Short Stories Books

The Mark of Zorro is the first Zorro story, retitled for publication in many different book editions.

Repression and oppressive taxation grows in one corner of California. Don Diego Viega, whose picture might just be beside the word 'fop' if California had a dictionary, can do nothing about it.

As one of the local military says "he is about as dangerous as a lizard basking in the sun".

The same cannot be said for Zorro. The Fox offers the local peons some hope, and does what he can to foment resistance.

When the moneygrubbing goes to far and some of the reasonably well liked local aristocracy are imprisoned, things come to a head, especially after the flogging of the local friar.

In an amusing scene, Senorita Pulido gets herself out of captivity by holding herself hostage. Luckily, while fleeing, Zorro is on hand.

Comedy, and action, and romance as Zorro saves the day.

Well worth reading.

Excellent reading of old Spanish California - Paladin of Justice.
Recommend to young and/or old - global audiences.
Thought provoking and suspenseful filled with witt.

We all know the story of Zorro by now. I, myself, read The Mark of Zorro more than two decades ago, when I was a child and the copy I read was titled The Curse of Capistrano. No doubt, more people have seen the various Zorro films than have read the actual book, which started the Zorro legend. Johnston McCulley first introduced his iconic character in a five-part serial in the pulp magazine All Story Weekly, in 1919. The story proved to be popular enough, but this masked avenger really took off when silent film star Douglas Fairbanks read it and subsequently made it into the silent swashbuckling film The Mark of Zorro in 1920. Since then, Senor Zorro has never looked back.

Before re-reading this novel, I was afraid that I would find the writing stilted and archaic. Happily, the page-turning experience proved to be as reader-friendly as I remembered it. True, you do have to get into a certain mindset to get used to the writing style (this is classic pulp writing, after all), but, once you do, you'll be swept along. Zorro, nicknamed the Curse of Capistrano and the defender of Old California's oppressed, was still the same vibrant Zorro - dashing, bold, cunning, and intolerant of injustice. He still flashed that certain twinkle in the eye and displayed that playful nature. Handsome, wealthy Don Diego Vega, on the other hand, was still the dubious caballero, unbolstered by his languid, foppish mannerisms and hindered by the weak constitution. Upon seeking a girl's hand in marriage, Don Diego announced to her father that he would send his servant over at night to serenade the girl by proxy, because the chill night wind would kill the delicate Vega. Of course, we all know it's a game that Diego's been playing for years and his devotion to his wussy role makes it all the more delicious for the reader. Also, I was again struck by how delightful and plucky the beautiful love interest, Senorita Lolita Pulido, was.

Another thing I didn't recall was how long it took before Zorro's alter ego was divulged to the reader, although McCulley didn't really try too hard to hide his secret identity. People ignorant of the Zorro mythos (and under which rock have you been hiding?) would still be readily able to figure out who Zorro really is. However, the novel was almost at the last page before Zorro finally unmasked. But it was worth it to witness the stunned but happy reaction of Diego's father, Don Alejandro Vega, who had long been disappointed with his wimpish son.

To echo A. Nesbitt's spotlight review, if you thought Johnston McCulley only wrote this one Zorro adventure, think again. McCulley ended up writing more than 60 Zorro stories (65, to be exact), several of which were in serial format. The last Zorro tale, "The Mask of Zorro," was published in 1959 (Short Stories for Men magazine).

Full of derring-do, sword fights, daring escapes, a passionate love story, and a masked hero who laughs scornfully in the face of danger, it's escapism at its finest, imbued with a Spanish/Mexican flavor. Yes, it does borrow a bit from The Scarlet Pimpernel, but no matter. The Mark of Zorro is still as entertaining a read today as it undoubtedly was back in 1919. Give it a try and see why Zorro is hailed as the people's champion and why this book gave birth to so many reincarnations in cinema.

I liked this story quite a bit. I remember when I was a little kid watching The Zorro show on television so I was interested in reading this book and see how it all started. I thought overall it was really good.. Senorita Lolita sounds like a very attractive girl. I like how the story ended as well sort of caught me off guard a bit. If your any at all interested in Zorro then pick this book up.. Good stuff.

Justin

I found "The Mark of Zorro" to be a wonderful romp through a bygone era.
I read this book out loud to my father, and we could hardly put it down. If you like swashbuckling adventures, heroes who stand against injustice and play their part in the struggle between good and evil. Then "The Mark of Zorro" is for you. And if you enjoy finding the origins of things, as much as I do, then this book will be well
worth your wile. A true gem for anyone's collection.

Very good. Can't wait to read the second part. Author came to our Bookclub Meeting and discussed the book, very nice guy. E-mail him may attend yours.

Was somewhat disappointed in this book---every page was just drama, drama and more drama. Instead of the author trying to explain why the characteres were the people they were today throughout the book he waits until the last 50 pages to explain why they were this way. I can see that this author has a way of keeping you interested but was disappointed in the way it was put together.

This is one the best books I have read in a long time. Dywane takes you through a full gambit of emotions- he mkaes you laugh, cry, angry, sad etc. Its a very well written book and I look forward to his next one- From My Soul to Yours. You end up loving and hating some of the characters at the same time, but its a journey thats well worth it.

Kudos!!

If you want to elevate your reading a lil, get this book,, Go ahead, just trust me,, get this one!

Four friends, Britton, Indera, Damascus, and Chyna all seem to function as normal . . . well, practically normal adults.
Feeling introspective, Britton leaves the U.S. and moves to the Dominican Republic where he can contemplate his past.

Indera is an astute and financially successful business woman with a curious penchant for dating only married men. Seems she's a vigilante of sorts. She punishes married men for cheating on their wives by mercilessly separating them from their most cherished asset: their money!

Then, there's Damascus affectionately known as Tee and professionally known as T-Bone. Damascus is a highly paid, highly sought after, male exotic dancer. He has an unusually large, um, T-bone, and an out of control libido. Though he treats women like scum, they line up to give Damascus their goodies and yearn for the opportunity to wrap their lips around his big uh, lemme see, how can I say this without sounding crude... Hmm. Okay, the women fall over each other to get a chance to taste Tee's big, juicy steak!

Chyna appears to have it all. She's pretty and well-educated. She's been married for twenty years to her high school sweetheart. Her husband owns four successful businesses and showers Chyna with plenty of material things. They live in a big, expensive home and have four beautiful children. But Chyna and her husband don't share the same bed.

In this psychological drama, it turns out that all four friends are haunted by secrets from their childhood. The author skillfully slips into the storyline and begins peeling away the layers, exposing the secrets that prevent the characters from evolving. With each heart wrenching revelation, the reader is taken off guard. So, get out your tissues because this novel will tug at your heart strings and all your emotions. It will make you fall out in laughter; draw in a sharp, shocking breath at some of the antics of Indera and Tee. But it will also make you cry. Real tears.

Kudos to Dywane D. Birch for this exceptionally well-written novel. I am a fan and a friend forever.

Four friends. Four survivors. Four conflicted souls. Four vastly different paths leading to one inevitable destination: no matter how long they try to run from their past, Brit, Tee, Indy, and Chyna are destined for a head-on collision with fate. They soon learn that denial is not an option, and only honesty holds the cure, in Dywane Birch's aptly titled Shattered Souls.

As a former director of an adolescent crisis shelter, Birch is more than familiar with the kinds of lives depicted in his tale, thus ably lending it the requisite humanity. He has seen and heard first-hand the scars left in the wake of years of mental, psychological, and physical abuse. Learning in more detail, then, about Brit's abusive father, Tee's molestation in foster homes, Indy's wicked stepmother, and Chyna's familial history of mental illness - you get a very real sense of the muted pain millions of children are made to endure everyday.

The tribulations of Birch's protagonists bring to mind the old phrase, "That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger": even though it fractured their souls, the years of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment at the hands of others has actually strengthened the friends, bolstering their collective survivor's will. At the same time that date/gang rape has inexorably tainted Indy's spirit, it's also fostered a fierce independence within her that shields her from ever being so wounded again. Likewise, Brit comments to his father on his dying bed that the years of his brutal treatment of Brit's mother has, in turn, made him realize just how real men should treat their families, making him vow never to subject his own children - or anyone else's, for that matter - to such treatment.

Shattered Souls evokes many of the same feelings as Antwone Fisher before it: we cringe at the gruesome depictions of abuse & molestation and their damning consequences, but we also rejoice at the redemptive power of healing. You may not agree with every choice that the friends make, but you root for them nonetheless; after all, who among us isn't striving daily to liberate ourselves from the chains of our past?

Dywane Birch does a commendable job piecing together seemingly unrelated phenomena in relating them to a greater, more troubling whole. In so doing, he skillfully reminds us that everything we do yields karmic repercussions the likes of which we can't begin to imagine. Beneath it all, though - and as Indy herself tragically discovers: no matter what others have done to us, the only fate we ultimately have any control over is our own.

For its uncomfortable honesty, its striking candor, and chiefly its unapologetic humanity, Shattered Souls is a highly recommended read.

I was highly disappointed with Little Ghetto Girl,but this one was much better.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm actually looking forward to the next one.

I was sleeping on this book for a very long time, this book was so good, I could not believe there wasn't one dull moment in the book, the plot was thought out and flowed smoothly, characters were described and developed well, and the story had a unique grind of it's own. Danielle Santiago you deserve those 5 stars, because you know you was Grindin when you wrote this one, and I'm get on my grind and anxiously wait for the next one!!

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH, SO OFTEN WHEN WOMEN WRITE ABOUT GANSTA GIRLZ, THEY OVER DO IT. THIS BOOK SHOWED THAT KEN-KEN WAS A STRONG SISTA,FROM VERY STRONG FAMILY BACKGROUND,YET SHE HAD AND WASN'T ASHAMED TO SAY SHE HAD ALOT OF INSECURITIES. THE GIRL WENT THROUGH SOME THANGS,ANYONE WOULD HAVE LOST THEIR MARBLES AS WELL!! MS SANTIAGO I DIDN'T HAVE GREAT EXPECTATION FOR THIS BOOK ,YET I WAS TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY AT HOW WELL THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN!!!! MAY U CONTINUE TO PROSPER SPIRITUALLY AS WELL AS FINACIALLY!!!GOD BLESS U MUCH!!!!!!!

This book was hella good. I finished it in a day. I couldn't put it down it was that good. Great story line and everything. I hope there is a sequel. If you are thinking about buying this book it is well worth it.

This was a great book from the beginning to the end. Ken-Ken and Chaz's relationship was so great full of drama and action packed you gotta love them. I loved the mystery in this book as well. You will laugh and cry in this book it's that good.

I always shy away from historical romance because I thought they were boring. But boy was I wrong. This book was better than most contemporary novels. I loved Kate. She is a strong black woman who speaks her mind but there is also an innocence about her. Dixon was the best; he's sexy, compassionate and a REAL man. Can somebody say Amen! This is a true romance story that will melt your heart. The history is an added bonus. I'm still trying to catch my breath.

I really enjoyed this book from Beverly Jenkins. I think it is the one that I prefer so far. I laughed out loud throughout the entire book.

I really enjoyed how two people from two different worlds were able to find love. They accepted each other as an individual and not try to change their ways or thoughts. I knew love would prevail because opposites always attract. It was a joy to read how their love would finally come to life and how they would let it take over. There was suspense and adventure in this story and a lot of history. This is a book I would recommend and I will read it again.

What can I say but it was awesome!! The characters were amazing and I just loved Dixon Wildhorse. His aura just oozed out of the pages and I find myself daydreaming about the steamy love scenes. I never knew love could be written so well. The writing was superb.

I was dead set against reading romance novels until I picked up this book without knowing it was a romance novel, LOL!! I have to admit I was extremely glad I did.

Awesome history lesson as well as a great story. As someone else pointed out, my favorite scenes were the storm scenes as well. I have read the book 4 times in the last 3 months. I think I will read it again!!

I loved this book and can't get enough of her writings. Her books are always a learning adventure as well as great reads and the history tidbits that she inserts is priceless.

she is the best by far. I love this author she has never let me down I wish I could get a copy of her new one ASAP. All I can say is I love her books.

I have read most of Diane McKinney-Whetstone's books, and this one like the others did not let me down. It is a well crafted, organized story of a very personal nature. It reminds me how nieghborhoods used to be, both black and white. Nieghbors would share and assist raising each other's children, drink each other's food, and get into one another's business without major repercussions. This is the village that raised many of us in the older portion of the modern generation, before we were raised by the video game and television set. The characters are human, sturdy and accessable. I've seen these people, I know these people, I like these people. This is a very well written and enjoyable book. And i would encourage you to read it if you have a chance.

As with all of McKinney-Whetstone's novels, you are moved by her literary prose to destinations, times, eras, and so many fine places of the heart.

I am also a big fan of Diane McKinney Whetstone, and while I'm not sure why it took me so long to buy and read this book, I am really glad that I finally did. Once again the author has given us characters who we can't help but love - even the ones that we probably aren't supposed to! I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait for the next one!

The novel LEAVING CECIL STREET by Diane McKinney-Whetsone is set in Philadelphia in 1969 on a beautiful African-American neighborhood street. It was a joy meeting Joe, Louise, Shay, Alberta, Shawn, Neet, Deucie, and Brownie in the novel. Cecil Street and its inhabitants reminded me of the cohesiveness of the African American neighborhood in the past. This is when African American continued to try to keep their streets as nice and neighborly as possible. The story centers on family, betrayal, secrets, love, survival, and dysfunctional families. It included vivid imagery and was full of nostalgia.

The author's novel writing skills are extraordinary. She really knows how to provide vivid setting descriptions that made you think that you are right there where everything is happening. She gives you a feel for the problems that the characters have contented with in the past and current. Her character descriptions make them seem like someone you have known; they jump right off the page. Even though there were scenes were my teeth cringed (eating cat food, mouth surgery) I couldn't stop reading. This story bought back memories of my childhood neighborhood. Where everyone knew everyone's business however, the neighbors were always there to lend a hand whenever needed

One problem I had with the story was that many of the subplots developed by the author were not brought to a conclusion, which left me with many unanswered questions. In addition, through there some very dicey scenes in the book, as soon as the excitement happened, the book ended. .

Overall, I rated the book a five based on its easy read, vivid descriptions, interesting characters and wonderful story line. What happens on Cecil Street could happen in any neighborhood. If you like a good story, read this book.

I have enjoyed my varied attempts at reading this book. I enjoyed the various presentations on Stage (except Anthony Perkins replaying another bad guy doesn't work for me) My major problem lies in obtaining a large print copy (even in several volumes). Amazon has almost two pages of books, number, etc. Doesn't someone take mercy on us poor souls that don't qualify as visually impaired legally.

... but this was the most popular book, read by soldiers, North and South, during our Civil War. We should be better for hearing democracy in Beethoven, piety in Bach, compassion in Mozart -- and perhaps we do, one person at a time, but I fear we are always running out of time.

I read this book thirty years ago, over two winters, setting it down midway in March 1977 I believe. I had heard a near-complete reading on NPR, spread over at least a month of Saturday afternoons. I always made sure I was home for that; I was a single parent, then, father of a seven year old boy. To use a cheap term of the day, I could 'relate' to Jean Valjean, and I was thrilled by the music that opened each episode: the March to the Scaffold from Berlioz' "Symphony Fantastique." After the final episode, I went out and bought the Modern Library Giant, and began to read.

The radio production was not complete! While I found the details surrounding the Battle of Waterloo truly informative -- the description of the battlefield as a captial A was a vivid model of simplicity -- the long section on the history of the nuns' order where Valjean and his young ward take refuge, and where she is educated, invited a lot of skimming.

Skim where you will, but try to read the complete book. At some later time you can return to those pages you skimmed, and discover what you missed.

Les Miserable, The Brothers Karamazov, War and Peace, Moby-Dick, Joseph and His Brothers, Remembrance Of Things Past (okay, In Search Of Lost Time), Ulysses -- all of these demand much of us, particularly our time. That is a good thing, considering the many ways modern life invites us to waste time, and I could not begin to choose the best among these. Fortunately I don't have to; I might run to "As I Lay Dying" or "Lord Jim" instead.

Meanwhile, I'm glad I devoted a chunk of my life to this book. I do know I emerged a better man for that, and how sad I was when I read the final page, and closed the book.

This is an excellent translation of the classic Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. The section on the Battle of Waterloo makes the reader feel as if he were actually present. This is only one of the memorable parts of this wonderful book. My advise-don't waste your time on an abridged version of this book!

As close to flawless as you could come, no other author can match the storytelling and characterisation. Describes a turbulent period in France, with incredible political and social commentary. Hugo's monumental work explores many themes i.e. why the Restoration was a backward step, the difference between a revolution and a riot; he describes many life's experiences and emotions: the myriad ways people can fall between the cracks into destitution (Fantine, Montepercy); one of the greatest descriptions of falling in love (Marius and Cosette) and how it feels to be in love, the greatest description of a battle (Waterloo), the desperation of a convict (reminds of Henry Charrier -Papillon), the making of men (Marius), unbounding heroism and selflessness(Eponine, Jean Valjean); explores patience, loss, asceticism, rebellion, fulfillment, nationalism, the administation of justice and the overriding theme is CONSCIENCE. I read this and then discovered that Hugo's own daughter lived in Barbados for a number of years living 'on the edge' of destitution. Small world.

This book was written before novels were popularized and thus was written in parts. To bring readers up to speed, many sections of Les Miserables are repetitive. Likewise, there are also many drawn-out sections on the French Revolution.

There are reasons this book is abridged over and over again. It has little to do with length!

I do recommend this version, however. It is the original, unabridged edition by one of Hugo's friends (so you know it's accurate with what Hugo wanted). Start from the beginning, and if you hit a repetitive section or a long section about the French Revolution, don't be afraid to skim over it.

Though it is impressive to say "I've read the Whole Thing," swallow your pride--some sections are honestly not interesting unless you are a real scholar of the French Revolution.

Oh, by the way, this is the greatest story ever written--hands down.

Who doesn't love George and Martha with their dry sense of humor and deep affection for each other.
Great investment and pleasure to read over and over again.

I have always loved the George and Martha stories and couldn't wait to read them to my two boys. They are as good as I remembered. The stories are short but not too cute with storylines that are as much fun for the adults as for the kids. James Marshall manages to pack an awful lot into just a few words. And this book has them all! All the stories in the original size (the new "reader" books have shrunk the pictures). A great book and a fantastic value!

My son loved this Christmas gift! We've had to read a few stories every night since he opened it. It is a great value!! Mommy enjoys the stories too!

After reading a few of these stories to my 5-year-old. I found that we both could enjoy and appreciate the messages within them. This led me to want to buy the entire collection. This is rare for me! Brilliant series!

It's hard to know what is better about George and Martha: the absurdist art or the simple but funny and sweet text. (My favorite case in point: George, an enormous hippo, standing in a tiny hot-air balloon basket, announcing "I'm going to be the first of my species to fly!") My children loved reading it, and I enjoyed reading it to them. Every now and again, my ten year-old still cracks it open for a read. The "complete stories" contains all the G+M books within it so it is not only more economical than buying all the separate books, it is less clutter producing as well.

Anyone who loves Sci-fi and fantasy, or who just loves a good heartwarming, interesting read will love this collection of stories. Zenna Henderson is a masterful writer who portrays a group of very human-like aliens who are marooned on earth after the destruction of their world. They are good people, far more civilized than us, and perhaps a bit naieve. The problem is, they have some abilities that we don't, and that makes them targets for fear. This collection includes all Henderson's People stories from all her various anthologies and even some stories never seen before. All of them are guarenteed to make you smile, make you think, and even to make you cry. Absolutely marvelous!

One of the BEST ever. Is it science fiction? Is it fantasy?? It does not matter...it is wonderful. I hope that her writings are Never lost in the back cupboards of libraries.

Discovering Zenna Henderson's books in the 1960's was one of the most enlightening experiences I've ever had. A gentle and beautiful way to expose the neophyte to wonders otherworldly truths

Zenna Henderson's sci-fi classic short stories concerning the aliens she dubs "The People" are collected in this volume. They follow a general story line that is interesting, if it does seem something of a variation on the "Superman" and his origins theme. That being said, it's a powerful, emotional work that I enjoyed as a moody teenager and enjoyed yet again as a middle-aged man. It gives a sense of connection to those who feel they're alone in the world; at least, it did so to me when I was a boy, and many of those feelings came rushing back when I read Zenna Henderson's stories once more. A thoroughly enjoyable read, though not highly technical in its sci-fi elements.

I try real hard to dislike Zenna Henderson's stories about The People. I'm drawn to the gritter, more hard-wired brand of science fiction, and these stories about the oh-so-wonderful People are just so darned sweet. Plus there's Henderson's writing...these stories read like she crocheted them while sitting in a rocking chair in front of a warm fire.
But somehow, I just CAN'T dislike them. Henderson's stories of advanced aliens trying to survive among the knuckle-draggers of 19th and 20th century Earth, their struggle to remain true to their high ideals without betrying themselves, are immediately engrossing. And Henderson's plotting can grab you from the first sentence and pull you right along, never letting go. Her portrayal of the rural west is digital-clear.
I highly recommend Henderson's People...five stars. Her afterword to the book, an explantion of how The People came to be written, is a hoot, and worth the price of admission. I also recommend reading the time-line at the end of the book...it will save you some confusion in placing the stories in time and place.

I was new to some of these stories. And I was sorry I had not read them years before.Since they date back to the 1950s in many cases, you would think they would seem dated. And some are...but there are so many gems that are worth reading, and reading again. They have aged well. What is a good yarn, written well, will never go out of style.

This book is an amazing read and a must for all sci-fi fans and a possible entry into the genre for the uninitiated. The stories were selected by the science fiction writers of America and represent the stories they feel have shaped science fiction from the 1920s-1960s. Some of these are classics that the average person may have come across in high school english class, like 'Flowers for Algernon', while others are relatively unknown to today's average sci-fi reader.
If you are a sci-fi fan and haven't read the stories contained in this book, then you owe it to yourself to either buy this book or borrow it from your library, because these stories have laid the foundation for all the sci-fi that has followed. If you want to get your teenager into reading, buy them this book...the stories are short, but they are extremely enjoyable which makes it great for teenagers.

This book, Volume 1, is well worth getting. The stories are the best and many are classics.

This is a great book, if you are a sci fi fan. The vendor was first rate. The book arrived quickly and in excellent condition. There are some true sci fi classics in this volume, and the authors from the "Golden Era" of Sci Fi are all represented here. I intend to keep this book on my shelf forever.
Myron

A great collection of stories that should be a catalyst for readers to further explore the works of those included. But, how could the members of the SFWA leave out the noteworthy works of SF giants Philip Dick and Jack Vance? Volume size must have been an issue; or could it be the case that Dick and Vance are more appreciated by the cognoscenti? Any "greatest" volume should include these two names as masters of the genre, in my opinion and readers not familiar with their work should reward themselves with an excursion into their richly crafted worlds.

Japan. 1912. Japanese society is divided, or at least complex. Still with most of it's body and soul in the ancient tradition of the East, but with ever increasing impulses towards the "Western culture" (In the unsemitically correct reality, we of the "West" have infinitely more in common with the traditional culture of the East than we do the current world-wide Weimar Republic, but oh well). Mishima, the author, was more or less a Japanese representative of the "conservative revolution", and appears to have been quite well read. His life reminds me in many ways of Corneliu Codreanu and Julius Evola. His well-known dramatic ritual suicide as a protest against the betrayal of tradition in Japan, and the Japanese submission to American rule, followed him and his radical "right wing" organization's (The Shield Society) failure to arouse the Japanese Defence Force into rebelling.

The book is the first in a tetralogy, and follows Kiyoaki Matsugae, a young student from a family of the lower nobility in his relationship with Satoko Ayakura, the daughter of one of the 28 families of the higher nobility, her being the daughter of a count. The book in many ways actually reminded me of the excellent "Victoria" by Knut Hamsun, with the constant back and forth in the interaction between the characters, sometimes they love each other dearly, and at other times torment each other. Such is the nature of difficult relationships, I guess! The book paints a very vivid picture of the end of a noble era, and the translation I read was excellently done. The moral teaching of this period, and it's sometimes less noble effects is excellently portrayed.

Through certain misunderstandings, Satoko ends up being future wife of one of the royal princes, and Kiyoaki is driven to despair. Long story short, as all the books in the series, there is no happy ending, but that is basically the ending of all our lives. This is a book I highly recommend, and apart from a few minor flaws, it is all in all an excellent tale, and I look very much forward to reading the rest of the series. 4,5 stars.

(I read a different edition)

Maybe it was a bad transalation. Maybe I could not relate as a westerner to an old Japanese story, but I really did not enjoy this book. It was maudlin and unbelievable. Story was boring. Character development was terrible and it was poorly written/transalated. I recommend Murakami's Norwegian Wood for those who want to read books by Japanese authors.

Mishima's Spring Snow is a coming-of-age tale for nouveau riche Kiyoaki, whose naive childhood crush on the more mature Satoko grows into something much more powerful, beautiful and, ultimately, destructive. Kiyoaki's failings are human and familiar; acting on rash impulses, immaturity, a failure to realise what he wants till he has lost it. Mishima's characterisation is finely drawn and accurate. The scheming Tadeshina turns out to have her own secret heartbreak, enervated Ayakura lacks guile but not luck, the ancient loyalties of the Abessess make her a formidable eminence grice. The characters are at once individually drawn and representative of a unique and fascinating era of flux and change in Japan, as ancient modes of behaviour gave way to modernising forces. Mishima's novel is both of its time and timeless. A true masterpiece.

Just finished reading an excellent book, just a few minutes ago, and I feel compelled to write a review, while ideas are still fresh in my mind.

This is the first book I've finished reading for my Summer Reading. The book is called Snow Spring (Haru no Yuki) by Mishima Yukio and its the first book in his masterpiece, The Sea of Fertility or Hojou no Umi. The Sea of Fertility is a series of four novels by one of Japan's greatest authors. The book I have is the Vintage International edition, translated by Michael Gallagher.

This novel really moved me. In the last 100 pages, I couldn't do anything but finish it. Just like a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, where the reader hangs onto every word until the truth and mystery is finally revealed in the last word, so does this novel grip the reader.

On the surface is a conventional tale of the Japanese idea of unrequited love, a theme that is done over and over again in Japanese fiction. What sets this piece apart from others, is Mishima narrative drive and richly detailed characters and the psychological insight into every major and minor character involved.

Kiyoaki begins his ill fated relationship with the beautiful Satoko, whom he has known all his life. At first he disregards her and then he is on fire to obtain her love after she is engaged to a Prince. Wealthy families are invovled in making the Wedding ceremony a success and any type of scandal leaking out to the press must be avoided at all costs. But Kioyaki single minded determination to pursure Satoko, despite such obstacles, causes the reader to want him to succeed.

On the one hand, Kiyoaki lets his desires and emotions rage out of control and on the other all those emotions put him into action. He used to sit around in his room all day, lonely and depressed, until he just decided to pusure love. Its his drive to obtain love and his selfish quest for Satoko's heavenly beauty that pushes him along page after page. These type of overly romantic novels can quickly turn unwittingly comical in lesser writer. But Mishima combines the richness of Japanese traditional and culture with romantic ideas of love and realistic views, based in concrete reality, that prevent the work from becoming a low form of soap opera.

The novel is both realistic novel and emotional charged romantic that causes the entire work to be a cleverly crafted paradox. For example, Honda is Kiyoaki's best friend in high school. Honda has a revelation that he must prevent Kiyoaki from pursuing Satoko becomes of his friend's harmful obession. The fact that Honda can't bring himself to hurt his friend by giving him a cold rational arguement, shows love between friends that isn't distorted by irrational love. Kiyoaki's love for Satoko is more based on his own selfish fantasy. It is this fantastic love that wins out between Satoko and over Honda, who had good intentions but failed to act on them. Irrational love wins out over the gloom of reality.

Without giving away any more of the story, let me just end with how this book took over my imagination and wouldn't let it go for 2 whole days. All day Saturday and all Sunday afternoon, I cared more about the characters in this story then my own family. I couldn't do anything else except finish reading it.

It starts out slow but builds to a breakneck speed in the end. It is highly recommended for anyone who wants to read an excellent novel this Summer. Forget about it being Japanese and look past all that exoticism and you will see the novel for all its beauty.

Today I will start on the second novel in the series, called Runaway Horses.

I can't wait.

In "Spring Snow," Yukio Mishima has chosen the perfect title for his novel. The narrative is as gentle and as beautiful as wet snow on spring blossoms, and indeed there is a poignant scene where two lovers have a tryst in a rickshaw under such conditions. It was my first foray into the world of Mishima -- indeed, of Japanese literature -- and will not be my last.

The story of a young and handsome aristocrat, Kiyoaki Matsugae, and the beautiful and mysterious Ayakura Satoko, comes from the same time-honored tradition of as more familiar star-crossed lovers such as Romeo and Juliet, Pyramus and Thisbe, Tristan and Isolde, and Lancelot and Guinevere. Set just after the Russo-Japanese War in the early 20th century, the novel offers intriguing insights into a Japanese culture that is at once in flux and clinging to traditions.

If you love a writer whose strength is description of nature, Mishima is not to be missed. His words are as fit as any Nature Channel special on the wonders of Japan and he is equally adept at describing the contours of his young lovers' bodies. In addition to the sensual and sensuous wonders, the inner psychology of passion-plagued minds is a point of expertise for this writer. He deftly avoids sentimentalism while walking the thin line between hatred and love, between passion and pain.

Symbolism, description, psychology, and a gentle narrative pace. What's not to love? Readers looking for a fast-paced plot might not be overwhelmed, but those who love it when they stumble upon a "writer's writer" will be glad they tried Yukio Mishima. It is the first book of the tetralogy, "The Sea of Fertility."