A World in a Grain of Sand

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Recent Reads

April 4, 2008 · 2 Comments

Fiction

 Just read Patry Francis’ The Liar’s Diary,

And Blood Mask.

Primal fears and unrestrained yearnings lead to decadence and possibly murder in Blood Mask, a suspense novel written by Joyce Carol Oates under the pseudonym Lauren Kelly. Tight intimacy with the protagonist. Seamlessly mastered storytelling. Grief, vulnerability, passion, longing.

“Blood Mask paralyzes to the end.” –Roanoke Times

 

Currently, still listening to an audiotape of Shalimar the Clown, by Salman Rushdie. Enjoying many individual scenes. If I was working through the book, I don’t think I would still be reading it. But hearing a little here or a little there in the car works since Rushdie has written interconnected and engaging narratives of different people and different times.

I’m amazed at the talent of Joyce Carol Oates. I will continue to study her work, especially her thrillers under pseudonyms. These are not typical thrillers. But for writers, these books share so much skill, mastery and sheer voice. They are tight, concise without any word or punctuation wasted.

What are you reading? Any recommendations?

Categories: Writing
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2 responses so far ↓

  • oh // April 6, 2008 at 10:32 am

    I’m reading GRACE by Anne Lamott, also a mystery series I just happened to pick off the shelf (lead character is a mid-wife in turn-of-the-century NYC) , trying to catch up on my magazines, including GRANTA, and also SPUNK AND BITE.
    But could I use a good old current novel, something light and funny? Yes, probably. Oh, yeah, and more time to read!!!

    I applaud you for reading Rushdie; I never have and so will add him to my B&N shopping list. And I, too, have mucho admiration for Miss Oates. I don’t know how she knows all the many things she does and so fluently transmits it on paper.
    I just finished reading her book about writing – THE FAITH OF A WRITER: LIFE, CRAFT, ART. And learned a few things. So, yeah, that’s my recommendation, I think.

    Next? I think I’ll start Doris Lessing’s THE GOLDEN NOTEBOOK.

  • Laurie Cosbey // April 6, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Thanks, oh.
    Wow, what a list. I’ll have to check some of those out.
    I’ve been wanting to get Spunk and Bite: intriguing title.
    Like you, I recommend The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art. I pick it up every once in a while for inspiration and to enjoy the flow of her words.
    Happy Reading,
    Laurie

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