Contemporary Books

"The place was close to perfect." This is how Jonathan Luckett's awesomely gripping thriller, Dissolve, opens. According to manuals on creative writing, the first line of a story is important. It hooks a reader in. It creates the tone of the novel. It sets the stage for the narrative which is about to ensue. Nevertheless, Luckett uses this sentence to lull his readers into a false sense of security and comfort. It is the proverbial calm before the storm that is Dissolve which will have you not wanting to put the book down until the end. And even then one is left craving... for more like David Sands, the protagonist of Dissolve, who pines for Nona, the object of his affection who disappears after she and David spends a steamy night of unbridled passion. Following his encounter with Nona, David discovers that his mysterious lover maybe a woman who allegedly was murdered by her husband in the house next door to his apartment. From this point on, Luckett masterfully takes his readers on a roller coaster ride, wondering is Nona a ghost--a sensual succubus preying on David--or alive.

Take it upon Luckett to not only create an erotic, macabre tale filled with suspenseful twists and turns but create a work that challenges readers to rethink their views on women and female sexuality. Though set in contemporary times, the character Nona is an Afro-donning throwback to the seventies--a decade known for women's liberation and, doubly, the sexual revolution. In the story, we find that Nona is the wife of a possessive, controlling and (eventually) abusive husband named Malik. Malik's treatment of Nona and the strain it places on their marriage lead Nona to question why women are conditioned and socialized to be subservient to the men in their lives. Most importantly, she ponders the double standard our puritanical culture has upheld in regards to women who enjoy expressing themselves sexually. "Why is it, she [Nona] thought, as she absent-mindedly fingered her pubes, that men can go running the streets, sticking their dicks into anything that moves without a care or a worry, and yet, when women do it, it was a different story?" Here, Luckett proves that he wants to do more than entertain his audience; he wants to foster cerebral dialogue about the mores of our society. That is, are we moving forward or are we moving back? The author does this most excellently via the character Brehan, an artist who becomes smitten by Nona during the course of the narrative. Brehan is an enigma: he is a free-spirited thinker who questions what he is told and taught, instead of accepting information blindly. Brehan's opinions about love and relationships are, especially, revolutionary and radical even for this century we're in. He tells Nona: "'I believe in a wide spectrum of alternatives when it comes to loving someone--most people see two extremes: dating and marriage, with little to nothing in between. I, on the other hand, see an infinite spectrum of possibilities, and it is these possibilities that excite me to my core--it's what drives me to paint--to create. You feel me?'" That is a question, of many, Luckett's characters pose that may remain unanswered even after one reads the final page of the story.

Jonathan Luckett simply cannot be stopped. His works, themselves, are showstoppers. Just think Jennifer Hudson's singing "And I am Telling You, I'm Not Going," and how that makes you feel inside and maybe you might come close to how reading a Jonathan Luckett novel feels. And Dissolve is Luckett at his bone-chilling best.

I began reading this book, and, as I often do, attempted to read two books simultaneously. Well, the other book lost out when I began to read and turn pages in my read of Jonathan Luckett's Dissolve. This book is so mysterious that just when I thought I knew what would occur or just when I thought I had the characters figured out, I then was not certain. Mysterious, yes in deed! Well written, yes in deed! Great read, yes in deed! Great fiction, yes in deed! Pay close attention. But, do not at any time believe you have it all figured out and do not take a lengthy break....you will miss something. I was so pulled into the characters of Nona and David Sands, that I had to flip back pages to re-read and attempt to determine what really happened. My advice to the reader as you read this mysterious, erotic thriller of a book is to pay very close attention. Thank you Jonathan!
"Brandy" of the Diverse Divas Book Club

Wow...I am still pondering the conclusion of this thriller. Dissolve is a page turner with its sensual and very visual twists and turns. I could really feel David's painful search for love and Nona's desire to be fulfilled in life. I can't wait to read a follow-up to this!

Next up The Mating Game :)

- THJ

I could not put this book down! My heart was pumping the entire time!! And for a variety of reasons. Read it and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Just when I thought I guessed right about a situation in the book, I was graciously set straight. I never would have correctly guessed how this story would end. Check it out. You will not regret it. I have read all of Jonathan Luckett's books, and look forward to the next one. Jonathan Is a wonderful storyteller.

Come take a trip through time in this book Dissolve by Jonathan Luckett. Close your eyes and imagine a smoky lounge, mellow jazz playing in the background and a cool breeze floating by drawing your attention to the most beautiful creature you ever saw. Meet David Sands, a painter, who just moved into a nice lofty brownstone. As he gazes out the window he sees a vision of loveliness. It is a cool summer night and he sits watching shadows playing tricks with his eyes; a goddess so to speak entices him to sit every night at the same window hoping to get another look. But after a visit from the mystery woman she vanishes and he is on the hunt looking for love in all the wrong places.

Nona is a married woman who is very much in love with her husband, but realizes that maybe she married the wrong man. Malik is a jealous, controlling, over-bearing husband, who wishes to keep his wife locked away at home. Nona wants to be a free spirit, in charge of her life, and to model. With captivating good looks and a beautiful body, she is desired by all and her husband is not too happy about that.

David watches Nona from across the courtyard, when she suddenly disappears only to appear at his front door. Surprised and happy to have her so close they engage in unbridled sex and David is swept off his feet. He has to have Nona in his life or he will die.

Dissolve is a love story, mystery novel, and erotica all rolled up into one hell of a book. I could not put it down. The descriptions and details were so vivid I felt like I was a character in the book. This was a well-told story, and I recommend this book to anyone who loves a great story with a twist of an ending.

Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

these books are a delight to read. i first read them to our sons (the oldest is now 40). this set is for my grandson. charming, well written stories, all with an underlying moral.

These books are classics. I bought them for myself, but plan to read them to my children as they grow older. I had read "Charlotte's Web" in grade school. It was a pleasure to read the others!

So many kids books are written so poorly, and with such poor structure and weak story lines, they make it hard to convey any sense of flow or emotion to your kids. To pick up these classics reminds one of the golden age when authors wrote stories with meaning and impact. Glowing descriptions, scene setting introductions to chapters, polite conversations recorded in proper English, all this is the heritage of EB White and these books. Highly, highly recommended - your kids will not want to stop reading and listening...makes bedtime each night a joy because they can't wait to find out what happens next.

Louis is the main character and he is a swan. He can't talk to other swans. Sam Beaver, a boy takes Louis to school, where he learns to read and write. But this isn't work to other swans and actually Louis was in love with the beautiful swan, Serena, and she spurns hin because he was defective. And Louis's father, the old cob, does a difficult thing. He stoles a trumpet so his son would be able to win his love. Louis wins on his love and pay the trumpet money.

My 6-year-old daughter and I throughly enjoyed all three stories.

Most Creative Story: The "Trumpet Swan" because of the way White takes the reader to different places and settings through the eyes of Louis the Swan.

Most Profound Story: "Charlotte's web". Of all my years of education it took this simple book to grasp a real appreciation of nature and the web of life.

Funniest Story: "Stuart Little". Most of us have on more than one occassion laughed ourselves to tears upon reading, hearing, or watching some funny event. My last time occurred when reading about the trials and tribulations that Stuart had to endure in order to wash himslef in the morning (Picturing him swinging a mallot to turn on the hot water was for me hysterically funny!). I found the Stuart Little of this book much more cute and amusing than the one in a recent movie with the same title.

I usually pass on my romance novels... not this one. It's dog eared, well read many times over, and the spine cracked beyond recognition. I pop on here every few months hoping to find that she has started writing again. This book is just so good!!

When I know I am getting to the part about the rabbits, I make sure there are tissues close at hand... because I laugh so hard, I cry.

I do hope she starts to write again. What a wonderful story. I hated for it to end.

I read this one several months ago, and I dearly regret not reviewing it right after I read it. But, I can tell you, it
stuck with me, because of the plot, the charaters, the detail.
It was just awesome. It felt like it went up & beyond what is
required of a time travel, or even of just a great read! That's
how taken with it I was.

On the 1-10 scale, I would be a good solid 12.
On the star scale, 7 stars. This book was that outstanding.

If you're moving to a desert island or running from a burning house, be sure to grab this one on the way out. It's just totally awesome. It's too bad Amy Elizabeth doesn't appear to
be writing anymore. I haven't read much of her work (yet), but
what I have read is outstanding.

This book was excellent. It kept me wanting to read "just one more chapter" all night long!

In Seattle, Ivy Raymond owns and operates an antique store, ENCHANTED TIME. She normally sees sellers by appointment or in bulk lots, but to rid herself of the pesky elderly woman, she agrees to look at the package. Inside is a book from the sixteenth century that obviously is worth a lot, but the woman insists on $100 or she will sell it to the nearby bookstore owner. A stunned Ivy feels some sort of weird inexplicable connection to the names inside the tome and buys the book.

Ivy reads some of the incantations only to find the spells work though she remains skeptical. However, the last spell she cites sends her back to the drafty abode of a seventeenth century gentleman, Julian Ramsden. As they fall in love, he wonders if she is a spy working for his enemy trying to stop Julian from regaining all he lost. Then there is the Witch Hunter General who will hang female family members of Julian including his beloved Ivy if he is not stopped in time.

This is a reprint of an enchanting mid 90s time travel romance that is one of the sub-genre's best. The story line is exciting due to a tremendous cast who will make moving back and forth in the time stream seem possible. Ivy is a wonderful heroine and her beloved is a delightful hunk struggling between love and desire vs. trust. The secondary characters provide depth to the mid-seventh century especially the Witch Hunter General. Readers will have an ENCHANTED TIME perusing Amy Elizabeth Saunders' appealing tale.

Harriet Klausner

Wonderful time-travel. Ivy is sent back in time by reading a book sold to her by an old lady. She arrives in England at the time of the Commonwealth, witch-hunting & Cromwell from her home & business Enchanted Time in Seattle.

My one hope is that Amy will write a sequel to it for Daisy & Suzanna. I'd love to see them in the 21st. century with their grandmother & Winston. And what about poor Josiah Feake (the witchfinder general) lost in the future. I loved the ending with Josiah ending up in a mental institution & the picture was perfect. Please Amy write us a sequel.

Fat City by Leonard Gardner is a singular masterpiece of modern American literature. I was introduced to the book by the John Houston film of 1972 which in its own right is a work of wonder.

Gardner, who has regrettably not written another novel since, tells the story of an over-the-hill boxer in Stockton, California, his brief affair with an alcoholic woman, and the last chance he is given at a bout. In a spare, flawless prose, the novelist depicts the starkness of this life which unfolds in cheap hotel rooms and bars, in third-rate boxing arenas and in the agrarian fields where he has to work as a picker to eke out a living. A scene of onion picking is often cited as an example of supple, kinetic writing at its best.

By being so specific and immersing the reader in this small world, the author manages to make devastating statements about the mercilessness of American life and even the ultimate futility of life's many struggles.

As the veteran boxer mentors a young contender who is getting married and starting his own life, the reader is given every reason to believe that the travesty is open-ended.

Fat City is a short book, so I'll write a short review. You can get a plot synopsis from the other reviewers. This is high-quality noir territory. It is 180 pages of boxing, booze, lousy jobs, poisoned relationships, and flophouse squalor. It perfectly captures the characters' desperation and hopelessness. If you are looking for a tough, lean, gritty read, then look no farther.

Fat city is a book that took place in Stockton California in the 1950's that follows the broken lives of several men who are brought together from boxing. This book is written by Leonard Gardner, a boxer himself during the 1950's. As you read through the pages a story of the lives of different men unfolds.
Billy Tully is an out of shape boxer who gave everything up because of long losing streak and the painful divorce with his wife. Living off of almost nothing he decides he wants to go back and try to fight. While training he meets a young boy named Ernie Munger who has a natural talent for boxing. Ernie wants to be a boxer so bad that he trains day and night letting nothing get in his way. In the middle of his career he gets his girlfriend pregnant but tries his hardest to stay in the life of boxing. While following the characters in their lives this book goes though the struggle of each man and illustrates how they react to their failures. In this story the women are the cause of problems between all of the unhappy boxers; a problem that cannot be fixed.
Some chapters in the story are dedicated to small parts of other men's lives such as the trainer and the opponent, letting you understand the story from both sides. Although these men are brought together by boxing the book is about these men doing what they can do to survive. From boxing to farming this book accurately covers the actions taken to survive. Although the book can be slow at parts over all it is a quick read.

I read Fat City sometime in the mid-sixties, when it was first published, and was immediately captivated and envious of Gardner's powerful style and talent. If you appreciate and admire Hemingway or Steinbeck you will likely feel the same about Gardner, who, unfortunately, has not published anything since. Perhaps this small gem of a book was the only one he had in him. Even so, this novel is a remarkable accomplishment and may well become an American classic. What intrigues me the most in this work is that Gardner gets it all down right--the sights and smells and sounds of the seedy streets and flophouses; the drifters and dingy diners; the sweaty gyms, barsweeps and whores and how it is to work as a stoop-laborer in the fields, especially the true-to-life characters inhabiting the pages. Fat City is simply a well-crafted execution of art throughout and is as pleasurable to read now as when I first picked it up years ago.

Short novel, published in 1969, about two boxers, Billy Tully, who is 29 and down and out, and Ernie Mugger, who is 18 and up and coming, two versions of the same man, in some respects. Terrific skilled prose, short chapters, switching points of view between these two main characters and an assortment of other minor characters. The author takes you inside the characters' deepest despair or elation. How simple the author makes it look, one thinks, reading this book. But of course it is not. The prose is precise and honed, and looks easy only after who knows how many drafts. There are only 18 or 19 short chapters, and much of the novel is dialogue. But somehow one comes away with a panoramic view of Stockton, California, this woeful place, and the people the inhabit it - the immigrant fruit pickers, the bartenders and bar girls, the hobos on the street. The descriptions are compact and dead-on. About Billy Tully's hotel room: "All his neighbors had lung trouble." One could quote sentences from this book almost at will, the prose is so spare and perfect.

That the author never published another book, and that this was his first, is incredible. To write this cleanly and confidently, he must have practiced and studied for years. Yet to never do it again.

The cover is horribly misleading; what a clunky guy!!! The story, hero and heroine were terrific. True to Ms. Brockman's writing. One of the best.

Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann
Silhouette Intimate Moments # 991- March 2000

Luke aka Lucky has movie star looks and knows he's a magnet to women. He's been assigned to a special Navy / Local Police task force to find a serial rapist who leaves clues that indicate he may be a SEAL. Sydney is a freelance investigative journalist. Her neighbour is a victim of a brutal rape. Sydney pieces together that this isn't a one time thing, and that there may be a serial rapist out there. Using that power, she manages to get herself assigned as part of the task force. She's hoping this will be her big break to getting that fantastic job with a New York magazine. Lucky's not very pleased that Sydney's been placed with him and his SEALs, but soon he grows to admire her; not only for her investigation skills but because she's not one of those women who swoons when he walks in the room.

We've gotten to know Lucky quite well through the earlier TD&D books. He's the playboy who will never settle down. Until he meets Sydney who doesn't seem to fall for his charms. She's smart and sexy and Lucky can't seem to stay away from her. The sparks fly in this one!

I first read the story of Cowboy Jones and got hooked on Suzanne Brockmann. Since then I have been searching desperately for the older books, but when I found Got Lucky...who cares about any others! This book was EXCELLENT. Like the others below, I don't know what that cover was about, but everything inside it was wonderful.

Suzanne is one of the (few) romance authors today who can write about many different characters and give each a distinct personality. Her Navy Seals could all be carbon-copy, Ken-doll perfect soldiers, but each is unique. The only similarity between her characters is that they are all strong, determined people.

I am jumping from here right to Suzanne's website (suzannebrockmann.com) to search for information about reprints of her books--especially since the ugly cover is just about to fall off my copy from being read so many times.

This is another example of the talent that this writer exhibits every time one of her books is published. I own the whole series to date. (Lucky Me!) And it isn't over yet according to the author who has a newsletter you can subscribe to. Just e-mail her a note asking her to add you to her list. HER E-MAIL address is SFTHQ@aol.com. Once again in this book we have a strong character heroine who is able to match the heroics of the SEAL hero and come off still appearing as feminine as a beauty queen. Whether she is or not has no bearing on Lucky's opinion as he is totally absorbed in his love for Sydney, the woman he plans to seduce but ends up needing, not just wanting to marry, which is a surprise to him. By the way Suz was more upset than anyone about the cover, which should have pictured the hero as a movie star idol type. I predict that Ms. Brockmann will be on the Best Sellers list one day soon. This series is just a beginning as she is testifying to by her new book THE UNSUNG HERO! Another seal series begins!

The Seals find their reputation in jeopardy when a rapist brands his victims with something only a Seal could own. I found this to be a great mystery thread that held up. Navy Seal Lucky, or Navy Ken as journalist Sydney calls him, is assigned to find the violent rapist. Sydney is a strong character with goals in life. At the beginning, Navy Ken, who prefers Barbie like girlfriends, disappointed me, but with Sydney's influence hope may be near.

Suzanne Brockmann is a great writer. Her characters are full of depth and she doesn't mind making them sound human, or taking risks with them; most of all she gives them hope and a chance to turn things around for the better.

It was a smooth, attentive read all the way. I really enjoyed it.

This was a great, great read and the author used a very interesting way to write it by using a ton of quotes from those who were there to tell the story. His own words were the perfect conduit.

This was truly a book I hated coming to the end of.

Of course, there are several books in circulation about the birth and growth of the American Football League (AFL), the greatest rival sports league in the history of American professional sports. What makes this book a little different from the pack is that it consists almost entirely of quotes from interviews with the various participants in AFL history -- players, coaches, owners, etc.

So in all candor, the author contributes little, and appears to have acted more like a stenographer than anything else. I suppose that can be both good and bad. But though I like this book a great deal, I'd say it's not as good as a similar book by Bob Curran entitled "The $400,000 Quarterback -- or -- The League that Came in from Out of the Cold."

But if you an AFL-lover, you'll love it. If you are just AFL-curious, you may want to shop around for other titles.

99% of this book is a collection of stories about the AFL by former players, coaches, administrators, owners, and others with some connection to the game. It is interesting, but not a great book. Most interesting is the explanation about how NBC cut off the Heidi game. Typical corporate move from the beginning to the end. Nobody had any objection throughout the week of the proposed cutoff and none of the "suits" could make a decision at crunch time. NBC has never lived the Heidi game down and it will always be remembered in sports broadcasting.

This is an insightful, interesting look at the AFL. Great interviews with the actual participants of the events that took place. I would recommend the book to anyone with an interest of this league and how the merger took place with the NFL.

For some reason, oral biographies of pro sports leagues make great reads when written by the right people. The oral bio of the WHA is fascinating and Terry Pluto's "Loose Balls" of the American Basketball Association is simply one of the great sports books ever.

Going Long is right up there with Loose Balls. It is one of the two definitive books about the American Football League (along with The Other League), a league whose influence in its 10 years is felt every second in the National Football League.

This book is able to tell two separate stories, the business side of how The Foolish Club of original AFL owners were able to survive against the tough and savvy National Football League. Then there is the story about the players and the individual teams. Miller is able to present the business side in an extremely interesting manner, not an easy task.

The book treats Joe Namath with the appropriate perspective, not fawning over his immense off-the-field contributions or overrating his playing ability. It does underrate some of the great AFL teams and units, especially the 1969-1970 Chief linebackers (Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier are in Canton). It also talks little on why Sonny Werblin was forced out from the NY Jets. But these are minor quibbles.

Watch a pro football game. Do you like seeing a player's name on his jersey? That is the AFL. Do you like having the stadium clock (as shown on TV as well) as the official clock? That is the AFL. Do you like the 2-point conversion, that is the AFL. Do you like watching even the longest games to conclusion, that is the AFL (with an assist to Heidi).

Great league and this book does it justice.

This is masterfully written, solid, proven, best of the best, based on Scripture and years of God confirming His Word with signs following,just as He promised in His Word. The proverbial Philadelphia lawyer could not have laid out a more airtight case. Don't miss it. I sent a copy to a friend just diagnosed with cancer. He could not thank me enough.

I highly recommend this book for anyone , especially for those who need Physical or Spiritual Healing.

I am enjoying the book as a bibile study with my church. The book is easy to follow and understand.

A great book! If you only half believe that Jesus wants to heal you, read this book. If your faith in divine healing is wavering, read this book. One of the best ever written on this subject.
If you want to balance it with someone else's teaching, grab The Real Faith for Healing by Charles S Price and read that as well.

This was a life changing book for me, as were FF Bosworth "Christ the Healer" and Norvel Hayes "How to Live and Not Die". I actually read the latter two first. While reading the scriptural teachings in those two books, I received healing and cancelled a scheduled surgical consult. While reading the scripture in "Healing the Sick," I received healing again from a different condition. Praise His Holy Name!

The latter two books are available on audio tape or CD.

A foundation from the Bible and the Holy Spirit, with the combination of teachings in these books, along with Kenneth E. Hagin Sr, Kenneth Copeland, and Keith Moore (all his are free on his website) have been invaluable healing resources for me. I pray you are blessed as well. Peace to you.

Once you get past the strange layout (described in other sections), this is a great edition of Henry V. It is easy and fun to read and offers valuable insights (not just for students either). Well worth a flutter.

This play is best known for the St. Crispian's Day "Band of Brothers" speech given by King Henry just before the battle at Agincourt. It is a powerful speech that rallies people at all times and everywhere. Sir Lawrence Olivier made a film version in 1944 during WWII and Kenneth Branagh made another as recently as 1989. You can count on there being more versions. Epecially so when computers can help them make spectacular battle scenes (that aren't really in the play) with less expense.

Audiences love this play and they should. There is a lot to like and enjoy. I think upon repeated readings Henry becomes a more equivocal character than he seems at first. And readers of the King Henry IV plays will know him before he became King Henry and know something deeper about his personality.

And of course there is the whole bit about the drive to France being sponsored by the Church to avoid confiscation of property by the Crown. Moreover, there is the slaughtering of the French prisoners, and his treatment of Falstaff (who dies offstage in this play). This isn't revisionist stuff, it is right there in the play, but it is easy to miss the first time you are trying to take in the play.

In any case, this Arden edition is the one to buy and read from. Why? Because it has the most authoritative text, but that is only the beginning. It also shows variants between the early sources. The notes at the bottom of each page of the play are simply fabulous. The editor includes not only helpful notes explaining what might be obscure in the text of the play, he provides sources Shakespeare probably used such as Holinshed and makes for some very interesting study. There are also some helpful notes on how various scenes have been performed over time.

And to make this sound more like an infomercial, you get more! The introduction provides great background material on the play, its sources, and how it has been performed throughout history. After the play, there is a photo reproduction of the first Quarto from 1600 and it is fairly readable. There are also a couple of maps showing the path of the English Army from Harfleur through other towns on its way to Calais and makes clear how they had to pass through Agincourt.

There is also a helpful genealogical table so you can see the confusing claims used by Henry and the French nobility to make their claims. And there is a doubling chart so you can see how theater companies can perform all the roles with fewer actors.

This is a great edition as are all the plays published by the Arden Shakespeare. The amount of work collected in these volumes is stunning and they will enrich your experience of the plays tremendously. I can't recommend them enough.

This play more than any others in the histories glorifies Englishmen and England. His characters in this one are larger than life, but each has their own limitations and flaws. The play covers the time of the Battle of Agincourt when the French King Charles was so sure of victory that he sent a messenger to Henry to ask him to give up and to pay a ransom before the battle. On the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, the English were outnumbered five to one, Henry's troops were on foreign soil and riddled with disease. The scenes where Henry dons a disguise and goes out amongst his troops to bolster their confidence are great. The English managed to triumph in this battle where all was stacked against them mostly because of Henry's leadership. This is such a sweeping story that it is hard to condense in a few words, the plot of the play, but it is a wonderful example of Shakespeare's skills as a writer.

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.' What more need I say? Henry V is an imortal classic of western literature. And this edition is complete and accurate. See the film if you want, but be sure to read the words at least once. They are inspiring.

"Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the King that led them to it."

Particularly poignant poetry in these times of pompous presidential sabre rattling and wars based on questionable facts.

I recently came across a review for this novel and realized that it was a continuation of an earlier novel (Christopher: A Tale of Seduction). So I had the good fortune to be able to read these books back-to-back. The House Beautiful is a bit more complicated than Christopher since the main character, BK Troop, has a house full of misfits to keep him busy, instead of just the one in Christopher. But The House Beautiful is just as funny, quirky, touching, and readable. If you haven't read either book, do yourself a favor and get both. They're cheap paperbacks and are worth so much more than what you pay.

I first learned of The House Beautiful on KCRW's Writer's Block.
I was hooked from the start.
This book is WHY I READ.
Allison Burnett definitely has a way with words.
It's poetic, almost.
This book will charm and titillate you on it's many paths.
The words are so flowing and beautiful.
They seem to roll right off my tongue.
You soon learn through a peeping tom (and main character), that the artists of house beautiful aren't perfect.
However,
The House Beautiful is The Book Beautiful!

I had the privilege of knowing the author in high school english class, and I'm happy to say his wit, vocabulary, and love for life have continued to expand through the intervening 30 years. An avid reader, I decided to purchase Allison's books after reading about them in our high school newsletter. Imminently readable, his witty style and amazing talent to turn a phrase have impressed me greatly. Gay fiction is not something I seek out, but his books were VERY enjoyable reads (and I'm happy to read elsewhere that he is not gay, as there was a considerable crush back in high school!). Highly recommended.

Burnett has written a very funny, witty and entertaining book, quite a pleasure to read, yet often poignant and affecting. An ensemble of characters weave through the story, each on his or her own arc and each with his or her own, unique voice. Also, the prose itself is first rate, always literate and engaging.

Burnett's generosity of spirit shines through this book, which continues the adventures of B.K. Troop, an overweight, neurotic, alcoholic gay man who could be an older version of John Kennedy Toole's Ignatius J. Reilly. Troop inherits a New York brownstone and turns it into a boarding house for artists. He's trying to create a family for himself, but it's not until the arrival of Adrian, a would-be poet, that his dreams come true (in a most surprising way). A lovely, lovely book.

This is my first book by Perez-Reverte and I just loved it.
The easy flow of the story keeps you wanting more and more. Very realistic, when you are reading you are not sure whether is the description or real events (if any) it transports the reader to the different scenarios, fascinating, interesting. Also, i need to mention the use of mexican slang by the author made it feel extra real, like if you could hear their voices... BRAVO!
I will definetely would like to read all of his books!
Thank you i really enjoyed this book.

Este libro es muy super bueno. No pude parar de leerlo y ahora que lo termine me quede con las ganas de leer mas. Excelente!

No puedo recordar una novela que disfruté tanto. Lleva un exclente sentido de las dos culturas hispánicas...la de México y de España. La técnica narrativa se fascina y mantiene siempre curioso y entretenido al lector. Pérez-Reverte es un autor de los mejores, y este libro es prueba cierta de sus destrezas.

He aquí la historia de Teresa Mendoza Chávez, una mujer que tras la muerte de su amante se ve envuelta en una escalada de violencia, intrigas, uniones y traiciones a conciencia, una gran empresa, una inmensa fortuna y una grandisima soledad y miedo que casi siempre viene asociado al poder y el narcotráfico.
Una novela muy bien escrita en la que la vida de Teresa se desgrana poco a poco- muchas veces en forma de testimonios - a través de personas que la conocieron de una forma u otra y se completa con los pocos diálogos y las muchas reflexiones de la o las Teresas que se desdoblan en la trama; la mujer, la amante, la amiga, la compañera, la empresaria o simplemente la "narca" que compite con todas ellas por la supremacia.

Te compenetras demasiado en la cultura narco-mejicana. Viven al borde de la muerte en todo momento, impresionante. La historia es como una en un millon. Si vale la pena leerlo y recomendarlo.