Xpress Reviews-The First Look at New Books
Jul 15, 2010Week ending July 16, 2010
Fiction | Nonfiction | Graphic Novels
Fiction
Essex, Karen. Dracula in Love. Doubleday. Aug. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 978-0-385-52891-7. $25.95. F
In Essex's sensuous reinterpretation of Dracula, Mina Harker declares that Bram Stoker had it completely wrong when he wrote his tale of a vampire aristocrat. Although many of the same characters from Stoker's classic can be found here, their personalities and agendas differ in the extreme. The Count is Mina's centuries-old lover and protector; unfortunately, her memories are deeply buried. She cannot, however, deny her attraction to his powerful presence. His caring for her contrasts greatly with the Victorian attitudes of the men currently in her life-Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, and even her husband, Johnathan.
Verdict Beautifully written, this novel by the author of Leonardo's Swans features vivid images of drama, danger, and romance. It is also remarkably similar to Syrie James's Dracula, My Love in its portrayal of the strong-minded Mina and her passionate connection to Dracula, but the stories diverge with their plots. While Dracula, My Love follows the story line of Stoker's novel, Dracula in Love has a completely different take on the action. Romance and vampire fiction buffs will snap this one up. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/10.]—Patricia Altner, Biblioinfo.com, Columbia, MD
Robinson, Peter. Bad Boy. Morrow. Sept. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-06-136295-8. $25.99.. M
DCI Alan Banks's daughter, Tracy, has been feeling neglected lately. Her brother's music career has taken off, and she is still working in a bookstore while she tries to decide what she wants to do with her life. When suave and handsome bad boy Jaff McCready enters her life, she is ready for romance and vulnerable to his superficial charm. An illegal firearm found in her roommate's possession is traced to Jaff, and he convinces Tracy to leave the country with him. But she soon becomes his prisoner, as he holds her hostage in order to protect himself from the police. Banks must tread carefully if he is to save his daughter from this volatile and unstable young man.
Verdict Branching out into new territory, Robinson's 19th installment in the Inspector Banks series (after All the Colors of Darkness) is more of a suspense story than a "whodunit." Excellent characterization and skillful plotting make this an engrossing read. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 4/1/10.]—Linda Oliver, MLIS, Colorado Springs
Shoneyin, Lola. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives. Morrow. Jul. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 978-0-06-194637-0. $23.99. F
Set in contemporary Nigeria, poet Shoneyin's first novel draws us into the complex family dynamics of Baba Segi, his seven children, and his four wives: the controlling Iya Segi, meek and submissive Iya Tope, vindictive Iya Femi, and Bolanle, his university-educated wife. Bolanle's apparent inability to conceive a child sets off a series of events and revelations that significantly impact every member of the household.
Verdict Using alternating narration, Shoneyin quickly gains the readers interest in this warts-and-all depiction of a culture that will be unfamiliar to many. Each wife finds her own way to assert her power and desire within the confines of a patriarchal system; in some cases, with disastrous consequences. Book clubs and readers in general interested in exploring dynamic characters and events, and who can tolerate some sex and violence, will find this a strong choice. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/10.]—Christine DeZelar-Tiedman, Univ. of Minnesota Lib., Minneapolis
Tedrowe, Emily Gray. Commuters. Perennial: HarperCollins. Jul. 2010. 416p. ISBN 978-0-06-185947-2. pap. $13.99. F
This first novel explores the effects of marriage on the families of the happy couple. When seniors Winnie and Jerry decide to wed, Jerry's daughter Annette starts a business war with him. Winnie's daughter Rachel realizes that she can borrow money from her wealthy stepfather to keep her family afloat after her husband's brain injury. Annette's son Avery starts to develop a relationship with his grandfather while Jerry and Annette are estranged and finds that he enjoys the older man's company and not just because Jerry is financing Avery's restaurant start-up. However, when Jerry's health begins a rapid decline, business, family, and money complicate the relationship between the families, who have been changed by their close association. The reader feels sympathy for Tedrowe's characters, even when they behave badly, and through the various threads, Tedrowe reminds us that love transcends social and monetary boundaries.
Verdict This New England family drama will be a good book club selection.-Amy Ford, St. Mary's Cty. Lib., Lexington Park, MD
Todd, Charles. An Impartial Witness: A Bess Crawford Mystery. Morrow. Sept. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-06-179178-9. $24.99. M
To help or not to help? That is the question. Todd's second Bess Crawford mystery (after a Duty to the Dead) opens as Bess arrives in London on approved leave from the battlefield of World War I France. At the train terminal Bess sees Marjorie Evanson, the wife of one of her severely burned patients, sobbing while clutching the arm of an officer who is not her husband. Weeks later Bess reads an advertisement asking for witnesses with information to the murder of Marjorie, which occurred shortly after Bess's sighting. Bess comes forward and begins her own investigation. She discovers that Marjorie led a secret life while her husband was away on the front lines and that someone was desperate enough to kill in order to protect it.
Verdict Readers will enjoy Todd's plucky, determined sleuth and a thrilling mystery that proves murders on the home front don't stop just because there's a war. Recommended for historical mystery enthusiasts who like intrepid heroine investigators similar to Maisie Dobbs.—Susan O. Moritz, Montgomery Cty. P.L., MD
White, Stephen. The Last Lie. Dutton. Aug. 2010. c.416p. ISBN 978-0-525-95177-3. $26.95. F
In White's (The Siege, Dead Time) latest thriller featuring psychologist Alan Gregory, a housewarming party ends in a suspected rape. The event takes place at the home of Alan's new neighbors, a celebrated lawyer and his socialite wife. This would be cause for some concern at any time, but Alan's interest is piqued by an incident involving him while walking his dogs in the area on the night in question and that another psychologist he supervises may be treating the alleged victim. Alan spends most of the novel trying to piece together what happened and hampered because his wife Lauren and best cop friend, Sam Purdy, have knowledge that they are unable to share with him. Because events are revealed in fragments and there are so many strands that must meld, White must be on top of his game to hold everything together, a challenge that he is able to meet.
Verdict The slow reveal of previous incidents is reminiscent of David Ellis's In the Company of Liars, and White keeps the suspense high as always. Not his best work, but still an enjoyable read for thriller fans.—Craig Shufelt, Fort McMurray P.L., Alta.
Nonfiction
Aller, Joan E. Cider Beans, Wild Greens, and Dandelion Jelly: Recipes from Southern Appalachia. Andrews McMeel. 2010. 212p. photogs. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-7407-7958-9. $27.99. COOKING
Longtime resident of Southern Appalachia Aller has seen changes in the area since the community has become less isolated. To capture the traditional culture she loves she began writing down local recipes-word spread and suggestions came from all parts of the region. The cookbook has a cozy, friendly feel, as though a neighbor were guiding readers through the steps. Interspersed within the recipes are stories and sketches of the area. The recipes reflect the roots of Appalachia, which includes Native American, African, Melungeon (a people whose origins may include Muslims and Jews escaping the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal), and European cultures. Some of the recipes are reminiscent of Southern cooking (Okra Soup and Yam Cakes), while others are distinct to the region (German Bierocks and Melungeon Wedding Cake). All are accessible and easily prepared by most cooks.
Verdict Considering recent interest in regional cooking, this book should be a hit with most foodies and cooks as well as with readers interested in Appalachia.—Ginny Wolter, Toledo-Lucas Cty. P.L.
Goldstein, David B. Invisible Energy: Strategies To Rescue the Economy and Save the Planet. Bay Tree., dist. by National Bk. Network. Jul. 2010. c.224p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-9819577-0-8. pap. $18.95. SCI
MacArthur "Genius Award" winner Goldstein (Saving Energy, Growing Jobs) explains an energy solution that is not only low-hanging and promising but mostly invisible. That would be energy efficiency?the idea of consuming less energy to do the same amount of heating, cooling, lighting, and driving of our machinery. This is not a new idea and surely not as sexy as supply-side developments in solar, wind, or geothermal renewables, but based on some of the successes California has had with its energy efficiency measures, the author maintains it is time to take it globally. Goldstein identifies the barriers to efficiency?primarily political and bureaucratic-and then details the policy, regulatory, and technological "fixes" to make it all work. The benefits, he argues, could go far beyond the expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on imported oil; he holds that a number of economic ills like the mortgage crisis, high unemployment, inflation, government deficits, and trade imbalances could also be addressed by boosting efficiency. Even though technology-based solutions are his focus, Goldstein appears to have made a determined effort to keeping his discussion accessible to a nonspecialist audience.
Verdict Goldstein makes a sensible, timely, tightly argued case. So why isn't it compelling? It might have something to do with the poor visual display of quantitative information (more graphs needed). Perhaps a more passionate demolition of the naysayers' arguments would help. Or maybe, as some have suggested, a more stirring descriptor for "efficiency" would help.—Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont.
Kenski, Kate & others. The Obama Victory: How Media, Money, and Message Shaped the 2008 Election. Oxford Univ. Jul. 2010. c.400p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-19-539955-4. $21.95. COMM
The political campaigns for the election of 2008 introduced new uses of social media and targeted specific voter populations. Each side worked diligently to control media messages and public perceptions. Barack Obama tried to portray John McCain as too old and too much like President Bush, while McCain attempted to convince the public that Obama did not have enough experience to be President. Kenski (communication, Univ. of Arizona), Bruce W. Hardy (senior research analyst, Annenberg Public Policy Ctr.), and Kathleen Hall Jamieson (Elizabeth Ware Packard Professor of Communication, Univ. of Pennsylvania) use survey data from the National Annenberg Election Survey, as well as interviews with key campaign officials, to examine the impact of the various strategies on the election outcome. They pay special attention to the effect of the vice presidential nominees on voter behavior, including issues related to gender and the influence of popular media, such as Tina Fey's parodies of Sarah Palin.
Verdict This data-rich and detailed analysis of the 2008 political campaigns will appeal to political scientists, political communication specialists, and campaign strategists and is likely to mold future campaign strategies.—Judy Solberg, Seattle Univ. Lib.
McCarthy, Anna. The Citizen Machine: Governing by Television in 1950s America. New Pr., dist. by Perseus. Jul. 2010. c.352p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-59558-498-4. $28.95. TV
McCarthy (cinema studies, New York Univ.; Ambient Television: Visual Culture and Public Space) takes a scholarly approach to the early history of television with a sociopolitical perspective. Supported by archival research, she examines forces like Dupont and the Ford Foundation and their influence on TV programming in the Fifties via sponsorship. In one interesting section, McCarthy discusses an Omnibus version of Uncle Tom's Cabin based on her interviews with the screenwriter, Ellen M. Violett. This offers a window into that time and a behind-the-scenes look at the script-development process. Violett found Uncle Tom's Cabin to be "extraordinarily good social comment of human beings," and McCarthy juxtaposes that with the racial politics of the civil rights era. Television and political culture of the 1950s are covered along with how television could be used as a tool of big business to relate to the citizenry.
Verdict This is definitely aimed at an academic audience and those interested in the early history of television. Eric Burns's forthcoming Invasion of the Mind Snatchers: Television's Conquest of America in the Fifties (Temple Univ., Sept.) is a better choice for general readers.—Barb Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO
Preserve It! DK. 2010. 352p. ed. by Lynda Brown with Carolyn Humphries & Heather Whinney. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-7566-6208-0. $25. COOKING
Home food preservation perfectly suits the growing local-food movement and the renewed interest in sustainable-living practices. Brown (Organic Living) is a well-known advocate of home and organic gardening in the UK, and she here brings her expertise to a wide U.S. market. As with other DK publications, this book is amply illustrated with numerous photos, and many of the processes are depicted from the start (ingredients and tools) to the finished product. Preservation methods include drying, freezing, pickling, canning, smoking, salting, and natural storage. Recipes from Quinces in Spiced Syrup to Duck Confit help readers in a variety of climates and with a variety of tastes find recipes to match their local food sources.
Verdict This volume complements similar recently published titles (e.g., Sherri Brooks Vinton's Put 'em Up! and Canning & Preserving with Ashley English), and, with its variety of options for food preservation ingredients and methods, it should have appeal to readers already familiar with DK publications and draw interest from beginners.—Meagan P. Storey, Virginia Beach
Graphic Novels
Gordon, Mel & Thomas Andrae. Siegel and Shuster's Funnyman: The First Jewish Superhero. Feral House. Jul. 2010. c.200p. ISBN 978-1-932595-78-9. pap. $24.95. GRAPHIC NOVELS
First things first: Funnyman isn't funny; that's not a big surprise considering the star of the eponymous comic book and strips was a comedian–turned–crime fighter wearing a prosthetic Jimmy Durante nose and the wardrobe of a clown while running through dated jokes (1940s-era). Fortunately, most of this book about the supposedly first Jewish superhero doesn't dwell on the character who was so unpopular he was kicked out of his own comic strip. Rather than focus on the contrived comic superhero, Andrae and Gordon deliver a book with a keen sense of cultural history that sets up the joke that is Funnyman with a primer on the importance of humor among Jews. The anthropological lesson not only explains creators Siegel and Shuster's raison d'?re for their hero but also underscores how the development of Jewish humor parallels the rise of entertainment culture. Even more interesting is the book's examination of how Siegel and Shuster used Jewish stereotypes to undermine their own Man of Steel. Though, if Funnyman is all you want, the book includes all of his appearances.
Verdict This book is required reading for anyone searching for a cultural compass in comic books' greatest title, Superman. Just don't expect it to be funny.—Robert Morast. Fargo, ND
King, Frank. Walt and Skeezix: The Complete Daily Strips, 1927-1928. Drawn & Quarterly. 2010. c.400p. ISBN 978-1-897299-39-5. $39.95. GRAPHIC NOVELS
This is the latest volume in Drawn & Quarterly's ongoing anthology of daily strips from the famous and long-running Gasoline Alley. The comic was distinguished by a continuing story arc that saw its characters age and change, providing daily snapshots of American life. With the 1921 introduction of Skeezix, a baby left on the doorstep of good-natured bachelor Walt Wallet, the focus became the gentle and realistic relationship between father and adoptive son. In this volume, that relationship is threatened when shallow, opportunistic Mme. Octave and her ex-husband try to claim Skeezix as theirs. Along the way, King explores the question of what really makes a family?blood or loving care. Biographical notes and archival photos round out this well-designed presentation.
Verdict Classic comics fans and history buffs (along with those who know the present-day strip) should find this fascinating. Although it can stand alone, it would be enjoyed most with the earlier volumes. One negative note: while the stereotypical portrayal of the Wallet family's African American servant is very much of its time, it may be jarring for modern readers.—Julia Cox, Penticton P.L., BC
Lee, Stan (text) & Don Heck (illus.) & with Jack Kirby & Steve Ditko. The Invincible Iron Man. Marvel. (Masterworks). 2010. c.208p. ISBN 978-0-7851-4567-7. pap. $24.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Collecting the original run of Iron Man stories from Tales of Suspense, this collected edition is not only a history of the classic (though, until very recently, second-tier) Marvel Comics character Iron Man, it's also a fine example of the kind of comic book storytelling that only Lee could produce. Told in his trademark style that brings to mind old-time film serials, these stories are heavy on sf, patriotism (the tale wherein Iron Man thwarts a Communist plan to steal American weapons technology is practically dripping red, white, and blue), and a gulping dose of disbelief suspension-by the reader as well as the characters themselves. Readers more familiar with contemporary comics will find these stories almost laughable, but there is a certain innocence to them that is welcoming; the all-ages factor is a plus.
Verdict Readers drawn to Iron Man by the recent films starring Robert Downey Jr. will find these stories intriguing, and scholars interested in comics history will value their role in the development of the medium.—M. Brandon Robbins, Wayne Cty. P.L., Goldsboro, NC
Matz (text) & Luc Jacamon (illus.). The Killer. Vol. 2. Archaia. 2010. c.176p. ISBN 978-1-932386-56-1. $21.95. GRAPHIC NOVELS
The second volume of this highly acclaimed series finds our unnamed main character juggling his time between professional killings and—making friends? The isolation that marked our protagonist's soul in the first entry is replaced by a sense of illumination. Our hero transcends hit-man stereotypes and in turn rewards us with a rich and engaging character who will connect with audiences. His relationship with supporting character Mariano perfectly crystalizes the transformation he's making toward a somewhat normal dude. Jacamon's artwork also shines, as we are sent on a trip around the world; each frame is not only well detailed but also full of rich and vibrant color that jumps off the page.
Verdict Highly recommended (along with Volume 1) to action and noir fans. This could also find a larger audience owing in no small part to Matz's excellent storytelling.—Justin Hoenke, Portland P.L., ME
