Carl > Recent Status Updates

After reunification, riots in former E.G.against immigrants. Guns not available, arson is the crime. Gruesome stories of families burned alive. Riot in Rostock for four days . . . police unable (:?) to stop it. Hundreds of Vietnamese nearly burned alive (brought in when E. G. was communist.) Many arson attacks in W.G. as well. Police monitor protest march against Rostock riots with more cops than at the riot.

Grim reminder of frequency of right wing terror targeting people of color and Jews. Book then investigates the growth of neo Nazis in former East Germany. Bleak lives, little hope for a future,banding together into violent groups.

Agatha Christie type novel set in Harlem. Our dead conjure-man isn't dead after all. he was in a trance of sorts and comes back to life. The question remains -- who "killed" him. All participants will be reassembled with the conjure-man and the detective both using their own special abilities. Uneven. . . Some scenes terrific, others a bit of a yawn.

Moll taken in by rich family as servant/sorta sister. She is seduced by one brother, but marries the other more naive brother. He dies, she gets money and goes. 2nd husband rich . . . they spend until they're broke. He flees. 3rd husband is Virginia planter. All looks well until MF discovers he is her half-brother. It's suggested she just grin (not tell him) and bear it, but she can't. Back to London

Recommended by The American Scholar. Black doctor/author who was the leading light among Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, etc., Fisher died in his 30's. This is considered the first mystery set in a Black community. Solid start . . . mysterious death of Conjure Man, fortune teller.

Helen's past . . . brutal husband, drunkard, philanderer, abusive
thus the break . . . However, as he lays dying, he calls for his son and Helen returns so he can see the boy one last time.
Will he die? Probably not . . . conflict with her true love is coming.

Sci-Fi with interesting characters, fast-moving plot.
Citadel prepared by robots for human visitors. Humans arrive to find robots in disarray. Has one gone rogue? Is there another visitor on Mars from another planet? Either way, the intentions of this unknown are to kill the humans. Reminds me of Childhood's End . . . sci-fi but very human

They land, barely, on Mars, after failure to connect with robots sent ahead. They are fortunate to find the Citadel, their home on Mars, but can't get in. Codes changed. Robots let them in (barely in time). Investigation starts. These robots are acting strangely. Assign gender to one another, make decisions, etc.

Helen Graham is the tenant. Removed from the community, living in rundown Wildfell Hall, is subject of gossip in the community. Is she really Mrs. Graham, or was her son born out of wedlock? Her surly manner doesn't help her position. What's the truth?

Solid story.

Youtube fame . . . perfect family for the camera, not so perfect with camera off. Ruby (mom) is a tyrant. Shari is actually quite compliant throughout, but nothing she does is good enough. Family gains wealth; father (Kevin) becomes weaker as time passes. Brother (Chad) is also a victim. Weird relationship with older man who pretends to be a mentor but has evil intentions

Dos Passos similarities. Strong on characters, dialogue, everyday experience . . . doesn't look like there will be much of a typical plot

Dos Passos similarity. Character strong, dialogue strong, not sure there will be a plot. Birmingham working class manufacturing families

Dick Diver has fallen for NIcole . . . his ambition to be the greatest psychologist will be challenged, as much of his time will be dedicated to her mental fragility . . . victim of incest with wealthy father whom she adores. A mess.

Reminds me of Dos Passos. I don't think it will be strong on plot--more daily life of Birmingham manufacturing workers. Strong, natural dialogue and situations . . . but that lack of a plot is tough on readers.

Marriage continues to unravel. Vida wants no part of sex with Tom, doesn't get along with his children. Her son Peter is enamored with Tom's eldest, Stuart, who is enamored with Asian philosophy, medicine, etc. Not too many books that deal with this "blended family" dynamic.

and "For years she has lived largely through the books she teaches, but when she accepts the impulsive marriage proposal of ardent widower Tom Belou, the prescribed life Vida has constructed is swiftly dismantled."

Publisher nails the opening: "Fifteen years ago Vida Avery arrived alone and pregnant at elite Fayer Academy. She has since become a fixture and one of the best teachers Fayer has ever had. By living on campus, on an island off the New England coast, Vida has cocooned herself and her son, Peter, from the outside world and from an inside secret."

Rachel is operative in Arab country for Israel. Handler is Ehud. Her "front" is as an English teacher. She meets Rasheed through her class, rich Arab involved in chemical imports. Naturally, she falls in love with him though she stays true to Israel. Sidelines include killing German scientist with fast-acting poison he ingests by kissing her hand. Ehud also in love with her. She has disappeared.

SF in 1974. Prose is cruising around the city with the man who, along with Ellsberg, released Pentagon Papers. She's already (at 26) published two novels, been married and divorced. There's an attempt to portray herself as a typical struggling 20 something, but . . . trips to Mexico, India, Europe . . . back and forth to East Coast . . . $30 in poker game "penny ante." $30. My memory is $30 was two weeks groceries.

Many of these read like prose-poems. A narrative set in New England, mainly the voices of the "common folk." Definitely the understated New England manner

So, who killed Tulkinghorn. The nasty French lady-in-waiting or Lady Dedlock? Will Richard die? Will Emily marry old, rich Jarndyce or young, penniless Woodcourt.

Quite exciting.

Great readers, great poems

E. agrees to marry old Jarndyce and then, naturally, Doctor W shows up. Jo, street urchin who helps Lady Dedlock, dies. Tulkinghorn is murdered by Sergeant George. EVerything moving along except the law case.

Esther knows her mother is Lady Dedlock. Tulkinghorn great evil lawyer. Naive "heir" losing himself in the case. Jarndyce loves Esther, but she sees him (correctly) as a father figure. Her true love is off at sea as doctor. Wonderful characters, including Krook who dies of spontaneous combustion from alcoholism.

Siege goes on for a month and a half. Koresh speaking with God about when to come out; FBI thinks he's scamming them

Koresh collecting guns in preparation for end times. AFT planning on taking him without any violence. Lots of missed opportunities. AFT doesn't know their religious view embraces a final battle and death, expecting resurrection afterward. Intel is old, out of date.
Karesh-familiar story-convinces followers that he should have numerous wives in order to fulfill prophecy. Also includes underage girls in harem.