 MostlyFiction.com
Newsletter Update
Posted
to subscriber list on 10-22-03.
Hello MostlyFiction.com
readers!
Two things
happened this week that tell me that MostlyFiction.com is getting too
big and unwieldy and probably in need of a redesign. First, I was searching
Google for related links for a review/author for the Bookmarks section
and was surprised to find that MostlyFiction.com had an excerpt from
a previous novel from that same author. How did I forget that? Second,
one of the reviewers wrote to tell me a review was incorrectly linked.
When I looked into I discovered that I had replaced the review of a
book by Ellen Ullman with one by
Linn Ullmann during the site move
-- and I didn't even notice. In five and half years of doing this site,
that was the first time I made an error of that magnitude.
So if I
seem to go into hibernation for the next few weeks -- it is not because
of the impending snow (really, they are forecasting snow for tomorrow)
but because I finally purchased an upgrade to Dreamweaver so that I
can "fix" the site.
Meanwhile,
despite these lapses, twelve more reviews have been posted to MostlyFiction.com.
They are as follows:
__________
DEAFENING by Frances Itani
Reviewed by Mary Whipple
 War
and deafness are the twin themes of this psychologically rich, impeccably
crafted debut novel set during WWI. It's the story of Grania O'Neill
who loses her hearing when she is five years old and it is also about
the hearing man she marries, who ends up on front line duty in the Ambulance
Corps for Britain.
__________
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD by Jincy Willett
Reviewed by Mary Whipple
When Jincy
Willett's book of short stories was published in 1987, no one noticed.
Except for one fan, a boy, who wrote to ask if he could
stage a play from one of her stories. Years later, when asked if there
was one book out-of-print that he'd like to see back in print, David
Sedaris said "Jenny and the Jaws of Life." Turns out he was
that same boy -- and the book was reprinted last year. Thus it is this
mere twist of fate that we are lucky enough to read Willett's first
novel with its bold title and a "light, breezy, and often satiric
send-up of New England values, the literary life, family interdependencies"
and much more.
__________
SET THIS HOUSE IN ORDER: A ROMANCE OF SOULS by Matt Ruff
Reviewed by Jenny Dressel
 This
novel has the most unusual premise but is told in the most ordinary
way. Andy Gage is diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (MPD)
and with psychiatric help, is learning to give all of his personalities
their due proper "space" or time in the body. And he's managing
just fine until his boss cajoles him into helping another MPD who doesn't
yet know that she is one. Fair warning: when you read this, be ready
to pass this book onto others because you will be recommending it to
everyone. It is one of those books you will want others to experience.
__________
THE ANOMALIES by Joey Goebel
Reviewed by Poornima Apte
 The
debut novel from the former lead singer of the punk rock band The Mullets
is about a quirky band trying to make their first break in Kentucky.
As Poornima points out, this novel will probably be enjoyed most by
the early twenties set -- but don't underestimate this young writer's
talent with is his "incisive and often witty prose."
__________
THE FOX'S WALK by Annabel Davis-Goff
Reviewed by Mary Whipple
During
the First World War, ten-year-old Alice Moore is left in the care of
her autocratic grandmother at  Ballydavid,
a lovely country house in County Waterford. Living in a rigid, old-fashioned
household where propriety is all, Alice isforced to piece together her
world--a world on the brink of revolution--from overheard conversations,
servants' gossip, and her own keen observations. As Mary points out,
"Davis-Goff's novel describes the Irish Revolution as it is seen
from the drawing room of an Anglo-Irish estate. In a most unusual move,
the author presents this life with sympathy, understanding, and no apologies,
though she does not condone the inequities inherent in the lifestyle."
__________
PRINCE OF AYODHYA by Ashok K. Banker
Reviewed by Sudheer Apte
 Embodying
all the elements of a classic epic fantasy, the ancient Hindu mythological
tale The Ramayana is full of sweeping adventure, gods and monsters,
and a questing prince. Now, Ashok K. Banker adapts The Ramayana
into an epic fantasy.
_________
HELLO, DARKNESS by Sandra Brown
Reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
 Sandra
Brown is one of the few authors who started out as a bonafide romance
writer -- earning a lifetime achievement award -- to successfully transition
to mainstream suspense fiction. I quickly became a fan after reading
ENVY -- but it seems that Ms. Brown is getting edgier all the time.
__________
THE THIN PINK LINE by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Reviewed by Shannon Bloomstran
 So
what happens if you think you're pregnant, you tell everyone you are,
and then you find out you are not pregnant -- but decide not to tell
anyone. Shannon volunteered to review this book, stating if there was
any humor to be found in pregnancy, she was ready for it.
__________
THE WOLVES IN THE WALLS by Neil Gaiman
Reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
 Yeah,
we know this is a kid's book -- just look at the shape of the book and
you know it. But it's also Neil Gaiman and if you know anything about
Cindy -- she's a Neil Gaiman fan. So is she too old for this book? Check
out the review and see.
__________
TRUTH by Jacqueline Sheehan
Reviewed by Kam Aures
 Born
a slave, survived a free bondwoman, reborn an outspoken abolitionist,
Sojourner Truth died a heroine of graceful proportions. But the story
of her inner struggles is as powerful and provocative as her accomplishments
and is thus captured in this moving work of fiction.
__________
UNPAID DUES by Barbara Seranella
Reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
 Munch
Mancini is a most unusual protagonist -- she's an auto mechanic, but
even more interesting is her past in which she was a drug addict and
hooker. In this sixth novel in the series, Munch's past comes right
up against her when a dead woman's arrest record which reveals a set
of Munch Mancini's fingerprints and Munch isn't giving up much information
to her old friend and detective as to why this might be.
__________
BLEACHERS by John Grisham
Reviewed by Kam Aures
 Grisham
explores nostalgia and regret in this short book about a dying controversial
coach and what went on fifteen years earlier.
__________
OCTOBER RAFFLES:
We are giving away two copies each of six different books this month.
To enter, start here: WIN A BOOK!
SEPTEMBER
RAFFLE WINNERS:
All winners have been notified by e-mail, but not all books have been
claimed. Please check this page: All
Previous Raffle Winners
If you have won, send me an e-mail with the book title and author in
the subject line to let me know.
__________
HALLOWEEN READING:
SUSANNAH
MORROW by Megan Chance
ALL
THAT LIVES: A NOVEL OF THE BELL WITCH by Melissa Sanders-Self
SECOND
GLANCE by Jodi Picoult
RED
SOX EMPATHY READING:
SCREWBALL
by David Ferrell
WHEN
BOSTON WON THE WORLD SERIES by Bob Ryan
READING
THE WINNERS:
J.M. Coetzee -
the Nobel Prize Winner
2003
National Book Award Finalists
2003
Man Booker Prize Winner
Have a safe (but scary) Halloween!
Regards,
Judi Clark
MostlyFiction.com
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