Published in 1938, this is a collection of thirteen short stories. All but one of the stories are set in the Salinas Valley of California, where SteinPublished in 1938, this is a collection of thirteen short stories. All but one of the stories are set in the Salinas Valley of California, where Steinbeck was born and spent his formative years. The stories are a mixed bag: featuring incidents from daily life, domestic relations, social innuendo, political violence and in general, the hardscrabble realities of the 1930s. The writing is quintessential Steinbeck, with beautiful descriptions of place, atmosphere and weather; well-drawn characters; and dialogue that reflects the times. As with all collections of this type, some stories have more appeal than others. I "liked" all of the stories but found that only a handful had special appeal - these were:
“The Chrysanthemums”... because of the way it zoomed in on the character of Elisa, her marriage and the place of women in small town, semi-rural California of the 1930s. “Flight”... for its sustained tension and suspense. “The Snake”... for its overall weirdness. “Saint Katy the Virgen”... for its satire and comic relief. “The Red Pony”... for all of its information about horses and for depicting a fairly stable marriage partnership.
This version of The Yellow Windmill is an English translation of the German version of the story, which appeared in serialized form in Bild und Funk iThis version of The Yellow Windmill is an English translation of the German version of the story, which appeared in serialized form in Bild und Funk in the winter of 1965/66. It's a fast paced, plot driven mystery-whodunnit that features a child kidnapping, several murders and a host of suspicious characters, who might be implicated in one or more of these crimes. There are frequent plot twists that complicate the story and misdeeds by so many that it's sometimes difficult to differentiate between the very guilty and the only somewhat guilty. In short, a well written and engaging read...worth checking out....more
First published in 1951 as Hands to Dance; a collection of nineteen short stories, many of them fictional accounts of the shore-leave experiences of RFirst published in 1951 as Hands to Dance; a collection of nineteen short stories, many of them fictional accounts of the shore-leave experiences of Royal Navy recruits (like the author himself) during WWII. The book was re-published in 1979 with the addition of a Forward, an autobiographical Afterword (“Skylark”) and a modified title Hands to Dance and Skylark. Most of the stories in the collection are fictional memoirs, written in a first-person narrative style that is youthful, whimsical and frequently humorous. The devious side of human nature is present in these stories but in a way that produces a chuckle. The incidents described often appear to be one thing but with a quick twist, wind up being something different. Overall, a light and entertaining read and a pleasing blend of memoir and fiction. 4 stars...more
A fairly entertaining biography of one of the more colorful adventurer capitalists who made their fortunes in diamonds and gold in South Africa duringA fairly entertaining biography of one of the more colorful adventurer capitalists who made their fortunes in diamonds and gold in South Africa during the latter part of the 19th century. It is unusual in that it is a biography written in the first person, in the form of an autobiography. The life of Barney Baranto makes for an interesting read but I suspect that much of what is written here is fiction. The author gives no indication of his sources; there are no footnotes; and the Bibliography consists of only three books. In short, it's not possible to take this book seriously or to consider it a properly researched biography. At best, it is an entertaining rags to riches story and a starting point for learning more about Barney Baranto and the early years of gold and diamond mining in South Africa....more
An interesting biography of Rudolf Diesel, set mostly in Europe in the late 19th century and the pre WWI years of the 20th. There is a wealth of inforAn interesting biography of Rudolf Diesel, set mostly in Europe in the late 19th century and the pre WWI years of the 20th. There is a wealth of information and detail on the invention of the diesel engine, the testing and improvement of the engine through numerous iterations and its early use in industry, shipping, railways and naval warfare. The book’s final chapters deal with Diesel’s mysterious disappearance on September 29, 1913. Here, the author examines the reports of Diesel’s death, published in the newspapers of that time and does an excellent job of pointing out their flaws and omissions. He then presents a fairly compelling theory of his own to explain what might have happened to Diesel but doesn't provide much in the way of substantive evidence to support his views. Overall, I found the book well researched and quite informative. It wasn't a page turner but it held my attention throughout. The final chapter was a bit of a let down for me because the mystery of Diesel’s disappearance was left unsolved. Brunt’s theory - if it had been properly researched and substantiated - might have revealed details of Diesel’s life after 1913 and shed light on some of the related activities of British Naval Intelligence during those years. All of which could have made for an excellent read or even a sequel to this book. But that didn't happen. Instead, after Brunt's hypothetical theory of what might have occurred, the book ended. Swing and a miss. 3+ stars...more
Stanley Ellin’s first short story collection, it was published in 1959 with the title Mystery Stories. Later, the title was changed to Quiet Horror - Stanley Ellin’s first short story collection, it was published in 1959 with the title Mystery Stories. Later, the title was changed to Quiet Horror - more dramatic but perhaps misleading. The collection includes ten stories, originally published between 1948 and 1956 in the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. These are not horror stories of the blood and gore type and some may find them scarcely horror stories at all. They are a mixed bag of mysteries with elements of foreboding and dread or tales of murder (actual or intended) that tend to conclude with irony or some form of poetic justice. They are very well written and cleverly constructed to hold the reader’s attention. The endings are quite diverse. Some involve retribution, others irony, and a few are unsettling, strange or inconclusive. The stories are all products of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Several reflect the social conventions and mindsets of those times, while others deal with humanity's eternal interpersonal preoccupations and vexations. I enjoyed reading this collection and found the stories entertaining but not really exceptional. This may explain why the book hasn’t been republished since 1965. (3+ stars rounded up to 4)
"The Specialty of the House"..... 4 "The Cat's Paw"........ 4 "Death on Christmas Eve"......... 3 "The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby".. 4 "Fool's Mate"....... 3 "The Best of Everything"............ 4 "The Betrayers"................. 4 "The House Party"......... 3 "Broker's Special".......... 4 "The Moment of Decision".......... 3...more
This is my third mystery by Geoffrey Homes (aka Daniel Mainwaring) and I have to admit that I'm predisposed to like his works. In part, that may have This is my third mystery by Geoffrey Homes (aka Daniel Mainwaring) and I have to admit that I'm predisposed to like his works. In part, that may have something to do with the settings, which are usually in the small cities and rural areas of central California in the late 1930s and 1940s. There's something about those times that I find appealing. The writing is easy-going and engaging. The private investigator at the center of the story, Humphrey Campbell, is low key and likeable. The style is of the "hard boiled" variety but in this case it's no more than "soft boiled". There are a few murders but this isn't serious, tension-filled noir. It's interesting and entertaining but a bit light - like a pleasant B rated mystery movie from the 1940s. I think the key word here is "entertaining". This is an entertaining and enjoyable read but it isn't one of the great reads from that era. That said, a few years after publishing this book, the author wrote Build My Gallows High the book that became the film Out of the Past; one of the truly great films of the noir genre. About 3+ stars for this one....more
Remember your university years and that special professor whose lectures entertained, informed, amazed and mesmerized an amphitheater full of admiringRemember your university years and that special professor whose lectures entertained, informed, amazed and mesmerized an amphitheater full of admiring students? This book is written by such a professor. Kenneth Catania, a biologist and neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University, presents some of the unusual creatures he has studied in the field and in laboratory experiments that reveal the unique sensory adaptations and behaviors these creatures have acquired during their evolutionary history. The book features chapters on the star-nosed mole; tentacled snakes; earth worms and their predator, the eastern American mole; the water shrew; electric eels; and the relationship between cockroaches and the female jewel wasp. It's a relatively short read. The writing is easy to follow, entertaining (in an undergraduate sort of way) and sprinkled with scientific terms that are germane to the subject matter. I particularly liked the author’s wit and enthusiasm for his research, which shines through on nearly every page. His stories about field work on moles and earth worms were interesting and fun. The descriptions of his various lab experiments were more complex but easy to follow and provided insights into the workings of his scientific mind. Many of the experiments produced results that were simply amazing. The final chapter, featuring cockroaches and the jewel wasp, was absolutely mind boggling. I enjoyed this book very much. It was fascinating from start to finish and left me with much to admire about the sensory adaptations and behavioral accomplishments of what some may call “lesser creatures”. 5 stars...more
This is a well researched and thorough history of Canada World Youth, an international youth exchange program, funded primarily through grants from thThis is a well researched and thorough history of Canada World Youth, an international youth exchange program, funded primarily through grants from the Government of Canada, that began in 1971 and functioned until 2013. The program encouraged international understanding, tolerance, cultural awareness, language learning and interpersonal communication. In essence, the program merged youth from Canada and a counterpart country into small groups and located them in a host community where they worked for about 10 weeks as volunteers on community service projects. After the Canadian segment of the program, the group travelled to the counterpart country and worked for another 10 weeks on community based projects. Needless to say, this bare-bones description of the program leaves out the details of how it worked, how it began, its evolution over time, its successes, challenges and its legacy. All of that (and more) is covered in the book. Mark Dickinson has put the program under a microscope and explored its inception, management, relations with the Government of Canada; its approaches to experiential learning, group living, development education, fund raising and cultural awareness. The comments and reflections of former CWY board members, directors and headquarters staff bring additional clarity to many of these subjects. An element of memoir is added through the inclusion of the personal experiences and impressions of many Canadian and Counterpart field staff and participants, among them, the author’s own experiences as a participant in the program during 1994/95. As a former CWY field staffer myself, from the mid 1970s, I hoped this book would examine how the program managed to evolve and endure, well into the 21st century. This it does and in considerable detail. The examination of the overall life cycle of the program, the details of its uneven evolution and the personal stories by former staff and participants make this book a very insightful read - one that may interest anyone who was involved in any way with the CWY program. 4 stars...more
Published in 1891, this short story is a Faustian allegory that unfolds in Hawaii, San Francisco and Tahiti. It features Hawaiian protagonists and a wPublished in 1891, this short story is a Faustian allegory that unfolds in Hawaii, San Francisco and Tahiti. It features Hawaiian protagonists and a wish-granting bottle Imp, whose services come with an ever-increasing element of risk. While the setting and the protagonists are Polynesian, the moral dilemmas they confront are ones that would have been familiar to readers of the late 19th century who understood the concept of heaven and hell. The story is engaging and entertaining, with several unexpected plot twists. It's a short but enjoyable read. 3+ stars...more
Stanley Ellin’s third collection of short stories. This edition contains eight stories and one novella. All are different, interesting, well written aStanley Ellin’s third collection of short stories. This edition contains eight stories and one novella. All are different, interesting, well written and have unexpected endings. Some are mysteries, some are slightly weird or macabre, and two are quite humorous. I enjoyed every story in this collection and look forward to reading more of Stanley Ellin’s works. (4 stars)
Kindly Dig Your Grave and Other Wicked Stories
Kindly Dig Your Grave ……… 4 stars The Crime of Ezechiele Coen …. 3 stars Death of an Old-Fashioned Girl 3 stars The Last Bottle in the World …… 3+ stars Coin of the Realm ……….. 3+ stars The Payoff ……………….. 3 stars The Other Side of the Wall ……… 4 stars The Corruption of Officer Avakadian 4 stars The Twelfth Statue ……….. 4 stars...more
This is a masterpiece; a coming of age novella set in rural Kyrgyzstan; about human nature, empathy, love in its many facets and finding one’s way in This is a masterpiece; a coming of age novella set in rural Kyrgyzstan; about human nature, empathy, love in its many facets and finding one’s way in the world. It’s a story that drew me in and took me to that place where our favorite reads take us - an experience I will long remember. There are already many wonderful reviews of this book but the one that best sums up my own thoughts and impressions is the review written by Nataliya - like the book itself, it’s a thing of beauty. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......more
This is a lighthearted rendition of a road trip undertaken in 1946 by the author, his wife and daughter, from San Francisco, California to Guatemala CThis is a lighthearted rendition of a road trip undertaken in 1946 by the author, his wife and daughter, from San Francisco, California to Guatemala City, Guatemala. It's written in an easy-to-read, over-the-top comedic style that is reminiscent of the screwball comedy films of the 1940s. As the author is unfamiliar with Latin American customs and unable to converse in Spanish, the trip becomes an adventure as soon as the family crosses the border at Laredo, Texas. Their drive to Mexico City is sprinkled with an array of familiar touristic mishaps and misunderstandings. Once in the capital, they learn that sections of the Panamerican highway in southern Mexico have not yet been constructed and that driving south is out of the question. There is an alternative - that the car can be shipped by rail from Vera Cruz to Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala. This leads to a different kind of adventure, frustration with bureaucracy, finagling with railroad employees and some help from an unexpected quarter. In the aftermath, wife and daughter take a plane to Guatemala City and the author flies to Tapachula to find his car. From there, he embarks on a solo trip on rough roads through the Guatemalan highlands, during the rainy season. It’s easy to imagine the things that might go wrong on this stretch and some of them do. There are more mishaps, a cultural immersion of sorts and in the end, a safe arrival in Guatemala City.
This is a light and mildly humorous read, in which the author is often at the mercy of the elements, road conditions, local customs, or local authorities. Yet, he is never critical or condescending towards the locals and never attempts to impose his will as the all-knowing, superior Northerner. In keeping with the book’s light mood, most of the Latinos he encounters are friendly, respectful, resourceful and willing to help a gringo in need. It's a semi-fictitious, fun read - there are no bad guys here. 4 stars...more
This selection of Will Cuppy’s musings was compiled posthumously by his friend, Fred Feldkamp, and published in 1951. It’s a collection of short pieceThis selection of Will Cuppy’s musings was compiled posthumously by his friend, Fred Feldkamp, and published in 1951. It’s a collection of short pieces derived from Cuppy’s research notes on historical figures, nature, science and nonsense subjects. Cuppy had saved this information on index cards during the last 20 years of his life. Feldkamp edited and arranged these pieces in an almanac format corresponding to the days in a calendar year. The entries are a mixed lot; ranging from factual data to trivia, satire and whimsical commentary. This is a light, easy read but one that I had to take in very small doses. There was a "sameness" about the entries that soon made me drowsy. All said, I enjoyed the book, mostly as an expression of the wit, humor and cynicism of popular American culture in the 1930s and 1940s. 3 stars...more
A pleasant read, based on the reminiscences of a middle aged Japanese school teacher recalling her life experiences during the years from 1928 to 1948A pleasant read, based on the reminiscences of a middle aged Japanese school teacher recalling her life experiences during the years from 1928 to 1948. The centerpiece of the book is the enduring bond that Miss Oishi formed with her class of 12 primary school pupils in her first year of teaching. The bond is a product of the compassion, kindness and consideration for others that is shown in many small ways throughout the book, by Miss Oishi towards her former students and by the students and other community members towards their former teacher. These expressions of empathy and concern are often juxtaposed with the historical realities of those years in Japanese history, which included: the rise of militarism, the invasions of Manchuria and China, WWII and the postwar American occupation of the country. I sensed an implied message from the author that those larger historical events were somehow aberrations of Japanese culture and that the compassion demonstrated by Miss Oishi and her former students was a truer reflection of the social culture of Japan.
Overall, this was an easy, gentle read, at times sentimental but with an important message just below the surface. The book was a publishing success with Japanese readers in 1952 but I’m not sure that today’s readers of the English translation will understand it in quite the same way. Most of us just don’t know enough about Japanese social culture in those earlier years to fully grasp the author's message. 3+ stars...more
Published early in the 20th century, this is a collection of 14 short stories about the schemes and projects of grafters, grifters, con men and swindlPublished early in the 20th century, this is a collection of 14 short stories about the schemes and projects of grafters, grifters, con men and swindlers - guys looking to make a quick buck (or more) at someone else’s expense. It’s light entertainment from the late 19th century with a focus on the shady side of the American dream. The stories are written in a folksy, conversational style, filled with street-wise slang, malapropisms and a particular humour of the times that may be missed by today’s readers. In keeping with O. Henry’s trademark style, all of the stories conclude with an unexpected, ironic or humorous twist.
I found these stories fun and entertaining. Each dealt with a different kind of grift, graft or swindle and there was something to be learned about the inner workings of some of these con games. This is a light and humorous look at America in “the Gilded Age”, starring likeable swindlers who aren't really bad guys, at all. 3.5 stars...more
This is a novel about loyalty to friends, family, a horse and to political ideals. The setting is rural Kyrgyzstan in the decades following WWII, a tiThis is a novel about loyalty to friends, family, a horse and to political ideals. The setting is rural Kyrgyzstan in the decades following WWII, a time of transition, collectivization and modernisation. The themes explored are universal with a focus on human behaviour and its consequences. The text is written in a terse narrative style that is engaging and at times, quite emotive.
I enjoyed everything about this book - the bond between the protagonist, Tanabai and the horse, Gul’sary; the descriptions of landscapes and the passing seasons; the work of herding horses and sheep; and the inclusion of traditional rural customs. I especially admired the character of Tanabai’s wife, Dzhaidar. She epitomizes the Kyrgyz adage, “a good wife makes a bad husband average, an average husband good and a good husband a Khan”....more
This book is written by a medical doctor serving in the German Army during WW I. It covers a period of about two months, beginning in Flanders on OctoThis book is written by a medical doctor serving in the German Army during WW I. It covers a period of about two months, beginning in Flanders on October 4, 1916. Within days of this date, his regiment is transferred to Transylvania where Germany and its allies, Austria and Hungary, are confronting Russian and Romanian forces in the Carpathian mountains.
The text is presented in a diary format. The entries are many and varied, ranging from comments on army life, living conditions, fellow soldiers and officers, artillery attacks, treatment of enemy prisoners, the local population, letters from home, to descriptions of the everchanging weather, nature, dreams and the letters and poetry of Glavina - a fellow recruit who died in France.
There is a lot to unpack in this work. The writing is rich and engaging - even in translation. The author’s comments, observations and reflections are meaningful and thought provoking. Much is said in relatively few words, often with an underlying message. For example, his description of a Russian artillery attack is intense and frightening, yet while the attack is underway, he takes a moment to observe the activities of birds. Suggesting, perhaps, that amid the devastation of human warfare, the natural world goes on, as always.
I found this a very interesting read, one that is worth re-visiting from time to time. 4 stars
PS: Inexplicably, the cover art on the Kindle edition of this book has no connection with the content of the memoir....more
This is an interesting and textbook-like examination of the octopus and several of its cephalopod cousins (squids, nautilus and cuttlefish). The book This is an interesting and textbook-like examination of the octopus and several of its cephalopod cousins (squids, nautilus and cuttlefish). The book is written in twelve chapters, (each 10 to 15 pages in length), with 38 colour plates, 12 pages of references and an index. The first ten chapters explore the various stages of the octopus’s life cycle, its habitat, behavior, appearance, personality, intelligence and reproduction. Chapter 11 briefly provides similar information for several other cephalopods. The final chapter is a Postscript with detailed information on keeping an octopus in captivity.
The book is co-authored by three marine biologists, academics with years of field research on octopuses and numerous papers published in scholarly journals. The authors provide much detailed information on their subject and frequently reference papers published by themselves or by other researchers.
This is a fairly academic work that would be of interest to students of marine biology or those with a strong interest in cephalopod zoology (teuthology). As a curious outsider, with only a passing interest in cephalopods, I found the book intriguing but somewhat dry. It presented a wealth of information and I learned a lot about cephalopods but at times, for me it became a bit of a slog - perhaps because of the writing style. 3 stars...more
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