Fiction

Adler, H.G. The Journey. Random. Nov. 2008. c.320p. tr. from German by Peter Filkins. ISBN 978-1-4000-6673-5. $26. F

This unusual and noteworthy novel is a fictional account by a German-speaking Jew who survived the Holocaust. Adler (1910–88) was born in Prague and was imprisoned in Theresienstadt (Ruhenthal) and Auschwitz. In his wanderings after the war, he later came to consider himself a freelancer and teacher. The story, if such a diffuse presentation may be called that, follows the Lustig family from their internment by the Germans until the demise of every member but one. Adler (Theresienstadt, 1941–1945: The Face of a Slave Society) employs a kind of montage, eschewing a straightforward narrative. Jeremy Adler, the author's son, provides an afterword in which he explains, "As with a ballad, the book contains the refrainlike repetition of numerous central motifs." There is great beauty in this writing, though general readers will find it difficult to follow. The text has been masterfully translated by Filkins, who provides an essential introduction. The German text of the novel is from a 1999 reissue by Zsolnay Verlag. Strongly recommended for all Holocaust collections.—Edward Cone, New York

Set in early 1600s England, this novel portrays two "sin eaters": Sarah, a widow carrying the guilt of allowing her husband to murder for her sake, and Bill, a man coerced into eating bread and drinking wine that has been laid on the dead to soak up their sins. Hunted by a man she insulted, Sarah leaves town with her few possessions and soon encounters Bill, who is half-crazed with the burden of others' sins. Sarah promises Bill that her herb lore will purge him of the sins he has eaten and later helps Mary, a merchant's daughter sold into her husband's keeping for her father's debts. But returning Mary to her home brings unexpected troubles. Boasting complex characters and a story kept fresh by switching among different narrators, this novel is at its best in its depictions of Jacobean England; the social structure and economic realities of the time are beautifully portrayed. However, the text may be slowgoing for those unfamiliar with the time period and slang, and the prolog is so confusing that readers may be tempted to skip it. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.—Amy Ford, St. Mary's Cty. Lib., Lexington Park, MD

What's in a name? For many browsers, the probable answer is "a lot." Belzer is the equine-faced actor who has fashioned a career portraying wisecracking yet lovable Detective John Munch on TV's popular Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. A former stand-up comic and current conspiracy theorist, Belzer adds another string to his bow here as a detective novelist. With that level of name recognition, the fact that the book delivers the goods is almost superfluous. In the story, Belzer is busy filming the series. He's played a cop so long that maybe he thinks he is one; he's taking self-defense classes just in case. A good friend, a Russian émigré and New York medical examiner, gives Belz a ticket to a fight, just before they are attacked by Ukrainian-spouting thugs. After Rudi mysteriously disappears, Belz receives a letter that includes four alphanumeric entries plus a cryptic message, and he's off on a chase that involves the Russkies, the blood diamond trade, and some similes that will make Raymond Chandler fans crack a smile as big as the Ritz. Deft comic timing, the gruff persona, and a lively, if predictable, story will satisfy fans and maybe even create some. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/06.]—Bob Lunn, Kansas City P.L., MO

Berry outdoes himself in his latest Cotton Malone adventure (after The Venetian Betrayal). Using his connections in the federal government, Cotton asks to see a classified file that details the mission that resulted in his father's death. He knew his father died on a submarine but none of the shocking details about where or why he died. But Cotton is not the only person who wants this file, and they kill to get it. Nazi missions to the Antarctic, ancient societies, and a valuable artifact from Charlemagne's tomb all play key roles as Malone uncovers the truth. So much is going on that there is enough material for two good books, let alone one great one. Mixed in with the complicated action, Berry finds the time to explore the characters as well, making this his most personal and best book to date. For all fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 8/08.]—Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.

This debut novel presented in brief stories of fewer than 1000 words is a semiautobiographical account of a Russian Jewish immigrant, Alex, from his childhood in Communist Russia during the 1950s through the present day when he is in his midfifties, settled in Upstate New York with a wife and two daughters. Snapshots of Alex are presented as he goes through typical schoolboy antics and falls in love at an early age with his cousin Annie, whose family has moved to America. Alex goes to college, works briefly as a movie extra, is enlisted in the military, and finally marries a doctor named Lyuba, who reminds him of Annie. They immigrate to America in the 1980s, and he finally gets to meet Annie, who has no idea about his long-standing obsession with her. Against a backdrop of such historical events as the demise of Soviet communism, Alex deals with losing his job, raising children, and struggling with a writing career. There is little character development and even less plot or intrigue in this sketchy record of events. The novel reads more like a family blog and offers few tangible rewards.—David A. Beronä, Plymouth State Univ., NH

Edward S. Curtis is widely known through his photographic encyclopedia of North America's tribal peoples, but little is known of the man himself. NPR commentator Cheuse (The Fires; The Light Possessed) envisions the backstory in his new novel. Much of the narration falls to William Myers, the classics scholar recruited to accompany Curtis because of his facility with languages. Some chapters are credited to Jimmy Fly-Wing, a Native American who studied his own people through the newly defined discipline of anthropology at the University of Chicago. And Curtis's wife, Clara, weighs in with poignant reflections on raising a family and running a portrait studio while her husband devotes himself to his overwhelming love, a project that takes him into remote parts of America as well as its larger cities; raising funds for the next trip from the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan takes as much time and work as the journeys and photographs themselves. Cheuse does an admirable job of invoking a period, a quest, and the spiritual convergence of times ancient and modern. Recommended for popular reading collections.—Debbie Bogenschutz, Cincinnati State Technical and Community Coll., OH

The Basque nationalists at the heart of this thriller have passionate justifications for their cause, but the new labels of international terrorism in 2003 alter the power balance and enemies lurk everywhere. Drummed out of the MI6 corps six years earlier for a botched operation, young Alec Milius is now doing due diligence work in Madrid when odd and intriguing situations pile up, and suddenly he is at the heart of a plot that inflames his spying appetites and ambitions. Even after Alec is tortured and punished for his curiosity, he continues to pick at the clues hoping to salvage some private satisfactions for a job well done. Notable for its heightened psychological cat-and-mouse play, this second Milius title (after A Spy by Nature) will build Cumming's reputation as a literary spymaster to reckon with—comparison with early John le Carré is not out of line. An added bonus is the masterly description of Madrid and Basque country complete with wine and dine notes. A well-crafted and necessary purchase for espionage fiction collections in all public libraries.—Barbara Conaty, Falls Church, VA

In this long-awaited but ponderous sequel to The Gold Coast (1990), it is ten years later, and John Sutter has returned for the funeral of a woman who isn't dead yet. He's also looking to restart his life and possibly hook up with his ex-wife, Susan, who'd had an affair with a local Mafia don she later killed. Confounding the problem is the don's son, who has taken over the family business and wants vengeance against both John and Susan. While there are interesting characters, and Sutter's first-person observations are clever, it takes forever for the action to get going. Even an exciting climax doesn't help. DeMille has developed a reputation for fast-paced action thrillers, and this is neither. His name will guarantee a level of success, and those patrons who enjoyed reading about the lives of the rich and decadent in The Gold Coast will enjoy this sequel. The rest will hope DeMille's next effort is more compelling. For larger collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/08.]—Robert Conroy, Warren, MI

Georgia "Peachy" Archer feels like she has always lived in the shadow of her older sister; Beth's glamorous life in New York City is worlds away from Peachy's life on the family farm with her husband and two sons, one of whom suffers from epilepsy. When Beth goes through a bad breakup, she sets up a fake online-dating profile with Peachy's picture to secretly pump her ex for information about her faults. But when Peachy stumbles across an intimate moment between her sister and her husband during Beth's visit to the farm, it's Peachy who decides to bring Beth's personal ad to life, with far-reaching consequences. She heads to New York to meet with Beth's ex under the fake ID, leaving Beth to live a slice of her life for a weekend. This strong follow-up to Tempting Faith DiNapoli is sharply funny and deeply emotional. Gabriele covers a lot of raw emotional ground, including alcoholism, suicide, draft dodging, infidelity, motherhood, and sisterhood, with a firm yet forgiving touch. A welcome addition to women's fiction, this uplifting novel about the power of family and forgiveness is highly recommended for all public libraries.—Amy Brozio-Andrews, Albany P.L., NY

Harkaway has created a monster. Although his debut has been compared to the work of Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut, this epic novel shares with them only the elements of war, satire, and irony (and a few references to Vonnegut's line, "And so it goes..."). This story is more concerned with the fantastical and supernatural underpinnings of war in a futuristic, technologically superior world in which there's a new weapon that wipes out enemies by making them "go away." Many bad side effects ensue, and an eclectic team of soldiers-turned-action heroes is hired to fix them. It's a futuristic doomsday tale of sorts, but it's also the story of an average guy, Gonzo, who must save both the world and a part of himself (literally) several times. The first part is a bit confusing without the later context. However, its humorous parts, mostly in the form of tangents and its accounts of sentimentality among manly men, are a lot of fun to read. Prepare for a multifaceted ride, a mixture of Apocalypse Now and Fight Club. Recommended only for larger public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/08.]—Stephen Morrow, Athens, OH

Jacobson's third novel (after False Accusations and The Hunted) has all the ingredients for a best-selling psychological thriller: strong female lead, multifaceted serial killer, compelling plot, and just enough secrets and surprises to keep the adrenaline racing. The hunt is on for the notorious Dead Eyes killer who is preying on young women. Karen Vail is a gritty yet vulnerable FBI profiler with a precarious personal life. As Vail and the task force pursue the serial killer, readers are drawn into the inner sanctum of a profiler while simultaneously privy to the killer's crazed thoughts. The murders rapidly escalate, and Vail's personal life is careening out of control, threatening to derail her investigation. When the killer strikes a seventh time, surprising revelations provide a shocking finale. The author's seven years of study with the FBI's profiling unit have helped him craft a riveting, authentically detailed thriller that will ensnare readers. Strongly recommended for all popular fiction collections.—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights

This ought to be Mead Fegley's best time. He is just days away from college graduation at the tender age of 18 and honored with the chance to give a major presentation. Instead, he's hiding out at his family's funeral parlor looking for an escape into a different future. A boy genius pushed by his mother and terrorized by classmates, Mead heads for college with hopes of freedom and belonging. He quickly learns about academic politics but not quickly enough about friendship. Caught in intrigues beyond his understanding, he only has a few days to sort out what has gone wrong and how to fit the pieces of his life back together. The result is part mystery, part coming-of-age, and entirely engaging. This semiautobiographical novel by an award-winning book-jacket designer whose father was a math genius and whose grandfather was an undertaker is recommended for fiction collections.—Jan Blodgett, Davidson Coll., NC

The four Gabaldón sisters were named by their mother Bette Davis, Loretta Young, Rita Hayworth, and Sophia Loren. However, their mother died young, so rather than be raised to emulate movie stars, they were raised by Fermina, their elderly Pueblo housekeeper, with mysterious mystical rituals, promises, curses, and gifts. The sisters tell their stories in turn over a period of 20 years, from 1966 to 1987; their narrations are interspersed with Works Progress Administration reports from the 1930s about Fermina. As the girls grow up, they wonder more and more about their family's and Fermina's mysterious unhappy pasts and about Fermina's dying gifts. Occasionally reminiscent of the novels of Cristina Garcia and Sandra Cisneros, López's book presents a lively, loving Latino family. López's Soy la Avon Lady and Other Stories was awarded the Independent Publishers Book Award for Multicultural Fiction and the Latino Book Award for Short Stories; she has also published Call Me Henri, a novel for young adults. Includes reading group guides in English and Spanish. Highly recommended for public library collections.—Mary Margaret Benson, Linfield Coll. Lib., McMinnville, OR

Set in the closing days of the Third Reich, this is the story of quadruplets, the Flying Magical Loerber Brothers. Twelve years earlier, the brothers were the toast of Berlin with their high-energy mixture of acrobatics, mind reading, and vaudeville. Now Hitler's regime is falling, and the brothers have gone their own ways: Manni is an assassin, Ziggy a decorated U-boat captain, Franzi adviser to Heinrich Himmler but really a double agent for the Russians and the British, and Sebastian, long thought dead, is undercover with a Zionist terrorist group. The Russians want Franzi dead—he knows too much about their operation—and his brothers unite to spirit him to safety. In this wild debut, McNally throws in everything from flying boats and a fleet of miniature subs to mind control, a repulsive Himmler, and a narcissistic Albert Speer. There's enough energy here but, unfortunately, not enough direction. The plot goes astray halfway through, the psychic element adds nothing, and the conclusion doesn't point anywhere. This isn't a bad first novel; it just isn't a good one. Not recommended.—David Keymer, Modesto, CA

Twenty years after the disappearance of his younger brother, Josh, Oren Hobbs quits his career as an Army CID investigator and comes home because he believes his father is dying. Instead, he finds that someone has been leaving human bones on the porch of his father's house and that his father is ready to bury both Josh and the past without further investigation. When the local sheriff is both obtuse and obstructive about the case, Oren reluctantly gets drawn into investigating what happened all those years ago. In the process, he stirs up memories for several troubled townspeople of this seemingly idyllic enclave. Oren must also face his own past and present crimes. Intriguing, complex characters and long-buried secrets help build suspense and a sense of dread in this new stand-alone by the author of the gripping Mallory series (Find Me). Although O'Connell explores new characters and crimes here, her focus remains tight on the damage that humans can do to each other. Highly recommended for all fiction collections. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 9/1/08.]—Devon Thomas, DevIndexing, Chelsea, MI

Gunnar Huttunen buys an abandoned flour mill in a small village in northern Finland after World War II and is soon labeled eccentric when the villagers witness him imitating animals and howling at night. His behavior becomes intolerable after he goes on a rampage in the general store, and the local doctor gets Gunnar committed to a mental asylum. After a short time there, he escapes and hides in the forest, evading capture with the help of a few friends—the drunken postman, a sympathetic police constable, and Sanelma Käyrämö, the horticulture adviser who has fallen in love with him. Finally, the police track him down and shackle him to his constable friend, Portimo. They escape into the woods, where they are supposedly transformed into a wolf and a dog. Paasilinna (The Year of the Hare), winner of numerous Finnish and international literary prizes, illustrates the cost of nonconformity with his trademark subtle humor in this playful fable. The author was born in Lapland and has written more than 28 novels, many of which have been translated into numerous languages. This one is recommended for readers interested in folktales and/or Finland.—Lisa Rohrbaugh, New Middletown, OH

In Penman's final volume of her trilogy based on the lives of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine (When Christ and His Saints Slept; Time and Chance), the best-selling author concludes the tumultuous love story between these two strong-willed, brilliant rulers. As the novel opens, their four sons are beginning to chafe under the heavy hand of their father, who has crowned the eldest, Hal, as a coregent but gives him little authority or power. Egged on by their mother, the young king and his brothers mount a decadelong crusade of rebellion and treachery against their father and each other as they vie for land, money, and power. The empathetic reader can't help but be both horrified by the machinations of this grievously dysfunctional family and filled with pity for the pain they inflict upon one another. Penman does a remarkable job of depicting passionate, dramatic characters and the perilous times in which they live. For those who like their historical fiction as complex and tightly woven as a medieval tapestry, this book cannot fail to please. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/08.]—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK

While Jane Austen is recognized the world over as one of the greatest storytellers in the English language, in this fictional work, the talent does not extend to her sister. This first novel by Pitkeathley imagines the relationship between the sisters Austen, as told from Cassandra's first-person point of view. Unfortunately, Cassandra is a dullish narrator, wringing her hands and denigrating herself throughout the book. The character may indeed have been an early model for Sense and Sensibility's Elinor Dashwood (as Pitkeathley seems to imply), but she has none of the sparkle, wit, or drollery of Miss Dashwood, instead possessing an abundance of prudery and simpering judgment. From Cassandra, we get only the merest glimpses of the secret side of Jane that her sister claims to know better than any other. Accuracy aside, the novel fails to entertain with the story of Austen's life. Originally published in the United Kingdom in 2004, the book appears to be releasing Stateside to capitalize on the popularity of recent Austen biopics. Recommended for Austen completists.—Amy Watts, Univ. of Georgia Lib., Athens

A package arrives at the desk of a young editor at a New York publishing house, purporting to be a collection of letters and journal entries belonging to Bram Stoker. The anonymous sender refers to it as the "Dracula Dossier." The papers disclose a series of events in Stoker's life that occurred when he worked for Irish theater-actor Henry Irving in 1888 and before he wrote his famous novel. The prolog promises a riveting tale of suspense, even horror, and there are moments of tension and fear, but for the most part the novel is dull and tedious. Readers familiar with the Dracula story will realize that Stoker is meeting people and having experiences that directly influenced his best-known work (Jack the Ripper plays a part). An interesting plot lurks somewhere within this story. Too bad Reese (The Witchery; The Book of Spirits; The Book of Shadows) could not bring it to fruition. Not recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/08.]—Patricia Altner, BiblioInfo.com, Columbia, MD

Jillian has what seems to be a perfect life—a beautiful house in the suburbs, a loving husband, and an adorable baby girl. But she also has a nagging feeling that something isn't quite right. Could it have something to do with Jackson, her past boyfriend, who couldn't be more different than her solid, stable, and perfectly predictable husband, Henry? One morning, Jillian wakes up seven years in the past, in bed with Jackson, and she has the chance to live her life again—a do over, complete with the knowledge of what her future will become. Will she still quit her job right on the cusp of making it big? Will she run for the hills when she meets Henry or be drawn to him again? Or will Jackson's easygoing, wild lifestyle pull her back from her future baby, the adorable Katie? So many life choices come at Jillian, and she can go forward as she pleases, knowing the outcome of one direction. If you've ever wanted your own do over, this cute, light read by a debut novelist will keep you guessing 'til the end. Recommended for women's fiction collections.—Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC

Based on a Sicilian folktale, this story investigates what makes someone lucky. Joseph, the youngest son in a poor, rural Sicilian family, is envied by his older brothers. When Pasquale, the wine seller, is killed on the highway while bringing his wine back to town, the mayor wants to send a message to the robbers, and Joseph's brothers volunteer him for the task. Led by the tough Gino, the gang members are hostile to Joseph, but he is protected by Mmalculata, the cook, who takes him in as her helper. He soon learns to avoid the rest of the gang while discovering all he can from Mmalculata about cooking and wild herbs. American Book Award winner Timpanelli (Sometimes the Soul) uses her storytelling background—she's presented literature and poetry on NPR, PBS, and in workshops and seminars—to create a flowing narrative that recognizes the rhythms of nature and how being in touch with them can protect one from surrounding troubles. This short tale is a good addition to larger collections.—Josh Cohen, Mid-Hudson Lib. Syst., Poughkeepsie, NY

Does the American reader's desire for plot indicate a lack of sophistication? Considering that within France more contemporary literature translated from English is consumed than the homegrown, maybe not. It seems, rather, to suggest that interest in metafictional text has finally reached a level of exhaustion on the Continent. The acclaimed Toussaint arrives to the American market with a reputation for black humor, suggesting that his is a narrative art. However, this is only partially true. This third novel to be translated into English (after Monsieur) concerns an unnamed narrator who does remarkably little yet speculates a good deal about such doings. This we learn only from his overuse to the point of meaninglessness of the word pensive. At a slot machine: "pensively lowering the lever." On the pot: "I finally got out of the stall, still just as pensive." And what does he think about? Couldn't say. He becomes involved with a woman, whose name he does not ask until far along in their affair, and steals a camera while on vacation, though less is made of these events than the drudgery of his wholly uninteresting goings-on. Recommended for large fiction collections.—Brendan Curley, Brooklyn Coll.

Natalie Bloom, the first girl in her family of six older brothers to attend (or even want to attend) college, has finally transferred to a big university halfway through her junior year. She's spent a couple of years proving herself at a community college, developing an addiction to earning A's after having been labeled a slacker for most of her life (she is, after all, one of those Blooms). She studies Russian history because history comes easily to her—she memorizes facts and she's fascinated by other people's lives. When she meets Patrick one night (studying in the library, of course), she embarks on a journey of self-discovery; while not your typical coming-of-age, Natalie's relationship with Patrick leads her to stark revelations. This debut novel unwraps an intriguing downward spiral, deftly portraying social and psychological implications of college life. Natalie's need to come to terms with her history, slowly revealed throughout, is well worth the read. Recommended for all fiction collections. [The author is married to filmmaker Paul Weitz (The Golden Compass; About a Boy).—Ed.]—Julie Kane, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA

Cartoonist Sarah Moon is shocked and devastated when she stops by her husband's work site after her latest fertility treatment and finds him with another woman. When Jack refuses to acknowledge that he has done anything wrong and says he wants a divorce, Sarah trades his prized custom restored Pontiac GTO for a MINI Cooper and heads for Glenmuir, the small northern California town where she grew up. Somewhat to Sarah's surprise, the area and people she couldn't wait to leave have changed—or perhaps she has. Family and friends, including her high school crush Will Bonner, rally round, and Sarah starts to relax. That is until she realizes she's pregnant. This is a lovely, moving novel with an engaging heroine. Best-selling author Wiggs's (Table for Five) talent is reflected in her thoroughly believable characters as well as the way she recognizes the importance of family by blood or other ties. Readers who like Nora Roberts and Susan Elizabeth Phillips will enjoy Wiggs's latest. Highly recommended for all public libraries. [The finished book will include cartoons not reproduced in the advanced reading copy.—Ed.]—Elizabeth Mellett, P.L. of Brookline, MA

Some of the most critically acclaimed young writers today—including Joshua Ferris, Maile Meloy, Julie Orringer, and David Benioff—have had stories featured in this anthology, which publishes the best of the stories coming out of writing programs. Gaitskill, author of the National Book Award nominee Veronica, curates a powerful collection of stories concerning everything from monkeys to bowling to Dorothy Parker. Several pieces—most notably Baird Harper's "Yellowstone," Will Boast's "Weather Enough," and Lydia Peelle's "The Still Point"—deal with the aftermath of deaths, while Mehdi Tavana Okasi's "Salvation Army" handles the guilt felt by a mother who fled Iran with her two sons. Two coming-of-age stories set on foreign soil (Anastasia Kolendo's "Wintering" and Kevin A. González's "Statehood") will especially resonate with readers. Theodore Wheeler's "Welcome Home," which chronicles a difficult transition for a veteran returning from Iraq, is sure to spawn discussion. Although some of these stories involve thorny matters, they are beautifully written by talented authors who no doubt are rising stars. Recommended for all fiction collections.—Alicia Korenman, Florida State Univ., Tallahassee

Sometimes we read something and immediately think of a friend who would really like it. This collection of short stories from the author of The Shadow Year contains some of the most unusual and provocative settings and plots this reviewer has ever encountered, which will make it perfect for book talking to patrons. The first story features a man who, filled with the pressures of daily life, finds himself at the bottom of the sea in a place called Drowned Town, on the run from sharks called Financial Ruin. In "The Night Whiskey," local citizens win a chance to drink a magical berry liquor that enables them to experience the dream of a lifetime, only this year the results are quite shocking. In "The Scribble Mind," an art student stumbles onto an elaborate conspiracy where a select few can remember something that gives them exclusive membership into a special society. Sometimes shocking, sometimes mesmerizing, sometimes humorous, this collection will please fans of Raymond Carver and Flannery O'Connor. Recommended for libraries where short story collections are popular.—Kellie Gillespie, City of Mesa Lib., AZ

In King's latest collection of short stories (following 2002's Everything's Eventual), he presents 14 tales that range from the philosophically themed, to one in which the author gleefully admits to playing with the gross-out factor ("A Very Tight Place"), to "The Cat from Hell," which makes its hardcover debut some 30 years after its original publication as part of a contest in Cavalier, one of the gentleman's magazines that put food on the table in King's early years as a writer. In his introduction, King cites his recent stint as guest editor for the 2007 edition of Best American Short Stories as an impetus to return to the form in his own writing. Several of the works included here were written following that experience. Finally, as King has done previously in his collections, at the end of the volume he provides the reader with brief insights into the inspirations for each tale. Recommended for all popular fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/08.]—Nancy McNicol, Hamden P.L., CT

Imagine a cross between the music group the B-52s, Thomas Pynchon's V., Ryu Murakami's Coin Locker Babies, and James Turner's graphic novel Nil: A Land Beyond Belief, throw in a good dose of sf tropes and bitter social satire, and you'll start to get a good idea of what's in store for you in this collection of 13 imaginative stories from one of Japan's best-known sf writers. The climactic (pun intended) title story, "Salmonella Men," depicts a group of beleaguered scientists exploring a new planet dubbed Planet Porno, on which everything has decidedly obscene plans for them. Though the collection is hit-or-miss overall, the title story and "The Dabba Dabba Tree," in which a magical tree affects the dreams of an entire neighborhood, are brilliant examples of Tsutsui's skills as a storyteller. Tsutsui has won numerous awards for his fiction over the years, including the Tanizaki and Kawabata prizes, and he has no problem moving from one genre to another. Driver's translation works well with some stories but sometimes falls flat in trying to capture the wildness of Tsutsui's vision. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.—Andrew Weiss, Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu