Emergency Skin
Emergency Skin by N.K. Jemisin My rating: 5 of 5 stars I got Emergency Skin as a free Prime read. It’s a long short story, part of the Forward collection, excellent sci fi. The meeting…
Category: Reading
Washington Square
Washington Square by Henry James My rating: 3 of 5 stars I selected Washington Square for diversion with an edifying thread. Unfortunately, it was a tragedy. Caroline did not overcome her weakness and her father…
Eligible Book Snapshot
Very fine recasting of Pride and Prejudice to 21st century America with liberated woman and massive changes in technology and daily life.
Best American Essays
I can enjoy these essays as well as study the structure the authors used to achieve their effects.
Goodreads and Book Snapshots
Goodreads supported book snapshot reviews better than my site. Now I use Goodreads for my new reading.
Speed of a Novel. Middlemarch
More action with shorter sequels is the rule in commercial fiction these days, but I mustn't forget that the sequels must be full enough to make the skein of actions sensibly linked.
Reading Appreciation Class
One lady shook her head and said to me, "I wanted to ask him (the teacher) why don't we read any stories that are happy"
Novel Form
Novels require suspense about the outcome between a determined person and a formidable obstacle. If the story cannot be cast in that shape, then another mode of telling the story is required
Reaction to Vicar of Wakefield
The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith My rating: 3 of 5 stars Goldsmith’s novel is a child of the Age of Reason. It’s much too heavily weighed to the intellect. It devolved into talking…
Thomas Wolfe’s House
After Biltmore on Saturday, Kris and I walked in downtown Asheville Sunday morning and early afternoon. Great restaurants, street vendors, and specialty stores. Thomas Wolfe’s childhood house was in easy walking distance. He populated Look…