Xpress Reviews—The First Look at New Books
Jul 30, 2010Week ending July 30, 2010
Fiction | Nonfiction
Fiction
Baldwin, Rosencrans.You Lost Me There. Riverhead: Penguin Group (USA). Aug. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-1-59448-763-7. $25.95. F
Victor Aaron is a successful Alzheimer's researcher. After the death of Sara, his wife and a one-hit wonder screenwriter, Victor finds a stack of index cards in her handwriting that detail with crude specificity moments of marital despair. And, sadly, he remembers things differently. Enter a midlife crisis during which Victor courts a younger woman (a researcher at his lab), hosts a friend's flexitarian daughter for a tempestuous season of hiking and immaturity, and again befriends Sara's dying aunt, Betsy, whose condition forces Victor to face finality and, in turn, finally mourn his lost wife.
Verdict At its best, this debut captures the irreverence and generous wit evident on the website the Morning News (www.themorningnews.org), of which Baldwin is a founding editor. Unfortunately, the inventive form created by the inclusion of Sara's index cards is soon dropped (they figure prominently in the beginning), and the story becomes a fairly ordinary, if sometimes zany and always appealing, midlife-crisis story. A nice "scientist in a slump" to pair with Ian McEwan's Solar. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/10.]-Stephen Morrow, Ohio Univ., Athens
Byers, Michael. Percival's Planet. Holt. Aug. 2010. c.400p. ISBN 978-0-8050-9218-9. $27. F
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union controversially reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet-not so shocking, given the early skepticism surrounding Pluto's very discovery. This is the story Byers (The Coast of Good Intentions) tells in his latest work of historical fiction. Against all odds, in 1930, a farm boy from Kansas and a student from Harvard discovered the ninth planet at Lowell Observatory in Arizona. Along with the notion of adversity, the novel's theme of pursuing the impossible relies on heightened tropes of loss and madness. A heartbroken boxer, a mentally ill girlfriend, and a bankrupt archaeologist circle around the main characters as stern reminders of the precarious nature of searching for what can't be seen. It is these numerous subplots that bind the narrative thematically. Byers masterfully twists multiple stories together, anchored to the mundane details of history, which, taken collectively, evoke a sense of time and place.
Verdict Amateur astronomers and readers with an interest in historical fiction will not be disappointed with Byers's latest effort. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/10.]-Joshua Finnell, Denison Univ. Lib., Granville, OH
Carnoy, David. Knife Music. Overlook, dist. by Penguin Group (USA). Jul. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 978-1-59020-325-5. $24.95. F
As Carnoy's debut thriller opens, 43-year-old Dr. Ted Cogan is called to the emergency room to deal with an incoming trauma patient, 16-year-old Kristen Kroiter, who is suffering internal bleeding after running her car into a telephone pole. After surgery Cogan has a few more visits with the young woman as she recovers. Six months later he's caught in a nightmare. Kristen has committed suicide and left a diary that implies she and Cogan have had a sexual relationship. Now the police are investigating him for rape and possibly murder. Chief investigator, veteran detective Hank Madden, who suffered at the hands of his own doctor when he was a child, is sure of the doctor's guilt and will stop at nothing to get his man.
Verdict This competent suspense novel has all the required elements, but the mix somehow falls a little flat. Though the plotting is solid and nicely paced, the two main characters are merely there. The reader is told how the situation is affecting them, but it never feels as real and as deeply emotional as it should. That said, fans of Law and Order type mysteries with ever-morphing questions of who's the victim and who's the perp will enjoy this one. [Originally self-published in 2008 as an Amazon Booksurge POD paperback and ebook, it rose to the top of the Kindle Legal Thriller chart.-Ed.]-Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI
Cussler, Clive with Grant Blackwood. Lost Empire: A Fargo Adventure. Putnam. Sept. 2010. c.416p. ISBN 978-0-399-15676-2. $27.95. F
Introduced in Spartan Gold, the husband-and-wife treasure-hunting team of Sam and Remi Fargo discover an ancient relic, a sunken Confederate raider, while scuba diving off the coast of Tanzania. The find sends them on a series of wild and improbable adventures that include a chase halfway across the world to a climax in Indonesia. Why? Because an evil group has taken control of Mexico and wants to inspire loyalty by reintroducing Aztec values and traditions. The relic threatens their claim to legitimacy.
Verdict Many prolific authors, such as James Patterson and Tom Clancy, now use coauthors to write their novels, with predictably inconsistent results. The team of Cussler and Blackwood is second tier at best. The overly glib Fargos are just not interesting. Their marriage is passionless, punctuated only by multiple pecks on the cheek. And the plot is not an exciting grabber. Purchase only for demand as this is not up to the recent high standards set by Cussler's Isaac Bell series.-Robert Conroy, Warren, MI
Frankel, Laurie. The Atlas of Love. St. Martin's. Aug. 2010. c.336p. ISBN 978-0-312-59538-8. $23.99. F
Janey, Jill, and Katie meet in grad school in Seattle and, despite their different personalities, become fast friends. Jill is harsh and straight to the point; Janey, sweet and dependable; and Katie, a devout Mormon on the lookout for her perfect husband. Jill starts dating a great guy, until she gets pregnant and Daniel can't handle her decision to have the baby. Janey has a solution to Jill's dilemma: all three women will move in together and jointly raise the child, named Atlas. This works beautifully for a while as the friends bond with adorable Atlas. But of course, things take a wrong turn. Jill starts abusing her friends' dedication, and when Daniel steps back into the picture, quite an emotional mess ensues. How far can female friendship be pushed? What are the limitations to parenting, and when is a baby yours? Told from Janey's point of view, the narrative is sprinkled with literary techniques that color each chapter beautifully.
Verdict Frankel's debut is a wonderful literary treat that offers a fresh twist on the modern family, one that relies on the bonds of women.-Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC
Veitch, Kate. Trust. Plume: Penguin Group (USA). Jul. 2010. 360p. ISBN 978-0-452-29635-0. pap. $15. F
Veitch's sophomore effort (after the acclaimed Without a Backward Glance) introduces college art instructor Susanna Greenfield, a model wife, devoted mother, dedicated daughter, and loyal sister, attempting to jump-start the creative side of her career. Despite living a comfortable "perfect" family life in Melbourne, Australia, Susanna is feeling stymied over the focus of her upcoming exhibit and searching for something more when her life is torn apart by a family tragedy. Susanna soon becomes aware of her husband's secret life, causing her to question whether her entire life is based on a foundation of lies. While her children, Sebastian and Stella-Jean, remain constants, it is her architect husband, the cocky, crass Gerry, who makes waves.
Verdict Despite the occasional soap-opera feel (well-developed, good-hearted, and intriguing protagonists contrast sharply with one-dimensional loathsome and villainous characters), this is absorbing domestic fiction that delves into sexism, fulfillment, love, and trust. A real page-turner that will appeal to fans of women's fiction.-Andrea Tarr, Corona P.L., CA
Weiner, Jennifer. Fly Away Home. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2010. c.397p. ISBN 978-0-7432-9427-0. $26.99. F
Weiner (Good in Bed; In Her Shoes) started writing this novel long before the parade of philandering politicians filled our national consciousness. Who knew that Sylvie Serfer's fictional life as a politician's wife would mirror reality so closely? Far from being an overwrought tale of the wronged woman, this is an honest narrative about the expectations of being a woman with a capital W: standing by your man, being a mother, and wondering where one's dreams have gone. Even though this could have simply been the ballad of Sylvie Serfer, daughters Lizzie, the self-described "basket case" and recovering addict, and Diana, a driven emergency room physician with a seemingly perfect life, enliven the novel even more. At times, the up-to-the-minute cultural references distract one from the story but not enough to mar what is otherwise a funny, heartfelt read.
Verdict Sylvie, Lizzie, and Diana are complex characters who never slip into the shallow stereotypes of the good girl or the bad girl. Highly recommended for Weiner's fans and readers who enjoy women's fiction. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/10; 450,000-copy first printing.]-Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Cleveland P.L.
Yoshida, Shuichi. Villain. Pantheon. Aug. 2010. c.304p. tr. from Japanese by Philip Gabriel. ISBN 978-0-307-37887-3. $25.95. F
This unsettling crime novel set near Nagasaki, Japan, is neither police procedural nor whodunit but rather an exploration of the effects of a murder. A young insurance saleswoman, Yoshino, goes out with her friends then leaves to meet her so-called boyfriend. She is found murdered the next day. What follows are the stories-from multiple narrators-of the victim, the murderer, the woman who runs away with the murderer, and their families. The identity of the murderer, a construction worker Yoshino met online, is clear from the start, although the police investigating the murder initially suspect a student Yoshino claimed to be dating. The relationships among the characters are shallow, and the dialog is stilted. While this may be owing to the translation, it is likely that the author intended the effect to convey a heightened sense of alienation. This is Yoshida's seventh book, but it is the first to be translated into English.
Verdict A disturbing view of contemporary Japanese culture that will be of interest to readers of literary fiction. Not for those looking for traditional crime fiction. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 3/1/10.]-Gwen Vredevoogd, Marymount Univ. Lib., Arlington, VA
Nonfiction
Ayers, William & others. Teaching Toward Democracy: Educators as Agents of Change. Paradigm. (Teacher's Toolkit). Aug. 2010. 168p. index. ISBN 978-1-59451-843-0. pap. $22.95. ED
Educational reform, one of the most contentious policy issues faced by Americans, tends to follow political trends. With the recent focus on standardized testing and accountability, it appears that our educational system is losing touch with its original purpose, preparing citizens to participate in a democracy. Ayers, Kevin Kumashiro, Erica Meiners, Therese Quinn, and David Stovall, all Illinois-based professors of education, discuss the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities involved with teaching in a democracy. Focusing on topics like social justice, real community involvement, and resisting punishment as a basis for education, these authors present a much-needed perspective that challenges the current educational system.
Verdict While the tone is rather academic, most teachers and community leaders and many parents will be able to follow the book and make use of its ideas. This important volume belongs in the collections of academic libraries supporting education programs, larger public libraries, and professional development collections of school media centers.-Mark Bay, Univ. of the Cumberlands, KY
Griffin, Sid. Shelter from the Storm: Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Years. Jawbone. Aug. 2010. 256p. illus. index. discog. ISBN 978-1-906002-27-5. pap. $19.95. MUSIC
The life and career of Bob Dylan have been chronicled in numerous works over the years, but Griffin (Million Dollar Bash: Bob Dylan, The Band, and the Basement Tapes) presents an original and detailed study of essentially one year in Dylan's life (1975-76) and the traveling caravan of musicians and artists he dubbed the Rolling Thunder Revue. Griffin has clearly studied and considered his subject, but his commentary is written in a subjective style that readers may find playfully witty or mildly cloying. The author goes so far as to offer a scene-by-scene analysis of Renaldo and Clara, with his own suggestions on how Dylan's famously surreal concert/dramatic film could be edited to become clearer and more accessible. Many readers will find the level of detail Griffin provides fascinating, but his writing-while more than competent and readable-is more that of a fan than a journalist.
Verdict This is really a book for completists, but it would fit well in any large library with a substantial music collection.-Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA
Hacker, Andrew & Claudia Dreifus. Higher Education?: How Colleges Are Wasting Our Money and Failing Our Kids-and What We Can Do About It. Times Bks: Holt. Aug. 2010. c.288p. index. ISBN 978-0-8050-8734-5. $26. ED
Hacker (political science, Queens Coll.; Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal) and Dreifus (Sch. of International & Public Affairs, Columbia Univ.) make it their mission to blow the lid off the current state of colleges and universities in the United States. Although both authors are professors, neither shies away from breaking down the disheartening facts behind the state of higher education. They ask tough questions like what a student gets from having a four-year degree, whether distance education is teaching anything, how necessary tenure is, and why schools spend so much on athletics when they get only a modest return. Good suggestions are included, but even the authors seem to have a sense that little will change in academia anytime soon.
Verdict Anyone who has been to college or has children about to enroll should read this sometimes shocking and endlessly interesting account of the true state of academic affairs. Professors and those climbing the academic ladder should also use this to think about how they teach and how they fit into the giant academic system.-Kate Neff, ITT Technical Inst., Jacksonville, FL
Kohn, Edward P. Hot Time in the Old Town: The Catastrophic Heat Wave that Devastated Gilded Age New York. Basic Bks: Perseus. Aug. 2010. c.304p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-465-01336-4. $27.95. HIST
A rare and terrible weather phenomenon that struck New York City in 1896 becomes the backdrop here for dramatic social and political events unfolding at this pivotal time. Kohn (American culture & literature, Bilkent Univ., Turkey; This Kindred People) impressively documents the historic heat wave that killed some 1300 New Yorkers. The presidential campaign of the same year plays a part here. Democrat William Jennings Bryan, normally an eloquent speaker, delivered his famous all-too-lengthy New York stump speech during the heat wave; it proved such a resounding failure that it arguably contributed to his loss to Republican William McKinley. But Kohn's story is not without its heroes. Kohn highlights Theodore Roosevelt, then New York's police commissioner, and his concern for the poorest citizens during the lethal heat.
Verdict Although the 1896 heat wave remains a minor footnote in New York history, Kohn creates a solid narrative that makes for absorbing reading. He also points out that notwithstanding huge progress made to improve responses to heat crises, these occurrences continue to claim many lives to this day. Students of historical meteorology and shows like When Weather Changed History will enjoy this, as will anyone interested in off-beat American history.-Richard Drezen, Brooklyn
Megyesi, Jennifer (text) & Geoff Hansen (photogs.). The Joy of Keeping a Root Cellar: Canning, Freezing, Drying, Smoking, and Preserving the Harvest. Skyhorse, dist. by Norton. Aug. 2010. c.288p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-60239-975-4. pap. $14.95. COOKING
To many, a root cellar might seem firmly placed in an agrarian past. As the locavore, organic movement gains momentum, acquiring the skills to safely preserve and store food, whether home grown or obtained from local farmers, will become a priority for a wider audience. Farmer Megyesi (The Joy of Keeping Chickens) shares the knowledge she puts to use on Fat Rooster Farm in Vermont regarding cellaring, drying, canning, pickling, and freezing fruits and vegetables, as well as preserving meat and dairy, with some notes on raising livestock. Entries for each fruit or vegetable include everything you'll need to put the techniques into practice (e.g., when to pick, how to prepare for preservation, how to store).
Verdict The helpful tips, recipes, charts, gorgeous photographs, and personal anecdotes interspersed throughout provide a rich experience and make the ideas feel more accessible. This well-organized, thoughtful, and comprehenisve guide is also a pleasure to leaf through. Recommended.-Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago
The Qur'an: English Translation and Parallel Arabic Text. Oxford Univ. 2010. c.624p. tr. from Arabic by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem. index. ISBN 978-0-19-957071-3. $45. REL
In the orthodox Muslim view, the Koran, Islam's sacred text, is considered, as Islam's supreme authority, the literal and definitive word of God revealed in stages to the Prophet Muhammad. The Koran consists of 114 chapters (suras), which are divided into 6,228 verses (ayats), all in the spoken language of seventh-century Arabia. The text covers, e.g., dogma, social and family laws, prayers, liturgy, descriptions of heaven and hell, and the judgment day-with many references to the Jewish and Christian Bibles. Abdel Haleem's (Islamic studies, Sch. of Oriental & African Studies, Univ. of London) translation, first published in 2004, is a highly regarded and accessible English rendition, now presented, with revisions, for the first time in parallel text with the calligraphic Arabic. Abdel Haleem includes a new introduction about the history and structure of the Koran, as well as notes and an extensive index.
Verdict Because the Koran stresses its Arabic nature, devout Muslims believe that only an Arabic version is the actual Koran and insist that its translation cannot be more than an approximate interpretation, a kind of commentary. Yet anyone wishing to understand Islamic civilization and global affairs may find this Koran very useful. After all, it is currently perhaps the world's most ideologically influential text. Highly recommended.-Ali Houissa, Cornell Univ. Lib., Ithaca, NY
Soto, Gary. Human Nature. Tupelo Pr. 2010. c.100p. ISBN 978-1-932195-84-2. pap. $16.95. POETRY
"I was never good at reading/ The world-the tree as life,/ The sun as hope, the grinding sands/ Of time in bored Fresno." What multiaward-winning poet/novelist Soto could not find in the symbols of his streets, he saw in the faces and hearts of the people, in the reality of his time. These are poems of innocence and experience, trying to balance the tough love and hard lessons of his Chicano youth with the Catholic School promises of hope and Jesus: "Poor Jesus tired of holding his arms up for centuries./ When were we humans going to be nice,/ So he could come down?" In a simple voice that is familiar and invites trust, Soto delights in telling ordinary tales but raises them with his intelligence and wit to the realm of myth.
Verdict Smart and playful, yet still soberingly real; stripped of artifice and pretensions, these poems remind us of the resilience of human nature. There may be humor in painful moments, and hurt is never too deeply buried in smiles and laughs, but there is joy, too, and much to celebrate. In a wonderful ode to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's fountain pen, we are assured: "When he stood up at his desk/ And capped his gold-tipped nib,/ Others quickly dipped their own pens/ Into the still dark but eternally wet ink." Highly recommended.-Louis McKee, Painted Bride Arts Ctr., Philadelphia
Stone, Robert L. Sacred Steel: Inside an African American Steel Guitar Tradition. Univ. of Illinois. (Music in American Life). Sept. 2010. c.304p. illus. discog. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-252-03554-8. $75; pap. ISBN 978-0-252-07743-2. $25. MUSIC
When most people think of pedal steel guitar, they likely think of country-and-western weepers or wistful Hawaiian tunes. Folklorist, musician, and producer Stone explores a completely different self-contained world in which steel guitar is a passionate, forceful lead instrument. The sound has been featured in gospel choirs of two African American Pentecostal churches since the early 20th century. For the benefit of the uninitiated, Stone provides two helpful chapters about the social milieu of the church and the steel guitarist's role in the often fiery, demonstrative services. He documents the pioneers of the instrument and the key players in the most influential churches and highlights where the music is today and where it is expected to go in coming years.
Verdict Church recordings sell extremely well, and modern-day practitioners such as Robert Randolph are showing that steel guitar can be used even in funk and soul music. Thus, this somewhat scholarly but accessible book will be of interest to gospel music fans and, in particular, to those who have experienced this musical tradition.-Bill Walker, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L., CA
