Mosaic Man, Ronald Sukenick, Fiction Collective 2, 1999
This book looks at the Jewish novel through the lens of cyberpunk and contemporary Pop culture. It's part history, memoir, daydream and acid trip.
Part of this book takes place in World War II era New York City, where Ron dreams of bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe with baseball commissioner Kennesaw Landis. As a tourist in Jerusalem, he walks through a huge water pipe, still in use, built over 2000 years ago. Included is a take-off on the movie The Maltese Falcon. Also here are tales of getting drunk in 1950s Paris, and hanging out with Solidarity protesters in Poland.
Using the structure of the Old Testament, Sukenick also explores the Golem story, the patterns of history, the differences among Jews, and the return of the Golden Calf, worshipped by the people of ancient Israel.
If one section of this book doesn't hold your interest, sit tight; Sukenick will suddenly take the story in a very different direction.
I really enjoyed this book. It keeps the reader engaged, it's very easy to read, and, for those who like modern, avant-garde fiction, it's especially good.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
A Cab Called Reliable
A Cab Called Reliable, Patti Kim, St. Martin's Griffin, 1997
Ahn Joo Cho is a young girl whose family recently emigrated from Korea to suburban Washington DC, and the narrator of this look at growing up as a hyphenated American.
Her parents fight constantly, mostly complaints from her mother about being dragged to America, and about her father's tendency to stay out late and drink too much. In the beginning of the book, coming home from elementary school, she sees her mother and little brother getting into a cab with Reliable written on the side. Only later does she realize that they aren't coming back. She thinks that she can join them if only she can go to this place called Reliable, until she is set straight by her teacher.
She takes over the cooking for her and her demanding father. Later, he buys a lunch wagon and sets up shop on the Mall in Washington DC, with Ahn along to help. In school, she is quite the story writer, mostly Korean legends or stories about life in Korea.
This is an excellent growing-up story, that is also a really good first novel. Kim does a fine job from beginning to end.
Ahn Joo Cho is a young girl whose family recently emigrated from Korea to suburban Washington DC, and the narrator of this look at growing up as a hyphenated American.
Her parents fight constantly, mostly complaints from her mother about being dragged to America, and about her father's tendency to stay out late and drink too much. In the beginning of the book, coming home from elementary school, she sees her mother and little brother getting into a cab with Reliable written on the side. Only later does she realize that they aren't coming back. She thinks that she can join them if only she can go to this place called Reliable, until she is set straight by her teacher.
She takes over the cooking for her and her demanding father. Later, he buys a lunch wagon and sets up shop on the Mall in Washington DC, with Ahn along to help. In school, she is quite the story writer, mostly Korean legends or stories about life in Korea.
This is an excellent growing-up story, that is also a really good first novel. Kim does a fine job from beginning to end.
Legacy and Destiny
Legacy and Destiny, J. Michael Reidenbach and Dana Drenkowski, Corinthian Books, 1999
Elizabeth Armstrong is a former Governor of New Hampshire, now married to Peter Armstrong, fast-rising senator from Texas with his eye on the White House.
He is killed in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances, a crash which almost kills Elizabeth; she later becomes a sort of roving ambassador for the US Government. When political journalist Jack Bradshaw looks into the crash, he finds some Very Interesting Things, like the possibility that Peter was deliberately killed because he was getting too close in his investigation of the flow of drugs into America.
Around this time, Elizabeth agrees to run for President n the Democratic ticket. If They silenced Peter, will Elizabeth be next? Death threats against Elizabeth and Jack, by this time husband and wife, plus an assassination attempt against Elizabeth on the Mall in Washington, answer the question pretty clearly.
This one is really good. It's a fine campaign story with just enough political conspiracy included to keep it interesting. The fact that it's about a woman with a real chance to become President makes it that much more worth reading.
Elizabeth Armstrong is a former Governor of New Hampshire, now married to Peter Armstrong, fast-rising senator from Texas with his eye on the White House.
He is killed in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances, a crash which almost kills Elizabeth; she later becomes a sort of roving ambassador for the US Government. When political journalist Jack Bradshaw looks into the crash, he finds some Very Interesting Things, like the possibility that Peter was deliberately killed because he was getting too close in his investigation of the flow of drugs into America.
Around this time, Elizabeth agrees to run for President n the Democratic ticket. If They silenced Peter, will Elizabeth be next? Death threats against Elizabeth and Jack, by this time husband and wife, plus an assassination attempt against Elizabeth on the Mall in Washington, answer the question pretty clearly.
This one is really good. It's a fine campaign story with just enough political conspiracy included to keep it interesting. The fact that it's about a woman with a real chance to become President makes it that much more worth reading.
Vegetables Rock! A Complete Guide ofr Teenage Vegetarians
Vegetables Rock! A Complete Guide for Teenage Vegetarians, Stephanie Pierson, Bantam, 1999
Vegetarianism is an increasingly popular diet option, for adults as well as teens. Written by the mother of a 13-year-old vegetarian, this book tells what parents, and teenagers, need to know beforehand.
Going veggie can lower your weight, save money, save the rainforests, and change the world. Don't cut, or eliminate, meat or chicken from your diet just for the sake of doing so; make sure you are getting the appropriate vitamins and minerals elsewhere. If done correctly, you will not become anorexic or anemic without meat, and will be healthier than the average person. If you can't go all the way, there are several different categories of vegetarian.
This book also explores dealing with the school cafeteria lunch line, what to say to meat eaters who think that you have lost your mind, foods that contain hidden animal products, and junk food. Included is a list of pro-veggie websites, mail order sources, and restaurants, plus over 70 pages of recipes for everything from soup to pasta to dessert.
For anyone even thinking about going veggie, teen or adult, this is an excellent place to start. It is very easy to read, and is packed with useful information.
Vegetarianism is an increasingly popular diet option, for adults as well as teens. Written by the mother of a 13-year-old vegetarian, this book tells what parents, and teenagers, need to know beforehand.
Going veggie can lower your weight, save money, save the rainforests, and change the world. Don't cut, or eliminate, meat or chicken from your diet just for the sake of doing so; make sure you are getting the appropriate vitamins and minerals elsewhere. If done correctly, you will not become anorexic or anemic without meat, and will be healthier than the average person. If you can't go all the way, there are several different categories of vegetarian.
This book also explores dealing with the school cafeteria lunch line, what to say to meat eaters who think that you have lost your mind, foods that contain hidden animal products, and junk food. Included is a list of pro-veggie websites, mail order sources, and restaurants, plus over 70 pages of recipes for everything from soup to pasta to dessert.
For anyone even thinking about going veggie, teen or adult, this is an excellent place to start. It is very easy to read, and is packed with useful information.
Prayers of an Accidental Nature
Prayers of an Accidental Nature, Debra Di Blasi, Coffee House Press, 1999
This group of contemporary stories looks at people from different walks of life driven by a need or yearning; for sex, healing or even death. There is also a lot of dealing with cross-cultural differences.
A married couple become friends with a student from Bolivia with a real talent for telling lies. Young South American men drop their American girlfriends as soon as the romantic heat has cooled. In another story, an American woman juggles two boyfriends from Argentina. Using the charade of an interview with her husband, a woman deals with the dissolution of her marriage. In death, an eighth-grade geography teacher gets back at her obnoxious young tormentor; as a final tribute, her students stand around her grave reciting state capitals. The title story is about a blueblood young man and his unconventional (also South American) girlfriend, who meet his snooty, arrogant relatives, with plans to marry and live in a small village in the mountains.
Di Blasi does a very good job looking at the dark side of intimacy. This is not a perfect group of stories, but its look at lost love and obsession with sex make it well worth reading.
This group of contemporary stories looks at people from different walks of life driven by a need or yearning; for sex, healing or even death. There is also a lot of dealing with cross-cultural differences.
A married couple become friends with a student from Bolivia with a real talent for telling lies. Young South American men drop their American girlfriends as soon as the romantic heat has cooled. In another story, an American woman juggles two boyfriends from Argentina. Using the charade of an interview with her husband, a woman deals with the dissolution of her marriage. In death, an eighth-grade geography teacher gets back at her obnoxious young tormentor; as a final tribute, her students stand around her grave reciting state capitals. The title story is about a blueblood young man and his unconventional (also South American) girlfriend, who meet his snooty, arrogant relatives, with plans to marry and live in a small village in the mountains.
Di Blasi does a very good job looking at the dark side of intimacy. This is not a perfect group of stories, but its look at lost love and obsession with sex make it well worth reading.
Making a Killing: HMOs and the Threat to Your Health
Making a Killing: HMOs and the Threat to Your Health, Jamie Court and Francis Smith, Common Courage Press, 1999
HMOs are a much-discussed part of life in present-day America. This book shows how they, the only health care option for millions of people, are more interested in profit than in giving good medical care.
Included are plenty of examples of people with major medical problems who were forced to go to a non-HMO doctor for treatment and pay the entire expense themselves. They're the lucky ones; the unlucky ones died because an HMO bureaucrat decided the treatment wasn't "medically necessary" or would cost too much.
Doctors are paid a fixed budget for every patient under their care, an amount as little as $6.00 per patient per month. Any treatment the doctor orders comes out of that money, giving the doctor plenty of incentive to order the minimum amount of health care. If an HMO gets sued for negligence, even if it is obviously guilty, because of a loophole in federal law, it is almost never financially liable. This book also includes a patient self-defense kit that explains what to do in the world of HMO bureaucracy.
Whether or not you have ever had to deal with an HMO, this book tells things like they really are, and is very highly recommended.
HMOs are a much-discussed part of life in present-day America. This book shows how they, the only health care option for millions of people, are more interested in profit than in giving good medical care.
Included are plenty of examples of people with major medical problems who were forced to go to a non-HMO doctor for treatment and pay the entire expense themselves. They're the lucky ones; the unlucky ones died because an HMO bureaucrat decided the treatment wasn't "medically necessary" or would cost too much.
Doctors are paid a fixed budget for every patient under their care, an amount as little as $6.00 per patient per month. Any treatment the doctor orders comes out of that money, giving the doctor plenty of incentive to order the minimum amount of health care. If an HMO gets sued for negligence, even if it is obviously guilty, because of a loophole in federal law, it is almost never financially liable. This book also includes a patient self-defense kit that explains what to do in the world of HMO bureaucracy.
Whether or not you have ever had to deal with an HMO, this book tells things like they really are, and is very highly recommended.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
The Legend of Bagger Vance, Steven Pressfield, Spike Books, 1995
In the year 1931, the golf course at Krewe Island, outside Savannah, Georgia, is in danger of closing because of the Depression. The local city fathers come up with the idea of a holding a one-day 36-hole golf match for the then huge purse of $20,000. They invite Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, two of the Masters of the game. At the last minute, a local war hero named Rannulph Junnah is added to the match; his particpation is reluctant, at best. He brings along his caddy, and mentor, a black man named Bagger Vance, who spends the match teaching Junnah the meaning of life.
He tells Junnah the secret of the Authentic Swing. As Junnah is lining up a shot, all the possible shots flow out from him along lines of force. The golfer isn't looking for the perfect shot to hit, the perfect shot is looking for the golfer to be hit.
For Junnah, the first 9 holes are a disaster, with Vance constantly in his ear about all sorts of weird things. Around the 10th hole, it starts to click, and Junnah lets Jones and Hagen know that they are in for a major fight.
I didn't think it was possible for a couple of rounds of golf to read like a Battle that should be taking place on Mt. Olympus, but Pressfield really pulls it off. This is much more than just a sports novel, and is strongly recommended.
In the year 1931, the golf course at Krewe Island, outside Savannah, Georgia, is in danger of closing because of the Depression. The local city fathers come up with the idea of a holding a one-day 36-hole golf match for the then huge purse of $20,000. They invite Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, two of the Masters of the game. At the last minute, a local war hero named Rannulph Junnah is added to the match; his particpation is reluctant, at best. He brings along his caddy, and mentor, a black man named Bagger Vance, who spends the match teaching Junnah the meaning of life.
He tells Junnah the secret of the Authentic Swing. As Junnah is lining up a shot, all the possible shots flow out from him along lines of force. The golfer isn't looking for the perfect shot to hit, the perfect shot is looking for the golfer to be hit.
For Junnah, the first 9 holes are a disaster, with Vance constantly in his ear about all sorts of weird things. Around the 10th hole, it starts to click, and Junnah lets Jones and Hagen know that they are in for a major fight.
I didn't think it was possible for a couple of rounds of golf to read like a Battle that should be taking place on Mt. Olympus, but Pressfield really pulls it off. This is much more than just a sports novel, and is strongly recommended.
Shrub: The Short But Happy Political Life of George W. Bush
Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush, Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose, Random House, 2000
Bush flew F-102s in the Texas Air National Guard, in a unit whose unofficial function was to shield the sons of the rich and powerful of Texas from any chance of actually going to Vietnam, after calls were made to the commander of the unit from the office of the Speaker of the Texas Legislature. He jumped over a waiting list of 100,000 people and 150 pilots after scoring the absolute minimum on the pilot exam. Under Governor Bush, Texas has the worst air in America, leading the country in areas like cancer risk and overall toxic releases. He has a record of being friendly to business, who respond with checks containing lots of zeros. Valuable public policy, according to Bush, is that which is good for business.
While Bill Clinton and Al Gore love getting into the details of public policy, Bush is exactly the opposite, a self-described hater of meetings and briefings. Bush has been called hyperactive and lazy.
Ivins and Dubose do an excellent job at showing Bush's actual record as Governor of Texas. This book is highly recommended.The first rule in political journalism is to look at a politician's record. Ivins, the nationally syndicated columnist, and Dubose, editor of the Texas Observer, put George "Dubya" Bush under the microscope.
Bush flew F-102s in the Texas Air National Guard, in a unit whose unofficial function was to shield the sons of the rich and powerful of Texas from any chance of actually going to Vietnam, after calls were made to the commander of the unit from the office of the Speaker of the Texas Legislature. He jumped over a waiting list of 100,000 people and 150 pilots after scoring the absolute minimum on the pilot exam. Under Governor Bush, Texas has the worst air in America, leading the country in areas like cancer risk and overall toxic releases. He has a record of being friendly to business, who respond with checks containing lots of zeros. Valuable public policy, according to Bush, is that which is good for business.
While Bill Clinton and Al Gore love getting into the details of public policy, Bush is exactly the opposite, a self-described hater of meetings and briefings. Bush has been called hyperactive and lazy.
Ivins and Dubose do an excellent job at showing Bush's actual record as Governor of Texas. This book is highly recommended.The first rule in political journalism is to look at a politician's record. Ivins, the nationally syndicated columnist, and Dubose, editor of the Texas Observer, put George "Dubya" Bush under the microscope.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Red Wine for Breakfast
Red Wine for Breakfast, Robin C. Westmiller, Writers Club Books, 1999
Doris Cohen is a 34-year-old pure-blood New Yorker living in Los Angeles, who, as Jenny Reed, has the number one morning radio show in the city. Jenny is the sort of person who plays by her own rules; a nice, non-committal affair with Brian Allen, the station owner, certainly doesn't hurt.
The station is suddenly sold by Denise, Brian's wife, and the owner of the station, to Tony D'Amico, who knows nothing about radio and bought it only for tax purposes. Jenny also gets a co-host forced upon her, a man with a sexy voice named Johnny King, who happens to be Denise's big brother. In a profession where jobs are as stable as a house of cards, these are not good signs for Jenny.
One day, while on the air, Johnny "accidentally" leaves the mike on while he asks Jenny to go to bed with him. She comes up with a suitable way to get back at him, also on the air; meantime, the audience loves the idea. Life at the station gets complicated when Gayle, Jenny's best friend is found dead under mysterious circumstances, connected to a drug scandal that could cost the station its license.
This one is quite good. It's easy to read, the author certainly knows her way around the radio biz, and the romance part isn't too overwhelming for non-romance readers.
Doris Cohen is a 34-year-old pure-blood New Yorker living in Los Angeles, who, as Jenny Reed, has the number one morning radio show in the city. Jenny is the sort of person who plays by her own rules; a nice, non-committal affair with Brian Allen, the station owner, certainly doesn't hurt.
The station is suddenly sold by Denise, Brian's wife, and the owner of the station, to Tony D'Amico, who knows nothing about radio and bought it only for tax purposes. Jenny also gets a co-host forced upon her, a man with a sexy voice named Johnny King, who happens to be Denise's big brother. In a profession where jobs are as stable as a house of cards, these are not good signs for Jenny.
One day, while on the air, Johnny "accidentally" leaves the mike on while he asks Jenny to go to bed with him. She comes up with a suitable way to get back at him, also on the air; meantime, the audience loves the idea. Life at the station gets complicated when Gayle, Jenny's best friend is found dead under mysterious circumstances, connected to a drug scandal that could cost the station its license.
This one is quite good. It's easy to read, the author certainly knows her way around the radio biz, and the romance part isn't too overwhelming for non-romance readers.
Bad Jobs
Bad Jobs: My Last Shift at Albert Wong's Pagoda and Other Ugly Tales of the Workplace, Carellin Brooks (ed.), Arsenal Pulp Press, 1998
In the world of employment, there is a huge range from interesting and fulfilling jobs, to mind-numbingly boring, dangerous and otherwise stupid jobs. The stories collected here look at the latter type of job, for which "bottom of the barrel" is sometimes too generous.
One person delivered flyers for two years while dealing with obnoxious homeowners and guard dogs that supposedly love people. A night parking lot attendant, who spends most of his shift reading books, nearly gets robbed. An ice factory worker reveals what really goes into Crushed Party Ice. A female employee at a fabric wholesaler has a male co-worker who insists that he never raped a woman who didn't enjoy it. A phone sex worker tells of bringing men to orgasm while reading Ms. magazine. A caucasian delivers Chinese food to obnoxious white people. A golf course cabana girl sells liquor to golfers in the middle of a Phoenix summer.
Actually experiencing these jobs must have been hell, but reading about them borders on hilarious. Whenever your job gets too much to handle, get this book and read about people who have it even worse.
In the world of employment, there is a huge range from interesting and fulfilling jobs, to mind-numbingly boring, dangerous and otherwise stupid jobs. The stories collected here look at the latter type of job, for which "bottom of the barrel" is sometimes too generous.
One person delivered flyers for two years while dealing with obnoxious homeowners and guard dogs that supposedly love people. A night parking lot attendant, who spends most of his shift reading books, nearly gets robbed. An ice factory worker reveals what really goes into Crushed Party Ice. A female employee at a fabric wholesaler has a male co-worker who insists that he never raped a woman who didn't enjoy it. A phone sex worker tells of bringing men to orgasm while reading Ms. magazine. A caucasian delivers Chinese food to obnoxious white people. A golf course cabana girl sells liquor to golfers in the middle of a Phoenix summer.
Actually experiencing these jobs must have been hell, but reading about them borders on hilarious. Whenever your job gets too much to handle, get this book and read about people who have it even worse.
Spirit Fox
Spirit Fox, Mickey Zucker Reichert and Jennifer Wingert, DAW Books, 1998
Set in a land where a war among the Immortals has been settled, the "Joyous Reunion" has come about, bringing permanent peace to all; or so they thought. An army is coming from the south, led by powerful mages who practice the forbidden sixth magic of destruction. Their purpose is to commit genocide, if necessary, to rid the world of what they call the Abomination.
It actually is a process where some people, at birth, are spirit linked to an animal born at the same time. The two have something of a telepathic relationship and the human lives much longer than normal. Kiarda is a young woman who was supposed to be spirit linked to a fox at birth. The fox kit was killed, causing her link to turn in on itself. She acquires the ability to turn into a fox, one such episode of which leads to a major misunderstanding which causes an innocent man to be condemned to death. It sends Kiarda on a quest into the heart of the southern forces, who have adopted a scorched earth policy to rid the world of any hint of this type of magic.
Reichert is a veteran writer who certainly knows her way around a novel, and, if this book is any indication, Wingert is a name to watch for in the future. Together they have done a very good job from start to finish.
Set in a land where a war among the Immortals has been settled, the "Joyous Reunion" has come about, bringing permanent peace to all; or so they thought. An army is coming from the south, led by powerful mages who practice the forbidden sixth magic of destruction. Their purpose is to commit genocide, if necessary, to rid the world of what they call the Abomination.
It actually is a process where some people, at birth, are spirit linked to an animal born at the same time. The two have something of a telepathic relationship and the human lives much longer than normal. Kiarda is a young woman who was supposed to be spirit linked to a fox at birth. The fox kit was killed, causing her link to turn in on itself. She acquires the ability to turn into a fox, one such episode of which leads to a major misunderstanding which causes an innocent man to be condemned to death. It sends Kiarda on a quest into the heart of the southern forces, who have adopted a scorched earth policy to rid the world of any hint of this type of magic.
Reichert is a veteran writer who certainly knows her way around a novel, and, if this book is any indication, Wingert is a name to watch for in the future. Together they have done a very good job from start to finish.
Coercion: Why We Listen to What "They" Say
Coercion: Why We Listen to What "They" Say, Douglas Rushkoff, Riverhead Books, 1999
This book explores the ways that "they", the coercers in society, have of shaping our lives and our futures, generally without our consent. They are the ones who say, for instance, that human beings use only ten percent of their brains; that you can earn $15,000 weekly in your spare time; that Prozac alleviates depression, etc. Everyone has heard such things many times in the past.
Currently, the "science" of coercion has reached almost spooky levels. Shopping malls are designed so that the shopper gets lost in a place where the exits are intentionally far apart and there are no clocks or windows or other ways to judge the passage of time. Sporting events, like pro football games, have turned into one marketing opportunity or corporate sponsorship after another. Under the skin, multi-level marketing schemes (also called pyramid schemes) are hard to distinguish from religious cults. Around the turn of the century, America's first retail art director believed that the retail environment could help lift taboos and give consumers the chance to express themselves through the art of consumption. That person was L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. Rushkoff also has a lot to say about the World Wide Web and the infamous "cookies".
To quote from the end of this book, "For without our complicity, they [the marketers and advertisers] are powerless. Without us, they don't exist". The first step in stopping these people is to read this fascinating and vital book.
This book explores the ways that "they", the coercers in society, have of shaping our lives and our futures, generally without our consent. They are the ones who say, for instance, that human beings use only ten percent of their brains; that you can earn $15,000 weekly in your spare time; that Prozac alleviates depression, etc. Everyone has heard such things many times in the past.
Currently, the "science" of coercion has reached almost spooky levels. Shopping malls are designed so that the shopper gets lost in a place where the exits are intentionally far apart and there are no clocks or windows or other ways to judge the passage of time. Sporting events, like pro football games, have turned into one marketing opportunity or corporate sponsorship after another. Under the skin, multi-level marketing schemes (also called pyramid schemes) are hard to distinguish from religious cults. Around the turn of the century, America's first retail art director believed that the retail environment could help lift taboos and give consumers the chance to express themselves through the art of consumption. That person was L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. Rushkoff also has a lot to say about the World Wide Web and the infamous "cookies".
To quote from the end of this book, "For without our complicity, they [the marketers and advertisers] are powerless. Without us, they don't exist". The first step in stopping these people is to read this fascinating and vital book.
The Edge of Marriage
The Edge of Marriage, Hester Kaplan, University of Georgia Press, 1999
This group of stories looks at seemingly solid marriages that get pushed to the limit because of betrayal, illness, conflict or tragedy.
For example, a wife and mother deals with feelings about her marriage and her husband when he comes home from the hospital after being maimed in an accident. In another story, a man confesses to sympathy for his dying wife's former lover. An older man dying of AIDS goes to a small southern resort to die, and wants the help of the resort owner to hasten the outcome. A woman's best friend dies of cancer, not suddenly, and the woman pretty much emotionally collapses. A couple who run their own catering business have trouble dealing with their son, in his mid-20s, who is something of an emotional screwup. A woman reminisces about her dead mother while cleaning out her mother's closet.
These stories are very quiet, but also very good. Kaplan does a fine job looking at the "in sickness" and "for poorer" parts of the marriage vow. There is lots of insight and somber hope here, but lots of sorrow, too. It is well worth the reader's time.
This group of stories looks at seemingly solid marriages that get pushed to the limit because of betrayal, illness, conflict or tragedy.
For example, a wife and mother deals with feelings about her marriage and her husband when he comes home from the hospital after being maimed in an accident. In another story, a man confesses to sympathy for his dying wife's former lover. An older man dying of AIDS goes to a small southern resort to die, and wants the help of the resort owner to hasten the outcome. A woman's best friend dies of cancer, not suddenly, and the woman pretty much emotionally collapses. A couple who run their own catering business have trouble dealing with their son, in his mid-20s, who is something of an emotional screwup. A woman reminisces about her dead mother while cleaning out her mother's closet.
These stories are very quiet, but also very good. Kaplan does a fine job looking at the "in sickness" and "for poorer" parts of the marriage vow. There is lots of insight and somber hope here, but lots of sorrow, too. It is well worth the reader's time.
Starfarers
Starfarers, Poul Anderson, Tor Books, 1998
This near-future science fiction story begins when SETI astronomers discover "trails" among the stars, thought to be signs of an advanced civilization.
Man has started to spread out among the stars, but has yet to find any other earthlike planets, so there is great interest in exploring the trails. An advanced starship, called Envoy, is outfitted with an eclectic ten-person crew. The ship can pretty much run itself, so the humans are there for when they reach their destination. The very interesting part is that the trails were discovered in an area approximately 60,000 light years away, so over 120,000 years will pass on earth until they return (through time dilation, about 10 years will pass aboard Envoy).
As they get closer to their destination, the trails become fewer and fewer, then stop altogether, leading to speculation among the crew that the civilization either destroyed itself or, for some reason, gave up on space travel. The humans encounter an intelligent race that has, indeed, turned its back on the stars. Envoy's arrival is not totally welcome, because it leads to unwelcome interest in returning to space among some of the aliens.
This is a vivid, well done story of courage and exploration on a grand scale. It just misses the level of Anderson's Best Work, with the science getting a little overwhelming, but it is still far better than most of what is in the Science Fiction section of the local chain bookstore.
This near-future science fiction story begins when SETI astronomers discover "trails" among the stars, thought to be signs of an advanced civilization.
Man has started to spread out among the stars, but has yet to find any other earthlike planets, so there is great interest in exploring the trails. An advanced starship, called Envoy, is outfitted with an eclectic ten-person crew. The ship can pretty much run itself, so the humans are there for when they reach their destination. The very interesting part is that the trails were discovered in an area approximately 60,000 light years away, so over 120,000 years will pass on earth until they return (through time dilation, about 10 years will pass aboard Envoy).
As they get closer to their destination, the trails become fewer and fewer, then stop altogether, leading to speculation among the crew that the civilization either destroyed itself or, for some reason, gave up on space travel. The humans encounter an intelligent race that has, indeed, turned its back on the stars. Envoy's arrival is not totally welcome, because it leads to unwelcome interest in returning to space among some of the aliens.
This is a vivid, well done story of courage and exploration on a grand scale. It just misses the level of Anderson's Best Work, with the science getting a little overwhelming, but it is still far better than most of what is in the Science Fiction section of the local chain bookstore.
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