jorge Luis Borges there is little doubt that Borges was the more original and creative of the two writers. In short, without Borges there would have been no Marquez, and like all copies of things, the copies are always less clear and crisp than the originals. I say this merely to admit that I had a bias going into the reading of Marquez's Collected Stories, translated by Gregory Rabassa and J. S. Bernstein, and I'm afraid that my bias was accurate, and eerily prescient.

This is not to say that Marquez is a bad writer, merely that he is vastly overrated, and nowhere near a great writer. There are fleet moments of wonderful description and poetic phrasing, but these are the exceptions. Marquez tends to gizz at the mouth, and his descriptions become curlicues of superfluity. His politics tend to override his narrative and character development, he used heavy-handed and very obvious symbolism, and despite the cliché that anything with a good start and end cannot not be good, Marquez disproves that canard over and again, as many of his tales start and end well, but they have no core, no substantive middle. This book consists of twenty-six stories, culled from his three prior collections: Eyes of a Blue Dog, Big Mama's Funeral, and The Incredible And Sad Tale Of Innocent Eréndira And Her Heartless Grandmother....Marquez never quite gets his fiction into focus- there is something that remains forever blurry in the frame, and that is usually a deeper engagement with his readership. Even in the last story in the book, The Incredible And Sad Tale Of Innocent Eréndira, there is no real attempt to put up a tale of substance, and like most Latin American writers, concision and pointedness are not seen as virtues, as that tale rambles on for forty-nine pages. The story dream-like follows fourteen year old Eréndira, who is haunted by winds of misfortune. Oh, did I mention Marquez and his ilk tend to be a tad melodramatic, too? In response to this breeze she torches her grandmother's posh villa. Instead of bitterness, her grandmother tells Eréndira it would take a lifetime to back the debt you owe me. Thus, Eréndira turns to prostitution, with her grandmother as her madam. Why? To propel the story. This is a classic sign that the tale is not doing well; when the only way to move the plot forward is by its characters doing the dumbest things possible. Then, she meets Ulises, and hope dawns. Really, this is how the tale goes. I won't spoil the rest. Needless to say, the relationship between Eréndira and her grandmother is obviously an allegory for the corrupt and manipulative systems that dominate Latin American politics.

For all of the praise that has been tossed Marquez's way I don't think anyone has ever commented on these two most important facts: a) he is a boring and repetitive writer with very little range, and b) the Magical Realism that has been said to have blossomed with him is nothing new. Similar claims have been made about Postmodern techniques, yet just as PoMo had antecedents going back to Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy, and arguably to Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, likewise Magical Realism is nothing new- only the term is. The entrance of the magical into the real has been done for centuries, and much better and more subtly than Marquez does it. Think of Nikolai Gogol's satires, Isaac Bashevis Singer's fables, or even Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. Even the best of science fiction and fantasy qualifies as Magical Realism- what else is Flowers For Algernon, or Dracula?

I think that Gabriel Garcia Marquez could have become a good, possibly great writer, and one whose fantastical writers challenged readers, but he, as so many of the other Latin American writes, got too swept up in the delusion that their writings could change the world by political means. This is often the folly of many artists, not content to merely influence individuals. It is sad, but perhaps the greatest fantasy he wove, and that he never grew out of it, was that one; from his really horrid early tales through his later merely repetitive and mediocre ones. Only the easily gulled will rhapsodize over this dull and predictable writing. But, just watch the glazed eyes shine.

You might not like or understand every story, but this is a good read.

Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez(1927 - ), or simply Gabo as he was known, was born in Columbia. He started as a journalist, then he became an editor, and a publisher. He won the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature. García Márquez has lived mostly in Mexico and Europe and currently lives in Mexico City. The 80 years old author is credited with introducing or popularizing magical realism in modern literary fiction.

Some of his works have been classified as both fiction and non-fiction: Chronicle of a Death Foretold (Crónica de una muerte anunciada) (1981), tells the tale of a revenge killing, and Love in the Time of Cholera (El amor en los tiempos del cólera) (1985), is loosely based on the story of his parents' courtship. Many of his works, including those two, take place in the "García Márquez universe." The settings and characters are continued from one book to the next. The stories and novels cross genres and include magical realism: flying people, flying objects, the dead who can still think, etc. He has eight novels and numerous shorter works.

His novel One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad) (1967), has sold more than 36 million copies worldwide.

Based on his writings, it strikes the general that since he has written many short stories and only 8 novels, then it would be interesting to read some of his short stories. At the present time there are three books on the English market, although more have been printed. Five have been printed in the last 30 years, and three are still popular: the present book, The Collected Novellas, and Leaf Storm: and other Stories. Leaf storm has seven stories. The Collected Novellas has Leaf Storm plus two others: No One Writes to the Colonel and Chronicle of a Death Foretold.

The present book has the widest selection since it has 26 stories, long and short, that cover both realism and magical realism. Also, some are aimed at children. I enjoyed the collection and put it in the same class as Joyce's Dubliners, or similar in terms of enjoyment.

My only slight criticism is that his children's stories seem very adult. Some will be surprised with the realism and the lack of magic in many stories.

This collection of twenty six stories by Nobel Laureate Garcia Marquez was first published as a whole in 1984, although the stories were previously published in three separate volumes. As a consequence, two translators are credited here: Gregory Rabassa for the stories from EYES OF A BLUE DOG and THE INCREDIBLE AND SAD TALE OF INNOCENT ERENDIRA AND HER HEARTLESS GRANDMOTHER, and J. S. Bernstein for the stories from BIG MAMA'S FUNERAL. Both scholars and avid followers will appreciate the chronological ordering of these tales as well as the dating of first publication from 1947 to 1972 to see the progression of a much heralded talent.

As befitting the work of a master, every story is wonderfully told, with deft touches that make each memorable. Many, particularly the early stories, deal with death, particularly the separation of consciousness from the physical body, and many explore the messiness of love. Several combine the two. In "Death Constant Before Love," a politician suffering from a terminal disease falls in love with a girl given to him as a political favor. "The Third Resignation" tells the tale of a seven year old boy who falls into a coma and then grows up in a coffin in his mother's house. Three times, he resigns himself to death. "There Are No Thieves In This Town" chronicles the foolishness of a man who steals three billiard balls from a local pool hall and who loses his wife and unborn child for it. Always, Garcia Marquez's exception talent for storytelling carries these tales alone with a romantic and mystical eye for human vulnerability. His style is never rushed, always lingering over the moment, which gives even the shortest stories the feel of a novella. Not all these stories embrace the magic realism for which the author is famous, although the reader will emerge bewitched all the same.

Marquez takes you into a magical tour throughout this wonderful short story book that you can read repeatedly and never tire from it. He is a master at his art and always engulfs you with a subject simply by using his unique surreal style of putting things together in writing.
I have read this book several times in both languages Spanish and English, and grasped more of his "magical realism" in Spanish, simply because it was originally written in that language and there is always something lost during translation, although the English version was pretty decent. Marquez's words are vivid and visual, as you read the stories you imagine them on a movie screen.

The Man With Enormous Wings is a great one, a shabby old man with wings falls from the sky during a heavy rainfall in some tiny South American village, and since the people that live there are superstitious they assume he's an angel from the far away heavens. So they decide to put him in a chicken coop and spread the word that there is an angel in town so people from all over the place come around with bizarre ailments such as a man that could not sleep because the noise from the stars kept him awake at night. Another woman could not stop counting and she had run out of numbers to count. Well, it goes on and on and nothing happens. The freak with wings becomes sick and somehow manages to fly away flapping it's wings like a vulture while Elisenda is cutting onions.

Then there is The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World, about some children, playing by the sea and seeing some bulky mass approaching them. At first, they think it is an enemy ship, but discover it is a dead body. The kids drag him into the town and all the women in the village start fussing all over him, especially because he was a big man. They clean him up but couldn't find clothes big enough for him to wear since he was a large man, and they decide to name him Esteban which means Stephen in English, I guess because he looked like a gringo. The men in the village start to get a little jealous about the women fuss too much over this dead Esteban. The women make up stories about what his life would have been like, what he might have done for a living, and felt sorrow over this orphan corpse. Eventually after the women grieve tremendously for Esteban, they gather flowers, hold a funeral, and he's thrown back into the sea (this was supposed to be a children's story).

Well, there are twenty four more wonderful stories in this book that you must read including Erendira and her Heartless Grandmother, and Death Constant Beyond Love.

This was given to me by my mother when I was a teen. I still have this book today and I read it over and over. This book is really good.

Daddy Was A Number Runner provides a horrific historical and sociological picture of Harlem during the 1930's post-Renaissance era. The reader travels throughout the daily trials and tribulations of Francie Coffin, an adolescent girl living with her brothers, mother and father, who is a number runner.

Statistically we know of the crime, deviance, poverty, fatherless homes and emerging welfare system but what we do not read about is the human elements; the feelings involved. Through Francie's own words and her dreams we are able to feel and capture Francie's plight. While Francie appears to be somewhat naïve she is also able to navigate the streets and people within Harlem. Francie serves as an errand girl for her father, gets into scuffles with her friend and is a victim of molestation. On the positive side she is an obedient daughter and sister, attends school and she loves to read. For Francie, reading and attending movies at the theater is her salvation from the madness.

The book goes one step further to examine Black and Jewish relationships. These relationships are presented in the form of tenant/landlord, student/teacher, customer/business owner and domestic/employer and in each, the black characters appear to be the victims. While not harboring resentment towards Jews as a group, the characters demonstrate a dislike towards the individual because in each example the Black character is shown to be subservient towards the Jewish character for survival.

The characters portrayed are captivating and one of the books largest strengths is the ability of Meriwether to show some positive aspects of the inhabitants. Through all of this despair we find love, kindness and support of family and neighbors, male pride, the importance of education, and compassion. The word community resonates throughout this story and the women are the backbone of this community.

There is no happily ever after and everything is not neatly fixed at the conclusion for there is no conclusion. What we have is Francie's acceptance of her life and her community but also her ability to still dream of a different life. Meriwether has provided the reader with an assessment in the life of a small community but does not place blame on one entity. We, the reader, are able to empathize because Daddy Was A Number Runner offers a lesson in history that is relevant today. This is a story of family and the survival of it.

Reading Daddy Was A Number Runner for the second time as an adult was like visiting an old friend. I first read the novel when I was in junior high and the only thing I remembered from it was this freaky movie theater scene. That and the fact that it was good. Now that I am grown, I took a lot more away from it this time.

Francie is twelve and growing up in 1930's Harlem. She has two older brothers who have totally different aspirations in life. One wants to be a hoodlum and the other wants to quit school to become an undertaker. Her father, a number runner of course, is too proud to go onto public assistance and that causes a lot of turmoil between her parents. She has a best friend that likes to beat her up most of the time. Old white men try to feel her up whenever they get a chance. Francie really endures a lot for a person her age. If you are into period novels, this is a must read because it gives insight in a generation we know nothing about.

I have a 1970 copy of this book, and I love it, absolutely love it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in a book for hours. You feel like you're walking beside Francie, and Sukie on the streets of Harlem. This book is a thumbs up.

From beginning to end, the book was enjoyable. Brutally honest and very mature, but an excellent read. Many times hit close to home, others were a learning experience (like the use of rags, the electric hair on juveniles, etc.) It was a quick read that I didn't want to finish!

McAbee deserves a huge audience. From her plotting to her amazing details, she is a master of the craft.

For killing his owner, he is to be executed in the human and the hounds playful manner of the elite. Thus the hounds and their aristocratic owners pursue the condemned slave. Valerik's flight for life seems futile until he meets Madryn, who rescues him from certain death. However, though he has little choice, Valerik wonders who the mysterious woman is and if he has entered the fire after escaping the frying pan?

Thugs attack them and they are fortunate to survive. Other adventures follows as dueling sorcerers plot their fate. While Valerik ponders deserting his hostess, Madryn distrusts him though she intellectually knows she needs him to succeed on her quest. Though attracted, they fight to thwart the feelings that bind them together, but love blossoms anyway. With Garet the thief tolerated as an unwanted appendage, Madryn and Valerik continue on her mission, which looks more hopeless than a relationship between an aristocrat and a slave, if that is even their true identities.

ESCAPE THE PAST is an interesting romantic fantasy starring an engaging heroic pair and an insightful, irritating (to the lead couple but not the reader) young thief (mindful of Broderick in Ladyhawke). The story line is fast-paced but similar to other sub-genre novels as side adventures test the mettle of the hero and heroine during their epic journey. K.G. McAbee provides fans with a fun fantasy filled with delightful protagonists struggling to endure on a vividly described world of magic.

Harriet Klausner

Valerik had been a gladiator and then a slave. When he murdered his Mistress, he was sentenced to death by hunting. So Val was released to be prey and the hounds were shortly released afterward to kill him.

Saved by the mysterious and lovely Madryn, Val accompanied her on her self appointed mission. Unknown to them, they were to become the champions of some magical guardians in a war against a sorceress and her evil brother.

***** K.G. McAbee seems to breathe life into her unforgettable characters! From the opening sentence, until the last, it is non-stop thrills which is destined to captivate readers! I am proud to recommend it to everyone!

K.G. McAbee is now an auto-buy author for me. This tale is a nonstop action, suspense, adventure fantasy that kept me glued to the pages. Valerik is the epitome of any woman's hero and Madryn is a strong, mystical match for him. Good prevails over evil; and I mean EVIL! Whew.

K.G. McAbee has an imagination that knows no bounds and I look foward to reading her other unique books - as soon as I can find them all!

Valerik had been a gladiator and then a slave. When he murdered his Mistress, he was sentenced to death by hunting. So Val was released to be prey and the hounds were shortly released afterward to kill him.

Saved by the mysterious and lovely Madryn, Val accompanied her on her self appointed mission. Unknown to them, they were to become the champions of some magical guardians in a war against a sorceress and her evil brother.

*****K.G. McAbee seems to breathe life into her unforgettable characters! From the opening sentence, until the last, it is non-stop thrills which is destined to captivate readers! I am proud to recommend it to everyone!*****