Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 03/12/2010
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The week ending March 12, 2010
Fiction | Nonfiction | DVD | Graphic Novels
Fiction
Brontë, Charlotte & Sherri Browning Erwin. Jane Slayre: The Literary Classic with a Blood-Sucking Twist. Gallery Bks: S. & S. Apr. 2010. c.416p. ISBN 978-1-4391-9118-7. pap. $15. FANTASY
No stranger to paranormal fiction, Erwin (To Hell with Love; Naughty or Nice) raises the bar for the next generation of "monster classics." Jane is orphaned and raised by vampires, sent off to a boarding school (that breeds zombies for domestic help), and loses her love to a lunatic werewolf. It’s a ghastly new spin on the familiar, page-turning classic Jane Eyre. Poignant and charming, Jane could give Buffy a run for her money. Unlike Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel but disjointed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (the zombies were an awkward insertion), Erwin seems to be channeling Brontë, and the monsters are a seamless addition to the text. The story takes an unexpected turn toward the end, and this keeps readers entranced.
Verdict Similar to Sharon Shinn’s Jenna Starborn, Erwin’s gripping revision of a well-loved classic is enthusiastically recommended for all. [For more mashup fiction, see A.E. Moorat’s Queen Victoria, Demon Hunter and Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.—Ed.]—Jennifer Anderson, Texas A&M Univ. Lib., Corpus Christi
Crusie, Jennifer & Bob Mayer. Wild Ride. St. Martin's. Mar. 2010. c.368p. ISBN 978-0-312-53377-9. $25.99. F
For centuries, five powerful demons have been under the watchful eyes of five powerful guardians. Trapped in separate iron statues at the Dreamland Amusement Park near Cincinnati, OH, they’re always trying to break free. Luckily, the Guardia were given special abilities to fight if the need should arise. Halloween is coming, and Kharos, the Devil demon, is looking to break himself and his companions out of their containers. Can the new Guardia members learn the ropes in time to keep the peace? Will the undercover government agents work with the Guardiam, or are they there to steal the demons for their own nefarious purposes?
Verdict This third outing (after Agnes and the Hitman) by romance writer Crusie and action-adventure writer Mayer is a fun, quick-paced read with engaging characters, a clever story line that never seems ridiculous, and laugh-out-loud moments. Each character brings a distinct set of quirks to the mix that blend well while preventing any one protagonist from taking over the story. A great choice for fans of Cruisie, Mary Kay Andrews, and Sarah Strohmeyer who’d enjoy a supernatural twist.—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
George, Elizabeth. This Body of Death: An Inspector Lynley Novel. Harper: HarperCollins. Apr. 2010. c.704p. ISBN 978-0-06-116088-2. $28.99. M
Isabelle Ardery is an ambitious detective with a habit of sneaking off to the ladies’ room to down a miniature bottle of vodka or two. She has just been named acting superintendent of Thomas Lynley’s former department when the body of a young woman is found in a London cemetery. Under pressure to find the killer quickly in order to prove herself, Ardery persuades Lynley to return from retirement to help her. The murder victim is Jemima Hastings, a young woman who, nine months before, abruptly left her thriving cupcake business and her boyfriend, roof-thatcher Gordon Jossie, in Hampshire and moved to London. Clues lead Ardery’s team to Hampshire, where Jossie has a mysterious new girlfriend.
Verdict Details about the craft of thatching and the care of the ponies that roam freely in Hampshire’s New Forest, a former royal hunting ground, make this an informative as well as an entertaining novel. George’s many fans will welcome Lynley’s return to New Scotland Yard. Highly recommended for George fans and readers of British crime fiction. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/10; ebook edition: ISBN 978-0-06-199146-2; one-day laydown on April 20; 300,000-copy first printing; six-city tour.]—Jane La Plante, Minot State Univ. Lib., ND
Hansen, Jim Michael. Wild Laws: A Bryson Conventry Thriller. Thriller Publishing Group. Mar. 2010. 432p. ISBN 978-0-9819993-1-9. pap. $13.95. F
Hansen’s ninth entry in the "Laws" books (after Ancient Laws) can be read as a stand-alone thriller or as part of the overall series. The common thread is Bryson Coventry, a reckless, fast-thinking Denver police detective who follows the trail of a serial killer from Denver to Tokyo. Having witnessed the carnage of the Denver killings, he leaves for Japan on an unsanctioned pursuit. As Coventry draws closer to the killer, more victims are discovered, and the pattern of a twisted murderer revealed. Drawn into the intrigue is a cast of provocative characters who move in and out of Tokyo’s gritty underworld.
Verdict This fast-paced book offers fans of commercial thrillers a twisty, action-packed thrill ride.—Ron Samul, New London, CT
Hughes, Declan. City of Lost Girls. Morrow. Apr. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-0-06-168990-1. $24.99. M
Irish PI Ed Loy has been hired by his old friend, film director Jack Donovan, to find out who’s sending him threatening letters. Jack’s on location in Dublin and thoroughly spooked by the letters’ references to his shady past. Then three young extras in his film vanish. Their disappearance reminds Ed of a similar case in Los Angeles, also involving his friend Jack. Jetting between L.A. and Dublin, Ed uncovers even more similarities. Someone in the film company is likely a serial killer, and it’s up to Ed to solve the case and exonerate his friend.
Verdict This fifth entry (after All the Dead Voices) in Hughes’s award-wining Irish thriller series is another deftly plotted and highly suspenseful story. Contemporary Dublin with its economic hardships and conflicted past is as much a character in the story as the snappy and intuitive Ed Loy who is maturing nicely. He’s sharp, funny, and sufficiently flawed to be thoroughly Irish. Readers of Ken Bruen, Benjamin Black, and Irish noir authors may enjoy Hughes’s latest as a refreshing change of pace. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 11/1/09.]—Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA
Fowler, Nancy & Lisa Ball. Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia: From F.I.N.E. to Feeling Better. Idyll Arbor. 2010. c.214p. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-882883-68-4. pap. $18. HEALTH
Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are chronic, incurable illnesses that can dramatically alter a person’s lifestyle. Here, Fowler and Ball, who have struggled personally with these diseases, seek to help readers with these illnesses live productive lives. (The titular F.I.N.E. stands for frustrated, irritated, nauseated, and exhausted.) Their coverage encompasses therapies, medications, daily living such (e.g., nutrition and sleep), coping strategies, survival tips, and social security and disability. Cartoons and stories of CFIDS and FM patients throughout effectively illustrate patients' experiences. A further information section has suggested readings, along with online and offline information. An appendix contains pages that can be photocopied for daily use such as a daily diary, body map, and the resource, referral, and rating sheet.
Verdict This book is both practical and comforting. The authors encourage readers to take charge of their health and not let the diseases control their life. Readers who seek a different format and more recommended resources should look at Dede Bonner's The 10 Best Questions for Living with Fibromyalgia.—Rebecca Raszewski, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago
Greenberg, Gary. Manufacturing Depression: The Secret History of a Modern Disease. S. & S. 2010. c.448p. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-4165-6979-4. $27. PSYCH
Psychotherapist, writer (The Noble Lie), and periodically depressed patient Greenberg elegantly dissects the medical-research-pharmaceutical complex. Starting with the biblical Job, he tours medical history, applied science, U.S. politics, and our love of legal drugs. He explains tests for depression and the DSMV-IV that helps doctors dance to the tunes of health insurance. Psychiatrist Peter Kramer faces his own music about the wonders of Prozac. Freud gets some credit for taking our biographies as clues to our selves before we tinkered with molecules like serotonin. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, proud of its outcome results, turns out to be mostly placebo, as are the pricey medications touted on TV. The epidemic of depression is a boon for Wall Street and a sign that doctors and patients prefer treating sorrow as disease than face existential personal and cultural challenges.
Verdict A splendid, witty analysis of how we came to give up the stories of our lives in favor of analyzing the alphabet of which the stories are made. An essential read for all invested in medicine and social science.—E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ., Washington, DC
Howard, Manny. My Empire of Dirt: How One Man Turned His Big City Backyard into a Farm. Scribner. Mar. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 978-1-4165-8516-9. $25. AGRI
Journalist Howard’s first book, based on the James Beard Foundation Award–winning 2007 New York magazine story of the same title, does much to transcend the popular urbanite-misadventures-in-agriculture genre (see, for example, William Alexander’s The $64 Tomato and Novella Carpenter’s Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer). The original article cast Howard as a locavore extremist, creating and maintaining a working farm in his Brooklyn, NY, backyard with the goal of feeding himself from it for a month. In expanding his story to book length, however, Howard conspicuously sheds the grandstanding and admits that he doesn’t care much about food politics. This tactic leaves him free to find his own voice in reflecting on the farm experience, and the result is a much more sober, nuanced account. Readers will be captivated as Howard unsentimentally describes the chaos into which he and his family descended as his horticultural and animal husbandry projects unfolded.
Verdict Though not an uplifting book, rife as it is with animal cruelty, marital discord, and the author’s bitter self-loathing, Howard’s exquisite writing and breathtaking honesty conspire to make this a compelling read. Recommended for memoir fans.—Kelsy Peterson, Prairie Village, KS
Juliet, Charles. Conversations with Samuel Beckett and Bram van Velde. Dalkey Archive. 2009. c.192p. ISBN 978-1-56478-531-2. pap. $13.95. LIT
When Samuel Beckett and Bram van Velde were writing and painting 30 years earlier in Paris amid the Nazi preoccupation, oblivious to the Nazi atrocities inflicted on France, they were abject and poor, little aware that Beckett would one day receive a Noble prize and that van Velde would hold exhibitions all over the world. Juliet, a young writer at the start of his career, when introduced to both men, interviewed them with a mixture of idolatry, deft characterization, and critical insight. These men’s attitudes were pessimistic, and their pessimism reveals itself in these encounters. Both are difficult to interview being so very taciturn. Juliet’s questionings expose some of his own idolatry, too. Beckett states that art is not "working" or doing anything. Van Velde observes that a painting must preserve its mystery and tells Juliet that he dreads starting work at the beginning of the afternoon. Juliet deftly allows his two subjects to disclose themselves.
Verdict While not necessarily appealing to the layperson, this book will be appreciated by those interested in French and Dutch artistry of the 20th century.—Bob T. Ivey, Univ. of Memphis
McClelland, Carol. Green Careers For Dummies. Wiley. 2010. 360p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-470-52960-7. pap. $19.99. CAREERS
Regardless of one’s opinion on global climate change, there is no denying that the green movement is having a tremendous impact on all areas of society, including the economy. Combined with this trend is the current economic slump, which has left millions of people looking for new, stable careers. McClelland, founder and executive director of the online job resource Green Career Central, has delivered an excellent volume for anyone interested in a career in the green economy. Whether just starting out or looking for a midlife change, readers will find extremely useful McClelland’s descriptions of the development of the green economy, her details on different types of careers available, and her technical advice on using the latest methods for finding green jobs, writing résumés, and doing well in the interview process. She also provides plenty of ideas for further information.
Verdict An essential resource for anyone looking to take advantage of career opportunities in the green economy, at the right price and easy to use.—Mark Bay, Univ. of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY
Macor, Alison. Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids: 30 Years of Filmmaking in Austin, Texas. Univ. of Texas. Mar. 2010. c.384p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-292-70605-7. $45. FILM
Austin, TX, often called the "Third Coast," has boasted a homegrown film industry since the late 1970s. Macor, who has been a film critic for the Austin Chronicle and has taught film courses at the University of Texas, writes of how that industry began and how it has grown. Fed by the progressive students at CinemaTexas (Univ. of Texas) and the biweekly Austin Chronicle arts newspaper, the area was able to produce small movies with regional appeal—many of which blew up beyond the DIY scene. Horror movie fans will appreciate the behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and fans of Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Richard Linklater will find great histories of how their careers were boosted by the Austin scene. The film industry is going strong with the Austin Film Festival and the popularity of cult movies like Slacker and Dazed and Confused.
Verdict Recommended for film enthusiasts, Austinites, and anyone looking for a companion book to the many movies made in Texas over the last 30 years.—Christine Schonhart, Boston P.L.
McPhee, John. Silk Parachute. Farrar. Mar. 2010. c.240p. ISBN 978-0-374-26373-7. $25. LIT
McPhee’s (Uncommon Carriers) first book on Sen. Bill Bradley was published in 1965; since then he has written 28 books that include essays and writings on Alaska, the Jersey Pine Barrens, the bark canoe, boats, trains, the Army Corp of Engineers, and, most important, geology. His individual and distinguished style, his subjects, knowledge, curiosity, humor, and interests have made him one of America’s most enjoyable and intellectually wide-ranging writers. The ten essays here first appeared in The New Yorker, where McPhee has been a staff writer since 1965. He addresses his mother, his prep school headmaster, his photographer daughter Laura McPhee, canoes, lacrosse, strange foods, fact-checking, golf, and New Jersey. Especially fine is "Season on the Chalk," McPhee’s description of the English downs and France’s Champagne country.
Verdict Ideal for McPhee fans as well as those interested in good writing and fascinating subjects.—Gene Shaw, Paramus P.L., NJ
Neal, Julie & Mike Neal. The Complete Walt Disney World 2010: The Definitive Disney Handbook. Coconut. 2010. 352p. photogs. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-9709596-7-6. pap. $24.95. TRAV
What sets apart the Neals’ book, now in its fourth annual edition, from other Disney World guides are the 550 color photographs of rides, rooms, and characters. After a "What’s New" section, "Planning Your Trip" contains tips on saving time and money and explanations of the different types of tickets. Each theme park section contains a map and information on restaurants, characters, street performers, shopping, and special events. The tone is relentlessly upbeat, with only mild rebukes about some of the aging attractions and inconveniences. The focus is on the parks, and the sections on lodging and food are not as detailed. There is no information on availability or location of restrooms—essential when traveling with children. Non-Disney properties rate only eight pages, and other Orlando-area attractions are not included.
Verdict For a more impartial view, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World includes useful criticism and readers’ comments about the attractions. The Neals’ comprehensive contribution is visually engaging and useful but not essential. Purchase where interest or location warrants.—Susan Belsky, Oshkosh P.L., WI
Not for Tourists Guide to Atlanta 2010. 384p. ISBN 978-0-9795339-3-8. pap. $19.99.
Not For Tourists Guide to Los Angeles 2010. 518p. ISBN 978-0-9815591-6-2. pap. $24.99.
Not For Tourists Guide to Philadelphia 2010. 290p. ISBN 978-0-9795339-2-1. pap. $16.99.
Not for Tourists Guide to Washington DC 2010. 390p. ISBN 978-0-9815591-7-9. pap. $19.99.
ea. vol: Not for Tourists, dist. by Langenscheidt. 2010. illus. maps. TRAV
Maps are the main feature of these city guides. True to their name, they’re not directed toward tourists but could be handy for those planning an extended stay in an unfamiliar city. The guides vary in size based on the square mileage of the covered area and how people move around the city (public transport vs. driving)—the Philadelphia guide is pocket sized, while the one for Los Angeles is supersized. There are 27 separate section maps for Philadelphia, 51 for Atlanta, 46 for Washington, DC, and 57 for L.A. Icons show essential services like banks, car washes, gas stations, pharmacies, post offices, and supermarkets; and other maps of the same areas highlight parks and places of interest, colleges, sporting facilities, and transit systems, followed by (mapless!) information about arts and entertainment. Each guide ends with a street index. Although various web sites, a GPS, and iPhone apps provide similar information, these are intended to contain everything one could need condensed in a single, handy volume. (One might require a magnifying glass to read the minuscule print in the smallest guide, but the medium and large ones are easy to follow.) Information overload? Quite possibly.
Verdict As carry-alongs, these are a questionable purchase; however, they might be helpful at a reference desk.—Janet Ross, formerly with Sparks Branch Lib., NV
Perkey, Angela. Change the World, Change Your Life: Discover Your Life Purpose Through Service. Conari: Red Wheel/Weiser. Mar. 2010. c.213p. ISBN 978-1-57324-463-3. pap. $15.95. SOC SCI
In 2006, Perkey founded the national nonprofit Students Serve in her college dorm room. Here, she offers up a guide to help fellow young people serve the world they care about, beginning with an exploration of readers' strengths. She continues with coverage of how to unite a cause with personal goals, then deals with fear, money, and time management before concluding with practical resources for starting a service-oriented agency or a nonprofit organization. The book is filled with stories of individuals who have found ways to give and, in turn, have found meaningful ways of helping the world.
Verdict A practical, informative, and inspirational book for a new generation of Americans who have likely been inspired by President Obama's call to service. Public, high school, community college, and university libraries would do well to stock it.—Shin Freedman, Framingham State Coll. Lib., MA
Resnick, Ira M. Starstruck: Vintage Movie Posters from Classic Hollywood. Abbeville. Feb. 2010. 272p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-7892-1019-7. $65. FILM
Movie posters have sold at auction for phenomenal prices, and collecting them is not only a passion but also a business. Resnick, a former chairman of the board of Lincoln Center, began collecting years ago by going to flea markets, auctions, and anywhere he thought he could find a movie treasure. He opened the Motion Picture Arts Gallery, which houses most of his collection. This delightful book features excellent reproductions of posters from the author’s collection from silent films through movies of the 1960s. Resnick’s text and his list of 50 favorite posters are as entertaining as the images. Not your usual coffee-table book, this volume provides valuable information on collecting, film history, and the stars whose images dominate the lavish artwork. From a collector’s viewpoint, the only flaw would be not including estimated values for each item.
Verdict This excellent reference source is highly recommended for collectors and all film lovers.—Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., Pembroke Pines, FL
Schickel, Richard. Clint: A Retrospective. Sterling. Mar. 2010. 288p. illus. filmog. ISBN 978-1-4027-7472-0. $35 with DVD. FILM
In this coffee-table retrospective, film critic Schickel (coauthor, Bette Davis: Larger Than Life) chronicles Eastwood’s life and career over six decades, from his early acting days through his most recent directorial work, Invictus. Eastwood provides an introduction in his usual self-effacing manner: "I’m just a guy who makes movies." Schickel is definitely a fan and wrote a biography of Eastwood in 1996, but his admiration does not distort the content; he deftly evaluates each performance and directorial effort, examines the emerging themes, notes Eastwood’s maturing talent, and places him in cinematic context. The 200 juicy photos don’t hurt either—Eastwood in 1969 looks uncannily like Hugh Jackman. The DVD features clips from his 35 films. Eastwood has come a long way since his first role in Revenge of the Creature (1955).
Verdict This record and evaluation of Eastwood’s work is a definitive, welcome addition to the literature of cinema. Highly recommended.—Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA
Shapiro, Harry. Jack Bruce: Composing Himself; The Authorized Biography. Jawbone. Mar. 2010. 320p. photogs. discog. index. ISBN 978-1-906002-26-8. pap. $19.95. MUSIC
Jack Bruce is an outsider—he was raised by Communist parents during the height of the Red Scare; he tried to play jazz in rock bands; he was even an outsider junkie, who started heroin for the status, not the high. Throughout a career that included a memorable stint in Cream, Bruce has been the exception. Shapiro (Eric Clapton: Lost in the Blues) underscores that sentiment with a rich and detailed bio of a musical icon who remains much less heralded than his former bandmates. Even with all the wonkish musical details, Shapiro’s book never sways into hero worship—the details that humanize Bruce are what keep you turning the pages. Sure, it’s great that Bruce was an artist trying to find an outlet for his advanced outlook, but it’s more fun to read about the persistent fights with drummer Ginger Baker or bizarre stories like being courted by a drug lord trying to be a record producer.
Verdict Bruce’s life story isn’t better than his music, but it’s much easier to relate to and will probably help you understand his complex art.—Robert Morast, Fargo, ND
Webb, Peter. Sphinx: The Life and Art of Leonor Fini. Vendome, dist. by Abrams. 2009. 304p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-86565-255-2. $95. FINE ARTS
Leonor Fini’s complex, fascinating life and art are the subject of this beautiful book. Fini (1907–96) grew up in Trieste but spent most of her life in France. She moved in Surrealist circles in 1930s Paris but never considered herself part of the Surrealist movement. Fini’s paintings feature independent, powerful women—goddesses, sphinxes, and sorceresses—in dreamlike settings. Independent art historian Webb knew Fini from 1984 to her death; his text combines the art historical and the personal to create a detailed portrait of an artist who was herself a work of art. The large-format book is abundantly illustrated with color reproductions of Fini’s work, as well as many photographs of her, and includes an extensive list of biographical and bibliographical references.
Verdict Although this is the most comprehensive work available on Fini, its high price will prevent many libraries from buying it. Less expensive options include Whitney Chadwick’s classic Women Artists and the Surrealist Movement and Patricia Allmer’s Angels of Anarchy: Women Artists and Surrealism.—Martha Smith, Elmira Coll., Queens, NY
Brook Benten Presents: Cardiopump Fusion. 70 min. Cardiopump Fitness, dist. by Victory Multimedia. May 2010. DVD UPC 7-35885-58222-7. $29.95. HEALTH
Fitness trainer Benten’s studio-based workout, in which two "girlfriends" demonstrate modifications alongside her, incorporates sports drills, plyometrics, and kickboxing. The trio then rips through two kettlebell routines: one focusing on the lower body and utilizing a 15-pound weight, the other engaging the entire body and utilizing a ten-pound weight. Bookending these workouts are a yoga-derived warm-up and cool-down; unobtrusive music plays throughout. All viewers should watch this DVD in its entirety prior to taking part—it's only halfway through the first kettlebell routine, e.g., that Benten informs them the routine can alternately be done with no kettlebells at all, and even later that she thinks to warn those suffering from back and knee pain against doing it at all.
Verdict Patrons with ace physiques and yoga/kettlebell know-how will relish the intensity of these routines; beginners and those experiencing pain or any wear and tear will be fitter for having not partaken.—Raya Kuzyk, Library Journal
Gage, Christos N. (text) & Chris Samnee (illus.). Area 10. Vertigo: DC Comics. Apr. 2010. c.184p. ISBN 978-1-4012-1067-0. $19.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Detective Adam Kamen is on the trail of a serial killer nicknamed “Henry the Eighth”—who severs his victim’s heads and keeps them as souvenirs. Adam is hurt on the job in an incident seemingly unrelated to his case and is sidelined for six weeks due to a serious head injury. After his recovery, his perception of time is occasionally enhanced, and he becomes convinced that his injury is tied somehow to the “Henry” killings; meanwhile, the killer has resurfaced. As Kamen becomes romantically involved with his therapist, his investigations lead him to a Dr. Handel, an expert in the art of “trepanation”—a bizarre practice where a hole is drilled in the skull—usually with the victim willingly and intentionally submitting in order to achieve a higher mental state. After a shocking encounter with Handel, the case appears closed, but another twist forces Kamen to the edge in a final gruesome battle before the real killer is defeated.
Verdict Graphic violence; compelling, shadowy black-and-white art by Samnee; stabbings; power drills; and knife play make this one gruesome tale likely to appeal to noir fans.—Jeff Hunter, Royal Oak, MI
Midorikawa, Yuki. Natsume's Book of Friends: Vol. 1. Viz Media. 2010. c.208p. ISBN 978-1-4215-3243-1. pap. $9.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Orphaned at birth, Takashi Natsume has been constantly shuffled between relatives and since childhood has seen yokai (supernatural creatures). Considered creepy and distant, Natsume has transferred to a new school in the countryside, where his late grandmother lived. He learns that his grandmother, Reiko, also saw spirits. Ever the outcast, Reiko challenged yokai and wrote the defeated yokai’s names in a book. Those yokai were sworn to obey the book’s owner. A reluctant Natsume encounters yokai hoping to get their name back or take possession of the book. Readers may be surprised at Natsume’s poignant and bittersweet world. Creepy and otherworldly, the yokai are well-developed, intriguing characters. Often articulate, lonely, or hard-drinking, the yokai offer a distinct perspective on the changing world and its human inhabitants. The light, wispy art imparts a surreal quality, befitting the yokai and their pastoral surroundings.
Verdict Skillful and restrained, this manga puts an engrossing twist on the yokai. Readers will be drawn to its themes of loneliness, friendship, and the desire to connect.—June Shimonishi, Torrance P.L., CA
Pak, Greg (text) & Carmine di Giandomenico. X-Men: Magneto Testament. Marvel. 2009. c.152p. ISBN 978-0-7851-2640-9. pap. $19.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
In a five-issue arc, Pak and di Giandomenico re-create the coming-of-age of a nine-year-old Jewish boy Max Eisenhardt, who struggles to survive during the Nazi reign. No capes or tights here; instead, readers are presented with a brutal, frank depiction of events beginning with the Nuremburg laws and progressing through the rise and fall of the concentration camps. Scrawny Max, infatuated with a girl named Magda, is bullied at school but manages to win a javelin-throwing contest. His uncle, savagely beaten in the midst of a Nazi rally, wishes to flee the country, but Max’s father urges the family to stay and resist persecution and oppression. Eventually, the family is killed, and Max is imprisoned and forced to help dispose of bodies in the camps. Despite these horrors, Max survives and yearns for contact with another prisoner—his beloved Magda. Small glimpses of Max’s burgeoning powers as Magneto are subtly portrayed at various points, but this is a story of the Holocaust rather than a supervillain origin.
Verdict A powerful tale; muted colors by Hollingsworth serve the mature subject matter well. Contains graphic violence, endnotes, and "Afterword" sections, along with a teaching guide. Highly recommended.—Jeff Hunter, Royal Oak, MI
Shinohara, Chie. Red River: Vol. 27. Viz Media. 2009. c.192p. ISBN 978-1-4215-2253-1. pap. $9.99.
Shinohara, Chie. Red River: Vol. 28. Viz Media. 2010. c.200p. ISBN 978-1-4215-2254-8. pap. $9.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
Originally transported to ancient Anatolia by the wicked queen Nakia to serve as a human sacrifice, Yuri Suzuki from modern Japan has taken on many challenges and won the heart of a prince. In these final volumes, the anticipated marriage and coronation of Kail and Yuri take place, and their descendants see the decline of the Hittite empire, culminating in a political marriage between the Hittite and Egyptian empires. Yuri is a tomboy who uses her athletic ability, modern education, and charisma to overcome many obstacles and receive her happy ending. With her distinct style, Shinohara is able to re-create ancient cities and geography, as well as make sympathetic secondary characters using humor and tragedy equally to complete this satisfying, award-winning series.
Verdict Yuri is an intelligent and athletic heroine, an anomaly in shojo series populated by meek maidens, so this title is recommended for older teen or adult manga collections owing to violence and sexuality.—Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta
Wakasugi, Kiminori. Detroit Metal City: Vol. 2. Viz Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4215-2743-7. pap. $12.99. GRAPHIC NOVELS
As Krauser, singer and lead guitarist for the indie death metal band DMC (Detroit Metal City), Soichi Negishi is worshipped by hoards of fans. Surprisingly, this mild-mannered twenty-something would rather sing sugary pop hits. In Volume 2, DMC’s rising popularity brings new challenges. Rival acts like the punk band Kintama Girls and the gangsta rapper Kiva target DMC, looking to be top dog. With DMC’s official web site up, Negishi is amazed by what fans are writing. When DMC releases their first album, Negishi is forced to spend more time as the abrasive Krauser with manic results.
Verdict DMC’s comedy races at breakneck speeds. Like the wildly theatrical and scandalous band it portrays, DMC is full of crude language, gross humor, and lewd behavior. The simple art style lightens the tone, keeping the antics cartoonlike. The mature rating is for the misogynistic, sexual, and violent language and scenes. DMC is not for everyone. It's like a foul stand-up routine—if you can take the foul language and shocking remarks, you might enjoy the humor.—June Shimonishi, Torrance P.L., CA
