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The reader sees this family's story unfold through the voice of an 8-year-old girl, and the tito's kuwenta. There are many intriguing themes introduced in this short excerpt, and I am looking forward to finding out how they all come together.

In this intriguing, refreshing, and ultimately all-too-short excerpt from her novel "Groovy Girl," Maritza Rono aims to do what probably no other writer has been able: She's put the lively heart of the Filipino-American family on the literary map.

The story opens with our 8-year-old narrator, Isa, sitting on the floor in her middle-class home in Arcadia, California, listening to her father and uncles recount a story from their childhood, decades earlier.

We listen along as her titos tell of how Isa's imperious grandfather had forced his older sons to punish his youngest one by rolling him around in a suffocating barrel meant to hold dried fish. The 4-year-old's crime: He was a bakla, a sissy-boy, who came dancing into their living room in Manila wearing his sister's red stilettos.

Rono describes the abuse in vivid detail (Isa's father "remembers the crunching of dried-up leaves, pebbles being flattened into the ground. At each hollow, Gil wails. When the crying starts to hurt Papa's ears, Papa yells into the barrel..."), yet, masterfully, Rono refuses to satisfy the reader with just a good read; she pushes deeper by showing an unconscious and complex reaction from our young heroine that makes us crave to want to know her more.

The ability to render her characters as complex is a talent Rono shows throughout the piece: Isa's father is both brutal and loving; her mother both gentle and steely; and her sister, Makena, a much-loved "princess" who must face the diagnosis of her colon cancer (an "old man's disease") while still in college.

Still, at the center of the story is Isa, whose voice is both effervescently childlike yet startlingly wise. It's Isa - so thoroughly American in her hopes and so thoroughly Filipina in her dreams - whose journey will keep us reading.

I'm charmed by Isa, who begins as an observer, and as this passage progresses becomes not just the catch-all of family stories, but the bearer of a story that feels worthy of attention and leaves me wanting more. While I'm drawn in by the dynamics of this lively, tight-knit family and by the promise of an insider's knowledge of culture and its secrets, really it's the little things that cause my mind to linger on this story and lead me to believe that I'm reading a solid, well-crafted work of fiction by a storyteller I can believe in. Here is a character whose innocence I can identify with, even as an adult, and whose honest, often surprising reactions to the events of her daily life lead me back to a place of wonder that feels nothing short of magical.

I was delighted with the beginnings of Maritza Rono's Groovy Girl and hope to be able to read the novel in its entirety. This author's promise recalls the early work of Jessica Hagedorn and Loida Maritza Perez; yet, like the character she creates, Maritza Rono distinguishes herself here with her own plain-spoken, original voice.

A truly impressive beginning. Maritiza Rono has done a wonderful job of capturing the voice of an 8-year-old Filipino-American girl, realistically portraying the ups and downs of life in a Filipino-American family and the difficulties of understanding cancer at a young age. The character of Isa engages the reader from the start and the author clearly understands her main character thoroughly. I found this to be a very entertaining and compelling read and I would love to continue the journey with Isa, Makena and the other colorful characters in Isa's world.

As her talent is quite evident, I wish Maritza every success with her work.

This sweet, poignant tale of a young Filipino girl named Isabel who seems more matured than her tender 8 years. It provided me with a glimpse into an unfamiliar culture which at second glance really isn't unfamiliar to me at all. She brings home the notion that anything that upsets that status quo within a family, even serious illness, makes us all a bit "crazy" because we don't understand what it all means. The author weaves this extraordinary story with skill and grace.

It is easy to maintain superficiality in your life when you maintain a distraction with the routine tasks of everyday living; showering, school or work, eating or spending time with friends. But when you first spend time alone, you are forced to be 'present' with yourself, and the experience is not always comfortable. Clem obviously understands a lot about personal interactions and allowing others their space (she walks slowly out the porch door allowing her mother to hide the joint), but when she realizes that she is alone and if she were to get hurt, no one would even know, the excitement about discovery and fear of independence come together. Clem seems to be trying to figure out which she likes more. Quitsa's Bands begins by immersing you in the character of Clem and titillating you with interesting facts about her parents and the interaction of these relationships. A brilliant beginning, I can hardly wait to read the next chapter!!

This novel transported me to my childhood, to the point I fell in love with reading. I remember losing my young self in a wonderful story and learning about love and life. Blume, Zindel & Cormier had an immeasureable impact on me and quite frankly, gave me hope as a member of this crazy planet. Quitsa's Bands has the initial hook and depth required to draw even the coolest of teens (and adults) into its pages. Thank you Suzanne!

I was disappointed when I scrolled down to see that I had already read through the first 15 pages and I would be left wondering what was in store for Clem. This is the kind of read that you can finish in one sitting and feel a bit sad when it comes to an end because you're just not ready yet to say goodbye. The author hooks us with her character description and sets up just enough anticipation to leave this reader wanting to know more. And while the book may be intended for young adults I found it quite appealing and the kind of story I would keep on my book shelf in order to pass it on to my own children someday.

I like the way this excerpt starts, with a phone conversation between two teenagers who are best friends, discussing Clem's current living situation. Through their conversation we get some good details of what Clem's life and family are like, in contrast to Coco's life.

I also liked Clem's thoughts about her parents, the state of their marriage, and her life as the new kid at school. She seems to be a very secure and centered character, although perhaps a bit mature for thirteen years old. I liked her evaluation of her new classmates, and her comparisons of this new school to her old school in Cambridge.

Clem's relationships with each of her parents is interesting. I especially liked the easygoing way she and Adam talked to each other.

So far this is an excellent portrait of a family through the eyes of the daughter. Clem has a great voice, very well developed with nice insights into her life. I would love to read more of this story.

I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of Ms. Goldsmith-Hirsch's new novel and sharing it with my students. As an elementary and middle school science teacher I am constantly searching for compelling literature that combines a great story with encouraging an appreciation for the environment. Her story transports the reader to a special place and time, far from the world of pavement and skyscrapers of New York City.

I found that Morgan's introduction brought me sufficiently into the story that I would like to find out, "What is the Rare Gift?" I do not usually read fiction; however, I am intrigued enough that I would buy this book to discover the answer to my question. Morgan's description of the goings on of a Southern funeral are "right on". She has great command of language and writes in a manner that invites the reader to become a part of the story.

Morgan's story has to be finished. I lived in Georgia for awhile and the detail and accuracy of the family gathering for a funeral was surreal. Since I now live in Denver, I was drawn to the character and I can't wait to see where the story goes and what happens. The use of language and the descriptions of the scenes and characters drew the reader into the story and fueled the imagination. It is only the best writers who engage my mind and imagination in such a way. Morgan's short story is a tasty morsel for a reader hungry for tightly written fiction with characters that are just as deep as they are broad. Giving historical depth always makes a character more interesting and believable, and Morgan clearly has an innate ability to create a believable character and communicate it in such a way that the reader feels like they know the character and likes them, in spite of and precisely because of their humanity, benevolent but flawed.

Denver teacher Stella loses her mother at a young age, but surrounded by a large and loving family, it appears that she will reconcile her grief. However, years later, she is brought immediately back to the loss when her student, Gracie, presents her with the news of a brother's death. While the writing moves competently forward, I was at times puzzled by sentence meaning and structure. "And mournfully, they concurred, though at least one perceptive woman pointed out that Stella's eyes were really more of a muddy hazel than green." There were several of these in the excerpt and I can only hope that they do not continue throughout the book. The police tape at Stella's home also confused me. It wasn't clear to me if the crime was a new one or if it had to do with the death of Gracie's brother. The excerpt ended before I could reason this out. All in all, I enjoyed the characters (although there were many named secondary ones that were difficult to track) and the story line. A good start to a good read. I look forward to more.

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the beginning of this book. For a moment, I was completely lost in the story. I would love to finish reading it!

A Rare Gift - Official ABNA Entrant

Kate Morgan's gift for metaphor, her vivid imagery, and her sensitive, nuanced characterizations combine to pull the reader into her narrative.
Her juxtaposition of the urban environment of Gracie and Malachi with that of the teacher, Stella, reflects a keen insight into the social landscape of America today. At the same time, she spins an engaging tale of suspense. In particular, as Morgan gives voice to the reticent Gracie, she provides a masterful portrayal of the power of mentor-tendered hope. A promising new writer and an irresistible read!

If you miss a good manual for your new D 40/D40X, this is the right purchase. It is simple and systematic, and takes you through your camera step by step in a way that is very easy to understand. The last half of the book cover Digital Photografing in general, and it might be practical for a complete beginner. It is not a book about the art of digital photografing though !

Exceeded my expectations, and I had already read the manual cover to cover so I was meant to know most of the capabilities of the D40. Where this book excels is that it tells you how to use the functions of the camera to achieve results, as opposed to just telling you what they are meant to be. The practical photography section at the end is outstanding. Excellent colour example photographs throughout. Very impressive.

This book is great. It gives you a lot of information on the camera, but not just that, it also provides tips and how to apply photographic techniques.
It's a great book.

This is an excellent guide to the Nikon D40X, explaining all of the functions, camera operating modes, and settings. In addition section 2, is a comprehensive guide on taking great pictures with the D40X, covering all of the essentials, with many examples and tips.

I've been trying to get through the actual manual for almost a year now, it's so obtuse and hard to follow. This book is GREAT and I've begun to love my D40x and appreciate it's many features. What seemed so complicated before in looking at the camera and it's many features has become easy to understand. This book is organized very well and easy to read. Of all the manuals I've read, this one is the first page turner that I've encountered.

A classic, if you can find it. If you have one, don't let it out of your sight. A master course on channel theory that is a must have for forensic professionals.

Sell the Nordic Trak on ebay and buy this book.

Jim Hoerricks
http://forensicphotoshop.blogspot.com
Author of Forensic Photoshop - a comprehensive imaging workflow for forensic professionals

I'm a student learning Photoshop and I must say this is one of the best Photoshop books I have ever come across. The authors explain every aspect in a detailed and engaging way. In other books, I may read a chapter and understand how to do something but I often ask why it's done that way. Photoshop Channel Chops gives thorough explanations on many different channel operation methods that makes sense and leaves me wanting to read

Wow! The authors really know their stuff! There is so much information in this book it's scary. This book is a must-read for anyone who takes Photoshop seriously. Sure, it was written years ago when Photoshop was at version 4, and sure the writing gets a bit corny at times, but it is still a "killer app" among Photoshop books.

If you aspire to be a hardcore Photoshop user, this book is probably the one you want above all others. It's not a step-by-step tutorial, a mere reference book, or a book that leads you through the tools and various functions of the software. Instead it discusses the fundamental concepts you need to know to use Photoshop to its fullest. Some statements in the book are outdated, but fortunately, they are usually statements of opinion and occur only in a few places. Most of the book is still applicable since Photoshop today still has channels, alpha channels, paths, layers, and calculations. This book hasn't been updated since it was written in 1998, but it really doesn't need to be. It's not about how to use particular tools and new features. It's about how to think with Photoshop. And it's deep enough to read over and over for reference. I would encourage even beginner Photoshop users to read this book if they are really committed, especially if they want to learn about compositing. By the end of this book, you'll be able to understand how Photoshop does what it does, and why it is such a powerful program.

I hate the books that only talk about particular special effects and how to achieve them, without telling you why it should be done that way. With Photoshop, you want to be in control. This book allows to be in control. It will explain exactly what's going on behind the scenes. After reading this book, I felt like being a Photoshop guru. It was nice.

Ferretter's first novel, "Running Home" certainly is a breakthrough novel. It shows the complex challenges facing families-- war, tragedy, infidelity, separation-- and the inner struggles individuals go through to cope with such challenges. I found the novel thoughtful and provocative, but not in an overly sentimental way. Rather, I found that one can relate to the text on a variety of levels, and the descriptions of place and characters are vivid and real. One of the real strengths of the novel, for example, is that Ferretter creates characters that are flawed, making the reading one of discovery rather than repetition. Sometimes you are filled with disgust while reading, sometimes sympathy. The newness is fresh and makes the read interesting. For her first novel, I think Ferretter wove together a remarkable story. I hope she continues to write.

The first chapter of Jennifer's book does everything an excellent piece of literature should do; it sucks you in and makes you want more. Jennifer fully fleshes out a compelling character and establishes the character's yearning. The characters she creates are relatable, the protagonist is likeable and interesting, and the first chapter creates a framework for a great story. Writing in a style that fully involves the senses, Jennifer creates beautiful un-clichéd sentences that really work to create a world that beckons its readers to enter and explore.

As a huge fan of reading in general, I have to say that I cannot wait to read this novel in its entirety. I could totally picture Leonie sitting there, hollow as the bamboo chimes and CS&N floating in the wind above her. I could feel her pain, utterly unhappy about the prospect of another night far away from the one lying next to her. I was intrigued by the letters waiting for her, the ones her father sent to her mother when he was in Vietnam. Here's a woman alone in the world. Married, but cut off from her husband; a daughter, but with an estranged father and a mother who's passed away. A woman unable to bring a baby into this world. Will Leonie survive this aloneness? Will she connect with those she longs to. I, for one, want to know!!!

I was really moved by this piece, the main character's very real longing hit home. Although I do not usually read women's fiction, the universal themes (troubled marriage/ desire to start anew) pulled me in. The first chapter was very "in Leonie's head." I liked this, but too much would be problematic. That said, the author deftly started the second chapter with a lot of dialog. I would guess, then, that the author will vacillate between contemplative and chatty, moving the reader along. I think that Ferretter's greatest strength is setting a mood; several other reviewers have commented upon this and I certainly agree. Based on the synopsis, I don't see how this wouldn't sell like hotcakes. A book club read if ever there was one.

The first twelves pages of Running Home had me- feeling Leonie's frustration with her marriage, curiosity about her neighbor, desire to find the life she's been missing. I am wanting to know how she ended up here, who her father is now, and what she is going to do to LIVE her LIFE. The first twelve pages left me wanting the rest. This story flows with Leonie's thoughts and feelings and I want to keep flowing along with her.

What would cause me to read/purchase this book, as a woman in her 30's, is the knowledge that it is about a woman at a turning point in her life, in a marriage she is unsure of, in a life she's been lead through over the past few years, and that she is about to do something about it. I can see that many women, of all ages, will identify with Leonie in many ways, and will enjoy following her on her journey.

Anyone who likes literary fiction and who also likes humor, will love THE SISTER MAFIA. Without reading any more than the first two chapters, I was enraptured by the literary turn of phrases along with laugh-out-loud humor. Somehow, a bunch of old ladies who are hell-bent to add to their bevy of grandchildren and who will do anything, including recruit the handsome priest at their church to help them, can only result in a joyful ride through the pages of this book. This author's ability to write humorous prose and still sound like literary British author Jasper Fforde sets him apart. I would love to read the whole novel.

This excerpt of The Sister Mafia left me laughing and hungry to know more about these hilarious sisters and the love and devotion it takes for them to join together in the unanimous pursuit of the one sister's goal and to have her experience what they all love so dearly and she wants more that anything - grandkids. I found the exchange between the sisters to be not only laugh out loud funny but also to have a very genuine sisterly quality.

This writer has a beautiful way of description and really is able to create a scene as well as the feelings the characters are experiencing without actually being inside of their thoughts. It is refreshing to read and allows the reader to contribute just enough of their own imagination to almost make them feel a part of the story. Take for instance the description of the surroundings outside the church after a light sprinkle. It really does feel refreshing and spring-like.

In addition, the writer has a pleasing dexterity with dialog and makes one feel as if you are right there with the sisters bickering and baraging the young priest in the confessional. Situations that might come off as sticky seems smooth and allow for the humor of each situation to come pouring out such as when the four are all in the car spying together or when Barb and her husband Les are arguing while both are on the phone with Barb's sister Patty. Jeff Hagkull has really captured what it is like to be a member in a family that has been comfortable with one another for some time and still makes it feel light and almost farcical.

I got to the end of the small excerpt and could not believe I had to stop reading. I can not wait for this book to be published so I can read on to find out if Patty really does get one of her son's to have a grandchild for her. I am sure it will be an enjoyable uplifting read.

Jeff Hagkull provides a well written and clever piece of fiction about 4 sister's in Turtle, MN. His unique dialogue and descriptions draw you in and make you feel a part of the story. It is both intelligent and easy to read which is a rare combination in literature. I can't wait for 'Sister Mafia' to be published so I can found out what happens!

I enjoyed The Sister Mafia. It has a good mix of humor and intrigue. Just from reading the short it begs you to ask the question, "How far will the Sisters go?". I liked the mix of character development and good Up North dialogue to go with the witty premise. It left me anxious to read more.

We can all identify with the sisters in this book....don't we all know someone just like them? It is the detailed character studies that make them very familiar, very likeable and their actions, very laughable! You get to know sisters very quickly and find yourself caught up in having to find out the outcome of their actions. It would make a great series and I hope to see the complete novel in the future. How long do we have to wait? A great book to curl up with on a long winter's day!

The opening line of this story is hilarious, "There are few worse places for a fully grown person than the backseat of her parents' car." This is obviously an understatement, as most of us would heartily agree. Having your parent's drive you home from graduate school is probably not at the top of any our proverbial lists.

Thus begins the story of a young woman and her forced exodus from graduate school. The crime is not entirely fleshed out, due to length issues, but it is clear that is has something to do with a girl from the main character's past.

The parent's are clearly shaken up at the turn of events, and the girl forces herself to remain calm during the long car ride home. It is a delightful narrative, with several moments of levity, amongst the serious turns of the story.

In a plot such as this, there are always clues to what is to come. In this piece, the author does a good job of relating past events, as well as current ones, and I felt a sense of nostalgia as the character recounts a trip to visit a troubled friend. Overall, I did feel as if the author used language well, and had a feel for familiar banter.

I would say that this is not in my personal top ten, but it is worthy of praise. The author is very talented, and I felt that this was in my top twenty picks of the contest. It could have been better, but for an unpublished piece of fiction, it was excellent.

The start of this excerpt sets a heavy tone for the rest of the story, with Katie leaving graduate school in disgrace and revealing that her older sister had a baby under embarrassing circumstances. When her mother started to cry in the front seat, this excerpt became almost painful to read.

The thought that Katie would think she had to make clear that she wasn't a sex offender was intriguing; I was curious about what happened at school.

I liked the brief flashback to Katie's childhood friendship with Molly, and her memories of Molly's mother. Before Katie jumps in to rescue someone else from her situation, I'd like to have more of a solid understanding of her own situation. What is she going to do, now that she's out of grad school? How is her relationship with her parents, now that she has been expelled? Why would she think she could save Molly, when it seems her own life is pretty screwed up?

The dialog between Katie and Molly is incredibly stilted, which may be intentional, but doesn't make for very exciting reading.

There are some nice hints that there are large parts of Molly's life Katie was never in on, despite thinking they were best friends back in junior high and high school. However, I'm not sure why at this point Katie feels like she needs to show loyalty to this woman who obviously couldn't care less about her presence in Chicago.

More direction, more insight into Katie's exact situation and what she plans to do now that she is reunited with Molly, besides sit around and watch her drink, would make for a more compelling story.

This is one of the best entries I've read, and I hope to see it advance in the next round. The writing is thoughtful, and the opening was excellent. Kudos to Sarah. Katy and Molly seem like "real" people with real problems. The use of details such as the baby toy on the floor of the car and the flavored water in the fridge add to the mood of hopelessness. This is a story I would finish and savor.

The Stars are Mostly Planes by S. Harris demonstrates the author's gift for telling a tale through a convincing character voice. If she isn't Katie Campbell herself, I'll be darned.

The only drawback of this excerpt is the lack of a clear overall story direction. It kind of sort reminded me of the way stories like 'Catcher in the Rye' and 'On The Road' unfolded. Just a telling, no solid direction other than to move forward in time.

Outside of that, I found the writing to be extremely engaging and Katie's character to be so real that I could 'hear' her in my mind.

Harris has done a wonderful job of presenting elements (such as Katie's expulsion, Molly's strange calls and the reappearance of April) that keep the reader asking 'what's going on?' without actually answering the previous question. There was an overarching sense that all these things somehow tie in together, as the young women's pasts once did.

There were a couple of lines that I thought were particularly well placed and written that captured sentiments perhaps only women can appreciate, but no doubt anyone would find a bit of humor in:
~'...why I can write essays on Wordsworthian sublimity but hold conversations like a menstruating seventh grader in a white skirt.'
~'The lady's b----s are really jiggly, like a couple of egg yolks slipping around beneath the rim of her shirt.

Overall, I found this piece of story telling to show a fair bit of originality in content and strong talent for delivery. I'll certainly be on the look out for this book.

Katie's voice is very real reading this excerpt. I don't know what she's done, but she's gotten kicked out of grad school and she's going home with Mom and Dad. This is a lot worse than the Principal's office--grim, and the words reflect it:

"There are few worse places for a fully grown person than the backseat of her parents' car. Particularly if your parents are driving you away from the life you thought you were going to have."

I don't know where the story's going. Katie runs on the edge of sympathetic character save I don't know what she's done, what she's going to do, and the word 'stalker' being mentioned in the synopsis. Stalker intrigues me, but in order for me to read on, I'd need a little more story. If I had a few thousand words, I might read on. Katie's got my attention--I don't know if the rest of the story would keep it.

Sarah Harris has created an interesting character and premise and I wish her much luck with her writing career.

because I want to keep reading this this elegant, spare novel that probes the emotional costs of class in the U.S. during late capitalism. The gaming tables and the game of golf represent two faces of class mobility (or the lack thereof). Will Roberto golf his way out of the working class? If so, will his victory ring as hollow as the trunk slamming on the narrator's aged Honda? The American Dream is alive, but not well.

While not a golfer myself, I find the sport interesting to watch and enjoyed the characters here. The words are well-written and the story is engaging. It was descriptive enough to put me into the story while using my own imagination, too. I look forward to being able to read the entire novel.

I was intrigued by the title of John Ochwat's novel and expected to read about society mavens in search of the ultimate clubbe experience. Of course, the title refers to a golfer who hasn't got the exact club for the precise distance needed to reach the green on his/her next shot. The particular golfers involved, Otis and Roberto, are presented in opening paragraphs in a way that makes the reader want to know more about them and be a part of their efforts. Trapped 'between clubs' requires adjustment to achieve a goal...perhaps Ochwat's metaphor for the struggles Otis and Roberto face in their young, uncertain lives. The writing style is flowing, natural and women readers will not be put off by a lot of posturing and testosterone one might otherwise associate with male athletes whose efforts (early on) simply 'skate past the hole' like a wayward three-foot putt. I look forward to learning more about how their lives unfold and the game of golf is Ochwat's perfect venue from which to view a well-written 'slice' of life!

Not being a die hard golfer like so many, I was a bit apprehensive about what the book would be about. But love the writing style (love the wit)and has already made me smile. Looking forward to reading more as the characters are amusing and seems that this will be a fun read.

There's an adage in journalism: "Just because it's in print, doesn't mean it's correct." Unfortunately, Publishers Weekly's review of my book is a case in point, and I think it's worth setting the record straight.

The PW review contains numerous errors; here are two: "Unlike his peers, Paul and Roberto, and his girlfriend, Amelia, Otis does not seem to belong at the elitist academic enclave."

First, Amelia isn't Otis' girlfriend. To make this mistake, the reviewer would have had to miss:
- Otis' failed attempt to ask her out (chapter 6)
- all seven times her boyfriend Stephan is mentioned
- all of chapter 31, when Otis visits her house to declare his love, even though he knows it's hopeless.

Second, Roberto doesn't belong, or "come from a wealthy family or esteemed background." A more attentive reader might have noticed Roberto's car with a hole in the muffler, his half-finished apartment above an adult movie theater, or his side jobs parking cars, donating plasma, and donating sperm.

Some customer reviews note that the team captain calls both Otis and Roberto "immigrants" -- the PW review misses that as well, even though it's in chapter one.

I find it incredible the review is so wrong about Roberto, since Roberto and Otis' struggles with belonging form the foundation of the entire plot.

Considering the enormity of these errors, I can only conclude that the reviewer read almost none of the book. And if that's the case, many of the review's other assertions have no support:

1) How can we believe the relationships "feel generic and trite" if the reviewer gets two crucial relationships wrong?

2) The reviewer asserts that Otis' unhappiness is "ambiguously rendered; he makes random comments like `I'm becoming one of you,' but these thoughts don't lead to anything."

In fact, they lead to Otis' conflict about his future: "The more I studied to make my parents proud, the more I turned into someone with an upper-class vocabulary and country-club etiquette, someone mom and dad didn't understand--or trust."

3) The review states, "There are rare moments when the prose is economic and precise (Otis on the golf team: `no other kind of team had such an ethic of selfishness, such a regular, ruthless culling of the weak') but those are few and far between."

The customer reviews are nearly unanimous in liking the writing, and the passage PW quoted is on page three. So what's more likely: that the rest of the book is a barren wasteland of prose, or that good passages seemed "few and far between" because the reviewer skipped most of the book?

I happen to think "Between Clubs" is a much better book than the review indicates, and I'm hopeful that someday it will be judged on its merits. I'm disappointed that the Publishers Weekly review didn't manage to do that.

An ambitious first chapter in what is clearly an ambitious novel. Within these opening pages we have meditations on art; life and death (India's youth slicing away at cadavers--"standing with their heads bowed and scalpels in hand like devotees in front of an idol"); India's caste system; post-partition India (and, as the novel unfolds, quite possibly colonialist India, too--perhaps as told through the story of the protagonist's freedom-fighter grandmother). Each of these meditations is intertwined with the novel's larger meditation on identity, particularly the dual nature of identity: twin sisters; the twin post-partition nations of India and Pakistan; the dichotomy in the protagonist's temperament--Apollonian (medicine) / Dionysian (art).

And all of this is done deftly, as well as with apparent ease. The narrative does not strain under the weight of so much content, as it might in the hands of a less skilled writer. Ms. Kapur may be a "first-time novelist," but I suspect that, as with many acclaimed first-time novelists before her, this is simply the first time that we, the public (who must wait for agents and editors to vet and choose novelists for us) have been given the opportunity to read her work, and not the first time she has tried her hand at writing a complex and fluid narrative. Few writers acquire that skill overnight. Ms. Kapur is clearly no amateur.

Let's hope that she is given her due and that we, in turn, are given the chance to read her novel in full. "Inside the Mirror" is as fine a debut as any writer (or reader) could hope for.

The story has been introduced quite creatively; with interesting comparisons between characters, thoughtful descriptive passages help in visualizing what Jaya and the other characters may look like or feel as they face decisions in this narrative. I also think the author aesthetically and carefully describes the time period with the historical details surrounding 1950s India in a way the reader can imagine what it may have been like at the time. For an American-Indian reader such as myself, and one also in a younger generation, I can appreciate the historical descriptions. What I loved most about the writing is that it does not move too quickly and I am eager to see how the characters' lives unfold and the story further develops. For what its worth, I would highly recommend the author be selected for the next stage of this contest.

The author has done a beautiful job on Inside the Mirror. She has created a vivid mental picture of the story with her wording and use of details. The characters are so full of life and personality that the read never gets dull. The dynamics of the setting is also great. I would love for this book to be published so I can read more.

Inside the Mirror by P. Kapur opens in a dark room on a monsoon night where 'There was no moon to blue the air.' Jaya shares this room with her twin sister Kamlesh and grandmother (Bebeji).

The bulk of this excerpt appears dedicated to introducing the reader to Jaya and some ordinary things she deals with in life: sharing a room, medical school, growing interest in eligible men, being a twin. All this is set to a post partition backdrop, though that fact isn't glaringly obvious until it is explicitly indicated.

I found the imagery work in this piece to be wonderful. I enjoyed phrases such as the one noted above, as well as:
~'Kamlesh scraping her chilled feet against Jaya's legs for warmth'
~'The dhoban 's remorseless washing bat had taken a toll on their old salwar-kameezes'

Having spent a fair bit of time traveling around India, many, many of the added details or one word character descriptions had perfect meaning for me. This was particularly true when referring to people as Gujurati, Marathi, Parsi, Bengali, and so on. However, for those with no context for what these words mean, the surrounding descriptions would likely fall short of having a meaningful imagery impact for the reader.

There was, however, a shared 'humanity' factor of the story. The interactions between Jaya and Kamlesh, or even with their grandmother, is something anyone can appreciate and relate to. Jaya's activities at school and reserved interest in a appearing bold is also familiar behavior for a young woman. Though these parts of the story hold their own weight, the shame lies with the missed depth of understanding, which will vary from reader to reader.

The only point of comment I had was early on in the excerpt. There were transitions, in Jaya's mind, from the bedroom to the dissection room and back to the bedroom. I saw what was going on, but the transitions felt a bit awkward and I wasn't sure why her mind wandered in the first place. That became clearer sometime later as she spoke with Kamlesh.

Overall, a well written piece, enjoyable for its use of imagery and authenticity to its time and surroundings. The story has an appeal that is capable of traversing multiple layers of understanding, which should make it of interest even to those wholly unfamiliar with Indian culture.

Although occasionally prone to excess, this excerpt offers lyrical, concrete writing that serves it narrative well. Jaya, a medical student, provides the third person point-of-view through which we see the privileged lives of her and her sister, the daughters of a glass factory owner. Jaya's twin Kamlesh is "prettier," although they are identical twins, and Kamlesh's affection and emotions run much closer to the surface. Living with them is their grandmother who was a Freedom Fighter during the time of the Partition. While not much happens in this excerpt, everything is sharply and passionately observed, from the cadavers being examined by the students to landscape surrounding the glass factory. These characters are both interesting and distinct. The highly visual style is evocative, approaching the writing of Chitra Divakaruni, who is also tempted by excess.

The naming of these two chapters "Jaya" suggests that the author will alternate between, or among, third person points-of-view. If this is the case, then the author creates a potential structural misstep by failing to establish this technique at the beginning of the second chapter. It's a minor quibble -- and one which might not be a problem in the context of the whole.

Of all the characters, I'm most interested to learn about Bebeji, Jaya and Kamlesh's grandmother. Her story promises to be intriguing, especially since here she is an arthritic, mournful woman; the contrast should be exhilarating. I'd love to see Bebeji's former fire ignite in the twins. Kapur seems capable of defining her characters with increasing depth as the novel unfolds.

Well-written, visual, and evocative, these first chapters suggest a promising novel.