Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 7/15/2007
Week of July 10th
Fiction | Nonfiction | Audio
Fiction
Carey, Mike. The Devil You Know. Grand Central. Jul. 2007. 406p. ISBN 978-0-446-58030-4. $24.99. F
It’s an audacious move for a first-time prose novelist to choose as his protagonist a character who sounds like the setup to a joke, but that’s exactly what Carey has done. Narrator Felix Castor is a hard-boiled exorcist who also dabbles in magic. The real trick, though, is that Carey pulls it off. Set in London, the story follows Castor as his financial woes lead him to take on a job in a career he thought he’d sworn off. It’s one last exorcism, Castor tells himself, just to pay the bills, but he quickly finds he’s taken on a great deal more when a haunted archive draws him into a sordid mystery. Carey has already made a name for himself in the world of graphic novels for, among other things, his work on Hellblazer. That series shares with this novel an attention to the seedier side of magic and the occult. Ghost hunters in Carey’s novel are something akin to the private eyes in a Raymond Chandler story, and the recipe works startlingly well. While appealing to fans of Carey’s graphic novels, this will likely also find praise among readers of horror and those looking for an offbeat mystery. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/07; another graphic novelist also making his prose debut is Warren Ellis with Crooked Little Vein, due out in August.—Ed.]—Fred Baerkircher, Twinsburg P.L., OH
Tepper, Sheri S. The Margarets. Morrow. 2007. c.528p. ISBN 978-0-06-117065-2. $26.95. SF
What happens when our imaginary friends from childhood are forgotten? In Margaret’s case, her six alter egos realize an opportunity to begin life anew on alien worlds. Tepper (The Companions) creates a vivid tapestry of characters, each with distinct hopes, dreams, desires, and yearnings for an element that’s missing from their lives. The Margarets are slowly drawn toward one other without knowing their importance to the salvation of the human race. Not until the mysterious Gardener puts certain events into motion do the Margarets realize that they are part of a collective consciousness and must make life-changing sacrifices in order to neutralize the threat to humanity. This novel, like many of Tepper’s other works, tackles ecological and xenophobic issues with sharp dystopian allegories and humanistic feminism that ultimately make for a contemplative and enjoyable read. Recommended for most sf collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/07.]—David Wang, Flushing, NY
Ignition: What You Can Do To Fight Global Warming and Spark a Movement. Island. Jul. 2007. c.200p. ed. by Jonathan Isham Jr. & Sissel Waage. index. ISBN 978-1-59726-156-2. pap. $18.95. SCI
Editors Isham (international environmental studies, Middlebury Coll.; coeditor, Social Capital, Development, and the Environment) and Waage, an independent consultant on sustainability issues, bring their combined experiences and enthusiasm to this collaborative effort that is not about the science of climate change but strategies to address it. The contributors—who include academics, policy analysts, and activists—offer varied approaches to building a national movement, discuss historical contexts and policy-making frameworks, and analyze the factors that make the climate change movement different from movements that preceded it. The book, however, is uneven. Several chapters present little substance and reveal the limited experience of their authors. Ignored is the citizen action movement of the late 1970s through the 1980s, which, though not part of the green movement, addressed the energy crisis and community right-to-know laws through broad-based coalition building. Still, this book, which includes an excellent list of references, is a good primer for students and new organizers and activists. Recommended for academic libraries and specialized nonprofit collections.—Robin K. Dillow, Rotary International Archives, Evanston, IL
Hoffman, David. Herbal Prescriptions After 50: Everything You Need To Know To Maintain Vibrant Health. 2d ed. Healing Arts: Inner Traditions. 2007. c.288p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-59477-180-4. pap. $18.95. HEALTH
A medical herbalist with nearly three decades of experience, Hoffman has revised his herbal remedy guide to appeal to the aging baby boomer market (the first edition was designed for the elderly), with new material on Alzheimer’s and sexuality. Offering specific suggestions for ailments like hypertension, insomnia, varicose veins, and arthritis, the "Materia Medica" section covers more than 150 herbs by both common and Latin names as well as the specific parts of the plants to use, preparation directions, and recommended dosages. An index of herbs is included but does not address contraindications or side effects when mixed with prescription medications. Lacking in randomized control trials or other research on efficacy, the book is consumer-focused, but the text would be daunting for those with health literacy issues. Readers would also need to have a basic background in compounding ingredients in order to use the directions effectively for herbal remedies. With no pictorial examples, the text lacks the comprehensiveness of Phyllis Balch’s Prescription for Nutritional Healing and is recommended only for libraries seeking to extend their alternative health collections.—Carol Ann Attwood, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
Jones, Sandy & Marcie Jones. Great Expectations: Baby’s First Year. Sterling. Jul. 2007. c.656p. ISBN 978-1-4027-3646-9. pap. $14.95. HEALTH
In this follow-up to Great Expectations: Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth, mother and daughter Sandy Jones and Marcie Jones deliver a comprehensive overview of the first year of a baby’s life with day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month details of what new parents can expect. Other sections of the book cover in more detail maintenance issues such as baby care basics, baby gear, and health and safety. The physical and mental needs of parents (primarily mothers) are also addressed, e.g., sleep, travel conditions, and relationship issues. Because of the way the sections are divided, there is a lot of content overlap, which may turn off some readers. New moms who plan to bottle feed may be discouraged by the authors’ bias toward breastfeeding. The text is filled with useful tips throughout and contains a resource directory and a parent’s dictionary. Recommended for large public library and consumer health collections.—Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr., Richmond, VA
Kessler, Lauren. Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s. Viking. 2007. c.260p. ISBN 978-0-670-03859-6. $24.95. HEALTH
Eight years after her mother died following a long bout with Alzheimer’s, Kessler (director, graduate literary nonfiction program, Univ. of Oregon; The Happy Bottom Riding Club) decided to write a magazine article about the disease, then confront it—and her ultimately unsatisfying relationship with her mother—by working in the setting where her parent spent her final days. She figured she’d last about two weeks in what she expected to be an unremittingly bleak place. Instead, she became fascinated by the variety of the Alzheimer’s experience; by the sweet, sad, funny, and almost always quirky residents of Maplewood. Kessler came to love these people for what they were rather than for what they had been and took an interest in her struggling, minimum-wage-earning colleagues. With an estimated 4.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s today and their baby boomer children caring for them (or not) to some degree, this cross between Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins’s The 36-Hour Day and Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed shows compassion, self-awareness, and humor. It began being serialized in O Magazine in June and is sure to be popular in public and consumer health libraries.—Marcia Welsh, Dartmouth Coll. Libs., Hanover, NH
Melton, Barbara & Susan Shankle. What in the World Are Your Kids Doing Online?: How To Understand the Electronic World Your Children Live in. Broadway. Aug. 2007. c.352p. index. ISBN 978-0-7679-2663-8. pap. $14. CHILD REARING
Wake up, parents: most kids are KPC—keeping parents clueless—about their Internet lives. To remedy this situation, Melton, a licensed professional counselor, and Shankle, a licensed clinical social worker, urge moms and dads to dig in and discover the world of teen cyberspace, and it’s all covered here—MySpace, predators, IM’ing, TM’ing, chatrooms, PayPal, identity theft—with helpful dictums. Parents, for instance, must not take the extreme positions that the Internet is safe or that it should be abolished all together. It’s here, it’s a valuable tool, and it should be used responsibly as parents lead the way and keep communication open. Thankfully, the authors define a lot of the unspoken world of teens online, including "leet speak" (the slang shortcuts teens use). To boot, they go deeper into child development, relating developmental stages, emotional and learning disorders, and different cultural backgrounds to the electronic world. It’s a sobering assessment of how technology may fit our children’s real growing-up needs—or hinder them. More in-depth than Candace Kelsey’s excellent Generation MySpace, this is essential for public libraries.—Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA
Miller, Anne Meeker. Toddler Sing & Sign®. Marlowe: Avalon, dist. by Publishers Group West. Aug. 2007. c.256p. photogs. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-60094-020-0. pap. $17.95 with audio CD. CHILD REARING
Drawing on her background as a music therapist and founder of the Love Language program, Miller (Baby Sing & Sign®) offers a wealth of information about teaching toddlers to communicate better through sign language and song. She demonstrates many easy and practical play-based strategies for integrating sign language and song into the daily lives of families, and the benefits of these exercises these exercises are impressive: they foster language, learning, and motor skills while preventing tantrums.. The book and CD contain 13 songs, each presented in a chapter with music and lyrics, pictures of signs that match the song, tips for introducing the signs, ideas for related games and activities, and theme-related reading lists. A picture dictionary of 35 words/signs that were introduced throughout the book comes at the end, as do a glossary, references, and resources. This easy-to-use guide will help parents teach their children new ways to express themselves and learn more about their world. Highly recommended for all public libraries, especially where Miller’s first book did well.—Kari Ramstrom, Hennepin Cty. Libs., Plymouth, MN
Moore, Arden. The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Feline Questions. Storey. Jul. 2007. c.320p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-58017-674-3. pap. $14.95. PETS
Writing in a browsable Q&A format, pet behavior expert Moore (The Dog Behavior Answer Book) answers common real-life questions asked by cat owners facing problems and frustrations, including such topics as communication, litter box issues, diet, grooming, and the creation of a stimulating environment. Her practical advice and workable solutions will help readers learn how to prevent many common feline problems (e.g., bad litter habits, nighttime howling, destructive clawing). The charming illustrations, attractive layout, and Moore’s breezy and easy-to-understand style make this a good choice, along with Pam JohnsonBennett’s Think Like a Cat: How To Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat—Not a Sour Puss, for public libraries needing a guide on cat behavior.—Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston
Tichler, Rosemarie & Barry Jay Kaplan. Actors at Work. Faber & Faber. Aug. 2007. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-86547-955-5. pap. $15. FILM
The craft of how an actor gets into a role is mysterious, but asking people how they manifest their subjective stimuli into objective projections may result in a slap in the face if not in the right circle. Tichler, as casting director, producer, and instructor, and Kaplan, as playwright and author, speak the language as they interview 14 of today’s leading actors from stage and screen, among them Kevin Kline, Kevin Spacey, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Meryl Streep. Simple in its approach but insightful and mosaiclike in its revelations, this book is much overdue. It is about how actors approach their craft—how they develop their figurative tools into tangible representations of human emotion. Life stories are told. There are processes and methods, but ultimately the successful incarnation comes down to the actor’s mind, heart, human spirit, and will. Highly engaging for casuals and die-hards of cinema and theater but most valuable to students. Recommended to most libraries.—Ben Malczewski, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI
Bernstein, Harry. The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers. 8 CDs. unabridged. 9½ hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7861-5756-3. $72. AUTOBIOG
Bernstein, who grew up in pre–World War I Manchester, England, wrote this beautiful story when he was 93 years old. He lived on a divided street, with Jewish families on one side, and only yards but light years away were the Christians. Despite each group keeping strictly to its side, they knew each other’s joys, sorrows, and activities. Enter young Harry, sweet-tempered and willing to be a go-between for his sister and her Christian boyfriend. Bernstein’s tale introduces his alcoholic father, loving mother, siblings, and neighbors. We meet the Russian immigrant rabbi whom he describes, including his negative traits, with the caveat "but he is a rabbi." Bernstein and his wife revisit his old neighborhood after 40 years and are invited in from a drenching rain by the only person still living on the street—a Christian. John Lee is outstanding, giving each character endearing and irritating traits. Essential for all audiobook collections.—Susan G. Baird, Chicago
Patterson, James & Michael Ledwidge. Step on a Crack. 7 CDs. unabridged. 7 hrs. Recorded Bks. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4281-3113-2. $73.75; 7 cassettes. ISBN 978-1-4281-3111-8. $51.75. F
Patterson is one of the major writers in the mystery genre, but his latest book is, quite simply, a revelation. With coauthor Ledwidge, he has created a memorable new character in Michael Bennett, a good, Irish New York cop who faces two difficult challenges that threaten to tear him apart. A former first lady has died mysteriously in New York and her funeral, held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, brings together a number of high-wattage mourners, including the mayor and several movie and TV personalities. Just as the services are ready to begin, a group of kidnappers changes the occasion from one of sorrow to one of intense terror. Michael is the hostage negotiator who must try to figure out what the kidnappers’ true intentions are, especially when they begin torturing and murdering the terrified victims. On a personal note, Michael is struggling with the impending death of his beloved wife, Maeve, and desperately wondering how he will ever be able to take care of their ten adopted children, some with special needs. The temptation for maudlin sentimentality is always present for the authors, but they skillfully avoid it. Michael’s love for Maeve and for his children is genuine, and their interactions are real, gritty, and heartbreaking. John Slattery (taking Michael’s part) and Reg Rogers (reading for the leader of the kidnappers) use such skill in defining individual characters that the action is sustained from the bloody beginning to the most surprising conclusion. A wonderful and highly recommended addition to all public libraries.—Joseph L. Carlson, Allan Hancock Coll., Lompoc, CA
Week of July 3rd
Fiction | Nonfiction | Audio
Fiction
Davidson, Craig. The Fighter. Soho, dist. by Consortium. Jul. 2007. c.256p. ISBN 978-1-56947-465-5. $24. F
Previously published in Canada, this first novel explores manhood through the eyes of Paul, the privileged son of a Canadian vineyard owner whose life changes after a brutal barroom beating. From the start, Davidson pulls readers into the story by creating alternating feelings of horror at and interest in Paul’s radical transformation. At the same time, the author introduces the other Tully men: Paul’s father and uncle; each acts as an artful literary balance to Paul’s manic character. Davidson rounds out this vision of manhood with a handful of other characters who act out their own version of masculinity. These many male images force readers to examine what "man" means. The imminent collision between Paul and his elders propels this Fight Club–like exploration of manhood and violence to its end. Recommended for larger public libraries.—Dora Wagner, Northwestern Coll. Lib., Roseville, MN
Birnbaum, Ellen & Nancy Schulman. Practical Wisdom for Parents: Demystifying the Preschool Years. Knopf. Aug. 2007. c.336p. index. ISBN 978-0-307-26354-4. $24.95. CHILD REARING
Schulman and Birnbaum (codirectors, 92nd Street Y Nursery Sch., New York) combine their nearly 60 years of experience to advise parents of three- to five-year-olds in what they acknowledge is more a reference resource than a cover-to-cover read. In the "Home" section, they focus on topics found in many parenting books: transition times, bedtime and sleep issues, mealtimes, manners, discipline, and how to talk about difficult topics (e.g., divorce, death). But their expertise lends the most weight to the matters they discuss in the "School" section: choosing a preschool, defining today’s preschool (it’s much different from when we were kids, with more expected of the preschooler in an increasingly fast-paced world). Here, they extensively cover such issues as separation, children’s social lives, and understanding your child’s development. The authors’ message is that parents should love their children unconditionally while setting limits. They stress the importance of not over-scheduling and offer sensible ideas such as choosing activities based on what kids actually enjoy doing and appreciating the value of downtime. Suitable for public libraries and early childhood development collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/1/07.]—Krista Bush, Univ. of New Haven Lib., CT
Caplan, Bryan. The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies. Princeton Univ. 2007. c.280p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-691-12942-6. $29.95. POL SCI
Caplan (economics, George Mason Univ.) has written a pithy, provocative, and profoundly challenging analysis of contemporary American politics. His diagnosis? American democracy is frail if not fundamentally flawed because voters are fickle and ignorant. His prescription? Let the experts decide, especially those fluent in economics. Echoing Plato’s proposal for philosopher-kings to rule, Caplan contends that a bevy of economic experts should prevail over incompetent, economically illiterate voters. Caplan challenges the notion of popular sovereignty itself and suggests strongly that "democratic enlightenment" is oxymoronic and systematically harmful to national interests. It is likely that many readers will find Caplan’s analysis persuasive, and some (although not this reader) likely will find his proposals (such as weighting the votes of those who possess economic literacy and changing the education curricula to stamp out improper beliefs about public policy) appealing. In any event, this work demands a careful, critical read as we continue to examine our Madisonian experiment in self-governance. Recommended especially for university libraries.—Stephen K. Shaw, Northwest Nazarene Univ., Nampa, ID
Dyson, Michael Eric. Know What I Mean?: Reflections on Hip Hop. Basic Civitas: Perseus. Jul. 2007. c.192p. index. ISBN 978-0-465-01716-4. $19.95. MUSIC
In five interviews conducted by academics, prolific author and commentator Dyson (African American studies, Georgetown Univ.; Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur) lays down some serious insights on hip-hop music and culture. Covering everything from the roots of hip-hop music to the recent Don Imus–Rutgers women’s basketball controversy, Dyson offers opinions that are likely to provoke plenty of thought. Including an introduction by rapper/mogul Jay-Z and an outro by rapper Nas and chapters covering "Language, Diaspora, and Hip Hop’s Bling Economy" and "Culture, Rhetoric, Crack, and the Politics of Rap," Dyson pulls no punches and is openly critical of both whites and blacks. Everyone won’t agree with all he writes, but there’s no question that his beliefs are valid, and his knowledge shines through clearly. This is not a book for the average hip-hop fan but is targeted at those who are open to new ways of thinking on a familiar subject. Recommended for academic music collections and larger public libraries.—Craig Shufelt, Fort McMurray P.L., Alta.
Kitchen, Clyde K., M.D. Fact and Fiction of Healthy Vision: Eye Care for Adults and Children. Praeger. Aug. 2007. c.208p. index. ISBN 978-0-275-99345-0. $49.95. MED
Kitchen, an ophthalmologist with more than 36 years of experience, writes authoritatively on the eye from the patient’s viewpoint. The purpose of his comprehensive ophthalmologic survey, he writes, is "to help people know the basics about their own eyes, to point out some of their choices in eye care, and to help them make informed decisions." He explains the basic facts—e.g., anatomy, development, congenital eye problems, eyeglasses and contact lenses, maladies and diseases, the aging eye—as well as what to expect when facing corrective intervention such as surgery. Kitchen has probably overestimated the general public’s ability to comprehend fully his not-so-elementary presentation, which he at one point acknowledges may be useful to medical doctors who may "know very little about the eye." The lay reader is most likely to refer to this up-to-date and fact-laden treatise as an ophthalmologic reference; professionals will surely find it a compact, current resource on the profession. Recommended as a complete, quick one-volume reference for libraries where eye care is in scope.—James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York
Klaver, M. Nora. Mayday!: Asking for Help in Times of Need. Berrett-Koehler, dist. by Ingram. Jul. 2007. c.216p. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-57675-451-1. pap. $15.95. PSYCH
Beginning with accounts of her own difficulties accepting assistance, executive coach Klaver—founder of Inq Inc. Coaching Through Inquiry—examines and probes why many find it hard to ask for help and offers a seven-step program for empowerment and action. Eschewing a simple just-do-it approach, Klaver first identifies fears and feelings that make asking difficult, including the loss of control, isolation, rejection, shame, and unworthiness. To counter these fears, Klaver works on boosting self-esteem, drawing on the applied virtues of self-compassion, faith, and gratitude. She gives practical guidance on the art of asking questions and distinguishing between wants and needs, with the ultimate goal of confidently making requests regardless of actual or perceived outcomes. Asking is not the end but midpoint of Klaver’s seven-step process. The last three steps (practice gratitude; listen differently and actively; verbally express thanks) introduce new ways of relating to others. Throughout are exercises ("Try This!") for clarification and practice. Recommended for public libraries.—Lucille M. Boone, San Jose P.L., CA
Mansell, Warren. Coping with Fears and Phobias: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Facing Your Anxieties. Oneworld, dist. by National Bk. Network. (Coping with). Aug. 2007. 175p. index. ISBN 978-1-85168-514-1. pap. $17.95. PSYCH
Mansell (psychology, Manchester Univ., UK) here provides an easy-to-use guide for persons who suffer from fears, phobias, or anxieties. Adding to the publisher’s "Coping with" series (e.g., "Coping with an Anxious or Depressed Child"), Mansell’s title is based on the combined expertise of leading field specialists and emphasizes the benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which encourages those with phobias to take an active role in maintaining their well-being. Mansell describes the most commonly experienced phobias, and he explains who is most typically diagnosed with the disorder and how they learn to cope. He then outlines successful coping strategies, explains how to understand better fear and the typical vicious cycles experienced by persons with phobias, and shows how to prepare for change and how to develop a customized program for coping with phobias. In addition, he covers how to deal with self-blame and the consequences of the phobia, common roadblocks to coping successfully with phobias, and learning how to live a valued life. Mansell clearly aims to help phobia sufferers and their family members learn how to cope with rather than overcome their fears, wisely realizing that some anxiety can be normal. The succinct chapters, numerous personal examples, end-of-chapter summaries, and helpful appendixes result in a highly practical guide that is best suited for lay readers. Highly recommended for larger public libraries.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Mehl-Madrona, Lewis, M.D. Narrative Medicine: The Use of History and Story in the Healing Process. Bear & Co. Jul. 2007. c.336p. ISBN 978-1-59143-065-0. pap. $20. MED
Multiculturalism celebrates the coexistence of diverse cultures and recognizes their unique contributions to society. Similarly, Mehl-Madrona (family medicine & psychiatry, Univ. of Saskatchewan; Coyote Medicine) acknowledges the contributions of indigenous cultures with narrative medicine, a model in which conventional and alternative medicines and indigenous healing traditions share equal status as stories in a narrative. Narrative medicine emphasizes systemic explanations for illness, focuses on community relationships, and seeks the restoration of balance. Here, Mehl-Madrona includes compelling stories of people who, contrary to conventional medicine’s belief in predictable disease progression, recovered from diabetes, mental illness, cancer, and asthma by using healing approaches that incorporated their experiences and cultures. Addressing shamanism, quantum physics, critical theory, and more, this book will appeal to a wide variety of readers, including healing practitioners, sociology students, and people who loved Anne Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Recommended for large public library and academic and professional health collections.—Blanche Angelo, Livermore P.L., CA
Gardner, Lisa. Hide. 9 CDs. unabridged. 11¼ hrs. Books on Tape. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4159-3550-7. $90; 7 cassettes. ISBN 978-1-4159-3703-7. $70. F
Annabelle Granger’s childhood years were spent on the run from an unknown danger. Her parents took her from Boston to Florida, Kansas City to Phoenix, never living anywhere longer than a year and never taking more than five suitcases. As an adult, with both parents dead, Annabelle, going by the name Tanya and sick of running, returns to Boston. She stills lives on the edge of society, her only friend a dog, and her meager lifestyle supported by a part-time job at Starbucks and her small curtain-making business. Then on the news one morning, she hears that the remains of a little girl named Annabelle Granger have been found, and Annabelle realizes that she may be able to find some answers about her own identity. She goes to the police and finds Bobby Dodge, who has been called in because some of the circumstances in this new case echo elements of the case Bobby worked on in Alone (Gardner’s 2004 novel). Annabelle’s improbable story checks out, and the two lonely people slowly begin to trust each other. The story unfolds from the point of view of both characters in alternating chapters. Maggie-Meg Reed gives a riveting performance, which complements Gardner’s gripping tale. Annabelle’s confusion, frustration, and determination all are reflected in Reed’s pitch and pacing; Bobby’s gruffer voice shows similar strength of character and vulnerability of emotion that will captivate the listener. Highly recommended.—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Colonial Williamsburg Fdn., VA
Smith, Alexander McCall. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive. 7 cassettes. unabridged. 8½ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4025-6200-6. $61.75; 7 CDs. ISBN 978-1-4281-2551-3. $77.75. F
In the eighth installment of the widely enjoyed "No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency" series, the actions and deliberations of Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and his apprentices, and distant cousin Tati Monyena affirm that the traditions of kindness and connectedness to roots, self, and community make it hard to treat others poorly. Ramotswe investigates suspicious deaths at the Dutch Reformed Mission Hospital in Mochudi, J.L.B. tries his hand at investigating an adultery case, and Makutsi experiences growing pains in her career and experiments with loftier ambitions. The recording reprises Lisette Lecat’s apt portrayals of humorous situations and optimistic characters, delighting new listeners and devoted followers. Highly recommended.—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA
Westlake, Donald E. What’s So Funny? 8 CDs. unabridged. 9 hrs. Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7927-4740-6. $79.95. F
Westlake has produced 12 previous novels featuring the delightful hangdog thief John Dortmunder, and if they are all as entertaining as Number 13, we’re in for a pleasant discovery. Oh, yes, there is a plot: a wealthy man hires an ex-cop to find a sticky-fingered thief to steal a precious Russian chess set worth millions, which was intended as a gift for the last czar of Russia. Anyway, someone stole the entire chess set (all 800 pounds of it!), and it now rests in a bank vault somewhere in New York. John and his crazy quilt group of fellow felons are given the seemingly impossible task of stealing the set and returning pieces of it to the rightful heirs. It’s a great caper story, but Westlake’s genius lies in his creation of larger-than-life characters, and William Dufris is nothing short of magical in his ability to make every one of them—major or minor—a distinct personality. His vocal ability is the best in the business. An essential purchase for all audio collections.—Joseph L. Carlson, Allan Hancock Coll., Lompoc, CA
See the July 1st Xpress Reviews.
