Miscellaneous
Bronx Noir - S. J. Rozan, ed. ($15.95/$1.00, published 2007, 361 pages, Trade Paperback)
This is a collection of short stories with that dark twist synonymous with Noir. I don't usually buy collections like this but the locations being set in my home borough sucked me in. It's a mixed bag. Some stories are short and others run on too long. Out of the 19 stories, I only recognized two of the authors - the prolific Lawrence Block (Riverdale) and Ed Dee (Van Cortlandt Park). There are
some clever twists and snappy endings but there are also several stories that I figured out the twist very early on. I have to admit that the main reason I bought this was that I was hoping to pick out familiar places based on where the index said the stories were set. I was disappointed. Only in Robert J. Hughes' "A Visit to St. Nick's" (Fordham Road) did I find something familiar - my old parish church (though no one I knew ever called it St. Nick's). It was OK.
This is a collection of short stories with that dark twist synonymous with Noir. I don't usually buy collections like this but the locations being set in my home borough sucked me in. It's a mixed bag. Some stories are short and others run on too long. Out of the 19 stories, I only recognized two of the authors - the prolific Lawrence Block (Riverdale) and Ed Dee (Van Cortlandt Park). There are
some clever twists and snappy endings but there are also several stories that I figured out the twist very early on. I have to admit that the main reason I bought this was that I was hoping to pick out familiar places based on where the index said the stories were set. I was disappointed. Only in Robert J. Hughes' "A Visit to St. Nick's" (Fordham Road) did I find something familiar - my old parish church (though no one I knew ever called it St. Nick's). It was OK.
In this early title from the great Melville, we get an episodic account of the author's service aboard the USS United States, sister ship of "Old Ironsides", told in often startlingly candid detail. From the ritual floggings at the masthead to a critical grog shortage, Melville details the life of the 400-man crew of an American man-of-war based on his own experiences. Each chapter is a commentary on some facet of life aboard the ship. There are many characters but no real plot just a fascinating collection of observations laced with irony, dry humor, and - at times - outrage. I enjoyed it.
Series
I was on a Book Run early this month when I picked up the first 3 volumes in a Young Adult series.
Montmorency - Eleanor Updale ($2.99/$.50, copyright 2003, 233 pages, Trade Paperback)
Taking place in London in the late 1800's, Montmorency is the name given to a jailed thief recovering from injuries obtained during his bungled last job. As he heals from radical -- and groundbreaking -- surgeries, he formulates a plan to become a master thief. During the day, he is Montmorency, a gentlemen with a penchant for fashion and opera. At night, he's Scarper, a thief who scurries through the sewers of London, robbing the very wealthy. The first two-thirds of the book lay out how he goes about this and the various obstacles he faces. In the last third, he's given a way to leave Scarper behind and still make a living in the role of Montmorency with a chance for societal respect. This volume is shorter (and the cover price is lower) then the following two and I think that was done intentionally by Updale so that it would attract readers. It worked for me. I enjoyed it.
Taking place in London in the late 1800's, Montmorency is the name given to a jailed thief recovering from injuries obtained during his bungled last job. As he heals from radical -- and groundbreaking -- surgeries, he formulates a plan to become a master thief. During the day, he is Montmorency, a gentlemen with a penchant for fashion and opera. At night, he's Scarper, a thief who scurries through the sewers of London, robbing the very wealthy. The first two-thirds of the book lay out how he goes about this and the various obstacles he faces. In the last third, he's given a way to leave Scarper behind and still make a living in the role of Montmorency with a chance for societal respect. This volume is shorter (and the cover price is lower) then the following two and I think that was done intentionally by Updale so that it would attract readers. It worked for me. I enjoyed it.
That's another month done with. Next up is August and, again, I have a lot of books already stacked up. It's hot out so stay inside, crank up the AC and ......
Keep Reading.
Keep Reading.
