Category: Stu’s Reviews

Genre: Book

Grade: A-

Notable People: Paul Auster

Title: Leviathan

Review: The man I believe to be our Darkest living writer, writes his darkest work yet I this extraordinary work detailing a man’s journey from eccentric writer to minor terrorist. As usual, Auster uses himself as the lens for the story…..a rich and vivid portrayal of a trek into darkness (or light?- tutorial of Auster, it is not totally clear which ). Auster is undoubtedly brilliant and a true original. I find his books riveting, but he might just be TOO dark for lot of folk.

Genre: Book/Stories

Grade: B+

Notable People: Annie Proulx

Title: Bad Dirt

Review: this is the second of Proulx’ Wyoming story series and pretty comparable to the first one. Dry humor, caricatures of western archetypes, lushly described vistas abound….with a set of recurring characters, mostly set in the town of Elk Tooth, Wyoming….from whence you have to drive 40 miles to get a quart of milk, but can readily have a boilermaker at any of three bars in town. Though I recognize the superior writing quality and the serous thinking of these sets of stories, they frankly begin to bore me a bit after three or four. I’ll probably plow through the subsequent two in the series, but only because I’m a stubborn reader. I prefer her three outstanding novels.

Genre: Book/Stories

Grade: A

Notable People: Steve Hamilton

Title: Blood is the Sky

Review: Hamilton is the best new mystery writer I have found in last five years. These Alex McKnight mysteries are extremely well written, plotted and populated with great characters. Hamilton loves the UP, the “Soo” and southern Canada…and nails his vivid descriptions of the area. The plots are spellbinding. This is the fourth tin the series and I can’ wait to obtain the next one. McKnight is an ultimate “everyman” hero

Genre: Book/Stories

Grade: A-

Notable People: Annie Proulx

Title: Close Range

Review: Proulx is not prolific; she has written three novels and 5-6 sets of stories in the last 30 years, but all have a level of quality of writing not often found these days. This volume is the first of four books of stories that represent her Wyoming collection- starting in the late 90s. She has lived in Wyoming for many years and has a clear fascination with the history, culture, politics and especially with the land. I found this set of stories to be quite unusual in subject matter- some of them going back to pioneer days and some current day. One is the shortest, short story on record at under one page. Another is a magnificent 8 pager that essentially narrates an entire life through a person’s held jobs. Lot of cowboys, rodeo types, ranch hands, rough necks…..people getting by in a harsh and mostly poor environment. Proulx has a sneaky sense of humor that appears in the most unusual places, but is refreshing. A few of the stories seemed way too long and rambled on in a way that had me lose interest..…but for the most part, I found myself totally absorbed in the time and place. Getting into the second set soon.

Genre: Book/Stories

Grade: A-
Notable People: Jon Talton

Title: Camelback Falls

Review: This is the second in the David Mapstone series which Talton started writing around 2001. Mapstone is the history professor turned reluctant sheriff’s deputy in Maricopa County (Phoenix), who has an on again -off again relationship with the wonderful Peraltha, who is the Chief Deputy of the large sheriff’s dept. and then becomes Sheriff. The “history shamus” , as his love interest, Lindsey (a giant-pistol packing, computer nerd deputy) calls Mapstone, is a fifth generation Phoenician (as is Talton) and has a love hate fascination with the gilded desert oasis, which results in a fascinating historical recollection of the tiny desert town that became a sprawling metro haven for winter-sick Easterners and big-buck schemers. The characters in these books are really good, and the descriptions of the Phoenix area and culture are fantastic. I was totally engaged in this book and found it really well written, but a bit disappointed towards the end with some payoff- scenes that really seemed like a stretch. Ergo, the slight ding in grading….but definitely a keeper. I’m ready for series book #3.

Genre: Book/Stories

Grade: B+

Notable People: Annie Proulx

Title: Accordion Crimes

Review: This 1996 set of stories by Proulx could be considered one long intricate novel- the story follows the travels and transfer of a mythic Green Accordion through two centuries, multiple owners, many tragedies and many transformations. Some similarity with the great film, The Red Violin…but I liked the film better than this book. Proulx is an unbelievable writer…her attention to details of all sorts is simply amazing, and her narratives are gripping. That said, this book waxed and waned for me- some of the stories more compelling than others….and it awful long. Then again, my great friend, the Naven (AKA Flaco), an accordion player of some repute, loved this book when I got it for him some years ago. You have to be up to the challenge of the writing.

Genre: Book/Stories

Grade: A

Notable People: Steve Hamilton

Title: North of Nowhere

Review: This is the fourth (of 10) in Hamilton’s Alex McKnight mystery series..…and I am totally sold. Was not sure when I read the first few- but these have now totally engaged me. Rip roaring stories set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the shores of deep, dark and majestic Lake Superior. This truly another world. Hamilton love this place and loves his characters and the storied are all twisted up beauties. I read this one in three days- could not stop. Bring me more.