Monthly Archives: July 2007

This collection of short stories by Elizabeth Berg shows all her strengths in  vignettes of plain folks of all ages…79 years old Mavis McPherson taking a few days’ retreat in her bathroom to revisit her memories, a home nurse relating … Continue reading →

Here is a memoir, no fiction, which compares well with The Gravedigger’s Daughter. Like Rebecca, Jeannette Walls pulls herself up out of an incredibly filthy, abusive and deprived childhood to become a woman of culture, in this case a journalist. … Continue reading →

Joyce Carol Oates’ novel appears to be based in part on the history of her grandmother, daughter of a German math teacher and printer (Lutheran, not Jewish) who with his music loving but emotionally fragile wife and two sons manages … Continue reading →

To be cured of any desire to visit the Mediterranean, read Paul Theroux’s account of his lengthy plod around its borders. Following the accounts of authors whose remarks (excepting Joyce) seldom inspire, he boards almost empty ferries and trains or … Continue reading →

I am fascinated by Thomas Friedman’s revelations about the worldwide commercial networks and ventures burgeoning daily via internet connections. His title metaphor suggests that time and place differences have been erased or are being used to advantage (Indians working during … Continue reading →