In the Company of Angels: A Novel

reviewed by Liam Mac Sheoinin

Originally published on April 9, 2010

Thomas E. Kennedy’s In the Company of Angels : A Novel is an elegy to the human heart. It begins on the couch of a Copenhagen psychiatrist treating a Chilean torture victim, Bernardo Greene.

Reconsidering Thomas Williams

reviewed by John McIntyre

Originally published on April 9, 2010

The Hair of Harold Roux is a densely layered novel, but despite the metafictional elements in play, Irving’s characterization of Williams as “a wonderfully old-fashioned writer…that dinosaur among contemporary writers of fiction, an actual storyteller,” is sound. These qualities are in fact the foundation of my regard for Thomas Williams.

The Death of Bunny Munro By Nick Cave

reviewed by Mark Mordue

Originally published on October 30, 2009

“The Death of Bunny Munro should carry an EXPLICIT warning too, but the provocative cover art may similarly protect readers from being too surprised. Ironically, it’s the depth – not the in-your-face shallowness – of the book that is the real jack in the box.”

The Other

reviewed by Richard Holinger

Originally published on October 20, 2009

“The present volume celebrates Dana’s age — in all its meanings — with simple reminiscences delivered with gravity and grace, the poems’ speakers conversationally guiding us through recollections when on the beach, in the mountains, abroad in Europe and, his favorite setting, around his Iowa home….”

Speak Low

reviewed by Sandy Marchetti

Originally published on June 15, 2009

There are tissue paper-thin ideas of meaning in the poem, and all the poems; Phillips is so infinitesimal in his perceptive thought, we see how he embodies the talents that make him an excellent translator of poems and essayist on the art of poetry. The poet divides back onto himself, revising and adding, often through non-essential clauses, the most essential ideas.

The Watchmen

reviewed by Andrea Cumbo

Originally published on April 6, 2009

“The thematic questions of the book are what make it beat with life, but the complexity of the story – with comic books within comics, three time periods (or none if you’re Dr. Manhattan) and multiple settings – makes it truly postmodern in its ability to deconstruct both time and space while still holding a single, primary storyline…”

Another Country Stories by Nicholas Rothwell

reviewed by Mark Mordue

Originally published on April 6, 2009

“A heady analyst of the world around him, [Rothwell is] overly fond of flashing his intelligence forward in the odd word certain to send you to a dictionary. His sense of other people’s voices also jars, as if everyone is gifted with the Queen’s English and a perfect philosophical riposte.”

Three Balconies: Stories and a Novella

reviewed by Charles Salzberg

Originally published on February 10, 2009

“Friedman has never really been interested in well-adjusted winners, but rather those on the way up or down, or even better, those going nowhere fast. The neurotic, the unhappy, the malcontent, the put-upon, the outsider, that’s patented Friedman territory, and we’re the better for it.”

Another Country

reviewed by Mark Mordue

Originally published on February 10, 2009

“A heady analyst of the world around him, [Rothwell is] overly fond of flashing his intelligence forward in the odd word certain to send you to a dictionary. His sense of other people’s voices also jars, as if everyone is gifted with the Queen’s English and a perfect philosophical riposte.”

Crazy Love by Leslie What

reviewed by R. A. Rycraft

Originally published on October 22, 2008

“There is a lot of fear embedded in some of these stories. Men and women fear spending their lives alone, but also fear the possibility of spending their lives with one another. Often there is potential for companionship within reach, but the character, burdened with the baggage of insecurity, isn’t capable of overcoming her fear of closeness.”