Out: A Novel

Book Description

Nothing in Japanese literature prepares us for the stark, tension-filled, plot-driven realism of Natsuo Kirino’s award-winning literary mystery Out.

This mesmerizing novel tells the story of a brutal murder in the staid Tokyo suburbs, as a young mother who works the night shift making boxed lunches strangles her abusive husband and then seeks the help of her coworkers to dispose of the body and cover up her crime. The coolly intelligent Masako emerges as the plot’s ringleader, but quickly discovers that this killing is merely the beginning, as it leads to a terrifying foray into the violent underbelly of Japanese society.

At once a masterpiece of literary suspense and pitch-black comedy of gender warfare, Out is also a moving evocation of the pressures and prejudices that drive women to extreme deeds, and the friendships that bolster them in the aftermath.

Customer Reviews:

Best of the New.......2007-10-07

A breathtaking novel that, for once, lives up to its hype. In fact it surpasses it. It is darkly, grotesquely humane.

good story.......2007-09-28

I found this book so fascinating. The plot is very good and every character is so full of life. Strongly recommended.

Out of Sight.......2007-09-27

This is a real page turner. It will keep you up past your bedtime. You won't be able to put it down. Okay, you may get the point. You will find yourself walking and struggling with Masako. The only thing I did not like is the ending. How could Masako feel anything for Satake? Masako was so logical, strong, and methodical.
Another strength of the book is its depiction of the struggle of the poor working class to survive. Most people have boring and painful jobs that they suffer only for the buck (or the yen). Their poverty wears on their families; there seems to be no room for familial warmth in this cold world. And Kirino captures that spirit with great skill.

Grittily Horrifying.......2007-09-09

I wasn't prepared for this novel. I couldn't put it down and I am still thinking about it. Everyone I've recommended this book to thought it was a great read. Sometimes I had trouble getting my copy from friends because their friends wanted to read it.

Out is not for the faint of heart though; chapters and chapters of plot tend to explode in frightening scenes of carnage that caused my heart to skip a beat (or two).

Out: A novel.......2007-09-08

During the reading of this novel I really wanted to be able to read Japanese. The translation at times confused me with euphimisms that I felt pandered to American expectations regarding this genre of fiction. I admired the protagonist but she unfortunatley fell in love with another. That love is what I found revolving around the central theme... and what makes the author a worthy competitor in the guessing game of looking into the well of human darkness.

Average customer rating:

Moving story of a young Christ...
Classy
Lost in faith?
A woman of beauty.
Can you say Hallelujah?

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt: A Novel
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345436830
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

Having completed the two cycles of legend to which she has devoted her career so far, Anne Rice gives us now her most thoughtful and powerful book, a novel about the childhood of Christ the Lord based on the gospels and on the most respected New Testament scholarship.

The book’s power derives from the passion its author brings to the writing, and the way in which she summons up the voice, the presence, the words of the young Jesus who tells the story.

From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

Anne Rice is the author of twenty-six books. She lives in La Jolla, California.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Moving story of a young Christ..........2007-09-16

Anne Rice is best known for her vampire fiction, but, in her latest novel, she strikes out in a bold new direction, telling the story of an adolescent Jesus Christ. She handles the most revered icon of Christianity with care, crafting an excellent story built on meticulous research, keen insight and imaginative wonder.

As the Holy Land burns under Rome's tight-fisted rule, 7-year-old Jesus and his family journey home to Nazareth. Along the way, Jesus is beset with troubled thoughts about the violence consuming his homeland, his brother James' unreasonable jealousy and why everyone -- including his father, Joseph -- treats both his mother, Mary, and him with fearful awe.

Inside, Jesus knows he's different. He accidentally brings clay pigeons to life, sees hosts of angels in his dreams and when he prays for rain to stop, the sun instantly shines forth. Behind these wondrous miracles, however, is a peculiar dread. Slowly, he realizes that which makes him different must also separate him from his loved ones, putting him on path that he must walk alone.

Writing such a novel -- especially from a young Jesus' perspective -- is an endeavor rife with opportunity for controversy, but Rice acquits herself marvelously. There's nothing sacrilegious here as Rice paints a poignant picture of a deeply Jewish Jesus and his Jewish family. Though the novel is steeped in the wonder surrounding Christ's life, it's not an evangelical tale. Rather, it is a tender musing on the childhood of perhaps the greatest figure in history and faith.

Classy.......2007-09-13

When I first came across this book in the library, I was not interested in reading it because even though I hadn't read Anne Rice before, I was slightly thrown off by the thought of a secular writer writing about the silent years of the Christ.

I found out months later that the author had indeed returned to her Catholic faith and I then purchased the book.

The book starts out very captivating and I couldn't put it down. I personally haven't meditated much on these silent years of Christ and I think Rice does a great job of filling in the gap.

Of course, the story is largely speculative but theologically sound. I really like that she speaks in Jesus' own voice, if you will.

The Jesus she portrays is a Child and yet He is more. He is wise, solemn and different. He knows He is but not why and He wants to find out. He is playful, He cries, He is hardworking. I really like how the writer succeeds at at a Jesus who wants to know more and yet does not want to disobey his parents.

The middle of the book gets bogged down in historical and political details that have no great appeal for me but will be fascinating for those who enjoy such things. But I did vastly enjoy the descriptions of past, native Jewish life.

Her portrayal of the Holy Family is real and solid. I can't doubt that they could be any other way than as she describes. Joseph is strong, honest and wise and does his best to bring up a Child. The Blessed Mother radiates with a intense but quiet humility and she loves her Child. The description of the extended family is very good as well. I wasn't sure what to make of Cleopas. I found him annoying at times and I wished to know a little more about Salome; the little busy woman-girl. I really liked her.

Even if this reading material isn't your usual cup of tea, read it for the delicious, yummy food and for the author's note/afterword.

Overall, supremely sublime and recommended.

Lost in faith?.......2007-09-08

Anna Rice reconversion to catholicism also spells the beginning of the end for her imagination, creativity, openness, and even world view. This book is a testimony to this unfortunate reality. While the latest trends in spirituality and research on Jesus, has led to the conclusion that Jesus was simply a wise man, an old and wise soul, yet married with a son, Anne Rice falls back on her old faith, revealing to her readers a tunnel vision. In a time when america is becoming a dangerous coutry filled with religious fanatics, this book reinforces the fallacy that Jesus was divine, a belief or blind faith that has led humanity to murder in the name of jesus, and to deny the existence of our divine self and responsability to "know thyself", the true secret to life as revealed by Jesus, Buddha and Sacrates.

A woman of beauty........2007-08-30

Some years ago, I heard of Anne Rice's apparent conversion, and her then in progress work - Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. I was cautiously optimistic at best.

Fast forward to this past week - I've picked up a copy of the book

There's not a shred of doubt in my mind, that the architect of the modern vampire media, is now True, a student of the Word, a Daughter of Eve.

Not only that, I think she very well may be the next C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, the great Christian fiction writers.

And throughout her novel, it is evident enough that it is filled with her personal prayers.

".. I went down deep to the very bottoms of the mountains; the earth like a prison enclosed me. Yet you have brought up my life from corruption..."

"... Let my cry of joy come to you, Lord, give me understanding as you promised..."

And as a writer of historical fiction, she understands. She understands His story.

"... all stories are part of one great story...."

"... Lord, Lord, whoever I am, whatever I am, whatever I am meant to be, I am part of this, this world that is all of a flowing wonder- like this music. And you are with us. You are here. You have pitched your tent amongst us. This music is your song. This is your house..."

And she ends the novel with this line.

"... Father... I am your child."

I think she is beautiful.

Can you say Hallelujah?.......2007-08-28

I wasn't sure what to think actually, vampire novels, vampire novels with Jesus in them, now Jesus novels. Maybe next will be a Jesus novel with a vampire and witches and angels, oh my!
Really folks, this is a good novel and Anne Rice has a refreshing new subject with plenty of relevance. I'm just not on a big "born again" reading binge right now.

Average customer rating:

Great Starting Comic for all Ages
Most excellent all age entertainment
Cute one for the kids
A very fun read.
Somewhat funny

Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville
Jeff Smith
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Bone Volume 2: The Great Cow Race
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Bone Volume 4: The Dragonslayer
Bone Volume 5: Rock Jaw Master of the Eastern Border
Old Man's Cave (Bone)

ASIN: 0439706408

Book Description

The BONE adventures tell the story of a young bone boy, Fone Bone, and his two cousins, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, who are banned from their homeland of Boneville. When the cousins find themselves mysteriously trapped in a wonderful but often terrifying land filled with secrets and danger - and special new friendships - they are soon caught up in adventures beyond their wildest dreams. In OUT FROM BONEVILLE, the three Bone cousins are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert. One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley where they come face to face with...

Customer Reviews:

Great Starting Comic for all Ages.......2007-09-05

If I had the choice I would give this 4 and a half stars but I don't think its a 5 since its mostly light fare with only few foreshadowings of the epic fantasy adventure to come.

Bone Vol. 1 is the start of the adventures of Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone. They are cousins kicked out of Boneville for Phoneys wrong doings and left in the great unknown. This is where there journey begins. They soon get split up and the comic is mostly about there finding each other and just setting up the story for the volumes to come.

I highly recommend it to fans of books, comics books, cartoons or anything fun/cute. Don't judge it by its cover, there's a deep and slightly dark fantasy story to be had which only begins to bloom in this first volume.

****1/2

Most excellent all age entertainment.......2007-08-10

Over the years, I'd picked up single issues of Bone now and again, and was quite enchanted with the quality of artwork and story telling. But was a bit let down that they were published in black and white, which didn't really seem to fit with the rest of the graphic look of the books.

Finally, they have been colorized! The color treatment here is superb. Smith seems to be mining the Carl Barks and Walt Kelly territory, but he's got him own special gifts to display here, in this collection of reprints enjoyable for youngsters and their parents. Highly Recommended for all ages.

Cute one for the kids.......2007-08-07

Set your expectations properly and you'll find a fair story here. They're simple characters in simple, kid-safe adventures. There's Smiley, the tall guy with a very short brain, Phoney with his inane get-rich schemes, and Fone Bone, the protagonist, an all-around nice guy trying to do the right thing for everyone. We also have bold dragons, ineptly evil rat-beings (but I like rats!), a beautiful maiden for chaste and silly romance, and other characters that are easy to identify and to identify with. Then, behind them all, there's the mysterious bad guy, plotting against ...

Well, just see for yourself. The plot and characters work well for unsophisticated readers. Still, the text doesn't talk down to a young reader with an artificially stripped-down vocabulary. If you or yours are in the target demographic, it could be a good bit of fun.

-- wiredweird

A very fun read........2007-08-03

I'm kindof rediscovering graphic novels again after many years, and I definitely am glad that I came across this first volume of the Bone series. The characters are very fun, the plot interesting and engaging, and the artwork is visually captivating. It makes good fantasy adventure reading.

Somewhat funny.......2007-05-17

The graphics, paper quality, and general presentation of this book are all excellent. The author is a skilled artist. However I eventually got bored with it after a while. It was funny at the beginning, but the same humor was all the way through.

Average customer rating:

Good but Helen sub-plot must go
Her best yet!
We're Running Out of Walsh Sisters!!
Keyes' Best Novel Yet
The Walsh Sisters Return, Changed, But Lovable as Always.

Anybody Out There?: A Novel
Marian Keyes
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Angels : A Novel [Bargain Price] by Keyes, Marian

ASIN: 0060731303
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Book Description

Marian Keyes has introduced readers to the lives, loves, and foibles of the five Walsh sisters -- Claire, Maggie, Rachel, Helen, and Anna -- and their crazy mammy. In this funny, heartbreaking, and triumphant new tale set in the Big Apple, it's Anna's turn in the spotlight.

Life is perfect for Anna Walsh. She has the "Best Job in the World" as a PR exec for a top-selling urban beauty brand, a lovely apartment in New York, and a perfect husband -- the love of her life, Aidan Maddox. Until the morning she wakes up in her mammy's living room in Dublin with stitches in her face, a dislocated knee, and completely smashed-up hands -- and no memory of how she got there. While her mammy plays nursemaid (just like all of her favorite nurses on her soaps), and her sister Helen sits in wet hedges doing her private investigator work for Lucky Star PI, Anna tries to get better and keeps wondering why Aidan won't return her phone calls or e-mails.

Recuperating from her injuries, a mystified Anna returns to Manhattan. Slowly beginning to remember what happened, she sets off on a search to find Aidan -- a hilarious quest involving lilies (she can't stop smelling them), psychics, mediums, and anyone in the city who can promise her a reunion with her beloved. . . .

Written in her classic style, marrying the darker parts of life with humor and wit, Anybody Out There? is Marian Keyes's best novel to date, a wonderfully charming look at love here and ever after.

Customer Reviews:

Good but Helen sub-plot must go.......2007-10-07

This book is engrossing (though not to the point where I couldn't put it down.) To reveal the plot would be a spoiler in itself, so I won't. Like her other books, this one seems too long. The story drags in the middle, and I was extremely frustrated with the Helen P.I. email-sub-plot! Why is this even a part of the book? It has nothing to do with the story and I started skipping the emails after the first few. This book doesn't need a sub-plot, especially a cliche-ridden Irish mafia sub-plot. Not Keyes's best work. 'Try City of Angels' instead.

Her best yet!.......2007-09-10

I just finished devouring all 4 Walsh sister books, and this one has Marian Keyes at the top of her game. You can really see her grow as a writer from each book to the next. This particular one puts her as a master of tapping into the reader's emotions. You feel every ounce of Anna's pain - I think I cried the whole way through (I needed it).

This book has Marian on the threshold of breaking out of the chick-lit constraints. I recommend starting with Watermelon, on to Rachel's Holiday, then Angels, then Anybody Out There? - you'll get a better feel for the characters, and it makes this book a great read since you're already involved with the characters. Anna is introduced as a flighty teen in Watermelon, but we see her grow into a sweet, sensitive woman in Rachel's Holiday & Angels.

While this is her hardest hitting, it does still fit into the beach-read category. But get them all at once, you'll want to tear through each quick-read novel one after another.

We're Running Out of Walsh Sisters!!.......2007-09-05

Only Helen's left now! I don't know what I'll do when Marian runs out of Walsh girls!!! Hoprfully she will lead them all on further adventures. This one was the saddest of the lot but just as wonderful to read Marian just keeps honing her craft and getting better and better. I want a sequel to find out when Anna gets her second happy ending!

Keyes' Best Novel Yet.......2007-08-21

I just finished reading "Anybody Out There?" five minutes ago and had to get on-line and tell the world how much I enjoyed it. I have read all of Keyes' novels and I enjoy the Walsh sister sagas immensley. But this novel was different. I don't know if it was the subject matter, or how it was written, but the humor, emotional aspects, and narrative were all absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend it and hope others are able to love it as much as I do!

I'm ready for Helen.....

The Walsh Sisters Return, Changed, But Lovable as Always........2007-08-21

Marian Keyes returns to the source of her best work, the Walsh sisters, in this novel. This is the story of Anna Walsh, the second youngest of the Walsh sisters. I've been reading Ms. Keyes' work for about 5 years now, and have laughed and cried with every one of the Walsh sisters. In my opinion, RACHEL'S HOLIDAY is Ms. Keyes' best work, with ANGELS following close behind.

Though Keyes returns to the Walsh sisters in this novel, this book somehow doesn't have the charm of her earlier work. We, her devoted readers, had been introduced to Anna Walsh in 3 earlier novels. She had long, untamed hair, an unfocused air about her, and wore long flowing skirts and smoked a lot of pot. She was a mellow hippie in a houseful of melodramatic sisters (and mother - let's not forget the always hilarious Mammy Walsh). I had always looked forward to reading about Anna's story, so I was thrilled when I saw ANYBODY OUT THERE? getting published.

And yet, Anna has lost her sweet, and sometimes foolish, innocence. Sure, that's all part of growing up, and I wouldn't want to see a character remain stagnant, but I had always been an Anna fan over the years, and I was disturbed to find her so changed in these pages. A marketing executing for cosmetics? Anna? Really? Where had the loopy Walsh sister gone? Rather than being allowed to see her transformation into the businesswoman she was by the time this book opens, the reader was simply forced to accept, very early on, that she'd "grown up" and out of her previous fashion mistakes.

Ah well. Despite my complaints that Ms. Keyes didn't stay true to the character of Anna in this book, this novel was otherwise filled with her usual skill. It was funny, and incredibly poignant. We got to see Anna Walsh in love, and I'll admit that I fell in love right alongside her. We saw more of Helen's and Mammy's outrageous exploits, and Keyes followed up on several story lines that she began years ago with WATERMELON, RACHEL'S HOLIDAY, and ANGELS. Despite my early discomfort at the change in Anna's character, I found myself swept up in the story, and finished the book in a couple days of just reading after work.

Definitely worth buying and I will continue to read Ms. Keyes' books as long as she continues to write them.

Art Out of Time: Unknown Comics Visionaries 1900-1969

Average customer rating:

Fair Warning
Rescued from Obscurity!
Comic Art Supreme
Readers involved in comic history, evolution and art simply must have
VERY GOOD COMPILATION OF UNKNOWN ARTISTS

Art Out of Time: Unknown Comics Visionaries 1900-1969
Dan Nadel
Manufacturer: "Harry N. Abrams, Inc."
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories
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ASIN: 0810958384

Book Description

Before there was Robert Crumb, there was Herbert Crowley. If you don't recognize that name, you're not alone. Crowley is one of nearly 30 American cartoonists featured in this eclectic anthology, artists whose work-created between 1900 and 1969-was overshadowed by more successful contemporaries. Art Out of Time at last gives these pioneers the showcase they deserve, reprinting-in most cases for the first time since their initial publication-complete comic books and strips by such visionaries as Raymond Ewer, Howard Nostrand, Ogden Whitney, and Dick Briefer. These under-recognized artists often deviated from the thematic and graphic conventions of the comics medium-and influenced Crumb, Art Spiegelman, and others-making this superb anthology a true "counter history," the untold story of an underground that wasn't.

Customer Reviews:

Fair Warning.......2007-09-05

Yes...it is a great compliation of some of the forgotten Golden Age cartoon work...like the wonderful "Explorigator"...but, and this is a Big BUT...

Those great old full-sheet Sunday Comics have been reduced to 8 x 11...can't even read the type-face with a good glass magnifier. And while the art work has some fabulous color it too is reduced to the point of....well you think about it!

The good news is the Intro, the Bibliography and the Resources are excellent for your further research.

P.S. My "mint" copy will be available on eBay shortly

Rescued from Obscurity!.......2007-07-17

This book is an eye-opener. Beautiful quality and reproductions here. Every time I look through this I discover something else. I love the works of McCay and Herriman as much as anyone...but there are real treasures here waiting to be rediscovered. Dan Nadel has done an outstanding job bringing this work to the attention of present day comics afficionados and art lovers in general. I really hope that Dan decides to do a volume 2 of this...and if you own this book, you'd know exactly what I mean.

Comic Art Supreme.......2007-03-08

I bought this book for my husband for Christmas on the recommendation of one of his friends who knows his taste. A comics afficiado from way back, he has been over the moon about the book to the extent that we have given copies to various other of his friends as well. Everyone who has received it RAVES about it ... its coverage, thoroughness, graphics, etc. So no doubt that this book is da bomb! If you're even vaguely interested in the subject area, this is definitely the book for you.

Readers involved in comic history, evolution and art simply must have .......2006-07-24

Any involved in the comics must have ART OUT OF TIME: UNKNOWN COMICS VISIONARIES, 1900-1969: it celebrates the lesser-known work of Bob Powell, Astan MacGovern, Boody Rogers and others who proved eccentric but influential comic visionaries before the rose of underground comics in the late 1960s. These artists created their own versions of western, romance, humor and horror genres and worked within the confines of popular comics of their times to provide visionary works. Some became famous, others remained obscure. ART OUT OF TIME reprints complete comic book and strip stories: many appear here for the first time since their first appearance. A thematic organization allows for quick access while surveys of pre-underground stars makes for a winning collection. Another big plus: the strips appear in full color, capturing all the nuances of the originals and losing nothing in translation. Readers involved in comic history, evolution and art simply must have ART OUT OF TIME.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

VERY GOOD COMPILATION OF UNKNOWN ARTISTS.......2006-07-19

The edition and compilation of material is brilliant, and also is the reproduction of old pages. It's a fantastic purchase for comic lovers.

Average customer rating:

Great setup to a great series....
Cool stuff
X-Men + Sliders + Quatnam Leap = Freakin' Awesome
One of the Best Series to READ.
Fantastic and Original

Exiles Vol. 3: Out of Time (X-Men)
Judd Winick
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

X-Men | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0785110852

Customer Reviews:

Great setup to a great series...........2007-07-19

Buy it and see how it all begins. Of course, it will make you dislike the Claremont stuff even more!

Cool stuff.......2007-04-07

As a fan of the "What if?" series when I was a kid, I was very interested to see the Exiles team jumping from one alternative universe to the next. I haven't been disappointed so far: fun stories, good drawing.

X-Men + Sliders + Quatnam Leap = Freakin' Awesome.......2006-11-06

This series caught my attention when it first came out, considering I was a big fan of the Age of Apocolypse story arc and that it had Blink and Morph on the cover. Different Morph, but no matter! There a a variety of situations that this group gets into which involves missions to fix whatever problem there may be in whatever reality they may be in. Which can vary from major (Kill the Pheonix) to minor (buy a cheese danish). You'd be suprised how much can spiral out a pastry problem. The original team consists of Mimic - previously a minor character in the main reality (616), Blink - From the Age of Apocolypse reality, due to fan reaction most likely, Nocturne - Daughter of Scarlet Witch and Nightcrawler, Morph - A prominent hero and member of the Xmen and the Avengers in his reality, who will also just make you laugh with everything said, T-Bird - John Proudstar, thunderbird, who died on his first mission with the X-men in the 616 reality, but from his was captured by Apocolypse and turned into one of the Horsemen, and Magnus - the daughter of Magneto and Rogue, with gifts and curses from both of his parents, along with incredible power. If you have an at least decent knowledge of past events in the Marvel history, you would probably appreciate this title. I found it amazing when they got a mission in a reality that I only knew about from reading one issue ten or fifteen years ago. Pretty obscure! I like all the little references and cameos from the depths of the Marvel history and universe. Humurous and intense,it draws you in and you care what happens to the characters just like any other title that may be a bit more mainstream. Buy it, read it, love it. This review is meant not just for this volume, but this goes for the whole series run.

One of the Best Series to READ........2006-09-13

I have read the whole series. This is the first graphic novel in the series. It starts you off with a fun rollercoaster ride with reality saving Marvel characters. The stories through out the series are well developed and are a fun read. They remain true with their continuity and sub-plots through out the storylines. And it gets complex. Enjoy. :)

P.s. If you can remember the "What If" series that Marvel had out a very very long time ago. This series adds a 3rd degree to it, it accomlishes that same answer to a lot of those "what if's" and then gives it an ongoing reality. What If's like what would happen if the Brood survived or if the legacy virus mutated or this villain took over or if this person wasn't exposed to gamma rays . . . or whatever . . . and then it answers those questions and keeps those stories alive and mixes in all the other realities to create a whole universe of ongoing answered what if questions with their own specific and weird reality. :)

Fantastic and Original.......2006-02-06

Marvel's X-Men franchise has launched many spinoffs and various comic book lines but, in my opinion, none have been as unique as Exiles.

This trade collects the first 4 issues of Exiles (the first two story arcs) and was written by Judd Winnick who stayed to write a good portion of the next 35ish issues.

The basic premise of the series is that the team is a collection of hereos from alternate Earths (in the Marvel universe, mainstream Marvel takes place in the "616" universe) and they travel to different alternate realities with missions to complete. I was drawn to this series because of the characters, specifically Blink and Mimic. Blink earned a following from her exploits in an X-men crossover called "The Age of Apocolypse" that was written in the 90's while Mimic has been in a few X-men comics but never explored much after that.

In addition to the having a very interesting cast of characters, the writing for Exiles is what set itself apart from the other comics out there. I feel as though it is/was fresh when compared to some of the other X-titles and other comics in general. The art isn't Jim Lee or any of the other top artists but the various artists do an excellent job of creating colorful, distinct, and different worlds and characters.

A word of warning however... While the first few trade paperbacks of Exiles are very good, some of the later collections are not quite as entertaining as the writing quality falters a bit when Austen takes over.

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: Hands-On Help for Making Your Novel Stand Out and Succeed

Average customer rating:

I use this more than the actual book
Helpful!
Not the same as the Breakout book
Good Hands On Exercises
It's good, but...

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: Hands-On Help for Making Your Novel Stand Out and Succeed
Donald Maass
Manufacturer: Writer's Digest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 158297263X

Book Description

This powerful book builds on the success of it predecessor-Writing the Breakout Novel-and takes readers to the next level: improving their work with practical, hands-on lessons and exercises.

With patented techniques from his popular writing workshops, Donald Maass shows fiction writers exactly how to make their work stand out from the crowd. Readers will learn how to strengthen any novel-in-progress, with sections on: - Building Plot Layers - Creating Inner Conflict - Strengthening Point of View and Voice - Discovering Larger Than Life Character Qualities - Developing the Psychology of Place

Every workbook exercise is followed by examples from real-life breakout novels. This is one of the most accessible novel-writing guides available today.

Customer Reviews:

I use this more than the actual book.......2007-10-08

I have both workbook and book. I use this when I'm plotting or replotting a book. I find the exercises make me think hard about my stories and bring out my creativity. I'd definitely recommend it.

Helpful!.......2007-08-24

I finally bought this book after rechecking it from the library several times. I love the challanges presented and the advice given. This book has helped me dig deeper and develop my own novel.

Not the same as the Breakout book.......2007-03-14

Since he published Writing the Breakout Novel in 2001, Maass has taught a seminar of the same name at many writers conferences, and naturally learned from these experiences. The original book is here expanded by nearly three dozen exercises, which seem quite sensible, not hokey as are some by other teachers I've read.

I own the Breakout book and just now am comparing the workbook that I checked out of the local library. They're not the same, not by a long shot, despite what one reviewer here says. Though many sections have identical headers (such as Inner Conflict), they are completely rewritten, using different examples. The original book is 259 pages of 6x9, the workbook is 230 pp. of 8-1/2x11 format, thus it is by no means a condensation as TheCafeWriter asserts, and the original book is not necessarily more "in-depth." Some sections are, some aren't. The structure is substantially rearranged. Yet the concepts and the really fundamental points -- keep your story charged with tension, and so on -- do remain identical. These are essentially two complementary treatments of the same material by the same author

Maass asks his seminar participants to bring their in-process novels to perform exercises on, so the workbook is particularly useful if you are well into writing a novel already. With the discipline of the exercises, Maass teaches you to be your own draft doctor.

For me, there appear to be easily enough new perspectives and ideas here to warrant buying the workbook even though I have read the original and have it on my bookshelf.

Good Hands On Exercises.......2006-08-14

This book is most beneficial to writers who have already completed the first drafts of their manuscripts. The exercises made me review some of my characters' attributes and turn offs as well as making sure my secondary plots tied into my main plot. Mr. Maass' suggestions caused me to re-think my villians a little bit and show a side to them that could be somewhat empathetic. Also, adding tension on every page for me was tough, but I found creative ways to do it. I do believe my completed novel is better now after making suggested changes. I stuck to my own gut on some of the things he suggested I change, but overall I did use a lot of his advice. This is a good purchase but you must do the written exercises not just skim over them.

It's good, but..........2006-04-01

Maass has created a good workbook with some nifty ways to come up with information. He's also included some material that's new, especially in terms of how to put together plots and subplots, and he expands the theme section from Writing the Breakout Novel.

Two problems though: first, except for a few places, the workbook really retreads the original book, just barely expanding on the original. I was hoping for more nuggets of information.

The second problem is that it is a workbook. I hate workbooks, mostly because my brain simply doesn't do those kinds of questions. I work from story down, not parts of story up. The workbook gives the impression to writers that answering the questions will magically make the story fall into place, and I instinctively reject that attitude. No, Maass isn't deliberately trying to tell writers the process, but the impression is there.

I would have rather he put together a follow-up book and then listed these questions at the end of the chapters instead of formatting the book with lines to be filled in. I think I would have been more receptive to the content. As it was, I read hastily through, feeling nauseous that I wasn't doing my homework--a kid's attitude from far too many workbooks in grade school.

Basically, good but not great information, and formatting that puts me off means that I have a hard time recommending this book. But if you're a workbook type, go for it.

Shout Out Loud! Volume 4: (Yaoi) (Shout Out Loud!)

Average customer rating:

Amazing Characters
Excellent Volume 4
An excellent Volume 4. Do not miss this!
Another Great Installment!

Shout Out Loud! Volume 4: (Yaoi) (Shout Out Loud!)
Satosumi Takaguchi
Manufacturer: Blu
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598163191
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

Grandmother Tsuzaka drops in on Shino and Nakaya to present them with a portfolio containing information and photos of a potential wife for Shino! She's set on hooking Shino up with Misato, a woman who lost her hubby two years ago and has an adorable five-year-old girl. But Nakaya is dead-set against the idea! Shino faces hiding his love for one person and satisfying the wishes of another. Did the kiss from Tenryu mean anything to him...or was it a mistake?!

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Characters.......2007-05-21

Yaoi fans will fall in love with the characters in this series. Although not full of sex scenes like many books in this genre, you won't miss it in this series.

Excellent Volume 4.......2007-05-12

The story just gets better and better.Developing each characters with care wherein you get this connection with the characters almost.If this was a novel I would buy it and I dont buy novels.I prefer buying instructional books.
Of course this manga is moderate when it comes to the "scene", so for hardcore Yaoi fans might not be satisfied with this one.I am just glad the guys are NOT drawn in a feminine fashion.

An excellent Volume 4. Do not miss this!.......2007-04-06

Oh this series just keeps getting better. Vol 4 is a winner, its story emotionally driven and gripping, yet it has its lighthearted and comical moments too. The interaction among the characters is simply one delightful read and of course above all there is the relationship development between the guys. Shino is such an endearing character. His struggle to be a good father, his agony over his feelings for Tenryu and his regrets over his lost during his youth are some moving and emotional story telling by Takaguchi. And you just have to love Tenryu. He is so cool yet this is the volume where we are shown how much he truly loves Shino. His vulnerability and pain as he thought he has lost Shino really gets to "sappy old" me.
On the other couple Nakaya and his hockey player, I thought the mangaka handle their feelings very well too. And let's not forget Mizusawa, one have to wonder what this talented mangaka has installed for him.
As for Shino and Nakaya, you just have to read Vol 4 to appreciate how well the mangaka handle their fragile yet caring father-son relationship.
Sex is not something I miss in this wonderful series though Vol 4 does have it. I am simply captivated by the gripping story line, the marvellous interaction and the emotional inter-play among the characters.
And this mangaka's artwork is beautiful, her guys are just gorgeous. Tenryu is one handsome seme.

Another Great Installment!.......2007-04-05

I'm totally in love with this series. There's such an intricate dance going on between all the characters and it's absolutely fascinating to watch. It's a pure delight trying to decipher their motivations and how their actions will affect each other. The main character, Shino, is such a sweet guy. My heart goes out to him as he tries to become a father to the teenage son he's just met while trying to make sense of his own life and the opportunities for love that are suddenly coming his way.

The story line is clear, and easy to follow. The drawings are wonderful and so much nicer than one is lead to believe they will be by the cover art. There is actual sex between two of the characters in Vol. 4. It's not explicitly drawn but you definitely know it's happening. All in all this is a truly wonderful, story-driven series. I've already preordered Volume 5!

Average customer rating:

Coming Out Too Short
Remarkable Novel
The Rich Language of Cranes
One word "amazing"
Good first novel

The Lost Language of Cranes: A Novel
David Leavitt
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Page Turner

ASIN: 1582345732
Release Date: 2005-04-14

Book Description

David Leavitt's extraordinary first novel, now reissued in paperback, is a seminal work about family, sexual identity, home, and loss.

Set in the 1980s against the backdrop of a swiftly gentrifying Manhattan, The Lost Language of Cranes tells the story of twenty-five-year-old Philip, who realizes he must come out to his parents after falling in love for the first time with a man. Philip's parents are facing their own crisis: pressure from developers and the loss of their longtime home. But the real threat to this family is Philip's father's own struggle with his latent homosexuality, realized only in his Sunday afternoon visits to gay porn theaters. Philip's admission to his parents and his father's hidden life provoke changes that forever alter the landscape of their worlds.

Customer Reviews:

Coming Out Too Short.......2005-12-07

Fair warning: I'm going to reference the end, or rather lack of ending in this review.

Leavitt is noted for his short stories, so it isn't much of a surprise that "The Lost Language of Cranes" is a short story padded into a novel that in sort of an ironic twist winds up being too short, ending before any of the issues put forth are resolved.

The gist of the story is that Owen and Rose have been married for 27 years, but now they're facing a crisis. Their Manhattan apartment is going co-op forcing them to either buy or move, a predicament I think few outside of New York City really understand. At the same time, Owen has been disappearing for long stretches of some days, especially Sundays. We soon learn he's going to certain X-rated theaters for a little homosexual hanky-panky. Owen is homosexual--always has been--but is trying to keep it from Rose and his son Philip. Although it turns out Philip is also gay, but has been keeping it from Mom and Dad. He gets involved in a serious relationship with Eliot, adopted son of a writer Philip admired. Before long, Philip is "coming out" to his parents, which inadvertantly causes Owen to come out. Mayhem ensues.

When I mentioned this book is padded, in particular is the sidebar story of Eliot's roommate Jerene. She came out to her adopted parents years ago and they soon disowned her. Since then she's been working on a never-ending dissertation until she decides to say the heck with it and work first as a bouncer at a lesbian club and then as a counselor on a gay helpline, which Owen later calls. While her life may serve as comparison or contrast to Philip and Owen, it doesn't contribute a whole lot to the story of Philip, Owen, and Rose.

Most of the writing is good, but some of the dialogue is clumsy. My belief is if anyone in a book or movie says, "I feel..." without being in the presence of a therapist, it's a red flag for poor dialogue. It's not natural for people to say, "I feel like..." in my experience. At other times the characters spouted dialogue that seemed too melodramatic. But with a first novel you can't expect absolute perfection.

Now what really annoyed me about the book is the lack of a decent ending. The book ends with Philip and Owen being outed, but everything is up in the air. We don't know what's going to happen between Owen and Rose; will they stay together? Eliot breaks up with Philip, who soon is spending a lot of time with his friend Brad; are they going to become serious? Not even the issue of the apartment, mentioned so prominently throughout the book is resolved. What good is an ending that doesn't end anything? It feels arbitrary to me. Maybe with a little less padding there would have been more space to focus on more important issues.

Except for some insights into the gay nightlife scene of 1980s New York City, I didn't think this book told me a lot I didn't already know. Mostly I thought it was a bland novel, but a worthy first effort.

Remarkable Novel.......2004-05-12

I read this book for a class, and enjoyed it much more than I ever expected, especially in retrospect. I think it takes a little time to really get into, especially because Leavitt jumps back and forth between the three main characters and storylines, but once you get into the rhythm of the story, you are drawn in. Leavitt does a great character study of Owen, Rose, and Philip, and by the end of the novel, I felt like I knew them. Leavitt has an accessible wrting style, but the book itself is very literary and complex. For a first novel, especially, I think it's exceptional.

The Rich Language of Cranes.......2002-10-12

Author David Leavit writes a brillant novel that I had a hard time putting down. While Phillip is confronting his changing relationship with his lover, Elliot, his father Owen is finally, confronting his homosexuality. Highly recommended. Each character is richly developed and textured, they feel like real people that you know. While the film is good, it uses London as a backdrop rather than the book's all-to-real-modern-urban life set in New York and in the transistion looses something.

One word "amazing".......2002-06-27

Read this book while its still available! Its language is so simple yet it touches you with a ferocity thats unthinkable!
I could relate to every charecter and that was the most freaky part!

The charecters in this book are rich and full of life. The plot is very engaging and what more can one say about a book thats so beautiful it makes you weep with joy!

Bravo Leavitt and the rest of you read it!

Good first novel.......2002-06-03

While not as good as his short stories, and awkward and somewhat amateurish in a few places, this is a good, strong first novel. Ideally I would give this one a 3.5, but since that's not an option, I'll err on the side of generosity. This novel explores coming out, family dynamics, and the selfish yuppie attitudes of the 80s.

Average customer rating:

Daredevil gets outed
Worth reading for the first story
Skip the Movie and Read This!
TODAY'S BEST MAINSTREAM COMIC
Character Driven, Intense Super Hero Tale

Daredevil Vol. 5: Out
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785110747

Customer Reviews:

Daredevil gets outed.......2007-07-27

As the title implies, Matt Murdock is about to experience one of the worst days of his super hero career. In one of the crowning moments of Brian Michael Bendis' run on Daredevil, Daredevil's secret identity is outed by the press as the FBI and criminals alike gather around to make their move. Out is where Bendis really hits his stride on the title and takes Daredevil to heights that haven't been seen since Frank Miller's last runs on the title. His Hell's Kitchen is a gritty, dangerous, dark spot on an otherwise shiny Marvel-ized New York City, and his depiction of Matt Murdock/Daredevil is the most human the character has been in years. Later on, we see Murdock embroiled in a trial as he defends a low rent super hero who was at the wrong place at the wrong time; which plants seeds for further, bigger developments in Bendis' celebrated run on the title. Alex Maleev's artwork is spectacular as well, which has come to be expected if you've read Daredevil at any great length over the past few years. All in all, mainstream super hero comics rarely get any better than this.

Worth reading for the first story.......2005-05-17

For the record, I've never read anything by Bendis that was as good as Alias, which was fantastic, all the way through. I read "Wake Up" first, and I was very impressed, although I wasn't sure that I was getting a clear idea of Bendis' Daredevil, or of Daredevil himself, for that matter, as I have never read a Daredevil book. I picked up Underboss, then, and I enjoyed it enough to want to pick up the next volume.

This trade contains two stories: "Out" and "Trial of the Century." "Out" is fantastic. The idea is daring as hell, and it's handled perfectly. The characters are all completely believable and compelling--particularly, Matt Murdock, Foggy and Ben Urich; the dialogue is fantastic, the story is engaging and Alex Maleev's artwork is perfect. It has the same gritty feel of Michael Gaydos' artwork, and it looks great; figures and facial expressions are all natural, too.

Then there's "Trial of the Century," which was fairly poor. The main problem with it is the artwork, which is ridiculously poor for all of Manuel Gutierrez's issues (parts one and two). It is distorted and ugly; the way that Murdock's hair sticks up alone shows that Gutierrez doesn't have a basic understanding of how gravity works--or how hair works. Murdock looks very much like an alien in some panels.

The third issue, illustrated by Terry Dodson, is much better. It's nowhere near Alex Maleev's artwork, or David Mack's, but it's nice and stylized, and it does have something going for it.

That said, the writing on this one was okay. It wasn't as good as "Out," I think, although I'm sure that the artwork had something to do with how little I enjoyed it, but it wasn't wonderful, either. One thing that I really enjoyed in Alias was the way that Bendis could makes ridiculous characters like Speedball, or Mattie Franklin (Spider-woman III) believable, or even idealized super-heroes like Captain America or Ant-Man (Scott Lang) feel like real, relatable characters.

That doesn't go over with the White Tiger, who seems like a stereotypical hero, most of the way through. The opposing lawyer and the judge both seem like charicatures; there's nothing really impressive here. Still, it's Bendis, and, really, the artwork is probably what hurts the story the most.

Still, four stars because "Out" is so good.

Skip the Movie and Read This!.......2003-04-15

Just a quick glance at the myriad of Daredevil trade paperbacks out there will give some indication of how many permutations this character has gone through. Unfortunately few truly understand the intricacies of the character who can turn into a third-rate ninja in one writer's hands and a cut-rate Spider-man in another's.

Luckily Brian Michael Bendis "gets" Daredevil - much as Miller and Smith have before him. As others have said in their reviews before this one, this is certainly not a conventional superhero tale as it focuses more on Matt Murdock and less on his costumed alter-ego. What appearances there are from the spandex set are limited but very effective. And you have to give credit to ANY writer who can make Mr. Hyde interesting, if only for a few panels.

Two disapointments: 1) The conniving Mr. Silke, who basically sets Murdock up for much of the misery he experiences in these issues, essentially becomes a castrated character barely even appearing in these pages. Perhaps Bendis has something up his sleeve for Silke. I hope so, as this story really wastes his potential.
2) The final third or so of the book is taken up with a White Tiger storyline that is moderately good, but certaily nothing like the Bendis/Maleev stories that precede it.

Bottom Line: The Hollywood screenwriters could learn a LOT from Bendis and Maleev. This is a worthwhile read!

TODAY'S BEST MAINSTREAM COMIC.......2003-03-28

Be warned: This collection may cover Daredevil #32-40, but Daredevil hardly appears at all. There's only a brief appearance by a super-villian, and that's by the fourth-string Mr. Hyde. There are cameos galore, but of the appearances by Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Elektra, Jessica Jones and the White Tiger, only Spider-man does any real "super-heroing". The story doesn't advance or conclude with a big battle royale and a resolve where our hero saves the day and the world is put right, but with...well, find that out for yourself.

This is the best Daredevil storyline since Born Again.

Read Underboss before this to get the full story. In breif: Daredevil's secret identity has been outed by a tabloid newspaper (whose source is also an unconventional surprise). The repercussions are real and, no, there won't be a resolve with both Matt Murdock and someone else disguised as Daredevil appearring in the same place at the same time.

Bendis' strength as a writer of dialogue and creating memorable, vital characters is at its' peak here. Matt Murdock creates his own problems and ruins good opportunities because of his own flaws, not some super-baddie vowing revenge. Maleev's artwork is dark, gritty, moody and somber: an ideal match for Daredevil (and the colors by Matt Hollingworth and even the lettering by Richard Starkings are also well-suited and noteworthy).

Bendis and Maleev as a creative team for daredevil is so effective and evocative because they were both clearly influenced by Frank Miller. However, they are are not just aping Miller, they're embellishing. Their vision for Daredevil will forever change the character and in time may be remembered as just as important as Millers'.

The only drawback is the artwork in the last White Tiger story. It's okay, and it's a good story but without Maleev, it's just not the same, and it would have been really interesting to see what Maleev would have done with the story-line.

Pick this up. It's not just the best mainstream comic today, it may be the best thing in the entire field.

Character Driven, Intense Super Hero Tale.......2003-03-11

Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, faces the worst nightmare for masked adventurer when the front page of the tabloids proclaim to the world that he is Daredevil. His life is upended, the media is camped outside his aprtment and hounding his every mood, and Foggy tells Matt that maybe he should quit. This story plumbs the depth of the character, Matt not Daredevil, and what compels Matt to put on the costume. Very few baddies in this volume, it's all about Matt and Foggy, which isn't a bad thing. Guest appearances include Luke Cage, Jessica Jones (ALIAS), the Black Widow, and Spiderman.

The pencils by alex maleev are incredible. His work constantly improves with each issue of Daredevil he draws. Buy this book. Bendis' best Daredevil story so far.

If this is your first Daredevil book, I suggest picking up "Underboss" before you read this book.

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