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Love the words; just love the words.

Dylan Thomas

Book & Movie Reviews by Members

I Curse the River of Time

By Per Petterson

It may well be an antidote for the gloating we in Florida do during the winter months that drives me to read novels by Scandinavian authors.

I have neglected much to read on, maybe just a little bit longer while my paint is drying, work by the Swedish author Hennig Mankell, and now the Norwegian, Per Petterson, whose "I Curse The River of Time" I just finished reading. But I am not finished with it. It haunts me.

The utter alienation of the leading characters, the chill that makes me want to accompany them with their escapes into alcohol, are pervasive. The sense of place, cold. The relating to others, difficult and uncomprehending.

So, why do I so readily recommend the works? Because the writing is glorious. I know their uncertainties. I taste their food, I breathe the bitter air, the empty landscape. I understand the frustration of wanting the human intimacy that is far beyond their capacity. I am involved. I feel the pulse of real life. I believe, I believe. Such good writing makes me believe. These novels enrich my life.

Review by Harold Garde, Feb.2011

Beach Music

Author Pat Conroy Exposes Tyranny and Abuse of Power

By Pat Conroy
The chosen book for January in one of my books clubs is ‘Beach Music’ by Pat Conroy. It has been about 15 years since I first read this novel, so when I reread it I remember why I was enchanted with his style many years ago. The first voyage into his writings was ‘The Great Santini’. From that Book, I was inspired to go back and read everything he had written. He captures the flavor of the South and its culture as well as anyone. He ranks up there with Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Thomas Wolff, Harper Lee, John Grisham and a host of others.

He admits that his prose paints a picture with flowery words; he creates a story from his imagination and his personal history. There is a touch of the autobiographical that is hard to distinguish from fiction. There is no doubt that he is strongly influenced by the military, southern culture, a dysfunctional family upbringing and the Catholic Church. His mother started him on his reading voyage as a small child, and he states that he reads at least 200 pages of some book every day of his life and that reading may have saved his sanity or maybe even his life. From a love of reading he became a writer.

The central theme in his writings is about the abuse of power. From his semi autobiographical to his novels, he exposes the tyranny of his almamater, the tyranny of a dysfunctional family, the tyranny of mental illness and the tyranny of racism. Although his stories do have a dark side he contrasts the good in people with the bad. Even the most flawed are worthy of redemption. His protangonists are young males, Tom Wingo, Ben Meecham, Jack McCall, Leo King, Will McClean.

His protangonists are young males, Tom Wingo, Ben Meecham, Jack McCall, Leo King, Will McClean. I just finished ‘Beach Music’ and ‘My Reading Life’ and am in the middle of ‘South of Broad’. I plan to read all of his works again. Pick up his books and experience some of the best literature the South has produced. Such pleasure!!!!

Beach Music on Amazon

Still Alice

‘There are few page turners in this field of literature but this is one of them’. Alzheimer's Society

By Lisa Genova
I read several books this Summer, but Still Alice stands out. It's a story about a Harvard professor-Alice- who becomes slowly forgetful and then is diagnosed with Alzheimers disease when she's in her 50s.It brought home to me for the first time how this disease changes a life and relationships with family and friends.Lisa Genoa is knowledgeable about the disease and a great storyteller. Alice reveals personal experiences that are tragic and true as she confronts her husband, children and Harvard colleagues.The book is very helpful to understanding what is known about Alzheimers with accurate information from scientists working to find a cure. I highly recommend it!

A Perilous Friendship

Donatella Young crafts a compelling triangle of love and betrayal, and her realistic conclusion is spiced with hope rather than bitterness.

By Donatella Young
Out of kindness, but against her better judgment, Regina Rossi goes for a cup of coffeee with Desmond Manning. Reeling from the recent deaths of both parents, Regina is vulnerable to the charming manipulations of parolee and recovering cocaine addict Desmond. Thus begins "A Perilous Friendship" by local author and poet Donatella Young. Starting as innocent pizza outings and a common interest in gardening, the relationship quickly devolves into a tale of codependency, wherein art history librarian Regina makes multiple calls each day to Desmond, hoping to prevent his relapses. All too often, Desmond disappoints and disappears, leading Regina on his roller coaster of lost jobs and midnight rescues.

To complicate matters, Regina meets the handsome Paul Mathis, Desmond's parole officer. Paul is upfront about his attraction to Regina as he is frank about his prognosis for a habitual addict like Desmond. Tension builds as Regina struggles to balance her devotion to Desmond and her blossoming romance with Paul. Friend to one man, lover to the other, Regina walks an emotional tightrope that frays her nerves but engages the reader. Donatella Young crafts a compelling triangle of love and betrayal, and her realistic conclusion is spiced with hope rather than bitterness."

Greece—A Love Story

Nineteen Women Write about their Greek Experience

Edited by Camille Cusumano
What is it about Greece that is so magical? Is it the unique blue marriage of sky and sea that inspires love, self discovery and adventure? 'Greece—A Love Story' is a collection of 19 short stories written by women who fell under the warm spell of this ancient culture and its modern day descendants. Read them and perhaps you too will feel a warm breeze scented with thyme and ringing with the song of goat bells.

• I Curse the River of Time
• Still Alice
• Beach Music