Review: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

Review by Shellie for The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Shellie’s quick take:  A wonderful, engaging historical fiction novel that has the science of botany as a key element. It has an amazing strong female character and an encompassing theory on the nature of all things.

Shellie’s description:   When Alma Whitaker is born in Pennsylvania, USA in the year 1800, her exceptionally wealthy British father Henry is pleased. Alma will be his only natural child, will receive an education uncommon for women, and will want for almost nothing for her entire life. Alma is not a beautiful woman, but her strengths lie in her brilliant scientific mind and her excellent constitution. She spends her childhood days categorizing plants and reading in her father’s huge library. As an adult Alma becomes one of the first women to publish within the field of botany.

This is the richly imagined life story of Alma Whitaker, her driven father whose interest and dedication to botany build him a fortune, and her stalwart and complex family. It is set relatively soon after the American Revolution, during the civil war, and while the theory of evolution was taking form.

Shellie’s thoughts:    There’s a lot to like about this book. From the very start it becomes apparent that Elizabeth Gilbert is an expert story teller. I was entirely swept away with writing that flows and that captured me from the first page until the last. I particularly like that the characters are well developed and complex with a lot of back story. The book also has some famous historical characters which adds to the richness of the story line - such as Charles Darwin and Captain James Cook, who where significant contributors to science and botany - giving the book an authentic historical feel. There are some interesting settings within the novel which may intrigue readers, such as Kew Gardens, a botanical garden in London established in 1756 that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Tahiti, where the author goes into a good deal of depth about the culture and the setting.

As the title suggests one of the book’s major themes is a grand sweeping theory about the nature of humans and life in general, and since it is one that I agree with it made me like the book even more. My only quibble would be a strong and slightly embarrassing sexual thread that runs through the novel, which was a bit much for me. If this particular element had been a little lighter the book would have rated higher in my opinion. However, it’s a terrific novel and comes highly recommended. I would say one of my favorites this year at 4.5 stars.

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Paperback | 512  Pages | 24 Jun 2014 | Penguin Books | Adult

Review: Wood (a novella) ~ by Robert Dunbar

Review by Shellie for: Wood ~ by Robert Dunbar

A metaphorical and darkly hilarious novella about an environmentally poisoned wood where a ravenous monster awakens.

About:  A young ward of the state decides to leave the safety of her group home to return home to her dying grandmother. Her friend reminds her of the darkness that lurks outside of the doors; a monster is waking up slowly to a deep hunger in the dead woods. There is no food to satisfy its need, not even a starving rat. Where will it feed?

A lonely gay man living on the edge of the woods opens his door for the runaway girl in time to save her from what lurks in the cold darkness. This is their story.

Thoughts:  A story with a moral, its more funny than scary – though that’s not to say that I did not get the chills or that my heart remained at its regular pace for the entire novel. It is a chilling tale. But laughing while one has goose pimples is a curious sensation; Wood definitely did this for me.

Even better, it’s only a 60 page novella with some colorful characters. Socially marginal individuals – these people are loners, orphans, and from the hidden classes of society. They are those that remain in the peripheral of our vision, barely noticed, but have their valid tales to tell. What’s important to their story is that these characters are not victims, creating a different example for those faced with real life horrors.

Intelligent with some snarky dialog, this is not a typical horror story. It’s an emotional roller coaster trip through metaphorical darkness and hilarity. A 4-star in my opinion. I recommended it for anyone who likes unusual characters, complex dry humor, and  surprisingly nice endings.

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Robert Dunbar is a writer, editor, and playwright. He has written for radio, television and theater and is the author of The Pines, The Shore, Martyrs & Monsters, and Willy.

He is amazingly funny and in his spare time he likes to imagine himself as a professional ice skater, or possibly a trainer of tarantulas for jungle pictures. Find out more about him at his website and blog; Goodreads (his group there ~ Literary Horror); Twitter; and Facebook.

For an insightful interview with Robert Dunbar, and more about his other books please see our post from 2011.

I reviewed Robert’s book WILLY in 2011 (text links to Shellie’s review). It also made our 2011 best of the year list (links to the list).

Have a fabulous weekend!

Giveaway: Martyrs and Monsters ~ by Robert Dunbar

Giveaway: Martyrs & Monsters ~ by Robert Dunbar

We have one “real” copy for a US address, offered graciously by the author. It is a collection of tales of horror for intelligent adults; and are also tastefully written GLBT stories.

Martyrs & Monsters runs the gamut, embracing vampires and sea serpents, werewolves and swamp creatures . . . as well as a host of nightmares for which no names exist. Whether set on an orbiting space station or within a haunted tenement, these terrifying tales are steeped in a passionate intensity that renders them all but unique. 288 pages; Uninvited Books (2011) http://www.uninvitedbooks.com/

What is being said about the collection from “those in the know”: 

"The master of quiet horror returns with a superior collection of short stories. Carefully cadenced phrasing ... imbued with a trademark Southern Gothic sensibility and hauntingly sensual imagery ... touches a primordial fear center. Unnervingly erotic ... this is what horror does best."  ~ HellNotes

"A masterpiece." ~ Dark Scribe Magazine

"Brilliantly chilling ... searingly erotic." ~ The Edge

"Substantial amounts of panache and poetic insight."  ~ Cemetery Dance Magazine

"Provocative ... vivid and visceral."  ~ GUD Magazine

"Never less than brilliant."  ~ The Black Abyss

"A milestone of modern horror."  ~ The Black Glove

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Now for the Giveaway:

You do not need to be a follower to enter, but please do the following: 

• Follow ~ Robert Dunbar on his twitter account: https://twitter.com/UninvitedBooks
• OR
• Like ~ Uninvited Books on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uninvited-Books/169858549691114
• AND 
• Enter via the Google document below:

 

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Robert Dunbar is a writer, editor, and playwright. He has written for radio, television and theater and is the author of The Pines, The Shore, Martyrs & Monsters, and Willy.

He has achieved extraordinary levels of critical acclaim; he has penned articles for numerous and diverse publications; his mainstream fiction and his poetry have appeared in literary journals; and his plays have been produced in regional theatres. He has also scripted programs for public television and the Discovery Channel and is a frequent lecturer at colleges and literary societies.

But most importantly he is amazingly funny and in his spare time he likes to imagine himself as a professional ice skater, or possibly a trainer of tarantulas for jungle pictures. Find out more about him at his website and blog; Goodreads (his group there ~ Literary Horror); Twitter; and Facebook.

For an insightful interview with Robert Dunbar, and more about his other books please see our post from 2011.

I reviewed Robert’s book WILLY in 2011 (text links to Shellie’s review). It also made our 2011 best of the year list (links to the list).

Good luck!

Review: Willy ~ by Robert Dunbar

 

Review by Shellie for: Willy ~ by Robert Dunbar

A disturbing and poignant coming of age story with elements of suspense and psychological terror which verges on the paranormal.

About:  Arriving at his most recent boy’s school, the story’s narrator is among a number of “marginal” young adults living at the facility, perhaps with behavior problems or mental health issues – quintessential “lost boys”. The school appears to be their last resort before incarceration or asylums.

The story has a murky and gothic feeling – being set in an icy wintery season, containing dysfunctional adult characters, and taking place within decrepit halls and dusty corridors. Amazingly the story teller is never named. Lost in the system and within himself, our narrator tells his tale via cryptic journal entries, through which we see that he is “damaged” as he enters yet another broken educational facility.

Enter Willy, a charismatic, intelligent and contrastingly wealthy roommate to our story teller. He sees through the façade of the school and its teachers, and assists the boys to understand they are of value – especially our unnamed character. But this comes at a price, and as the story progresses the reader can only guess what is really going on.

My Thoughts:   Through the narrator’s journaling, appropriate for a young person’s developing writing skills, the reader is led on a dark rollercoaster ride with only small glints of hopefulness. We see a lack of self worth, dark teacher student conflict, and a crooked system where the needs of the lost and disabled are not met by teachers/administrators. This is contrasted with emerging feelings of self discovery, including youthful romantic angst, and some normal coming of age fun and games.

Robert Dunbar’s grasp of the human experience is heart-piercing and he clearly understands these lost souls. Here, Willy is speaking to our main character:

“You don’t know what you are. You’re lost in yourself and you can’t always be. Would be a tragedy. Yes? No? Don’t nod like that. You don’t understand. Are you even awake enough to hear? It would be a tragedy because you feel, and you can’t imagine how rare that is, not yet. But you could. Be strong. If you survive long enough.”

One thing I think may be difficult for some readers is accessing the narrator’s language – a key to the story. It is choppy with some stream of consciousness thought which gives it a dissociative feel. However, I loved it and was at the edge of my seat while reading the book. The author effectively uses this and a variety of techniques to create a combination of angst and chills

In summary Willy, with its bits of resolution and redemption, was hard to put down. I think that it will be enjoyable for many mainstream readers, especially those who enjoy coming of age stories, stories that border on paranormal, and those that leave the reader wondering how it will all work out. There is some light m/m romance and glbt intimacy with tasteful sexual allusions, and also some slightly strong language and gore. This novel is distinctly intelligent, emotionally insightful and alarming; the reader is left with only a reference, a wonder, and a delicious dark suspicion of what has actually occurred. This genre-blending story gets 4 stars in my opinion. I loved it!

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Paperback: 272 pages; Uninvited Books (January 24, 2011) US|UK|Canada.

If you’re interested in reading an excerpt – see Uninvited Book’s excerpt of Willy ~ by Robert Dunbar.

Robert Dunbar is a playwright, has written for radio, television and theater and is the author of The Pines, The Shore, and Martyrs & Monsters. In his spare time he likes to imagine himself as a professional ice skater, or possibly a trainer of tarantulas for jungle pictures. You can find more about him on his website and blog, Goodreads (his wonderful group there – Literary Horror,) Twitter, and Facebook.

UNINVITED BOOKS is a new independent press dedicated to restoring the mantle of literary distinction to dark fiction.

Coming soon - an author interview and giveaway - I hope!  Robert Dunbar is such an interesting and talented person and he is hilarious. I can’t wait!

Thanks for reading!

Review: Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott

 

Review by Shellie: Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott

A futuristic science fiction novel with underground “noir-ish” themes, which takes the reader on a journey via internal biological internet connections into an intriguing online world.

Trouble is well known online as one of the best and most notorious “crackers”. She is a future version of a hacker, where cracking is breaking through IC(E) –  the acronym for the complex security systems which simulate actual ice.  Intriguingly, web users have connections to the web via “dollie ports” and “brain worms” giving a “virtual reality” experience to being online, where one smells color.

A story set in a dystopian US where things have gone environmentally sour, the beaches are so polluted that visiting them is toxic. Political factions have set in place laws which make “cracking” illegal and dangerous. As the stakes become higher, Trouble disappears in an effort to protect herself.

What brings her out of hiding is that someone is using her name. Not happy (neither are some significant powers that be), she emerges to set things right. As Trouble lives up to her name - she and her friends have an interesting and not entirely safe romp into an online and real-world futuristic adventure.

Trouble and Her Friends is cyberpunk. It is a subgenre which is characterized by a high tech dystopian environment with characters that are of marginal class standing. It is also said to have a “noir-ish” feel. Which are perfect descriptions for this science fiction novel.

Melissa Scott uses many intriguing science fiction concepts - for example the “dollie ports” and “brain worms” which actually hook the user up to the net through implants into the body. Beyond the nerdy bits she also has included romance (lgbt), virtual sex (nicely done), and the experience of traveling the net via internally hard wired brain connection with some excellent results.

I could not imagine a writer being able to tell you about a virtual web experience as it occurs in Trouble’s world. But she does – and very well at that. Scott uses a technique that toggles between real world and internet experiences, using italicized letters for the virtual world travels and normal text for the real world experience.

Despite the description, the book is very accessible and is actually a mystery thriller set in a darker future time. There are strong female characters (another favorite element) and it has some realistic science (another one too). I will be looking at this author and this subgenre more. This is an impressive novel with a redemptive ending. I give it 4 stars.

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Amazon links US|UK|Canada; 384 pages; Orb Books; First Edition edition (February 1, 2011)

The version of the novel that I read is a reprint by Tor/Orb which was originally published in 1994 winning a well deserved Lambda award in the same year. For more information on the book check out our release post for the book – Trouble and Her Friends.

Tor has a number of posts around LGBT science fiction and fantasy for anyone who is interested in this element check out their feature - Queering of Science Fiction and Fantasy. They currently have a variety of books out which has LGBT themes included in their pages. One which is on my nightstand that I have not had the chance to read is Black Blade Blues ~ by J. A. Pitts.

For additional information on the cyberpunk genre this text links to Wikipedia's definition, as well as a list of books which are included in this subgenre.

This novel will be included in The Basics Challenge; The LGBT Challenge; The Science Fiction Challenge, and goodness knows where else it will fit!

Thanks for reading.

Review: Possession (in audio) ~ by A. S. Byatt

 

Review by Shellie:  Possession ~ by A.S. Byatt  (in audio, performed by Virginia Leishman)

A multilayered award winning tale of interwoven romances. Set in two different centuries and connected ingeniously through letters and journals. It has elements which include faeries, myth, poetry, science, feminism, lgbt, and Victoriana.

Setting:  Primarily set in the late 1980s in London we have a variety of academics whose interests lie in a celebrated poet’s life and work - Randolph Henry Ash. He is a source of intense exploration and historical interest for these scholars, as they research his body of work in their highly competitive environment. From their findings on his life during the mid to late 1800’s it appears Ash led a very quiet and uneventful life. But as one researcher finds out via misplaced letters, they are very wrong.

Thus begins the recovery of the missing pieces that will fill in the blanks for this group of academics, who become ever more obsessed as they struggle to be the first to piece together the juicy details that are alluded to in the new findings. As two of the scholars try and answer their questions they find themselves traipsing to various areas in England and France to find the answers.

Sound simple? Not a chance - there is so much more. This convoluted story will take you back to a very different time, but there is also a wealth of incredible subplots and threads.

Thoughts:  I started and abandoned Possession several times. Giving up on try number two, I thought the writing to be inaccessible, overly intellectual and boringly academic. Now I am thinking one develops “reading muscles”, and considering my years of hiatus from reading fiction I was out of shape. Having read bits about the book’s elements since, I realized the book fits inside a favorite circle of my interests. I gave it another try in audio.

This unabridged audio version was read by Virginia Leishman, and she moderates her voice for each of the character’s while changing accents - ranging from English to Scottish to American and with a believable voice for changes in gender. Excellently done, my only “complaint” is that the narrator’s voice is so pleasant she lulled me to sleep on various occasions. So listening while tired or sleepy is not recommended.

The novel has some interesting elements and literary techniques interwoven inside it. These include threads about fairies, what appears to be paranormal events, and scientific research – including the collection of insect, plant and sea life (all popular with the gentry during Victorian times). The author also expertly uses several literary devices; for example, the usage of poetry as a preclusion to the chapters called epigraphs. Through this method the author has written and included some complex poetry. Lastly the story is told via letters and journal entries making it epistolary. 

Not a fluffy romance, it is a complex, realistic yet sad romance – where real life choices and their consequences are exemplified and I liked that it does not end with everyone living happily ever after. In summary, Possession is out of the ordinary, intellectual and academic – making it a book that not everyone will enjoy. It is also descriptive, metaphorical, dense and an amazing work of fiction. It deserves a rare 5 stars in my opinion.

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US|UK|Canada; Duration: 22 hours, 45 minutes Dec 21, 2004; Unabridged; HarperCollins – HarperAudio  Awards: Best Audio Books - Library Journal; Man Booker Prize for Fiction -1990.

Although not completely poetry, Possession includes poems and the story is about poets.

I am thinking that for readers who are not all that excited about poetry this book could be a perfect way to honor - National Poetry Month in April. So, with that in mind, I am including this review in Savvy Verse & Wit’s celebration.

It will also be included in several other challenges including – Fill in the Gaps; LGBT Challenge and others to be determined.

Thanks for reading.

Re-Release and Preview: Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott

 

Tomorrow is re-release day for this award winning Science Fiction re-print by Orb (a subsidiary of Macmillan):    Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott

This book was originally published in 1994, and will be available in paperback  in the US and Canada –tomorrow, February 1st. It is currently available in the UK now. They all have this great cover.

Here’s a bit about the book: 

India Carless, alias Trouble, managed to stay one step ahead of the feds until she retired from life as a hacker and settled down to run a small network for an artist’s co-op.

Now someone has stolen her pseudonym and begun to use it for criminal hacking. So Trouble returns. Once the fastest gun on the electronic frontier, she has been called out of retirement for one last fight. And it’s a killer.

Less than a hundred years from now, the forces of law and order crack down on the world of the internet. It is the closing of the frontier. The hip, noir adventurers who got by on wit, bravado, and drugs, who haunt the virtual worlds of the shadows of cyberspace are up against the edges of civilization. It’s time to adapt or die.

Author Bio:   Melissa Scott lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She won the John Campbell Award at the start of her career, and is twice winner of the Lambda Award for SF, which Trouble and Her Friends won in 1994. For a listing of her books see ISFDB – Internet Speculative Fiction Data Base.

Amazon links US|UK|Canada.

 

(Lambda Literary Awards 2008 badge via Wikipedia) – love those guys!

I am very excited about this book since there are so few LGBT award winning Science Fiction works. A big thank you to the hard working people at Orb/Tor for sending Layers of Thought a copy of this book!  Its going to the top o’ the teetering pile.  I just need to hide it from John.

Thanks for reading.

Review: In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

 

A review by Shellie for: In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

Set around the Vietnam war, this is a dark and heart wrenching story of identity with an atypical hero as the main character.

About: This is a story about a boy who awkwardly grows into a damaged man, in part due to his experiences of emotional abuse at the hands of his father. Putnam, the main character, endures extreme swings in his father’s attentions; in his attempts to please his difficult father, “Put” does a number of things which cause a descent into self doubt and confusion, furthering his personal misunderstandings about himself.

As he becomes a young man and in an attempt to bury his feelings, he takes steps into a lifestyle where he believes his proclivities will be repressed or changed. Choosing the military and officer training, he throws  himself into his studies and intense physical training. Yet that does not stop the temptations he is trying to mask. He takes this attempt at repression one step further, and in his depressive state volunteers for a tour to Vietnam – a mission of apparent suicide. The story has been set and this is the beginning of a number of heroic actions.

Thoughts:  In this heartbreaking yet redemptive literary novel, there is an underlying question as to whether a person who is “confused” or who has a sexual identity which is not entirely accepted  socially is less capable of defending his or her country. As a reader I could feel deeply for what was going on internally and externally for Putnam, as he tries to reconcile who he is and what social expectations are for him as a soldier and a man. Even more, the book asks - what is it that actually defines a person as a hero?  This novel is GLBTQ, and serves to show that even individuals who do not fit into our “ideal” of what a hero is, can be committed to their country and can be just as heroic as those who do. I give this powerful and emotional novel 4 stars.

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Purchasing links for Amazon are US/UK/Canada, The Book Depository Euro/AUD.

For further information on this book please see Layers of Thoughts preview for the book.

This book will be included in a variety of challenges – GLBT 2010, Feel My Sorrow, War Through the Generations – Vietnam, New Authors Challenge.

Thanks for reading!

Review by Shellie: The Recipe Club – a tale of food and friendship by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel

 

A tasty tale about two friends and their lives in letters to each other, where they share some delicious sounding recipes.

Synopsis:  This is an epistolary novel told via letters between the two main characters. Lily is a free spirited beauty and Val a smart and educated doctor. Through the letters, started as little girls, they share recipes and their lives. At first told by emails, the story moves back into time and the use of postal mail when the two women are younger. As they tell their tale of friendship, family dysfunctions, and the drama which has separated them in their early twenties you get to read their recipes as well.

My Thoughts:  This is a “sweet” tale, of two friends and their platonic love for each other. (I do want to mention that one small ingredient of the book is LGBT giving it some interest, complications, and intrigue). As the letters catalog their lives, conflicts, emotional drama, and life experiences during the 1960’s and 70’s, there is invariably some historical content too.

The hard bound edition that I read is printed on lovely thick pages. The recipes have artsy doodles and interesting set ups appropriate for each event and the ages of the girls/women. All this makes it a beautiful and physically heavy book. What is the best part about this book is that the recipes are amazing. They are full fat, comfort food and drinks, all of which are associated with the life events happening for each of the characters.  Definitely fun!

I enjoyed this book but in the end I would say my quibble with the book is that the ending was a bit “cheesy” (pun intended) and slightly unbelievable, but others may enjoy its twist. In balance I would say that I liked this book and would give it 3 stars. I would also give the recipes a 4.5 stars but they are not for anyone considering any sort of weight loss.

For more information on the book, the authors, as well as purchasing links please see Layers of Thought's preview for The Recipe Club.

Once again thanks for reading Layers of Thought. Have a great Tuesday!

Trilogy Debut Preview: Black Blade Blues by J. A. Pitts

Black Blade Blues by J. A. Pitts

Book Data:

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1 edition (April 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• Genre: Urban Fantasy

Book Blurb:  Sarah Beauhall has more on her plate than most twenty-somethings: day job as a blacksmith, night job as a props manager for a low-budget movie, and her free time is spent fighting in a medieval re-enactment group.

When the lead actor breaks Sarah’s favorite one-of-a-kind sword, it sends the director into fits. Sarah agrees to repair the blade to avoid reshooting scenes.

One of the extras claims to be a dwarf and offers to help her at the forge. That’s when things start to get weird. Could the sword really be magic, as he claims? Why does he want her to kill a Portland investment banker? And what is it about that homeless guy that has her on edge?

As if things weren’t surreal enough at that point, Sarah’s girlfriend Katie breaks out the dreaded phrase… “I love you.”

Black Blade Blues is about forging an existence in a world that is much different than one expects.

Oh, and dragons.

About J. A. Pitts:  J. A. Pitts has written all his life. He has published a number of short stories. He has had many strong women in his life on which to base his female characters upon. To find more info about the author and his debut series go to his website. For some in depth information here is an author interview with J. A. Pitts at Tor.com.

Amazon purchasing links are for US/UK/Canada.

This book was sent to Layers of Thought via the publisher. A big thank you to Tor and their publicist for sending this copy.  How fun is this?

This is the first in a trilogy, and is an action packed urban fantasy with Nordic Mythological themes – very cool. This book will be perfect for the GLBT (mini) Challenge 2010, which has an August theme which is speculative fiction.

Thanks for reading Layers of Thought!

ARC Review by Shellie: Keeper by Kathi Appelt

 

Mini Synopsys:   This is a children’s and pre-teen book where the main character is Keeper. She is an almost ten year old girl who lives on the beach by the gulf of Mexico in Texas. There are a menagerie of animals in her life - two dogs, a cat, and a seagull, but what is special is that she can hear them talk.

She is well loved and cared for by Signe, her mom by default, their friend Dogie (a healing war veteran turned local surf board rental guy), and an old Russian sailor named Mr. Beauchamp. Keeper is like many young girls of that age, still believing in the magical, which includes ghosts and “merfolk”.

One particularly bad day she gets herself into very hot water, or should I say ocean water, in an attempt to find her “real mother” whom she believes to be a mermaid. We can only imagine what can happen here, as myth and folklore are combined and fantasy seamlessly blends into reality in this sweet and heart wrenching tale.

My Thoughts:   I loved this little book because it is a wonderful introduction to multicultural mermaid lore for a youngster (and in my case, adult). The author includes “merfolk” from different cultures within the story including characters whom are multicultural as well; their ethnicity is not completely defined. Because of these elements and more I believe Keeper will be an excellent teaching tool. It can be used as a spin-off for lessons on water safety, myth/fairytales/folklore and their definitions and differences, some science based lessons on geology and marine biology, as well as the defining of reality and make believe. All are important concepts in a growing mind, and if I remember correctly are included in many state curriculums.

Examining things further with the theme of adult “joint or supervised read”, the book has a number of time shifts where the author goes back and forth between the present and the past giving the story a complexity which some younger readers may struggle with, if not explained by or discussed with an adult. The story also includes  issues around abandonment, as well as the importance of creating family ritual, which a younger reader may not completely understand unless they are discussed. These all can be very good things if the book is moderated.

In addition the book contains illustrations which are simple that will interest a younger reader transitioning into more wordy books. The author also has a way of creating simple yet very deep and meaningful language which cuts to one’s heart and which is lovely for both children and adults. I think that the most special aspect of the story is that it contains several wonderful and key GLBT characters. Lastly, the ending is the type which I prefer, not completely that of a fairytale but with a slight tweak making one think, feel, and remember.

Highly recommended reading for adults who like myth and folklore mixed with realism, and for those who read to and teach children. As for children I would say all but a few will love it. I am rating this a 4 stars. I imagine that this story will be nominated for a variety or children’s book award.

I feel very fortunate to have received this copy of this special book. I believe it has only just been published so should be available for purchase now. For more information on the book, the author, as well as purchasing links see Layers of Thought's preview for Keeper.

This book will be included in a variety of challenges - New Author Challenge, The Speculative Fiction Challenge, The Basics Challenge, The GLBT Challenge, and The Once Upon a Time Challenge.

Thanks for reading Layers of Thought!

Short Story Review: The Goosle by Margo Lanagan - for the Once Upon a Time Challenge IV

• The Goosle
• by Margo Lanagan
• Genre: fairy tale “after telling”, dark fantasy, horror

The Goosle is a ten page short story which is part of The Best Horror of the Year – Volume 1, edited by Ellen Datlow. I stumbled upon it in the library entry way display shelf. Because I love horror and Margo Lanagan’s name was on the cover, I picked it up hopefully. I was imagining that she would in fact be writing a fairy tale ”ish” story, as in her book Tender Morsels (my 5 star review linked.) I was happily excited.

This short story is a very dark “afterwards” to Hansel and Gretel. It occurs after the actual tale, when Hansel is a young man instead of a boy. There is no Gretel and things have changed greatly since he was a small child lost in the woods. I would say they are a bit more complicated. He is caught up in another tangle of sorts, albeit worse than being lost in the woods. I will go no further since I do not want to include spoilers, but Lanagan brings in a number of taboo subjects making it shocking. I think to finish this short story the reader needs to truly enjoy “dark fantasy”. It is however a fantastic story, heart wrenching, thoughtful, as well as layered. One of my favorite types of reading. After reading this piece, and it is only my second by this author, I am thinking Margo Lanagan is one of the best writers of dark fantasy that I have read, and she is heading for a place at the top of all writers as well. Highly recommended, especially for those with strong stomachs, hearts, and sensibilities. Now to find more short stories which can compete *sigh*.

This story also has GLBT elements.

 

Book Stats:

Paperback: 350 pages

Publisher: Night Shade Books (October 15, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1597801615

ISBN-13: 978-1597801614

Amazon Links: US/UK/Canada

This is my first post for The Once Upon a Time Challenge hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings.

 

Now off to the trails, for a “walk”. Sadly the season will be ending soon. It will be in the high 80s today in our lovely “Hotsdale”, only to reach oven like status before we know it. Happy Sunday everyone!

Review by Shellie: Fun Home by Allison Bechdel

 

Book Overview:

This is a coming of age memoir and tribute to the author’s father, told via a graphic novel. Allison Bechdel, the author/artist, pictures and writes about growing up in a small Midwest town bordering on the Appalachian mountains. It is set during the 1970s and 80s where her intellectual parents (father is a high school English teacher and runs a funeral home, mother is an actress and writer) have a subtly cool and conflicted relationship. As she comes into her own sexual awareness she also realizes her father’s inclinations. All the while the author blends her memories with the classic literature which has defined her life, her relationship(s), and memories of her father.

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful, sad, and yet darkly funny period piece. She metaphorically links many aspects of her life within the book. She also layers it with fun, interesting, and sad icons from the times. A few examples that stick out in my memory for the 1970’s are Nixon’s fall from grace, Life cereal, and Road Runner cartoons. As well as a few from the 80’s - clove cigarettes, home made bongs, and Alan Parson’s Eye in the Sky album. I imagine anyone growing up during these times, like myself, will love these referenced bits in the background of her drawings. I laughed and reminisced.

Her drawings are in black and white and are realistic and balanced. Her language is complex and thoughtful, although, at times, obscure and esoteric. It does however make you think. A wonderful example of the former is where she aptly describes her observations of a male gay community as a “display of cosmetic masculinity” (pp 190) with a few subtle yet definable pictures.

The “big picture” thought about this memoir and what makes is so good is that it condenses a major realization for children coming of age – regardless of sexual orientation. It is essentially that as children, our parents are gods in our little worlds. As young adults we can see them as demons. But to become adults there is a need to see our parents as they truly are – human, with all their faults and quirky foibles. It is with this reconciliation that we pass over the border from child to adult and can become emotionally whole. As Allison examines her conflicted feelings toward her father with realism, she eventually moves toward this awareness. It is here that I cried, which I rarely do.

This is my first graphic novel. Since I am a very visually oriented person this type of literature suits me well. As well, because of the parallels with myself and the author’s life, I was immersed. I loved this book and rated it 4.5 stars. I am looking forward to reading some of her more fantastical graphic novels.

I would recommend this book for adults, due to some light sexual referencing and pictures. And specifically to those whom came of age in the 1970’s.

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This book is linked to four challenges –  2010 GLBT Mini-challenge,  Graphic Novels Challenge, New Author Challenge, and Woman Unbound.

 

The above badges link to Layers of Thought’s original post for the above challenges.

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Purchasing links for Amazon – US/UK/Canada, for The Book Depository Euro/AUD.

Amazon Book Stats US Paperback:

Paperback: 232 pages

Publisher: Mariner Books (June 5, 2007)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0618871713

ISBN-13: 978-0618871711

Genre: Memoir

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A request for some memory help:

Bechdel pictures herself as a child wearing a pair of shoes that have waves on the bottom, on the soles. I have been asking parents, friends, and searching the web and will be darned if I cannot figure out what they where called. I had a pair and loved them. Does anyone remember these shoes from the 70’s and what they where called?

Happy Monday everyone!

Preview: In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

   

In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

Publisher’s Blurb:  Puttnam Douglas Steward isn’t having an identity crisis—he is one. To his father Carl, he’s a disappointment, and has been since the day he came home from the hospital.

To his mother, he’s “Mama’s Boy,” and will forever be nothing less and nothing more.

The Army thinks he’s a hero, having single-handedly saved his troops from an ambush when they stumble upon a major, unknown supply line in Vietnam, then exposing a major Soviet espionage ring in the U.S.

His brother-in-law Survival, a career military man, thinks Putt’s weak—a mere cadet—no matter how high he rises in the Army’s ranks or how much national celebrityhood he achieves.

Only Milton, Putt’s college friend and environmental activist, and Putt’s sister Mary see that something is deeply confused about Puttnam Steward. Yet neither of them knows that the only time Putt ever truly feels happy is when he wears a woman’s clothes and becomes, for a brief, fleeting moment, someone else. And they don’t know how much that disgusts him.

Unable to escape the expectations of the people around him, Putt’s never quite reached a true understanding of himself. After he pokes a boy’s eye out with a rock at the age of six, he’s briefly proud for having done what his father had always taught him—stand up for himself—but his father responds with unalloyed hate. At 18, Putt proudly escapes Norfolk to study at the University of Virginia, but a drunken night at an off-campus bar forces him to question his own sexuality for the first time.

As he drowns in expectations and disappointments, the matter of who he is—who he truly is—eludes him. Except for one thing: He’s a freak. He has to be. It’s the only answer that makes sense.

And through it all, there’s his relationship with father Carl, the hobbyist boatman whose creations always find their way to the bottom of the river. A man who’s never been close with Putt, Carl feels nothing but disappointment in his son—disappointment he never feels or expresses about his daughter. Maybe it’s because Carl’s growing old and weak. Maybe it’s due to his inability to build a boat, to make his knee work, or to hug his son. Whatever the reason, Carl is certain that their dreadful disconnect must be Putt’s fault alone.

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About the Author:   Jonathon Scott Fuqua has written the highly praised and Alex Award-winning novel, The Reappearance of Sam Webber, as well as the critically acclaimed and recently published book, Gone and Back Again. 

Fuqua has received two Maryland State Arts Council Awards for fiction writing, and is the writer-in-residence at the Carver Center for the Arts. Both his writings and paintings have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books, on book covers, posters, limited edition prints, postcards, and stationery. A teacher of fiction writing, literature, and art, he lives in Baltimore with his wife and daughter. Bancroft Press author info.

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Purchasing links US/UK/Canada, The Book Depository Euro/AUD; 320 pages; Bancroft Press; 1st edition (November 1, 2008)

This book was sent for review from Bancroft Press. Thanks Harrison. Review coming soon!

Thanks for reading Layers of Thought.

Giveaway: Five Ebooks with a Christian Horror Theme – Dance on Fire by James Garcia Jr.

Knowing that a number of readers here at Layers of Thought enjoy reading Christian genre books, here are five free Ebooks in different formats at Free Ebook Friday – Dance on Fire at  All Things Smart and Scary.

Contest info taken directly from Nicole’s blog.

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Here's the blurb:

Two Kingsburg police officers have been butchered in an attack as ferocious as it is mystifying. Now two detectives and their families are being drawn into a battle that threatens to destroy them and those around them. In a marriage of horror and Christian themes of good conquering evil and redemption, Dance on Fire is the fictional account of characters drawn into the fire by supernatural forces.

If you want to read a more detailed teaser, you can go to James's Facebook page right here, and if you want to know more about James, he's now got his own awesome-looking blog.

Contest will run until Sunday night, with winners being announced on Monday. Here's the contest question:

*In James's short story, Max, posted earlier on this blog, what's the name and sex of the cat for whom Audrey is looking?*

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To enter the contest please leave your comments and answers at All Things Smart and Scary. Have fun and good luck!

Pre Valentine’s Day Preview: Beth’s Acceptance by Teal Ceagh

We interrupt our normal blog posts for something a bit unusual for Layers of Thought but it is for Valentine’s Day.

Be forewarned that this book is very adult in nature, and contains love in several of its various forms. Which makes it appropriate for the yearly celebration of love, and for the GLBT Challenge 2010. So instead of plain old romance why not go for some really racy stuff. Enjoy or skip; the choice is yours.

• Beth’s Acceptance
• Teal Ceagh
• Electronic book publication October 2009
• Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication
• ISBN 9781419925245
• Genre: erotic urban fantasy

Book Info:

For weeks, the darkly sinful Zachariah, her favorite customer at McGinty’s, has been raising NYC student Beth Siegel’s pulse, driving her crazy with need.

Neither can she keep the tall, blue-eyed mysterious Luke, who haunts the library stacks at her day job, out of her mind or her sweaty, desperate fantasies.

Fate hands Beth a startling destiny: to bond with both of them—a bond formed via sex. Sex with either one of them would have been fabulous. Together? Irresistible.

But fate is a two-edged sword and the bond comes at a price.  Luke and Zack are not what they seem, and the world as Beth knows it not quite the real deal.  Can Beth accept the price the bond will ask of her?

Author Mini Bio:

Teal Ceagh is the pen name for author Tracy Cooper-Posey. She currently lives in Canada and is originally from Australia. To find out more about her and her books link here to her website/blog.

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This e-book was won at a contest from The Geeky Bookworm – who is guest posting at Layers of Thought tomorrow. Beth’s Acceptance is book one in the Destiny’s Trinity Series. So if you enjoy reading this sexy book there is more. Thanks to Tracy aka-Teal and Susi for the chance to read this book!

Here are the title of the 2nd and 3rd in the series:

• Mia’s Return
• Sera’s Gift

To purchase this e-book link here to Ellora’s Cave. Personal review coming soon.

I hope everyone enjoys their own version of Valentine’s Day – Here's to love in all its wonderful forms!

Please stay tuned for Layers of Thought’s Valentine’s Day guest post with Susi The Geeky Bookworm.

Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Book Stats from Amazon:

MP3 CD

Publisher: In Audio; MP3 edition (December 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1584725117

ISBN-13: 978-1584725114

Synopsis: (may contain spoilers for some)

This story is a well know horror classic and is an epistolary novel. It is written as a series of letter from an educated English explorer to his sister as he embarks on a journey through the inhospitable icy Northern regions of the world. As he is traveling with his ship and crew, he finds a man half frozen to death traveling on the ice. The captain brings the frozen Doctor Frankenstein onto his ship and nurses him back to consciousness. It is here that Victor Frankenstein's tale unfolds  as he tells his tale to the captain where it is relayed to the reader through the captain’s letters.

A bit beyond the basics

Victor begins by telling his story from his childhood on. He states he is from a wealthy family whom is loving and close. He is educated and is expected to marry his cousin of sorts and is happy to oblige. Being intellectually inclined he studies all the great philosophers of the age, eventually becoming obsessed with creating life from death. When he eventually does this, the man/monster he creates is appalling to him and is relieved when the monster finally disappears.

The monster, spurned wanders in the wilderness contemplating life where he eventually stumbles upon a family that he grows to adore and wishes for his own. They do not know he exists, as he watches them from afar. In this way the monster learns the ways of the world. When he finally tries to befriend them they are of course horrified and violently reject him. The monster is heartbroken and horrendously distraught. He blames Victor, his creator, and vows to destroy his life completely. The quote below exemplifies his complete distress:

Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that ... instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery.

My Thoughts:

I listened to this novel, unabridged, on audio. It was very pleasant because on this version the reader has an English accent which was wonderful and appropriate for the story. I am not sure if I would have been able to actually read it in written form, since old English can be very difficult. So I recommend audio for experiencing this wonderful classic. I give it 4 stars.

The story is emotional and it pushes the reader’s feelings toward those of complete and utter despair, both from the Doctor’s perspective and that of the monster’s. The monster himself is not terrifying. He is a lost soul in part a product of his environment. I think that the story is more heartbreaking than it is scary.

Its link to GLBT:

One of the reasons I listened to this audio book was because it was designated GLBT in nature. Thinking about it from this perspective I think it is due to the intimate relationships between the main characters, being mostly males, which are very convoluted and intense inferring an intimacy of sorts. I can also see that since GLBT individuals may un-rightly be considered an abomination by some, this may also be a source of connection for the community. The horrible feelings of being an outcast, being shunned by society, family, or father all link to the experiences of the monster.

This book is being read for 4 challenges – The Basics Challenge; The Fill in the Gaps; GLBT; and RIPIV.

Links from Amazon are as close a match as I could find to the version I listened to and may not be currently available. They are listed in the order here US/UK/Canada.

Frankenstein (Unabridged Classics for Young Adults and Adults)/ Frankenstein: 1 (Unabridged Classics in MP3) /Frankenstein

Book Challenge - GLBT Challenge 2009

GLBT Challenge - July 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2009

Here is my book list for my first challenge joined here on layers of thought. It is hosted by Amanda from The Zen Leaf. Click on the title of this posting to link you to the challenge page on her site.

It is a 6 book challenge (I have posted 10 - for the ditch factor), where we will read books and post their reviews from authors whom are or who write on the GLBT theme. The challenge runs from July 1 2009 to December 31, 2009.

• Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
• Ethan of Athos By Lois McMaster Bujold
• Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
• Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
• Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Moby Dick Herman Melville
• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
• O Pioneer by Willa Cather
• One of Ours by Willa Cather