even more astonishing than the breadth and scope of Lucius Shepard‘s imagination in the seemingly infinite variety of his plot, trajectories and characterizations is the power inherent in narratives that share a common theme or tone; when novellas with common locales or sensibilities are collected, they are their own mythologies: THE JAGUAR HUNTER, LIFE DURING …
just finished reading Bohumil Hrabal’s collection of short stories, The Death of Mr. Baltisberger. perpetual thanks, as always, to Ann and Stona Fitch for introducing me to one of the 20th Century’s undersung masters. my favorites were the final two, The World Cafeteria and Want To See Golden Prague? (but even their late placement in …
Just finished reading The Taborin Scale by Lucius Shepard, a novella of majesty and magic, part of the mythology surrounding the the centuries-old apparently moribund dragon-god, Griaule. Lucius’ recent collection, The Dragon Griaule is the volume wherein you’ll find this and other treasures telling of this bewitched and bewitching deity. I purchased this slim volume …
just finished reading FIND A VICTIM by the legendary Ross MacDonald. i’ve been steadily making my way through Kenneth Millar’s (Ross’ given name) ouevre, but it’s been a while since the last one i read. no one in the noir world has a better sense of atmosphere, and no one has much troubled empathy and …
just finished reading Sara Gran’s SATURN’S RETURN TO NEW YORK. i’d previously loved her tale of revenge wrought supernaturally in NYC, COME CLOSER, and so had bought reams of her work. had i known that the book i just finished was basically a chick flick surrounding the astrological stress of Saturn reemerging 29 years after …