Artists Books

This book was a great hit throughout my second grade art classes. They have been looking for characteristics of Picasso and Matisse in every art work we see. Then I read it to one of my first grade classes an hour before Christmas break began. They had so much fun creating self-portraits using the techniques of either one of these artists that several didn't want to leave the art room. I'd post some of their artwork if I could. It's been a wonderful experience.

What a fantastic book to introduce some masters to your child. Wonderful, bright pictures and an adorable story!

Such a humorous and educational way to learn about the two masters of 20th century modernism. My son has this book and I've given it to other kids and everyone loves it, and they amazingly retain and remember the facts about the real artists as well. Excellent way to expose your child to the arts in a way that's fun and memorable.

Whether your kid knows who Picasso is or not, this is a fun play on Famous Artists and their feuding ways. My Kindergartener loves this book.

This book is my daughter's favorite. We have read it every day for the past 9 or so months and she has most of the punch lines memorized, (e.g., "mootisse was not like the other bulls" "it was a modern art mess" "the silence was broken" "i'm tired of this crowded cow town"). After reading it the first time, she said she wanted to draw with paint. And she did. Now we do watercolors all the time and she knows that Picasso and Matisse were great artists. This book provided a fun and funny way for her to learn about two art masters and their styles while also teaching a lesson about conflict resolution.

We have taken this book on flights across the country and overseas. The illustrations and the story engage my daughter to no end. The description of this book is for 4-8 year olds but unlike Roberto: The Insect Architect by Nina Laden (also a funny, well-illustrated book), I find Pigasso/Mootisse to be appropriate for a younger {pre}reader as well. I'm back to buy more copies as gifts for all the kids that I know.

I bought this for my daughter who loves Dora books. This book has a bunch of great titles and was an awesome price ($5!). The only thing is that pages started to fall out within a week of getting it. I was able to tape them back in, but it was kind of disappointing.

My three years old daughter simply loves this book. I have been reading the book to her more than 20 times if it is not 30 times already. She has been bring the book almost every night for bedtime story since the book was came to my door (the binding of hardcover becomes wiggly already). I am enjoying her responses when I read questions in the middle of the stories, just like Dora asked questions in the animation series. The book is big and colorful and lines of story are just short enough to keep my girl's attention to the page. It is clearly my best book purchase I ever made for my girl.

These stories are VERY short, basic and not very interesting. BUT, it's Dora, so my daughters still ask to read them.

Bought this as a surprise gift for my 2.5yo dd for a long plane trip we were taking. She loved all the stories, and I felt there was a nice variety of stories included. Great for any Dora fan, as long as you don't already own many Dora stories (to keep from having duplicates).

My son likes Dora. He loves this book. I read it to him every night. Some stories are too short though.

Without any knowledge; yet a curious fascination for a bygone era, I perused many of the illustrators famous for their cheesecake-girl-next-door pin ups of the fifties on the web. Gil Elvgren came up tops! As Rockwell held a mirror up to the American public, Elvgren manage to evoke Rockwellesque subtleties into his work too. Your eyes are attracted to the girls, however, other elements like a dog, a turtle, a prop like a diary, add to the charm of the work and to the total innocence of the girls. Living in the current "Raunch Culture" where female nudity is pervasive, this book transports you back to another time where the girls exude a level of desirability that Elvgren perfectly captured in his work. The luscious and lovingly delivered colour plates (some 500 of them) demonstrate Elvgren's evolution into the auteur of pin up illustrators, as he progressively developed real depth into to his work. With limited knowledge of the subject matter, this book is a perfect introduction to an incredible genius and an incredible artform

This book is absolutely beautiful. Lots and lots of color - designed and bound very well. Worth every penny and then some. Impressed with Amazon's service (my first order) and the whole shopping/purchase experience here.

I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in Elvgren or pin-ups. Beautiful picture quality, comprehensive collection. For the money, you can't get much better than this!

Elvgren is a master of his art. This book truly is a gem at this price. If you love pinup art he is the master. Its a slice of days gone past and pretty girls to write home about. Elvgren will live on forever. Take a piece of history home.

I'm still studying and reading through it, but it has an interesting magic that's missing in many of today's similar subjects - innocence.

Ish is a beautiful tale that emphasizes the age-old truth, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A young boy is unsatisfied with his artwork and continually tosses it into the trash because it lacks realism. All the while, his sister is retreiving the pieces of art and hanging them in her room. When he questions her about a drawing of a vase and remarks that it doesn't even look like a vase, the wise little sister says, "It is vase-ish..." Brilliant!

As a teacher in the Creative Experiences class, I use this book every semester to emphasize that drawings do not have to be realistic. I get great responses from students and we often gain a bit of community vocabulary as we refer to our own "ish-ish" drawings.

In an elementary classroom, I would share this story before drawing and I would make a point to explain that art is very subjective...it is not a requirement that everyone like a piece, just that someone likes it. In addition, the book contains ish-ish poetry. This would be a good thing to share for journal entries and venturing into poetry writing.

Although it's a children's book, it is truly a book for all ages. If you have ever limited yourself because of an internal or external critic, you will find solace and liberation in this book's simple yet profound message.

A gem.

this was a cute book about a little boy who loves to draw, and he draws quite a bit. one day his brother looks at his drawings and says that it doesn't look like what he was trying to draw. the boy looks at it again and agrees with his brother and he gets mad. i forget if he keeps drawing or not, but at one point he crumples up his 'last drawing' in frustration and swears to never draw again. his sister grabs the drawing and runs to her room. he chases her and when he goes in her room he sees all of his drawings. he asks why she kept them as they don't look anything like what they're supposed to. she replies 'well it looks vase-ish'. he looks around and agrees that it does look vase- ish. and continues drawing.
the guy's drawings don't have to be perfect. he draws because he loves it, not because he wants to make perfect pictures. it's sweet.

What a beautiful book for children. Gives them the encouragement to try - even if its not quite right - gives them confidence to draw whatever they want - I love the definition of 'ish'. A must for children.

If you have ever felt like less than a great artist this book is for you. Learn to embrace your inner "ish" as this simple book explains that art isn't about being a great artist, but rather to create art to enjoy the process and fun of it!

sophie the spider goes out into the world to do something great, to create a masterpiece. she settles herself in this boarding house and attempts to help out the people who live there, but none of them accept her gifts and scream at the sight of her. sophie eventually finds a new mother who doesn't scream at the sight of her, but welcomes her. the mother is poor though and sophie sees an old blanket covering the mother's baby. sophie decides to make a new blanket for the baby, her masterpiece. the pictures are beautiful and the story touching. a great addition to the bookshelf.

A friend of mine purchased it for her niece and wanted my opinion. I'll admit that I not a huge fan of children (single, 25 year-old here) or kid paraphernalia, but this is an amazing book! I've gotten copies for several people I know who are having a baby and everyone loves it. Such a sweet story that still gets me a little choked up.

"...Sophie is not just a spider, she's an artist". With just this beginning sentence we are introduced to the very caring character of Sophie, a house-hold spider who sews the most beautiful webs in spider history. When Sophie becomes a mature spider, she decides to go out into the world and share her talents with everyone she meets. However, the world does not want Sophie to share her talents wit them and after consistence swats and shooing, Sophie decides that she's had enough. Yet, one day she meets a young woman who is expecting a baby. She is very poor and has nothing to cover her baby with when he is born. Sophie, now old and frail, feels that she can still do some good for this woman. So she musters up all her strength and begins to make the young woman and her baby a blanket... a masterpiece... a gift of love.

I recommend this to anyone who has a fear of spiders or is trying to teach more compassion to their children related to any subject. Beautifully illustrated and a very touching story.

I absolutely LOVED this beautiful story. Warning: For the sentimental at heart, like myself, it packs a bit of a punch near the end. I wasn't prepared and found myself choking up while reading it alound and my little one looking up at me in confusion... But that is what makes it such a lovely story and it's never to soon to teach children about selfless love, such as Sophie's!

This book is a beautiful celebration of Calder's gorgeous and playful jewelry. The pictures are lovely and the jewelry itself is simply amazing. It's hard not to feel joyful flipping through these pages. Buy it and enjoy!

This book is an inspiration to anyone who makes jewelry. The use of cold connections is terrific and can show you what can be done without the use of solder.

Merely walking by this book makes my artisan heart tingle. The genius, the simplicity and golden aura of beauty makes this book a "must own." The photographs are gorgeous and the descriptions beautifully written. Get inspired.

Anyone who appreciates well-made, original design in jewelry needs to have and read this book. What an inspiration! Although I was familiar with Calder's mobiles, for which he is most renowned, I was even more impressed with his jewelry designs. All one-of-a-kind. A definite must for the coffee table or even to read and enjoy. As a jewelry designer influenced by other cultures, this has been most helpful in inspiring me to follow my instincts and to design the items I've seen in my dreams. What a book!

Expertly photographed, beautifully styled catalog of A. Calder's jewelry. A great purchase, no regrets.

This was a terrific book and provided detailed information about the show that took a lot of research. It was equally as entertaining. I would highly recommend that Munster fans (young and old). Illustrations are wonderful.

WOW, what an incredible book. This is just everything you need and want to know about the Munsters TV show. It has it all and doesn't skip a beat. The things you will learn about the tv show is just awesome. Wanna know about the makeup? It's there. Wanna know about the cars? It's there. What the cast has and is doing? It's there. Get the point.

Let me also say what a fabulous job of how the book was designed. Color photos and behind the scene shots thru out the book. These are just some of the most spectacular photos on the tv show I have seen. Nice Rare stuff. You will love it.

What a remarkable update to Mr. Cox original book. This is definately a whole new book. Get one before you can never find one like this again.

A TRIP DOWN MOCKINGBIRD LANE is exactly that: a compilation of recollections from cast and crew that more or less leave a good feeling about the show and is akin to an album a family might collect in time for a reunion. There are no major revelations in this publication; stories are repeated throughout and must be fan favorites that folks enjoy being told again and again.

There are hints about Patrick Lily (better known as Butch Patrick) and his behavior on the set. There is mention of Fred and Al's constant bickering with the powers-that-were, but nothing concrete. Someday I would like to read a biography that would focus on Patrick's experience as a child actor. I do not believe he was born in 1953, he looks nine (at oldest) when the show first premiers. I think his age was lied about so he could get into makeup and be on the set longer than a younger child would have been allowed (I surmise this because he still looks no older than 12 in 1968 when he does "The Phantom Tollbooth"). Although I love "The Munsters" television series, and generally believe a good experience was had by all, I would be interested in reading Lily's story; I think we would find that his grandmother used acting as some use modern-day foster care.

As for this work, it is rare that a television series receive such a loving treatment: the color photos are vivid, the black and whites are brillaint, there are several trivia features that are fun, but would not have been thought of by a lesser biographer. It is a terrific keepsake for Munsters' fans and television adhearants in general.

Awesome, detailed book. Easy, flowing reading that you can't put down! What an insight inot the production and cast members of this classic show.

Having recently acquired this wonderful book by author Stephen Cox titled "The Munsters: A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane", as well as the recently released Two Seasons of the classic series on DVD, I once again never fail to marvel at this brilliant and totally original series that ran from 1964-66. Part domestic sitcom, part tribute to the Universal Monsters of old, and part satire on the "then", state of society as we perhaps knew it, "The Munsters" were really one of a kind, a sort of ghoul's version of "Father Knows Best". Produced in what I still firmly believe was the most creative decade on television, the swinging 1960's, "The Munsters", entry into the television schedule was perfectly timed and this most unusual of families slotted right in with the fantastic and totally "out of this world", programming of the time that featured beautiful suburban witches, talking horses, multi-millionaire hillbillies, bumbling spies, and sexy Genies.

Stephen Cox's loving tribute to this classic series makes first rate reading, chock full of terrific and highly informative information and dozens of truly stunning photos never before seen that will delight the heart of any reader. It truly is essential in the book collection of any devoted "Munster", fan like myself. In a similar vein to his other writing efforts that explored such much loved series from the 1960's as "The Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres", Mr. Cox here explores everything to do with the show in a easily read format. Everything "Munster" is here from the original ideas that formed the basis for the eventual series, to information on the series' incredible cast and production crew, to a detailed look at the show's lavish attention to detail in terms of sets, costumes and makeup. Discussion is also given by Mr. Cox on the still mysterious reasons for the show's cancellation after only two years and then examines the amazing after life of "The Munsters", that continues on as strong as ever after 40 years when many of the more "realistic", sitcoms that replaced it are now only hazy memories. In short it's the perfect book for "Munster", lovers and anyone who has a real interest in how television was produced in that golden decade of the 1960's.

This book was recommended reading while I was on amazon buying another book.
I would highly recommend it. I could not put it down till I have overviewed it all. Now back to chapter one and still on chapter one. It is full of good hints. Not only are there hints on how to unleach your inner artist but also basic psychology and philosophy read many times before ... and now hitting home. Jackie

If you want more creative starter ideas then you can handle this is the book for you. You won't need another idea book for sometime it is packed with ideas.

The New Creative Artist: A Guide To Developing Your Creative Spirit

Here is another WOW spiral-bound book!!! It is full of COLOR,a lifetime of ideas, activities, and opportunities to s-t-r-e-t-c-h. The coverage of the Design Element is full: Line, Shape, Value, Color, Size, Pattern, Movement, Harmony, Contrast, Rhythm, Repetition, Gradation, Balance, Dominance, Format Options, Compositional Choices, Design Strategies, and touches on when to give the rules a rest. If that isn't enough, there's lots more! I especially look forward to working through the section: The Realism-Abstraction Connection during my next artistic transition. A beautiful book!

Patricia Eastman

This book wasn't as good as "celebrating your creative self."

It was a little wordy with inspirational messages. Not as much about technique and new ideas as I was hoping.

This book will get any creative body with a block back into their creative hobby. She gives so many great ideas, like that you should write down all the great creative ideas you think of and put them in to a jar. That way, whenever you can't think of something to get your creative juices flowing, just grab your jar and do whatever the piece of paper says!

On a sidenote: I also love that the binding is ring - so that you can fold the book flat and not worry about pages closing on you when you are trying out something new - but that it is also protected by a larger cover so the ring binder doesn't fall apart like they usually do - THANK YOU PUBLISHER!

Anyhow, great buy for any artist or artists' library - a book I will forever reference...I only wish that Leland explained more of the techniques behind rare art forms (but that would add a whole other book!).

I enjoyed reading this book as it gives the reader a great insight into the life and times of Robert Koga (at least up until the time of the book's publication). There is plenty of background on Koga's family roots and how he came to be an LAPD Officer and all the varied assignments that career gave him. It also gives a good, detailed, background on how Koga developed the Martial Arts system that he still teaches to Police Officers throughout the world. The major reason I did not give this book the highest rating is the fact that there are grammatical errors throughout the text (must be the result of computer spell checkers doing the proofreading instead of a competent human). Mr. Koga told me of the book's flaw when I met him a couple of months ago. Otherwise, this book provides all kinds of information not just about Mr. Koga, but the LAPD culture between the early 1950's to the early 1970's and Japanese Martial Arts.

I like this man. He has done a lot for law enforcement training and martial arts.

An amazing book! A Must-read for any law enforcement, martial arts or police enthusiast!
A living legend, Bob Koga spent 35 years in the LAPD, and studied under Aikido's distinguished Koichi Tohei. Koga served as the personal interpreter to Sensei Tohei during the Master's first visits, when Tohei revealed the secrets of Aikido to the United States (Koichi Tohei is the only person formarly awarded the rank of 10th Dan by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido).

Co-written by Koga's own students, this inspiring work includes gripping testimonies from law enforcement officers throughout the US, whose lives were saved because of their training under Koga. Bob Koga drew from his experience to develop and teach real-life arrest and control techniques to law enforcement officers for 45 years, so far! He was inducted into the martial arts Masters Hall of Fame in 2000. This book provides a unique insight into Koga's life, from childhood to the development of the philosophy behind Koga's dedication to professionalize law enforcement.

This is the personal story behind the legend that is Robert Koga.

An amazing book! A Must-read for any law enforcement, martial arts or police enthusiast!
A living legend, Bob Koga spent 35 years in the LAPD, and studied under Aikido's distinguished Koichi Tohei. Koga served as the personal interpreter to Sensei Tohei during the Master's first visits, when Tohei revealed the secrets of Aikido to the United States (Koichi Tohei is the only person formarly awarded the rank of 10th Dan by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido).

Co-written by Koga's own students, this inspiring work includes gripping testimonies from law enforcement officers throughout the US, whose lives were saved because of their training under Koga. Bob Koga drew from his experience to develop and teach real-life arrest and control techniques to law enforcement officers for 45 years, so far! He was inducted into the martial arts Masters Hall of Fame in 2000. This book provides a unique insight into Koga's life, from childhood to the development of the philosophy behind Koga's dedication to professionalize law enforcement.

This is the personal story behind the legend that is Robert Koga.

An amazing book! A Must-read for any law enforcement, martial arts or police enthusiast!
A living legend, Bob Koga spent 35 years in the LAPD, and studied under Aikido's distinguished Koichi Tohei. Koga served as the personal interpreter to Sensei Tohei during the Master's first visits, when Tohei revealed the secrets of Aikido to the United States (Koichi Tohei is the only person formarly awarded the rank of 10th Dan by Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido).

Co-written by Koga's own students, this inspiring work includes gripping testimonies from law enforcement officers throughout the US, whose lives were saved because of their training under Koga. Bob Koga drew from his experience to develop and teach real-life arrest and control techniques to law enforcement officers for 45 years, so far! He was inducted into the martial arts Masters Hall of Fame in 2000. This book provides a unique insight into Koga's life, from childhood to the development of the philosophy behind Koga's dedication to professionalize law enforcement.

This is the personal story behind the legend that is Robert Koga.

Debbie Lee Wesselmann has written a masterful novel. One so full of riddles and subterfuge, you wonder how such an imagination could come to be. This author has it all, intellect, superb mastery of the written page, and a keen insight into the workings of the kind of mind that you or I could not even imagine.

Michelle Trutor comes to New Hampshire to escape a life of physical and mental abuse. She loves "Ted" so, but she knows if she stays with him in their home in Boston she will surely die. The life of an abused woman is brought to life in this novel. We can surely understand what keeps a woman in the throes of such a man. Trutor as she likes to be called is going to be an assistant to help the man she calls the Balloonist and his family reclaim their rightful dues. In the process Trutor brings to life many of he secrets that have been kept hidden by Caroline. Caroline, the wily sister of the Balloonist and Proctor. Into this household come many strange people, some of them relatives, some of them looking for no-good and some of them wanting it all for themselves. All of the charscters in this novel stand alone in the depth of their intellect and surprising insights. Trutor alone, however, begins to grasp what the riddles are really about. The trips to Boston, Portsmouth, Oxford, the Colony all bring to fruition the reality of what Caroline's life has wrought. And, Trutor also delivers the best of people. We find in this strange household and town many loving and helpful strangers. Trutor is the heroine and she must, yes, she must have the Balloonist has her, well, I don't know ,maybe her lover? There are so many twists and turns in this novel I can't and won't betray any of the secrets. They are mine to keep. I helped solve them in my reading, AHA, you must read this also to find out what really happens, what is Caroline really up to? Why was she so strange and unloving?

A novel to bring you to laughter and to tears. Yes, Elvis Has Not Left The Building!
Heartily recommended. prisrb

Debbie Wesselman write another book!

I enjoyed the eccentric New England characters in 'Trutor and the Balloonist' but the real magic existed in the detailed painting of words that described New England. Like a jewel colored painting of autumn leaves New England shines bright in the pages of 'Trutor and the Balloonist'. Filled with wonderful writing that was perfection. Some writers' give an air that is above the reader but Debbie Wesselman invites you into this eccentric world with her words.

At first you think this is just another story of a woman escaping a terrible relationship but then the story turns to the one character that has no direct words in the book: Caroline Wharton. So much of the character development of Caroline Wharton is second hand and that was compelling. What a wonder device to use with a character that is the object of everyone's obsession and she never speaks directly to us.

I could tell you all about the book but since it's a mystery you should read it yourself. Debbie Wesselman takes you on an intriguing journey of theft, fraud, lies, and self-discovery while her characters Trutor and the Balloonist search their own hearts for personal peace. You'll find it all in this book: art, wonderful characters, riddles of life, and a character that you too will be come obsessed.

I got the distinct feeling Caroline Wharton existed in more than Debbie Wesselman's book. Usually that longing need to know more doesn't exist in a lot of fictional characters. Debbie Wesselman tells us just enough to want more.

girldiver:)

If ever a book cried out to be re-released in trade paperback format, to be made available for under fifteen dollars, this is it. I browse the shelves of Target all the time (can't help it, my sister works there) and I see so many inferior works. I don't know who picks 'em and I should, as I was sort of raised in the entertainment business, but I suppose the music business and the book business are very different, but maybe they're not, because I've seen some great bands sink into oblivion for reasons that made no sense to me.

In the case of "Trutor" I see that some very reputable reviewers have reviewed it and given it high marks. So why oh why have the powers that be at MacAdam/Cage dropped the ball? I don't get it. I've been to their website, they've got gobs of books on their backlist available in trade paper. This book deserves a second life and let me tell you, if they took a chance on "Trutor", did what I said, re-released it in paper, this delightful story would fly off the shelves with only just a little bit of promotion. Because in the end it's all about the story and this is a story so sublime, so engrossing, with characters quaint and quirky, who will live on in your imagination long after you've put the book on the shelf.

You know, dear reader, this could be a chance for you to cast a positive vote for something with your pocketbook. Put "Trutor and the Balloonist" in your shopping cart and take it to the check out. I know it's expensive for a book that's been around since the last millennium and I know it's not being discounted, but it's worth the price, really it is.

Reviewed by Stephanie Sane

I stumbled upon this title and after savoring the final chapters, not wanting it to end, I feel incredibly lucky. This novel has everything I crave: Plot, mystery, well-drawn, eccentric characters, RIDDLES, history, art, lyrical and descriptive prose. I was transported to New England while following the unfolding story of Caroline Wharton as discovered by the somewhat reluctant biographer, Michelle Trutor.

Through her main character, Debbie Lee Wesselmann paints Trutor's subject as an "intellectual enigma" and the owner of souls. As she unravels the "sticky web" left behind by Caroline, a woman who committed suicide and virtually imprisoned her family (the "Balloonist," Arthur, and his twin brother, Proctor, and their niece, Roberta) in a former mortuary, she offers riddles that one can't help but try to solve before reading further. The clever riddles pull you through this fascinating story of complicated relationships.

Because of a convoluted will and a watchful attorney, Trutor was the only one who had access to the clues Caroline had left behind, which included her personal journals. I particularly enjoyed the journal entries, which intimately portray the creative and multifarious soul that was Caroline Wharton. My favorite entry: "I spent hours reading today here in the Botanical Gardens before I felt the need to write myself: the small leap from someone else's words to my own like a garden shading from lavender to deep purple."

Deep purple indeed. This novel deserves the royal treatment and my highest recommendation.

Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.

A long time ago, when Johnny Carson, Truman Capote and Jacqueline Susanne were still alive, Truman and Jackie were guests on the Tonight Show. Truman was first, talked about one of his books, I don't remember which one. He did his bit, told a few jokes, they went to commercial, then Jackie came out. She was promoting her new book, THE LOVE MACHINE, but before she got a chance to say anything, Truman piped up with something like:

"When I start to read a good book, I might spend an hour on the first paragraph, longer if it's really good. I can take up to a week on a fair book, a month on a good book and a really good book could take me up to a year, as I savor every word, enjoy every thought." Then he turned to Jackie and said, "I read THE LOVE MACHINE in twenty minutes."

The audience burst out laughing, Johnny too, Jackie as well. She was a good sport. And you know, I liked her book, but Jackie's book isn't the subject of this review, Debbie Lee's is and if she would have been on that show way back then, instead of Jackie, and if she'd've handed a copy of TRUTOR AND THE BALLONIST off to Truman, he wouldn't have had enough time left in his life to finish it.

Mr. Capote graced this planet for many years after that and he'd've spent many a long night savoring and enjoying this book, only to pass away without knowing whether or not Michele Trutor finishes her biography of Caroline. He would've gone to his maker wondering if Debbie Lee's batch of humorous and very real misfits ever come to terms with her, her life, her forgeries. He'd've missed out on Halloween in Derbysville, on Roberta's not so very good meals, on riddles that will tickle any mystery lover, on oh so much that this book has to offer.

They would have shoveled an unfulfilled Truman into the ground with one of Debbie Lee's riddles still pinging around in a brain that would have refused to die. Truman's ghost would have become legendary, haunting the library nearest to where he expired, refusing to cross over to the other side, still wanting to savor each and every sentence in this masterpiece of a novel.

Well you know what, I've read Truman Capote. He was a masterful writer, a dealer in prose extraordinaire, and I'm telling you now and I'm telling you true, Truman would have loved this book as much as I do, as much as you will if you give it a chance.