Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 3/1/2006
Gran, Sara. Dope. Putnam. Feb. 2006. c.256p. ISBN 0-399-15345-4. $21.95. F
In her third novel, Gran (Come Closer; Saturn's Return to New York) takes us into the grim and seedy life of an addict, where nothing and no one is taken for granted. In 1950s New York City, Josephine Flanagan "boosts" merchandise from department stores, then sells it to pay her monthly bills. Though it wasn't so much a life epiphany that got her clean as the jail time she served, Josephine is determined not to lapse back into heroin addiction. Out of the blue, she is hired by an affluent couple to locate their daughter, Nadine, who has gotten involved in drugs, dropped out of Barnard, and disappeared. Because of her "connections," the couple believes Josephine might be able to track down their daughter and bring her home. But in order to uncover Nadine's whereabouts, Josephine must reconnect with her old life and is repeatedly reminded that there are few things less trustworthy than an addict looking for his/her next fix. Gran does a great job evoking the era with both the language and the landscape. This taut thriller with a shocking conclusion is recommended for all public libraries.—Caroline Mann, Univ. of Portland Lib., OR
Fine, Marshall. Accidental Genius: How John Cassavetes Invented the American Independent Film. Miramax: Hyperion. 2006. c.496p. photogs. ISBN 1-4013-5249-9. $26.95. FILM
Most analyses of films directed by John Cassavetes (1929–89) take either an academic or a philosophical approach. Film and TV critic Fine (Bloody Sam: The Life and Films of Sam Peckinpah) opts for an anecdotal point of view in discussing how Cassavetes's unique personality influenced the way he made his films. Fine suggests that Cassavetes's disdain for memorizing scripted dialog as an actor shaped the spontaneous spirit of his work and that his incredibly excessive energy—he would routinely put in 20-hour days at the studio—explains why his film characters were often highly emotionally charged. Although Cassavetes is more widely known as an actor, Fine spotlights his directorial works, which make up his true contribution to cinema. For each of Cassavetes's 12 films, he offers a detailed plot summary, interviews cast and crew members, and includes published reviews. He also draws an interesting connection between these films and New York City's cultural landscape in the 1960s and 1970s, when abstract Impressionism, minimalism, improvised jazz, and Beat literature were flourishing, and feminism was beginning to emerge. A thorough, if a tad overwhelming, homage to a film maverick; recommended for public libraries.—Victor Or, Vancouver & Surrey P.L., B.C.
More than 43 million Americans of all ages suffer from the pain and disability of arthritis, the nation's most prevalent chronic health condition and leading cause of disability. Most of the 100 or more forms of this complex disorder cannot be cured, although medical, surgical, and rehabilitation interventions often relieve symptoms and restore joint function. In this succinct guide, Clough (rheumatic & immunologic disease, Cleveland Clinic) describes 11 of the most common (and a couple less common) arthritic conditions through conversations with patients from his practice, who describe their symptoms much as they would in an actual office visit. Clough explains their symptoms and causes, discusses the pros and cons of available treatments, recommends lab tests, and answers their questions; follow-up visits, setbacks, and recoveries complete each story. "Disease at a Glance" summaries of key information close each chapter. Clough packs a lot of useful material about drug and surgical interventions into this slim volume but makes no mention of other valuable therapies—exercise, physical therapy, joint protection, and alternative medicine. A scanty resource list features instructions for conducting Google and PubMed searches. More comprehensive books include Kate Lorig's The Arthritis Helpbook, 6th ed., and Barry Fox and others' Arthritis For Dummies, 2d ed. However, Clough's conversational presentation of complex information and "real life" patient stories make this a valuable addition to all consumer health collections.—Karen McNally Bensing, M.S.L.S.; Benjamin Rose Library, Cleveland
Scottoline, Lisa. Dirty Blonde. HarperCollins. Mar. 2006. c.368p. ISBN 0-06-074290-9 [ISBN 978-0-06-074290-4]. $25.95. F
Newly appointed federal judge Cate Fante seems to have it all—a prestigious career, a townhouse in Philadelphia's genteel Society Hill neighborhood, a designer wardrobe, a devoted best friend, and an adoring stockbroker suitor. But Cate has a well-guarded secret—at night she frequents seedy bars and engages in torrid one-night stands with strangers. After Cate's high-profile court case erupts into a sensational murder-suicide, her life spirals downward as her dirtiest secrets are exposed and her life is threatened. Taking a break from her popular "Rosato & Associates" series (Killer Smile), Scottoline introduces a spunky, tough-as-nails but likable heroine who, like Bennie Rosato, carves her niche in the Philadelphia legal arena. This fast-paced legal thriller offers a riveting story line that rivals Scottoline's other novels. Public libraries should plan to purchase extra copies for their fiction collections! [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/06.]—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights
See the February 15th Xpress Reviews
