Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 8/1/2007
Week of July 24th
Fiction | Nonfiction | Graphic Novels | Audio reviews
Fiction
Alexander, Caleb. Eastside. Strebor: S. & S. (Strebor on the Streetz). Jul. 2007. c.336p. ISBN 978-1-59309-120-0. pap. $13. F
This first book by Alexander was tucked away as he gained popularity for his urban-fiction trilogy, Deadly Reigns. With characteristics of a morality play, the novel contains an oddly diagnostic foreword, an epilog, and an afterword in which Alexander explains, "Eastside is my yell at those who sit idly by…while their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children are dying in the streets." Set in San Antonio, TX, in the 1990s, it tells of Travon (a.k.a Tre), a 17-year-old who, after the death of his gangbanger brother, seems doomed to a similar fate. Although many tell Tre that he is different, not yet a monster and able to change his life, after a rough beating from the local gang he refuses to join, he is sent to live with his aunt in an even more gang-riddled neighborhood and joins a sect of the bloods with his cousins. Alexander’s novel has its plot holes, but it drives forward and evokes sympathy even for those easily influenced to murder, theft, and drug dealing. This violent first entry in Strebor’s new urban-fiction line is recommended for Alexander’s popularity in the genre.—Anna Katterjohn, Library Journal
Alsanea, Rajaa. Girls of Riyadh. Penguin. Jul. 2007. c.267p. ISBN 978-1-59420-121-9. $24.95. F
Previously published in Arabic and subsequently banned in the author’s native country of Saudi Arabia, this frank and innovative debut looks at the lives of young, modern-day Middle Eastern women struggling with love, work, tradition, and personal desire. The use of e-mails to establish the story line and introduce character action recalls Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary with a Sex in the City feel. The novel, however, is far from trite—Alsanea offers a relevant look at how Gamrah, Michelle, Sadeem, and Lamee try to reconcile the traditions of the past with their increasingly Western understanding of the future. This book will appeal to fans of chick lit who are willing to engage in thought-provoking social commentary. Recommended for public libraries.—Dora Wagner, Northwestern Coll., Saint Paul
Hallinan, Timothy. A Nail Through the Heart. Morrow. Jul. 2007. c.336p. ISBN 978-0-06-125580-9. $24.95. F
First novelist Hallinan—who has lived in Southeast Asia on and off for 25 years—has written a fine example of hard-edge suspense set in Bangkok three months after the December 2004 tsunami. Travel writer–turned–detective Poke Rafferty differs from many leading men in the genre. Not a loner, he craves family, wanting to marry girlfriend Rose, a former go-go dancer, and adopt Miaow, a street child. But his happy home life is interrupted by two cases: the search for an Australian woman’s missing uncle who was a bondage afficionado and the hunt for a blackmailing thief. Poke is a likable narrator, telling his twisty story with humor and insight. More than once, Hallinan gives Poke a turn of phrase so original and beautiful that readers will want to stop reading to savor the language. He also hits the right balance of resolving plotlines while building anticipation for the next installment. Sensitive readers may be rebuffed by some graphic violence, but this will appeal to fans of John Burdett’s Bangkok (Bangkok Haunts) series. Highly recommended for all libraries. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 3/1/07.]—Amy Watts, Univ. of Georgia, Athens
Kulish, Nicholas. Last One in. Perennial: HarperCollins. Jul. 2007. c.288p. ISBN 978-0-06-118938-8. pap. $12.95. F
Jimmy Stephens is a gossip columnist and celebrity muckraker for a New York City tabloid. When he wrongly accuses a major star of adultery in a public restroom, he provokes a libel suit and is given a choice: lose his job or exchange it for a stint as a war correspondent. Greenhorn Jimmy departs for the Middle East, where he’s embedded with a marine unit during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This satirical first novel bears more than a passing resemblance to Evelyn Waugh’s Scoop, and Jimmy even dons a Bill Boot alter ego midway through the narrative in what is a clear homage. But the resemblance is only superficial—this book stands on its own. Kulish was embedded with a marine unit at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and his vivid prose rings with authenticity. What begins as a humorous fish-out-of-water narrative gradually evolves into a powerful, sometimes funny, and always poignant front-line view of a tragic war. Recommended for all fiction collections.—Jeanne Bogino, Southern Vermont Coll., Bennington, VT
Noire. Hood: An Urban Erotic Tale. Atria: S. & S. Aug. 2007. c.336p. ISBN 978-104165-3303-0. pap. $15. F
The latest from Essence best-selling author Noire (G-Spot; Candy Licker) features 11-year-old Lamont, who is starving on the streets of Brooklyn, NY, before he stumbles into Fat Daddy’s barbershop. There, he is introduced to Xandar, the local drug kingpin, and spots Fat Daddy’s daughter, who will become his lifelong love. Lamont, renamed "Hood," is tagged as a key player and awarded his own crew—a one-day rise in the organization that readers must let pass. Fast-forward six years, and the sex and murder are now committed by 18-year-olds. At this point, the action becomes gripping as intricate betrayal feuled by crack kicks in, and Hood battles to stay true to his street honor. The author uses as backdrop a Brooklyn neighborhood marked by violence, addiction, and abusive sex. Several copulation scenes are disturbingly graphic, and harsh executions are ruthless. However, a decently layered and somewhat suspenseful plot keeps the pages turning. This effort will please public library patrons who like their street lit out on the very roughest edge.—Rollie Welch, Cleveland P.L.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Arthur A. Levine Bks: Scholastic. Jul. 2007. 759p. ISBN 978-0-545-0122-1. $34.99. F
In the beginning of Rowling’s grand finale to her grand series, Harry is perplexed by the number of people who have arrived to escort him from the Dursleys’ home—the magic afforded him there because his mother sacrificed herself to save him from Voldemort will break when Harry turns 17. It’s hardly sneaky to have 14 people in the air on brooms, thestrals, and flying motorbikes looking for a designated safe house. This seeming lapse of logic is quickly sorted out with Polyjuice Potion—six decoy Harrys will soon be flying—but fussy readers will occasionally fidget over the odd contradiction, coincidental delivery of momentous information, and detailed passages that can slacken the narrative’s magic…er, tension. It doesn’t matter. In the end, this is a big, heartfelt read that hooks one immediately—kept from the book during the day because of family obligations, I simply dispensed with sleep over the weekend so that I could continue discovering what happened next—and there’s no need to mourn the series’ close when it turns out to be so satisfying.
As avid fans know, the task Dumbledore has set for Harry in this seventh book is to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes containing shards of Voldemort’s soul so that Harry has a decent shot at defeating the Dark Lord for good. He’s joined by Ron and Hermione, of course, and soon they learn that the legend regarding the Deathly Hallows—the Resurrection Stone, all-powerful Elder Wand, and Invisibility Cloak that together allow one to conquer death—is in fact real. What’s important here (as in the whole series) is that Harry isn’t acting alone. He’s not some cool, invincible leader who’s way ahead of everyone else but a kid with a big heart and a big burden who’s trying to do right. Even when the final responsibility is his, he needs Hermione’s brilliance and Ron’s loyalty and the support of many others, including adult witches and wizards. One of the more heartening things about this series is that, however imperfect, Dumbledore and Sirius and Lupin and the Weasleys aren’t the totally clueless adults of standard Disney fare.
Yes, Dumbledore is imperfect; Harry learns to his dismay that, rather like Voldemort, he was tainted by illusions of grandeur in his youth that might have led to cruel wizard dominance. (Depicting Voldemort’s takeover of the Ministry of Magic, Rowling is very good at letting us feel what totalitarianism of any kind is like.) Dumbledore learned the hard way to heed the advice he’s always giving Harry—you can choose to follow your better instincts—and in the end Harry must make a hard, hard choice of his own. But the upshot is pure simplicity. Forget power. Forget glory. Harry’s great because he’s not trying to be anything but Harry, just another hot-headed but generous young wizard who’s willing to die for his buddies but would like nothing better than to join them in Gryffindor Tower and get on with the pleasures of his world.—Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal
Nonfiction
Agatston, Arthur, M.D. The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. Rodale. 2007. 276p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-59486-445-2. $28.95. COOKERY
Cardiologist Agatston expands his numerous publications on the South Beach Diet and the recipe collections for followers of that eating plan with this cookbook. Each of the 150 recipes brims with fresh ingredients, and the majority are relatively straightforward and quick to prepare. For each dish, a helpful color-coded notation in the upper corner of the page designates the phase of the diet for which the recipe is appropriate, and as one might hope given the target audience, per-serving nutritional information is provided as well. The introduction gives a brief overview of the diet, plus general health and food-preparation tips. All meals are covered—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—along with dessert, snacks, and drinks. Many of the recipes are accompanied by attractive full-color photos. Its light, healthy, and tasty combinations make this cookbook likely to appeal to everyone—not just those adhereing to the South Beach Diet. Recommended for public libraries.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago
Alda, Alan. Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself. Random. Sept. 2007. c.208p. ISBN 978-1-4000-6617-9. $24.95. FILM
Actor Alda uses the text of his commencement speeches and eulogies as a leaping-off point to continue his memoirs after his Never Have Your Dog Stuffed (2005). As he "talks to himself," he reflects on aspects of his life and muses on such topics as the turbulence of the Sixties and 9/11 and its aftermath. Like many celebrity memoirists (Kirk Douglas comes to mind), Alda has already told his story, but he feels compelled to add to it in a stream-of-consciousness style while pondering the meaning of life—with the aim of offering the answer as well! To Alda’s credit, his speeches are eloquent, thoughtful, and inspiring, especially the commencement speech given at Emerson College in which he tells the students that even though they are not marching in the streets, to live a life of values is its own kind of revolution. And he is an articulate, humorous, and self-deprecating guy. Baby boomers, who may be doing similar soul-searching, will enjoy this along with Alda’s fans. Recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/07.]—Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA
Conner, Bobbi (text) & Amy Patacchiola (illus.). Unplugged Play: No Batteries, No Plugs, Pure Fun. Workman. Aug. 2007. c.401p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7611-4390-1. pap. $16.95. CHILD REARING
Parents and children will rejoice for this hefty, spiral-bound cookbook-style idea book bursting with low-tech, high-impact activities for children 12 months to ten years. Conner, host of the award-winning radio program The Parent’s Journal, knows her stuff. Drawing on research from leading child development experts (there are quotes and sidebars throughout), she has created a comprehensive offering of play ideas that nurture healthy development without technology or financial burden. From songs and games to crafts and party ideas, the activities use mostly everyday items already in the home (save that junk mail and stock up on pasta!). The book is organized by age group and whether playing solo or with others and lists materials needed for each activity. Good indexing makes it a cinch to use in a pinch (e.g., kitchen table games, snow play, etc.). There are adaptive suggestions for children with developmental disabilities and good resources throughout, although an inclusive listing in the appendixes would have been helpful. Every parent, educator, public library, and child-care program will want one of these. Highly recommended.—Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI
Edge, John T. (text) & Blair Hobbs (illus.). Southern Belly: The Ultimate Food Lover’s Companion to the South. rev. ed. Algonquin. 2007. 352p. illus. ISBN 978-1-56512-547-6. pap. $14.95. COOKERY
All one needs to do is sit back and travel with accomplished food writer Edge (A Gracious Plenty) as he presents some of the best and most unique restaurants the South has to offer. This expanded and revised edition takes readers on a gastronomical tour through 12 states from Virginia to Texas. Edge warns in the introduction, however, that this book is not intended to serve as a guidebook; instead, it’s the story of the restaurants and people who run them as told through food, rich with history, culture, and personality. The chapters are organized alphabetically by state and include pictures as well as recipes. Without a doubt, Edge demonstrates just how much food is woven into the fabric of the South. This book will score high with both casual and more serious students of food and history. Recommended for all libraries.—Lisa A. Ennis, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib., Lister Hill
Ogden, Gina. Women Who Love Sex: Ordinary Women Describe Their Paths to Pleasure, Intimacy, and Ecstacy. Trumpeter: Shambhala, dist. by Random. Sept. 2007. c.224p. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-59030-503-4. pap. $14. PSYCH
Originally published in 1994 and updated in 1999, this classic exploration of terra femina redefined sex based on how women really experience sexual pleasure. Therapist Ogden (The Heart and Soul of Sex) interviewed hundreds of women over decades, seeking those who self-identified as loving sex and focusing on positives. For the book, she created six composite "easily orgasmic" women whose stories evoke different qualitative aspects of sex: lust and connectedness, satisfaction, extragenital pleasure, orgasm via fantasy, nurturing, and intimacy. These affirmative portraits, plus Ogden’s commentary, broaden readers’ understanding of female sexuality beyond stereotypes, whether from pop culture, sexology, macho patriarchy, or feminism. The complex, regenerative power of pleasure that she describes offers women hope that it is good and healthy to "love sex." All public and academic libraries should have this book. However, this edition has changed little since 1999, so collections with that edition need not add this one. We can all hope for a completely new version of Ogden’s seminal study, spotlighting women now in their twenties through their forties.—Martha Cornog, Philadelphia
Sax, Leonard, M.D. Boys Adrift: Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men. Basic Bks: Perseus. Aug. 2007. c.304p. ISBN 978-0-465-07209-5. $25. CHILD REARING
Family practitioner and psychologist Sax (Why Gender Matters) enjoys celebrity author status on the topic of gender issues in children and adolescents. In his latest work, he attempts to answer the age-old question of "What’s the matter with kids today?" by focusing on boys and his theory as to why there is a cultural phenomenon among males he calls "failure to launch." Sax’s theory is that boys are forced too young into classrooms that do not match their learning style or psychological needs. He argues that boys are misdiagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because of this mismatch between their developmental needs and the typical classroom. He also devotes chapters to his belief in the "toxic" effects of video games, ADHD medications, endocrine disruptors in the environment, the lack of male role models, and a disconnect with nature. The book’s most valuable contribution is the chapter on the overdiagnosis of ADHD. No doubt, the author’s celebrity, the quality of his writing, and the great societal interest on these topics will make this book a success. However, the author also claims to be a "research scientist," but when this reviewer randomly checked three of the scholarly resources used in one of chapter, she found he misrepresented the statistics; none of the articles substantiated his argument. So, an opinion piece posing as science: read it with this important caution in mind. Suitable for public libraries.—Fran Mentch, Cleveland State Univ. Lib.
Wedekind, Frank. Spring Awakening: A Children’s Tragedy. Faber & Faber. Sept. 2007. c.112p. tr. from German by Jonathan Franzen. ISBN 978-0-86547-978-4. pap. $13. DRAMA
Directly after the Tony Award for the musical adaptation of Spring Awakening comes a new translation by the author of The Corrections, which even includes a smack down of the musical. This play, in whatever version, will not appeal to everyone. Nascent adolescent sexuality combined with teenage angst compounded by fatally clueless parents in an expressionist setting got it banned in Great Britain until 1963. Franzen’s translation comes up against others still in print, including those of Edward Bond (1980) and Carl Mueller (2000). For many, Eric Bentley’s version from the 1950s is the most memorable, but some of the German didn’t make it into actor-friendly English. Francis Ziegler’s translation from the early 20th century is not far removed from Franzen’s, though Franzen’s certainly sounds more natural to modern ears. Mueller’s version (included in Frank Wedekind: Four Major Plays) is more satisfying to speak than Franzen’s, giving actor and audience something of a break. Owners of the Mueller version should add the Franzen and vice versa. It’s a great play to shock the adults with on parents’ weekend.—Larry Schwartz, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Moorhead
Graphic Novels
Aaron, Jason (text) & Cameron Stewart (illus.). The Other Side. Vertigo: DC Comics. 2007. 123p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1350-3. pap. $12.99. F
Not since Eric Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front has a novel—graphic or otherwise—been as powerful, stirring, unsettling, and thought-provoking. Aaron and Stewart work in tandem to bring the Vietnam War to life by creating characters with painstakingly told backstories and fully developed personalities. The two main characters, an American named Billy Everett and the Vietnamese Vo Binh Dai, are young soldiers for their respective countries. The narrative relates their stories from their days of training to the tragic moment when their lives intertwine briefly, but with eternal repercussions for them both. While the narrative is the true selling point of the work, the narration is so well written and unique to each of the protagonists that shifting from one point of view to the other is painless. Stewart’s art is on a level of its own: unapologetically intense and unashamedly disturbing, he fills the book with images that stay in the reader’s head long after the novel is done—the last frame page is heartbreaking and unsettling. The Other Side is nothing short of a true classic, up there with Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and Alan Moore’s Watchmen. While recommended only for the most mature readers (if it might be offensive, it can be found in this book), no library should be without this graphic novel.—M. Brandon Robbins, Wayne Cty. P.L., Goldsboro, NC
Arf Forum. Vol. 3. Fantagraphics. Jul. 2007. 120p. ed. by Craig Yoe. ISBN 978-1-56097-832-9. pap. $19.95. GRAPHIC ARTS
Yoe’s "Arf" series proclaims itself "the unholy marriage of art + comics." Arf Forum, the third installment of the series, is as much an array of full-color illustrated relics as its predecessors. Sandwiched between the cover of the pin-up nude reading the funny pages and the shapely 1950s Italian "Kremos" girls rounding out the volume is a museum of rediscovered treasures of all styles from the vaults. Yoe likes to dredge up pages from the past, and we’re lucky to have him do the work. What we’re blessed with are selections of short-run funnies from the past such as "Harry Hot Dog," portfolios and commentaries on forgotten illustrators, and gems from the obscuro realm. Arf Forum opens with an elemental reminder that "comic reading is fundamental"; a long-standing tradition, featured on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post and carried out leisurely by Elvis. Most fascinating is the inclusion of Dadaist Max Ernst’s eerie "phantasmagoric novel" collages, precursors of the modern graphic novel with a bizarre mix of tawdry French engravings and Easter Island moai-inspired heads. Equally memorable are William Ekgren’s vivid and trippy horror comics covers of florescent spaghetti fantasy. On a disappointing note, the table of contents is incorrect and oddly placed, after the first chapter. Not for children’s collections since some of the works include nudity, Arf Forum proves the series to be an engaging experience for older teens and adults who are interested in nontraditional formats or an informal history of comics.—David Garza, AWBERC Lib. U.S. EPA, Cincinnati
Cooke, Darwyn & others (text & illus.). Batman: Ego and Other Tails. DC Comics. 2007. 200p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1529-3. $24.99. F
Since 2000, Cooke has dabbled in Batman stories—first the animated series, then Batman Ego, next reworking Catwoman, and moving on to some black-and-white vignettes. All of these have been bound together for the first time here. (Recently, Cooke has been artist and writer for DC: The New Frontier.) Here, Batman sticks close to the classic plot, but Cooke adds his own fresh layers. Yes, the young superhero spends pages brooding for his parents, but in this collection, a new death condemns Batman’s own violent means and costs. In "Ego," young Batman, through the power of temporary psychosis, gets to interrogate his bat-beast half that grants his power, all the action deriving from internal frenzy and guilt. We get a sense for the hard-won, uneasy resolve that fuels the hero’s later conquests. The book’s second half primarily follows an epic pre-Catwoman heist, which not only gives Selena emotional depth but also offers a well crafted through line of suspense. Notably, Tim Sale, who subs in as artist for Cooke on a few of the stories here, also creates the artwork featured in the TV series Heroes. The violence is mostly implied, and any other innuendo stays tame. With styles of artistry that run the gamut, this book will be enjoyed by all age ranges.—Erika Bennett, Capella Univ., Minneapolis
DeFalco, Tom & Ron Frenz (text & illus.). The Amazing Spider-Girl. Vol. 1: Whatever Happened to the Daughter of Spider-Man? Marvel. 2007. 176p. ISBN 978-0-7851-2341-5. pap. $14.99. F
This volume collects the first seven issues of the newly relaunched Amazing Spider-Girl series. These stories take place in an alternate future where the original Spider-Man has retired. His daughter, May Parker, has inherited his powers and abilities, and she continues in his footsteps as a hero. DeFalco recaps the original 100-issue series, but he also spends too much time recapping events that occur within this very collection. Readers are repeatedly reminded of events that occurred just a few pages back, which makes the collection a slow, boring read—something you don’t want in superhero comic books. It’s clear that the creative team was looking to re-create the lighthearted tone of the early years of the Spider-Man series, but they were entirely unsuccessful. The art by Frenz is competent, but like the story, it’s unmemorable. If you are looking for a lighthearted Spider-Man tale for your collection, purchase the original stories, which are available in many different collections, or get Kurt Busiek’s The Untold Tales of Spider-Man instead.—Michael Powers, Robert Van Wyck Jr. H.S., Queens, NY
DeFalco, Tom & Ron Lim (text & illus.). Avengers Next: Rebirth. Marvel. 2007. 120p. ISBN 978-0-7851-2518-1. pap. $13.99. F
DeFalco pens this first full-sized collection, following up on plot lines from the Last Hero Standing and Last Planet Standing crossover series. These adventures take place in the same future inhabited by Spider-Girl (who is a member of the group). The action begins with American Dream, a female teenage Captain America wannabe, who questions whether the Avengers are still necessary. The team is soon tested, first by zombie heroes and then by Loki’s daughter and her partners. Of course, all ends well, with old teammates rejoining and new comrades coming back into the fold. This volume may most appeal to a young audience—teen or even elementary kids. Apart from typical advanced vocabulary, there isn’t anything challenging on an intellectual or social level. That said, there are some colorful characters who will most likely be new to most readers, plenty of action, and fun battle repartee (part of which involves various characters commenting on others’ monologs). The artwork doesn’t stand out, but it’s not hard on the eyes. Not a first purchase, but likely to circulate where demand for superhero books is strong.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib., Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Gibbons, Dave (text) & John Higgins (illus.). Thunderbolt Jaxon. Wildstorm: DC. 2007. 128p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1257-5. pap. $19.99. F
Thunderbolt Jaxon reinvents a character from 1950s British comics—a goal writer Gibbons discusses in his preface. Gibbons, the artist from Watchmen, and illustrator Higgins here present a five-issue tale incorporating Norse mythology into a contemporary British setting. Three teenagers—Jack Jaxon, Billy, and their girlfriend Saf—discover buried objects in an old church plot: a belt, a torc (neckband), and a cross. The torc grants Billy relief from his chemotherapy, and Jack is changed into the muscle-bound warrior Thor when he puts on the belt. (He is later renamed Thunderbolt Jaxon by his friends in the conclusion.) When Jack wields the cross, it becomes Thor’s legendary hammer, Mjollnir. Gibbons’s tale confusingly flips back and forth between ancient and modern settings. In the ancient world, a war is waged between the Aesir and their foes, the giants. In the modern story, a bloody rivalry exists between two factions of warring gangsters, catching Billy, Jack, and Saf in the crossfire. Mr. O’Dunne, a gangster leader, serves as a modern-day counterpart to Odin, Thor’s father, from the flashbacks. Other characters, like Jack’s abusive stepfather, Larry, "morph" in and out of the Norse world as well. Jack is disoriented during the times he becomes Thor; readers will undoubtedly empathize. Higgins’s art is competent, and Gibbons initiates interesting ideas, but this fails to jell into a cohesive, compelling story. With graphic violence and Norse elements, this is best suited, though not recommended, for mature audiences.—Jeff Hunter, Royal Oak, MI
Gibbons, Dave (text & illus.) & Patrick Gleason (illus.). Green Lantern Corps: To Be a Lantern. DC Comics. 2007. 144p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1356-5. pap. $12.99. F
The Green Lantern Corps—an intergalactic peacekeeping force comprising 7200 aliens armed with energy-shaping rings of almost limitless power—faces challenges ranging from planetary civil war and natural disasters to vendetta-seeking bounty hunters and distrustful sentient cities. This volume collects the fist six issues of an ongoing monthly series, spinning out of the Green Lantern Corps: Recharge miniseries, which in turn owes a debt to nearly 40 years of the space opera mythology of the DC universe. Gibbons jumps into the current adventures of a half-dozen Green Lanterns, sparing no time for backstories or other explanations. Readers are treated to fast-paced, intertwined stories that combine sf action and adventure with police procedurals and mysteries, which are depicted in a bright, expressive style that lavishes attention on alien biologies and technologies. However, the uninitiated might find the greatest mysteries to be the motivations of the characters: the uneasy partnership of Isamot Kol and Vath Sarn, the ambivalence of Soranik Natu’s people toward her, the animosity between earthman Guy Gardner and alien administrator Salaak, and the unseen Guardians of Oa—all of these elements have been illuminated elsewhere in previously published stories and are taken for granted here. Additionally, certain subplots dangle freely by book’s end: the infidelity of Isamot Kol’s mate, the induction of a spoiled princess into the ranks of the corps, Soranik Natu’s quest to find inner peace after losing both her partner and her medical license. Presumably, these story lines will continue through future volumes of the series. Contains some PG-13 language and violent imagery; recommended for Green Lantern completists only.—Dale W. Glaser, Sterling, VA
Johns, Geoff & others (text) & Keith Giffen & others (illus.). 52. Vol. 1. DC Comics. 2007. 295p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1353-4. pap. $19.99. F
52—DC’s experimental, "real-time" yearlong weekly series—covers the lost year between the end of Infinite Crisis, after which Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman each vanished from public view in order to refocus and find themselves, and the "One Year Later" continuity jump that immediately followed. The unusual weekly format, epic story, and large creative team built significant buzz around the project, and this collection of the first 13 issues reflects that energy with the introduction of some of the series’ most promising ideas, including the new Batwoman and her prior romantic past with former Gotham City detective Renee Montoya; the Chinese government–controlled superteam, the Great Ten; and Lex Luthor’s "Everyman Project." Unfortunately, as the series wore on, many of these plotlines were left underdeveloped, and inconsistencies in the writing and art became more frequent. Story highlights from this volume include Black Adam’s tyrannical rule of Kahndaq, in which Teth-Adam is again cast as a tragic character whose well-intentioned desires to protect his homeland clash with his arrogance and fascist tendencies, which recalls character points from the "Black Reign" story arc in JSA; and the beginning of Renee Montoya’s partnership with the Question, an unpredictable "buddy cop" relationship that becomes the most satisfying thread of the series. Despite its flaws, the anticipated four-volume set of 52 is recommended as an optional purchase to serve as a companion to DC’s Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, and various collections set "One Year Later."—Ben Lathrop, Fairfield Lane Lib., OH
Kanari, Yozaburo (text) & Fumiya Sato (illus.). The Kindaichi Case Files. Vol. 15: The Graveyard Isle. Tokyopop. 2007. 264p. tr. from Japanese by Ray Yoshimoto. ISBN 978-1-59532-699-7. pap. $9.99. F
Hajime Kindaichi has a legacy to live up to—his grandfather is Kousuke Kindaichi, Japan’s most famous detective. Like all young slouches with a knack for solving mysteries, Kindaichi frequently finds himself in the middle of deadly goings-on. In this volume, he and his friends take a vacation to an island where things don’t take long to get deadly. The killings begin after the high school students rendezvous with some university war-gamers—is it Japanese ghost-soldiers or someone a little more earthly? Kindaichi vows that he will solve the murders before their time on the island is over, and it should surprise no one that he succeeds. Sato’s artwork is rather minimal; though the frames are full, the story is heavy on dialog, sometimes leaving the artwork to achieve maximum effect in minimum space. Sato still manages to create a creepy island atmosphere, and his close-ups of shocked faces are second to none. Kanari’s story is formulaic but in the manner one expects from sequential detective mysteries (think Murder, She Wrote). The standard devices are all here, from the criminal insider to the surprise twist. Each of Kindaichi’s adventures can be read as a standalone story, which makes this volume a reasonable purchase even for those who do not have the preceding volumes. Any sexual innuendo stays firmly in the appropriate-for-teens category, and the murders, while sometimes gruesome, are never gratuitous. The Kindaichi Case Files are a fun read, à la the Hardy Boys, but with murder. Recommended.—Ruthanne Price, Vaughan Pub. Libs., Ont.
Kaplan, Bruce Eric. Edmund and Rosemary Go To Hell: A Tale of Our Times with (Hopefully) Some Hope for Us All. S. & S. 2007. 114p. ISBN 978-1-4165-4549-1. $11.95. F
This slight but sweet and witty fable recalls the work of Kaplan’s New Yorker predecessor (and fellow fabulist) James Thurber, with his unicorns in gardens and bemused men and women. The title characters enjoy a quiet, contented life in Brooklyn, NY, with their cat until a string of incidents and observations convince them that they are in fact living in Hell. They try various means—shopping, drinking, psychotherapy—to dull the pain of infernal existence. "Then things went back to normal as, sadly, they always do." It’s easy to relate to Edmund and Rosemary: modern life—with its trashy culture, social barbarism, and relentless sensory assault—stinks. But after awhile, one wants these oversensitive urban neurotics to just lighten up. Fortunately, the author does, too, and manages their transformation subtly and gracefully. He also charms us with his clean, beautifully composed black-and-white artwork. His people may have more heft than Thurber’s, but like his, they have an endearing blobbiness that elicits our sympathy even as we smile at it. We may perhaps even take heart. Recommended for adults and philosophical young adults.—Andrew Moore, Wayland P.L., MA
Larsen, Erik. Savage Dragon. Vol. 11: Resurrection. Image Comics. 2007. 136p. ISBN 978-1-58240-523-0. pap. $14.99. F
The latest volume of the ongoing adventures of the Savage Dragon, a green-skinned and finned Chicago cop endowed with super strength and healing factor, chronicles the hero’s triumphant return after a deadly battle with the criminal syndicate Vicious Circle. Apparently killed during this confrontation, the Dragon proves that you can’t keep a good officer down, and tales of a mysterious green-cloaked vigilante soon surface. However, rising from the dead is only the beginning of Dragon’s trials, as his resurrection has left him sharing the body of fellow officer William Johnson. Savage Dragon should be enjoyed as a pure pulp comic: there is no deconstruction of the superhero or a symbolic critique of modern government. Larsen writes spandex-clad muscle men beating the hell out of one other. And he’s good at what he does. While the dialog may be mundane, the plot delves into wonderfully unexpected territory. Combined with the tongue-in-cheek humor—one villain has the unfortunate moniker Bud Ugly—this is an unabashedly fun read. However, as Resurrection attempts to address many loose plot threads, it lacks some of the brilliant craziness of previous arcs. The artwork is nicely suited for two-fisted action, and well-endowed women have their clothing strategically torn doing, well, anything, while superheroes of He-Man proportions throw Buicks at one other. Larsen has a great sense of panel layout, and the eye never gets bored or lost in the orchestrated chaos. The colors are vibrant, with each character and backdrop awash in brilliant hues. New readers should begin with the earlier color paperbacks or the budget-valued black-and-white Archive volumes, but this is recommended for teens and up interested in fun superhero fare.—George Sun, New York
Marley. Dokebi Bride. Vol. 5. Netcomics. 2007. 178p. tr. from Korean by Ernest Woo. ISBN 978-1-6009-079-0. pap. $9.99. F
Sunbi returns home after reuniting a ghostly grandmother with her grandson to find that the heir to her grandmother’s shaman artifacts has arrived to claim them. Furious and grief-stricken over their loss and at the betrayal of her family (who callously delivered them to the interloper), Sunbi uses her mystical sword to break the tie with her hated father’s home. Sunbi is taken in by Jonghan, a young man who assists runaways to find work and shelter. His favoritism toward her, his emotional instability, and Sunbi’s frigid reserve lead to jealousy in her new household. Meanwhile, Sunbi’s dokebi protector, Gwangsoo, discovers that a young man has taken over Sunbi’s place in her father’s house. This mysterious stranger, with compelling eyes like Sunbi’s, also claims that Sunbi is his bride, which ignites the ire of the powerful and violent Gwangsoo. Marley is adept at presenting various theories on spiritual and psychic phenomena, as well as creating grittily naturalistic characters who can perceive and be possessed by spirits. Sunbi’s struggle to survive mundane societal demands while nurturing her spiritual power fuels the conflicts in the manhwa. Readers interested in folklore and spirit mediums, as found in Her Majesty’s Dog and Yurara, will be interested in this more complex and realistic series. Appealing to both older teens and adults, Dokebi Bride is strongly recommended for public libraries.—Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton
Mashima, Hiro. Rave Master. Vol. 24. Tokyopop. 2007. 208p. tr. from Japanese by Jeremiah Bourque. ISBN 978-1-59532-628-7. pap. $9.99. F
This volume finds Haru, the Rave Master, and his friends teaming up with the Resistance to fight the Blue Guardians (BGs) after unintentionally leading their enemies right to the Resistance hideout. The BGs send the Six Guard, and Haru and his friends split up to take them on one on one: Let and Ruby fight Sean, Julia rumbles with Reevil, and Haru and Elie go after Koala. During the battle, Haru and Elie get separated—Elie, about to be captured again by Koala, falls into a cave under the Resistance hideout and finds her lost time-space staff. Momentarily overtaken by Resha, Elie displays amazing powers, only to forget again. Elie eventually learns to use her magic with the staff to defeat Koala. Haru, left fighting a mechanized foe, is surprised when his enemy asks for help. Mashima interjects plenty of humor and some gratuitous fan service (Julia loses her clothes and endures some disturbing sexual taunts before beating her foe) into the fighting, but he also manages to cover a lot of ground plotwise as well. His stylized characters remain distinctive and original, despite that many look like hip, punk rock teenagers, while the Six Guard is an interestingly motley collection of circus freaks. Haru’s combination of fierce determination and little-kid goofiness, along with his optimism, makes him a refreshing hero among the grumpy, unwilling antiheroes often found in manga. This series is highly recommended for teens ages 13+.—Krista Hutley, Lakeside Sch., Seattle
Miller, Frank (text) & Geof Darrow (illus.). Hard Boiled. reprint. Dark Horse. 2007. 128p. ISBN 978-1-87857-458-9. pap. $16.95. F
This reprint of the landmark collaboration between maverick comics creator Miller and legendary artist Darrow capitalizes on the work’s considerable reputation—which has hardly diminished since its initial release in the early 1990s—as well as on both Miller and Darrow’s heightened profiles owing to their work in the movies (Miller with Sin City, while Darrow’s visual concepts for The Matrix trilogy nearly stole the show) and their respective recent projects like All Star Batman and Shaolin Cowboy. Hard Boiled is a vehicle for Miller’s blistering social satire and Darrow’s obsessively detailed art, which is splashy in more ways than one. The plot concerns a robot killing machine running amuck in a future urban California saturated by junk food, advertising, and the plastic and electronic trash generated by our consumer culture, elements that make Blade Runner’s Los Angeles look positively wholesome in comparison. As it dawns on "Unit Four" that he’s a slave doing corporate dirty work, spent bullets and bodies pile up amidst the most spectacular scenes of destruction captured in comic form since Alan Moore and John Totleben’s classic Miracleman: Olympus. Whether or not Hard Boiled successfully skewers the empty nihilism that gripped comics after Moore and Dave Gibbons’s Watchmen and Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns is up to the reader, but its bleak, virulent vision is undeniably fascinating. Strongly recommended for its content, but its omnipresent violence and gore, plus some nudity and explicit sex, make it suitable for older teens and adults only.—J. Osicki, Saint John Free P.L., N.B.
Orci, Roberto & others (text) & Alex Milne (illus.). Transformers: Movie Adaptation. IDW Pub. 2007. 90p. ISBN 978-1-60010-067-3. pap. $17.99. F
Ryall, Chris & Simon Furman (text) & Don Figueroa (illus.). Transformers: Movie Prequel. IDW Pub. 2007. 120p. ISBN 978-160010-066-6. pap. $19.99. F
While these graphic novels are admittedly nothing more than just another part of the mammoth marketing machine behind the recent Transformers movie, it’s hard to deny just how much fun they are. The film adaptation follows the story of two sects of sentient robots: the Autobots and the Decepticons. Both sides are after an artifact known the Allspark, an alien technology that grants life to electronic devices. The Decepticons wish to raise a robot army and go on the warpath, while the Autobots are merely seeking to preserve their survival. Sam Witwicky, a high school student, is drawn into the conflict when the Autobots learn that he holds the key to locating the Allspark, which has crash-landed on Earth.
The prequel explores the backstory in greater detail, following the arrival of the Decepticons and an Autobot scout named Bumblebee on Earth, as well as a secret government organization’s tracking of them. Of the two, the prequel is the superior work, with better writing and better-developed characters. The film adaptation rushes the story, and the dialog feels clipped off. In both books, the art is lush and vibrant, featuring big explosions and scaling that get across just how massive the Autobots and Decepticons are. With scant profanity and PG violence, this book should sit well with parents, and geeks everywhere are sure to pick them up out of curiosity.—M. Brandon Robbins, Wayne Cty. P.L., Goldsboro, NC
PLUS (text) & Sung-Jae Park (illus.). Hanami: International Love Story. Vol. 1. Dark Horse. 2007. 203p. tr. from Korean by Taesoon Kang & Derek Kirk Kim. ISBN 978-1-59307-737-2. pap. $9.95. F
Joonho Suk finally gets up the nerve to tell longtime crush Sae-un that he likes her, only to find out from his father that his family is moving to Seoul the next day. Now Joonho is in a new city at a new school, where he meets a new girl: Hanami, a beautiful, friendly, popular exchange student from Japan. In the way of comedic justice, she also happens to be his new next-door neighbor. Joonho’s attempts to stay true to Sae-un are complicated by Hanami’s friendship, and the cast of freaky characters at Joonho’s new school provide further hilarity. They include Hena, a boy-phobic girl with super strength; David Bacon, a pretentious British student who calls Joonho "Sebastien" and treats him like a servant; and Wongyung Mah, the pervy chairmain of the BPRC (Babe Patrol Research Center). The artwork is cute and simple, with bold lines and clean backgrounds. This popular manhwa will be appreciated by American fans of humor and romantic comedy. The high-quality format of the book and excellent translation notes indicate a promising beginning for Dark Horse manhwa. Recommended for teen library manga/manhwa collections for ages 12+.—Emily Williams, Metropolitan Lib. Syst., Oklahoma City
Powell, Eric & others (text & illus.). Dwight T. Albatross’s The Goon Noir. Dark Horse. Jul. 2007. 94p. ed. by Matt Dryer. ISBN 978-1-59307-785-3. pap. $12.95. F
Taking a page from Batman: Black and White, Powell invited a gaggle of comic writers, illustrators, and comedians to craft a volume of black-and-white short stories centered on his hard-drinking, zombie-fighting duo of the Goon and sidekick Frankie. The choice of comedians is particularly apt for the series (Goon won the 2005 Eisner for Best Humor Publication), and the emphasis in the stories is clearly weighted toward the lighter, more tongue-in-cheek aspects of the characters. The story quality is generally high although not always up to the lofty levels Powell has established in the ongoing monthly. Highlights include a parody featuring the Goon and Frankie as Yogi Bear and Boo Boo stealing brain sandwiches from zombie picnic baskets; a riff on the Goon as spokesperson for Lucky Pierre cigarettes; Powell’s own contribution featuring the Unholy Bastards child gang; and the ongoing interruptions by series "publisher" Dwight T. Albatross, which typically degenerate into stories of his supposed sexual exploits. The various illustrators are pitch-perfect at capturing the feel of the Goon, showcasing series standards like over-the-top action sequences, bizarrely disfigured supporting characters, and brutal ends for hordes of zombies. Series fans will be able to jump right in, but newcomers will need a few stories to decipher the Goon’s world. As with the ongoing series, the adult humor and situations presented in this collection place it firmly in the realm of adult collections, for which it is highly recommended.—David Ward, Univ. of Illinois Undergraduate Lib., Urbana
Silverberg, Robert & Sean Jordan (text) & Anders Finer & Bill Tortolini (illus.). The Seventh Shrine. Dabel Brothers: Marvel. 2007. 111p. ISBN 978-0-7851-2660-7. pap. $11.99. F
A murder has been committed at an archaeological dig in the ancient, cursed Metamorph city of Velalisier. Pontifex Valentine has come to investigate the grisly crime and in the process uncovers more mysteries and unravels old legends. Although published by Dabel Brothers: Marvel, this is more an illustrated short story than a graphic novel based on a story by Hugo Award– and Nebula Award–winning author Silverberg. First appearing in Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy (Tor), the current adaptation by Jordan was first published in 2005 as a series by Image Comics. This edition is a repackaging of that work and suffers from several shortcomings. First, the proper term for the subruler of Majipoor under the Pontifex is Coronal, not "Colonel" as found here. Second, a scene where Valentine travels to the Metamorph camp ends abruptly with no resolution, which leaves the reader confused. However, in the original Silverberg short story, the Metamorph overseer Vathiimeraak steps in, calms the workers, and provides information to Valentine and the other investigators. (Oddly enough, the scene with Vathiimeraak is instead one of the fine illustrations painted by Finer, which are impressively realistic.) Third, the sheer volume of named characters (over 30) can be somewhat overwhelming. Fans of Silverberg’s Majipoor cycle will want to read this, and lovers of fine art will enjoy the illustrations, but overall some kinks need to be worked out before it can be given an unadulterated positive recommendation.—Don Boozer, Cleveland P.L.
Sorachi, Hideaki. Gin Tama. Vol. 1. Viz Media. Jul. 2007. 201p. tr. from Japanese by Matthew Rosin, Honyaku Center, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4215-1358-4. pap. $7.99. F
Set in a distant future in the city of Edo, this tells a curious tale of an alien invasion and takeover of Japan that leads to the decline of the samurai class. Toppled from their powerful place in society, the samurai are forced to put down their weapons owing to an alien-inspired sword ban. Without their weapons, many samurai struggle to survive in this new setting where they no longer can legally support themselves by training or protecting others. It is through this sad state of affairs that readers come to know the sarcastic teenage samurai Gintoki, who deals with his plight by accepting any odd job that comes his way. Gintoki brings a good deal of comic appeal with his sardonic commentary on and absurdly cynical approach to outlandish odd jobs that range from the sinking a spaceship to rescuing a female samurai to the disposal of an alien’s monstrous pet with a wooden sword. With his teenage sidekicks, the seemingly sensible samurai Shinpachi and former female alien assassin Kagura, Gintoki manages to endure with a smirk on his face in a city that is filled with aliens, gangsters, samurai haters, thieves, and terrorists. The bizarreness that comes out of this uncanny mixture of sf elements, pieces of preindustrial Japanese life, and teenage tomfoolery is enhanced by solid artwork. Creative, quirky human character designs, imaginative anthropomorphic aliens, assorted past- and future-inspired innovative backgrounds, and exaggerated and expressively drawn fight and chase scenes convey the mood. Gin Tama is a far-fetched action comedy, littered with outlandish interactions among peculiar characters, wacky humor, and action scenes that young readers interested in this genre will definitely enjoy. With a few mildly mature themes and realistic and fantasy violence, it is recommended for grades 9 and up.—Raphael E. Rogers, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
Shiomi, Chika. Canon. Vol. 1. CMX: DC Comics. 2007. 200p. tr. from Japanese by Sheldon Drzka. ISBN 978-1-4012-1163-9. pap. $9.99. F
The news reports are devastating: 37 high school students have been killed in one afternoon. The only survivor, Canon, hasn’t been seen in days, and she’s the only witness to the mysterious massacre. She has no interest in going to the police because the police can’t help her. After watching her classmates get murdered, the killer (a foreigner with incredible powers) turns her into his servant—into a vampire. Desperate to cling to her humanity, she resists the urge to drink blood and focuses on vengeance. With the ability to save recently turned humans by sucking the vampire blood out of them (an unnatural thing for a vampire to do), Canon makes a few friends, including a talking crow, a basketball player, and another strong human/vampire hybrid named Sakaki. In an interesting twist on the vampire legend, the vampires in this manga enjoy drinking each other’s blood even more than humans’, and consequently, Canon is attacked almost every night! Although Canon does look older than a teenager, she acts very much like one, and there is a hint of romance as she tries her hardest not to be drawn to Sakaki. This first volume sets up the story with plenty of exciting action, but the overlapping frames can get overcrowded. The violence makes this manga a decent choice for older teens looking for yet another vampire tale.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb Cty. P.L., Decatur, GA
Vining, James. First in Space. Oni Pr. 2007. 96p. ISBN 978-1-932664-64-5. pap. $9.95. F
Giving the reader a glimpse into the intriguing history of the U.S. space program, First in Space is a black-and-white graphic novel with delightful drawings that deals with a subject many people did not learning about in their U.S. history class—the use of chimpanzees in space. With the start of the space race against the former Soviet Union, NASA and the U.S. Air Force started using and training chimps for the early spaceflights because of their similarities, both physiological and mental, to humans. Based on the true story of Ham the chimp, this work follows Ham as he gets ready to make history as the first chimp in space. Vining (a 2006 Xeric Award winner) has a wonderful talent for showing the reader the humor and playfulness of Ham, as well as the sadness of what NASA and the U.S. Air Force did to the chimps. There are also some interesting and slightly strange panels of the chimp’s point of view and chimp dreams. Cameos by other famous space chimps Enos and Minnie, as well as human cameos by Sen. Lyndon Johnson and Maj. John Glenn, are also included. Rated "Youth Age 7+" most likely owing to the scene of a chimp experiment that went bad and chimp violence. However, this is a fantastic graphic novel for adults and children alike and includes a great bibliography on the space chimps. Highly recommended.—Melissa Aho, Metropolitan State Univ. Lib., St. Paul, MN
Wagner, Matt. Batman and the Mad Monk. DC Comics. 2007. 144p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1281-0. pap. $14.99. F
This volume, collecting a six-issue miniseries, is another of Wagner’s studies of the early days of Batman. Chronologically, it takes place as Batman first encounters costumed villains, with a brief cameo by Catwoman, and James Gordon is a detective captain fighting against a corrupt police department. Bodies are being found drained of blood, and the evidence suggests the impossible—that a vampire is stalking Gotham City…a vampire with cultists and gang members who act as his support staff. Is it vampirism, demonic possession, or mere madness behind these evil deeds? A second plot centers on Bruce Wayne’s love life as his alter ego absorbs his life. The story is a direct sequel to Batman and the Monster Men, and although it does stand alone, it will have more impact if you have read the first volume, as several plot threads are continuations. With Wagner’s darkly powerful artwork and compelling story, this is an interesting tale of compulsions, evil, and psychosis. With graphic violence and implied sex, it belongs in any collection that includes Batman material for older teens and adults.—Nick Smith, Pasadena P.L., CA
Yamashita, Tomomi. Apothecarius Argentum. Vol. 1. CMX: DC Comics. 2007. 192p. tr. from Japanese by Ikoi Hiroe. ISBN 978-1-4012-1181-3. pap. $9.99. F
Teen Princess Primula of the kingdom of Beazol has an unexpected encounter with her former food taster, a man called Argent who is now an apothecary. In Yamashita’s Apothecarius Argentum, an apothecary is a combination of doctor and pharmacist, responsible for both diagnosis and creating medicine. Argent was brought to the castle as a nameless child after having been bought by the king to ensure that his daughter wasn’t poisoned. Argent was perfect for this job because he was raised as a basilisk, a child who is slowly fed poisons until he becomes immune and has a poisnous body. Argent seems to have some control over his poisons, but it is still possible for him to kill accidentally someone who touches him. Princess Primula, who at first seems to be the stereotypical spoiled princess, reveals depth and intelligence as the story progresses. She can still use her royal powers selfishly, though—after Argent saves her from both an assassination attempt and a political sabotage, she orders him from his forest lab to the position of palace apothecary. So this former slave finds himself in the middle of palace intrigue once again, including an attempt by the king to use Argent as a weapon in Beazol’s ongoing war. The author does include information on some of the chemicals and herbs mentioned, but it is not well documented. This is an enjoyable manga with several involving subplots; each character has a unique face and design. This teen-rated series should appeal to both male and female readers. Recommended.—Kristin Fance, Houston Baptist Univ. Lib., TX
Yoshinaga, Fumi. Fumi Yoshinaga’s Lovers in the Night. BLU: Tokyopop. 2007. 231p. tr. by tr. from Japanese. ISBN 978-1-4278-0052-7. pap. $9.99. F
When French aristocrat Antoine is left alone after his parents’ death, it is up to the butler, Claude, to turn the spoiled brat into a gentleman. After he is rescued from the unwanted embrace of a guest at a masquerade ball by a costumed man who may or may not be Claude, Antoine’s feelings for his servant begin to surface. When the two escape France at the onset of the Revolution, their love for each other turns physical, and their life as a couple begins. Yoshinaga (Antique Bakery; The Moon and the Sandals) is a master at using her art to convey much of her stories, and this book is no exception. While the story is a typical master-as-uke/servant-as-seme pairing, the subtle changes in facial expressions, detailed costumes, and panels filled with nothing but dialog help keep the reader focused on what is otherwise a somewhat forgettable plot. There are sexual situations in almost every chapter, and the book’s mature rating is well deserved. An additional purchase for libraries collecting yaoi manga.—Eva Volin, Alameda Free Lib., CA
Audio Reviews
Dickey, Eric Jerome. Sleeping with Strangers. 8 CDs. unabridged. 9 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59600-014-8. $92.25. F
Both Gideon and Bruno are well-trained assassins for hire whose paths and assignments cross in London. Dickey thoroughly explores the lives of these two men in present time and flashback—mentally, emotionally, professionally, and definitely sexually—as mysterious women help form their entwined paths. A story full of revenge, terror, and paranoia sets up an upcoming sequel (Walking with Enemies), which might be too obvious but will be highly anticipated by Dickey’s devotees. Dion Graham’s strong delivery fully catches the tone and menace. Recommended for a clearly adult audience.—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, NY
Ricard, Matthieu. Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill. 2 CDs. abridged. 2 hrs. Sounds True. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59179-555-1. $19.95. PSYCH
In this audiobook, Buddhist monk Ricard describes how people can be happy. Many think that the fulfillment of personal desires brings happiness. Yet people who have beauty, fame, talent, and/or wealth may be unhappy, while others who seem to have little and may be in difficult circumstances are happy. Ricard explains how mental "toxins" can keep one from experiencing happiness. Therefore, people who have developed the skills that act as an antidote to these toxins are satisfied no matter what the outward conditions. This program is a complete argument for and basic instruction on the mental skills that promote happiness. One caveat: some people may have difficulty understanding Ricard’s French-accented English. Despite this minor flaw, this is highly recommended for self-help and spiritual collections in all libraries. Listeners may also want to hear Pema Chodron’s unabridged audio True Happiness for a more in-depth explanation of many of the concepts used here.—Kathleen A. Sullivan, Phoenix P.L.
Roizen, Michael F., M.D., & Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., with Ted Spiker & others. You: On a Diet; The Owner’s Manual for Waist Management. 10 cassettes. unabridged. 10½ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4281-5183-3. $82.75; 10 CDs. ISBN 978-1-4281-3605-2. $123.75. HEALTH
Part of the popular "You" series, this title emphasizes waist rather than weight management. Heavy on commonsense basics, healthy numbers (i.e., cholesterol, blood pressure, minimum daily values), how and why the body accumulates and stores fat, plus ways to encourage an active metabolism to burn off fat, this jargon-free, information-dense book contains so much data from basic biology to actual recipes that listeners will want to repeatedly review certain sections. Medical terminology is defined, and various concepts are explained in ways easily understood by the consumer. "Factoids," "Myth Busters," recipes, exercise plans, diet plans, and quizzes are scattered throughout. An experienced reader, Johnny Heller does not stumble over unfamiliar medical terminology. His well-paced speech patterns and clear, distinct, accent-free tones are well suited to this material. Professionally produced, the recording lacks background noise or tape hiss, and volume is consistent. Purchase where needed.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
Week of July 17th
Fiction | Nonfiction | Audio reviews
Fiction
Elsner, Alan. The Nazi Hunter. Arcade, dist. by Little, Brown. Jul. 2007. c.336p. ISBN 978-1-55970-839-5. $26. F
An experienced journalist with two nonfiction books behind him, Elsner now makes his thriller debut, focusing his intense beam on a young lawyer who hunts Nazis for the feds in Washington, DC. As deputy director of the Office of Special Investigations, Mark Cain handles mostly cases that are as dry as dust and rely on archival research and painstaking details. As a modern Orthodox Jew, he is also scrupulous about his religious obligations. When an older woman who claimed her father was the notorious chief of the Belzec concentration camp in Poland turns up murdered, Mark’s suspicions are aroused. Ramping up the suspense is a simultaneous plot—echoing a number of real terrorist episodes—to blow up a major federal site. Engagingly written and attentive to the work of authentic Nazi hunters, Eisner’s novel chimes with the bells and whistles of a thriller while tracing the honest emotions of its appealingly sincere characters. A fresh and contemporary take on a genre already deeply familiar in public libraries, this title will be a welcome addition in most popular collections.—Barbara Conaty, Falls Church, VA
Gabaldon, Diana. Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade. Delacorte. (Lord John). Aug. 2007. c.512p. ISBN 978-0-385-33749-6. $25. F
Lord John Grey (Lord John and the Private Matter), a well-liked character from Gabaldon’s "Outlander" series, faces turmoil at home as his widowed mother plans to remarry in the winter of 1758, 17 years after her husband’s suicide. New evidence comes to light that he was murdered, and Grey resolves to clear his father’s name by seeking Jamie Fraser, who may have valuable information about a possible Jacobite connection. Meanwhile, Grey’s regiment moves to Prussia, putting him on the battlefield and directly in danger. His personal life also becomes increasingly complicated, as he embarks on a forbidden love affair that could destroy his military career. Gabaldon’s expert knowledge of her time period and delicate feel for the intricacies of human behavior make this second Grey novel as enjoyable as the first. Fans of military history will appreciate the gritty, realistic details of the battle of Krefeld. Fans of Lord John will pity his romantic tribulations and root for him to find (and punish) his father’s killer. Strongly recommended for all public libraries and historical mystery collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/07.]—Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib.
Hickman, Homer. The Far Reaches. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin’s. 2007. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-312-33475-8. $24.95. F
In his third World War II–set novel (after The Ambassador’s Son), best-selling author Hickam catches up with U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Josh Thurlow as he commandeers the fight against the Japanese Rikusentai forces on the South Pacific island of Tarawa. The three-day battle resulted in heavy losses on both the American and the Japanese sides, and so it is in this story. Thurlow, however, in leading a cadre of brave marines into the fray, dodges death, while Sister Mary Kathleen fights personal battles and endures cruel capture by the Japanese. Their stories are complexly intertwined into a fast-paced, cacophonous web of action-packed events. Hickam has masterfully crafted his characters, who are based on real World War II heroes. Readers will find that they have no defense against becoming emotionally involved in the hauntingly real story plots and multiple characters’ fates. Hickham’s novel comes highly recommended for public library fiction and academic leisure reading collections, especially where the previous Thurlow novels were popular.—Gloria Creed-Dikeogu, Ottawa Univ. Lib., KS
Preston, Douglas & Lincoln Child. The Wheel of Darkness. Warner. Aug. 2007. c.464p. ISBN 978-0-446-58028-1. $25.99. F
After dealing with his horrible brother in The Book of the Dead, FBI Agent Pendergast and his ward, Constance, head to Tibet to find solitude in a monastery. For the first time in history, the monks welcome a woman to learn their ways. Shortly after their arrival, a box containing a dangerous artifact is stolen from a hidden area of the temple. Pendergast and Constance trail the thief to the cruise ship Brittania as it launches on its weeklong maiden voyage to New York. Then the mystifying deaths begin. From the opening page to the shocking last, an amazingly claustrophobic and terrifying reading experience awaits: this book does for cruise ships what Jaws did for summer beach resorts. One of the best thrillers of the year; essential for all popular fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/07.]—Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.
Richardson, C.S. The End of the Alphabet. Doubleday. Jul. 2007. c.128p. ISBN 978-0-385-52255-7. pap. $16.95. F
This tiny novel carries a weighty message: how you die reflects on how you lived. On his 50th birthday, Ambrose Zephyr’s doctor tells him he will die in 30 days. In his panic over the pronouncement, Ambrose insists that he and wife Zipper Ashkenazi go on a trip that will take them to places starting with every letter of the alphabet. Halfway through, Zipper breaks through Ambrose’s fear to convince him to go home. The book is told in tiny vignettes, flitting in and out of past and present. The most palpable theme is Ambrose and Zipper’s devotion to each another—rarely do they dwell on Ambrose’s impending death, but they take their last trip, visit a few good friends, and reminisce about the times they’ve had together. For such a small book, in which there is no time to get to know the characters really well, the story is greatly moving without being maudlin. Sure to be a reading-club selection; recommended for most libraries.—Amy Ford, St. Mary’s Cty. Lib., Lexington Park, MD
Wood, Danielle. Rosie Little’s Cautionary Tales for Girls. MacAdam/Cage. Jul. 2007. c.275p. ISBN 978-1-59692-252-5. $18.75. F
Australian Wood’s (The Alphabet of Light and Dark) collection of linked short stories makes a delightful trek through the life of bad girl Rosie Little, with a few detours into the lives of her acquaintances. A clever and wickedly amusing character, Rosie finds trouble in her cherry red Doc Martens, then bounds off on her next adventure. Each story corresponds with a specific facet or rite of life (e.g., marriage, longing, art, beauty) and often serves as a warning of the toll the tale’s subject can take on a woman. Yet, the ladies depicted in these contemporary fairy tales generally don’t come across as victims despite dealing with abuse, death, age, and threatening or lecherous men. Rosie’s stories tend to be raunchy and slightly cynical, although some are understated, touching, and even supernatural. Wood’s writing is succinct, elegant, witty, and wonderfully suited to the form. Highly recommended for short story collections and public libraries where Melissa Bank’s The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing was popular.—Amanda Glassbrenner, Chicago
A Choice of Shakespeare’s Verse. 3d ed. Farrar. Aug. 2007. c.224p. ed. by Ted Hughes. index. ISBN 978-0-374-12278-2. pap. $15. POETRY
For the third edition of his anthology, noted British poet Hughes drew 218 passages from Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays. His criterion for inclusion was that each passage could stand on its own outside of the context of the work in which it appeared. Though Hughes rewrote his introductory essay, he did not provide any context or background for the specific passages he selected, which he took from the Oxford Standard Authors edition of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. He did, however, include notes describing the artistic and cultural milieu in which Shakespeare created his plays and sonnets as well as his particular writing style; a list of sources for each passage; and an index of first lines. Libraries may already own copies of the 1971 and/or 1991 editions, but they are likely worn from use. This fresh edition is recommended for public and academic libraries.—Shana C. Fair, Ohio Univ. Lib., Zanesville
Aranzi Aronzo. Aranzi Machine Gun Vol. 1. ISBN 978-1-932234-72-5. $9.95.
Aranzi Aronzo. The Bad Book. ISBN 978-1-932234-69-5. $12.95.
Aranzi Aronzo. The Cute Book. ISBN 978-1-932234-68-8. $12.95.ea. vol: Vertical. 2007. 47p. pap. SOC SCI
As the seemingly overwhelmed (and adorable) White Rabbit on the cover of Aranzi Machine Gun Vol. 1 exclaims, "Argh! It’s so cute!!" These three slim, illustrated English-language collections of the work of Osaka-based design collective Aranzi Aronzo are an unholy hybrid of Hello Kitty, punk aesthetics, the nu-craft explosion, and designer toy whimsy. The artwork rests between the million-dollar naivete of Takashi Murakami and Homestar Runner’s doodled masterpieces but with a more proactive, DIY heart beating under the cotton and felt. Aranzi Aronzo want you to make your own toys, as you see fit, and not wait for them to be handed to you in increasingly limited editions. Accordingly, these tomes are as subversive as they are unique, with crossover potential for juvenile, teen, and adult audiences. The Cute Book is the most practical, full of instructions and patterns for creating dolls and other accessories of the Aranzi pantheon, from White Cat to Liar, and these projects will appeal to novice and champion sewers alike as the character designs are so undeniably…cute!
Most fun of all is The Bad Book—where the Bad Guy and his compatriots run wild, the id to the earlier volumes’ ego, with page after page of mischief and shenanigans. You’ll breeze through them all in about two minutes but keep coming back. Highly recommended for public or academic libraries with large craft and/or comic/manga collections.—Matthew Moyer, Jacksonville P.L., FL
Califauna: A Literary Field Guide. Heyday. (California Legacy). 2007. 293p. ed. by Terry Beers & Emily Elrod. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-59714-049-2. pap. $21.95. LIT
The Giant Pacific octopus is an intelligent creature that "can distinguish between shapes and patterns"; large flocks of snow geese "may number as many as eighty thousand." These are just two examples of the fascinating facts found in the latest addition of the "California Legacy" series. General editor Beers (writing & literature, Santa Clara Univ.) and Elrod have collected writings about California’s animal life by such notable writers as John Muir, Jack London, Charles Bukowski, Barry Lopez, and Mark Twain as well as those less well known. They explore a total of 52 creatures—arranged alphabetically by common name—through fiction, poetry, and nonfiction and include species as different as the honey bee, the gray wolf, the sea otter, and the mountain lion. Informative introductions with comments document each creature’s habitat, size, and range. Author sketches, several illustrated pages, a time line, and an author index round out the volume. Original publication dates at the beginning of each selection would have improved the book’s overall structure; still, this is highly recommended for California literature collections and for literature collections in public and academic libraries.—Stacy Russo, Chapman Univ. Libs., Orange, CA
Cohen, Suzy. The 24-Hour Pharmacist: Advice, Options, and Amazing Cures from America’s Most Trusted Pharmacist. Collins: HarperCollins. 2007. 368p. illus. ISBN 978-0-06-117360-8. pap. $14.95. HEALTH
Pharmacist Cohen, whose "Dear Pharmacist" column is syndicated nationally, has produced a most accessible and informative text on both common and unusual health conditions. Addressing a wide variety of medical topics, including depression, acid reflux, insomnia, joint pain, and menopause, she offers practical advice and often discusses nonchemical alternatives to pain and symptom relief. If anything, readers will find too many options, but Cohen’s special callout boxes and sections titled "Suzy’s Secrets from Behind the Counter" help to alleviate confusion. This well-written and valuable resource is best suited for consumer health, medical, and public libraries.—Nicole Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ
Conway, Robert P. June Wayne: The Art of Everything; A Catalogue Raisonné, 1936-2006. Rutgers Univ. 2007. 480p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-8135-3824-2. $125. FINE ART
Largely self-taught, June Wayne (research, Rutgers Ctr. for Innovative Printmaking & Paper) is an acknowledged leader in the art of printmaking. Her career spans six decades, from her work as an artist on the Depression-era WPA Easel Project to her founding of the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in 1959 and beyond. In this supplement to a traveling exhibition, independent writer and curator Conway (philosophy, emeritus, Columbia) supplies an introductory essay and a well-organized and painstakingly complete catalogue rainsonné laced with quotes from the artist, cross references, printing and exhibition histories, and more. There are hundreds of illustrations: photographs of Wayne, her family, and the important people in her life as well as images of her artwork, some now untraced. A delightful essay by philosopher and art critic Arthur C. Danto explores Wayne’s life as an autodidact relentless in her quest for learning. In addition to a chronology, the catalog includes writings by and about Wayne, films, interviews, and speeches. Recommended for libraries with a strong interest in printmaking, modern art, or truly remarkable women.—Ilene Skeen, New York
Cooper, Grant, M.D. Never Smoke Again: The Top 10 Ways To Stop Smoking Now & Forever. Square One, dist. by Ingram. Aug. 2007. c.160p. index. ISBN 978-0-7570-0235-9. pap. $12.95. HEALTH
Fifty years ago, everybody smoked, and more and more, existing smokers are attempting to break the habit, heeding the health warnings of their physicians, governments, and families. Cooper’s book, touted as the "only book you will ever need" to quit, is divided into two sections—the first outlines the adverse effects of smoking and the psychology of addiction; the second lists smoking cessation aids and how they might be used to help someone quit and stay quit. Unfortunately, there is nothing here that we haven’t seen before in any number of antismoking brochures and web sites. Save your money—point your clients instead to the web addresses of the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association. Not recommended unless you have no other smoking-cessation resources in your collection.—Elyse Pike, Grey Bruce Health Svscs., Owen Sound, Canada
Farmanfarmaian, Monir Shahroudy & Zara Houshmand. A Mirror Garden. Knopf. 2007. 320p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-307-26613-2. $25.95. FINE ARTS
Iranian artist Farmanfarmaian wrote this intriguing, diarylike memoir with Iranian American author and theater artist Houshmand. Born in Persia in 1924, Farmanfarmaian grew into an attractive, free-spirited modern woman with her own viewpoint and a delightful sense of humor. After her father was elected to parliament, the family moved to Tehran, where her sense of independence grew with both her gradual realization that fine art was her calling and her acceptance to Tehran University’s Fine Arts College. She eventually left for New York to study art and drawing. There she married (and later divorced) a fellow Iranian, with whom she had a child. Her second husband was an Iranian of royal descent; after they returned to Tehran, her career flourished, with exhibitions in Venice, New York, and Paris. Their home life also flourished with a second child, but the rise of radicalism in Iran necessitated their return to New York, where they successfully started their lives anew. Farmanfarmaian’s story is one of encouragement, self-sufficiency, and liberty. This admirable tale is recommended for larger public libraries.—Robert Kelly, Fort Wayne Community Schs., IN
Fox, Margalit. Talking Hands. S. & S. Aug. 2007. c.337p. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-7432-4712-4. $27. PSYCH
For most of recorded history, it has been assumed that in order to communicate in-depth, it is necessary to have a language that is both spoken and written. Fox, a trained linguist and experienced journalist who has worked for the New York Times, shatters that myth with this fascinating narrative focusing on a recent visit she and a team of three other researchers made to an isolated, remote Israeli village where a unique sign language is used by all residents, both deaf and nondeaf. Interspersed are valuable references to and practical explanations of previous research in sign language and deaf studies. Stimulating insights into the human mind and spirit, along with groundbreaking scientific implications, make this work appealing to both the researcher and the casual reader. Recommended for all public and academic libraries.—Steve Dixon, SUNY at Delhi Lib.
Greaux, Jacquie Noelle with Jennifer Langheld (text) & Garvey Rich (photogs.). Better Sex Through Yoga. Broadway. Aug. 2007. c.224p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-7679-2058-2. pap. $17.95. HEALTH
San Francisco–based yoga instructor Greaux here offers the book companion to her DVD series of the same title (Langheld acted as producer). Traditional yoga poses are briefly described, along with their physical benefits, e.g., a "pliable pelvis" or a "yummy tummy." These moves are combined into 11 routines with names like "peep show," a yoga show for your partner, or "bedtime bootie" to rev up the body before sex. The author, dressed in skimpy clothing, demonstrates the poses in photographs. The general idea here seems to be that increased blood flow, flexibility, and strength will boost one’s confidence and, in turn, one’s libido. That’s all fine and good, but Greaux can’t even refer to the female genitalia by its real name. Hip, young yoga newcomers might be drawn in, but hard-core practitioners won’t appreciate this take on yoga as a merely sexual practice. Recommended only on demand.—Dede Archer, Naples, FL
Greenberg, Gary. The Judas Brief: Who Really Killed Jesus? Continuum. 2007. c.292p. bibliog. ISBN 978-0-8264-8999-9. $29.95. REL
The pivotal historical occasion of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Christ provides the heart of this apologia by attorney and independent historian Greenberg (president, Biblical Archaeology Soc. of New York). His vigorous defense of the Palestinian Jews of Jesus’s time rests on his complex (and somewhat tortured) theory of a peace-keeping arrangement between Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee—with the now-vindicated disciple Judas as conscientious go-between—for the Jewish community to hold Jesus in protective custody over the chaotic Passover holiday. However, it was Herod, jealous over Jesus’s popularity at home, who threatened and bullied Pilate into revoking his promises to the Jews and, ultimately, into executing Jesus. Thus, over time, "the Jews" becomes a textual metaphor for the hated client-king and Roman puppet Herod. This well-documented work will probably not convince many, but it presents some interesting history and is clearly written (although Greenberg mildly contradicts himself in places, e.g., by first claiming Pilate was unmoved by public pressure, then that he bowed to pressure from Herod). Recommended for seminary and religion collections.—Sandra Collins, Byzantine Catholic Seminary Lib., Pittsburgh
Fischer, Felice with Kyoko Kinoshita. Ike Taiga and Tokuyama Gyokuran: Japanese Masters of the Brush. Yale Univ. 2007. 504p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-300-12218-3. $75. FINE ARTS
Ike Taiga and his wife, Gyokuran, were well-known 18th-century Japanese painters, calligraphers, and poets. The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s (PMA) exhibit of some 200 of their works (gathered from international collections and showing through July 22) marks the first such exhibition in the United States. This accompanying catalog, published in association with the PMA and authored by two of its curators, contains insightful essays by Japanese and American scholars from other institutions and nearly 500 mostly color reproductions of the couple’s work. Taiga was a leader of the Nanga literati circle in Edo-period Japan. Gyokuran’s poetry-writing skills developed under the influence of her mother, and though she learned much about painting from her prolific husband, her work displays its own unique qualities. Together they experimented with different styles on paper and silk, creating, e.g., large-scale sliding doors (fusuma) and folding screens; close-up studies of symbolic images such as the bamboo; and idyllic panoramas of people existing in harmony with nature. Their painted works often contain relevant calligraphic inscriptions or poems, which this lovely catalog translates. Recommended for academic and public libraries collecting in Asian art, Asian calligraphy, or Asian poetry.—Anne Marie Lane, American Heritage Ctr. Lib., Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie
Lafont, Maria. Soviet Posters: The Sergo Grigorian Collection. Prestel. 2007. 288p. illus. ISBN 978-3-7913-3752-4. pap. $25. GRAPHIC ARTS
Lafont (Pillaging Cambodia: Illicit Traffic of Khmer Art) presents a work of 250 Soviet propaganda posters—many of them rare—from the impressive collection of Russian lawyer Sergo Grigorian. Organized chronologically, it identifies major stylistic trends (e.g., military strength, labor support, space exploration, the glorification of Lenin and Stalin, antialcoholism) in the posters as they relate to events in Soviet history. The collection dates from 1917 to the beginning of the Cold War and includes some distinctive pictures, e.g., censored material that was never mass-produced and a poster condemning the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. The full-page color illustrations combined with effective page layouts are a strongpoint. These illustrations are accompanied by translations of the text and biographical sketches of the graphic artists; however, the images could be better supported by improved background explanations. Because of its unique content, this work is best purchased as a supplement to Victoria E. Bonnell’s Iconography of Power (1999), still the finest overview of Soviet graphic art available. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.—Eric Linderman, Euclid P.L., OH
Laine, Kristen. American Band: Music, Dreams, and Coming of Age in the Heartland. Gotham: Penguin Group (USA). Aug. 2007. c.320p. photogs. ISBN 978-1-592-40319-6. $26. SOC SCI
The director of the Concord Marching Minutemen, Max Jones wanted to create a top-notch music program that focused on the collaborative pursuit of excellence, and he believed that the class of 2005 could exemplify these standards. Journalist Laine moved to Elkhart, IN, for six months to conduct research and interviews, attending rehearsals and events and even playing with the band. She richly describes the band’s collective quest for perfection and a state championship, as well as the personal journeys of Jones and a memorable roster of his students—from Grant’s struggles with faith and family heartache to Adilene’s assimilation into a new local culture. The narrative, with artfully blended background and analyses, portrays the life of the marching band. This excellent book is not only for those who are familiar with the rigors of high school marching bands but also for anyone who enjoys a touching story superbly told. For circulating libraries and large music collections.—Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ
Levine, Gregory & Yukio Lippit. Awakenings: Zen Figure Painting in Medieval Japan. Japan Society, dist. by Yale. 2007. 222p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-300-11964-0. $65. FINE ARTS
Authored by two professors of Japanese art at the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard, respectively, this is a model of what an exhibition catalog should be, functioning both as an accompaniment to the exhibition’s works (which recently showed at the Japan Society Gallery, New York) and as an enduring piece of scholarship. It is beautifully designed, printed, and bound, containing three scholarly essays and 97 color illustrations of 47 Japanese and Chinese works dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Each work is paired with a full page of explanation and analysis and a wonderful thematically organized