Multiples

This book was loaned to me... and it was stolen! I am willing to pay $25 for the book. PLEASE contact me at mrharleybones@aol.com if you can help me!

Stories That Must Not Die is wildly popular with youngsters and their parents here. These are all the stories they've heard from their abuelas. In my library we can't keep it on the shelf, even with multiple copies. It is always checked out.

I really enjoyed reading this book I read this book when I was 11 years old I really like it because it tells you about the mexican legends such as the sobbing woman, dancing with the devil and many more. I also like because my grandma told me about the stories and they are all on this book. It's a really good book.

Each of the five short stories in this book focuses on a single aspect of old age and, collectively, they illustrate the myriad of horrors that plague the elderly.

Though the general theme provides a common thread throughout, the stories themselves do not follow a predictable pattern; the author portrays a variety of situations, some alarmingly real and others perhaps more hypothetical in some future life.

The most eventful and touching tale is "City Life," which places the reader in the very epi-center of a city divided by growth and deterioration. "Reunion" tells a somewhat more mundane story, though one to which nearly every reader will relate. "The Home" moves us into a future world, exposing the implications of a government-mandated lifestyle -- but at the same time uncovering the horrific nursing home situations that currently exist.

The book itself is not full of action-packed drama, nor is it a "feel good" kind of story that will serve as pleasurable reading. The stories are here to serve a purpose, to open our eyes to the issues that confront the elderly. The characters that we meet here could easily be our own mothers and fathers, or even you and I. As our average population continues to grow older, it's important that we try to come to terms with these issues, and the author has accomplished this purpose with his sincerity, clarity, and insight.

This is a poignant and tenderly written set of five short stories about the elderly in our society that brings our attention to the many psychological and medical issues faced by them. We are able to view their concerns, hopes and dreams and and how we in turn respond to them. The book is moving and sensitively written.Each story evoked many different emotions, from laughter to tears. The characters remain with you long after the last page is turned. This is a book you'll want to read again and again and share with others.

This is a wonderful series of five short stories that bring our attention to the issues of the elderly in America. Each story is better than the previous in which we are made to smile, laugh, cry and become very aware of the psychological and physical concerns of the elderly and how we in the U.S. view and respond to them.

I was introduced to this book by a fiction writing teacher to whom I'll always be grateful. It's a fresh, ingenious selection of ritual and sacred poetry from around the world, translated with irreverence and raw attitude. If you're used to the vague New Age-isms of what usually gets thought of as "ritual" and "sacred," pick this up and get a jolt--Rothenberg finds incredibly powerful language in places where it wouldn't occur to most people to look, and he's not afraid of crudeness and hilarity. Amazing stuff. A friend of mine has worn out copies of both the first edition and this one, and I don't blame her.

Back in the 1970s I discovered this book. It became my companion. Its rich poetry, its multitudes of rituals and images have inspired my batiks and paintings for the past thirty years. What variety and life!

As we begin to see this earth suffer the effects of our presence here, these poems -with roots in every continent- speak together of this planet as a sacred place. One perhaps we might still come to treat well. Read a few aloud, sit in your garden this spring and read a Navajo corn song, stir, stir ... This is well researched, carefully and lovingly translated; it should accompany any studies of native cultures worldwide.

As a young Malay I find that we and the British have similar senses of humour. I realy enjoyed this book of 'diplomatic' verse and the funny drawings. Some poems are rather sad in a whimisical kind of way and I wonder if Malaysian diplomats have similar experiences to English ones. I reccommend this volume to anyone wanting to like modern British verse.

This book of poetry although it is very 'British' in its humour it is a very entertaining read for anyone with English as their first language. Touching, witty, thoughtful and well illustrated in cartoon style. A good gift to anyone with a sense of humour

British diplomats letting their hair down in poetry is the basis of this entertaining and at times very moving anthology. Not only the dips but their wives/spouses and children. I really enjoyed the poetry-from classy verse to self deprecating doggerel. The editor has put the poetry in context and the illustrations-almost cartoons-are very striking. The whole volume (hardback) is beautifully presented and the proceeds go to three third world charities. In my view it would make an excellent Xmas present.

This is one of the most beautiful poetry anthologies I have ever read. After I finished reading through it the first time, I read it twice more during the same weekend. The poetry is at turns passionate and serene, and the art works are an added bonus to a beautiful and worthwhile book which leaves you feeling as though the world will, no matter the latest fear or disaster, continue on a path as carefully laid as the stars are placed in the heavens. I highly recommend this anthology.

I truly enjoyed reading this anthology. I own numerous collections of poetry but have never found one that combines poems of such passion with such beautiful art (art that in fact echances the poems). I hope that Kate Farrell will continue to put together such collections of verse as this one. This book containes a number of poems that I remembered reading a long time ago, wanted to read again, but could never find. I am glad that some of my searching has ended. This is a tremendous and admirable achievement. I highly recommend it.

As a writer, I was given this book as a gift by my best friend. It is like no other poetry or art anthology I have seen. The colors, thoughts, images, and ideas combine to form a breathtaking view of life and all its idiosyncrasies. Wisdom shines through the pages. I highly recommend it.

Hewett's powerful command of image and tone leave the reader thirsting for more from this amazing poet. These poems are wonderfully honest, traversing love and complex familial bonds, somewhere between ecstasy and abjection...hot.

If you like your poems lusty and intellectual, with an all-encompassing sense of history, sexuality, and musicality, then buy To Collect the Flesh. A brainy, funny, sexy book.

Greg Hewett's collection is something of an anomaly among contemporary lesbian/gay/bisexual writers. Hewett manages to invite the reader into a very close proximity with the speaker of his poems. But, at the same time, his precision of language maintains the reader's relative closeness to the poems without enmeshing reader and speaker. The reading of Hewett's poems has a way of grounding the reader in the commonness of the experiences described, but manages to avoid the typical Victorian emotional gush in poetry of an autobiographical nature. Because of the accessibility of the poetry and its unique presentation of subject and style, I recommend "To Collect the Flesh" without hesitation.

I had a hard time getting by the very artistic book cover to discover all the jewels that lay inside. The color and artwork were a perfect compliment for a book titled "Undies".
This anthology was written by an obviously talented group of women. I look forward to their next publication.

The poems by the Women's Writing Circle are powerful and elicit a vast array of emotions. These women are so open and speak with an honestly that is shocking at times and touching all the time. They are guaranteed to make you think.

This isn't a book you will read and put down, it's a book you'll pick up to reread often.

Diane Truswell's "Origami" speaks of a life that every woman deserves. It speaks of a metamorphosis that brings beauty, excitment, and joy back to life.

UNDIES is an impressive book of brave poetry. The poems are written in a variety of styles by a diverse and talented group of women. The title poem "Undies," written by Karen Howland will give you new insights into the layers beneath. "Ms. Erotic," also by Karen, is filled with beautiful and unusual words. Perhaps some readers will be able to identify with Sandra Margulius in "Wearing my Victoria" or enjoy Mary Croy's slightly different perspective on "victoria's secret." After reading JoAnn Chang's "Underpants (A Historical Perspective)," I won't ever think of undies the same way again. "Origami," a magical poem by Diane Truswell made me smile as I read about someone who 'threw out her cold, white, functional porcelain underwear' for underwear of burgundy and lime green. Diane's thoughtful poem "Forgotten Candy" is one I won't forget. Faye Quam's "Damn the Censors" made me nod in agreement as she wrote about Brad Pitt making his way into her dreams. I loved the peacefulness and beautiful language of the poems "It snows on Wednesdays" by Janessa Maria-Diego and "the violinist" by J.I. Saenz. This book deserves a wide audience.

UNDIES burns with sensuality, passions revealed, minute insights into what is under, between, and mixed with the layers of women. Each section (Sex-tion): Foundations, Transparent Slips, Briefs, Core-sets, Strapless, and Unmentionables delivers amazing poetry, poetry that singes itself into the memory.

There's telling humor when Sandra Margulius wonders if anyone can "Superman-see" what is going on under her Victoria Secret Bra; in "jockstrapped" Mary Croy's dis-satisfied Athletic Support Staff has canceled its season package; and JI Saenz treats the reader to a great surprise ending in, "I jerk off."

There's the beautiful pain of loss in Karen Howland's brave poem, "Blood Lullabys"; Marisa Rivera unwraps her past in "The Secret."
"Edges," by Thea Kovac, goes where artists go - to places the reader might not know to travel; and in "Los Miercoles Nieva" (It Snows on Wednesdays), bi-lingual poet Janessa Maria-Diego describes seconds of intimacy, "..I feel his skin crying" with the grace of Pablo Neruda. "Underpants (a historical perspective)," is a touching song of generations crooning, "I will keep you safe. I will hold you close."

There are moments of hilarity when Faye Quam relays her sexual frustration dreams, and Diane Truswell struggles with "Penis Panic" in the men's room.

UNDIES is clearly the result of talented, hard-writing poets who, as Karen Howland writes, know "the music of the universe, unfolded words, and undies."

Serita Stevens has edited a collection of mystery stories by masterful authors to benefit Romanian orphans. The plight of these children is well known as many have perished, or suffered severe emotional damaged by "failure to thrive" syndrome. Stevens is herself an adoptive mother, and she has authored the last story in the collection, set in Romania and featuring an adoption.

Marvelous creative imagination is the order of the day, as each story is refreshingly different. The common theme is the "religious twist". My favorite is "Amish Butter," although it's hard to pick a favorite since all the stories are excellently done.

Kudoes to Stevens for a mitzvah---good deed---editing this anthology and helping the Romanian children!

This short story collection is a captivating anthology centering on mysteries that have a religious aspect to them. Some of the stories simply contain religious figures either solving the case or actually committing the crime. Other tales are more mystical with ghosts, a vampire, and even the devil playing key roles.

All eighteen tales share more than just an extremely loose religious connection. Each one is well written, filled with intrigue, and subtly thought provoking. The tales go beyond religion by surprisingly digging into the psyche of humanity as rarely seen in short stories. The authors include many genre top guns like Anne Perry, Dianne Day, Nancy Pickard, and John Lutz, etc., but none of the writers fail the audience, as every story is powerful yet entertaining. UNHOLY ORDERS is ideal relaxation material of a story or two a day for the ultra busy fan during the hectic stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Harriet Klausner

This collection of short stories by world famous authors is great and the best thing is that the proceeds from it go to help the Romanian orphans at Hugs and Hopes...I hope you will all buy this book and help us.

Uno is an eclectic collection of very thoughtful and well done new contemporary poetry. Comrades Press does a big service for all of us by recognizing and publishing the new and emerging writers who will one day be remembered in literature classes and well known volumes of poetry. This is truly a pleasure to read --whether you read a poem here or there, or read most of the coellection in one sitting on a rainy day. I'm very impressed with its quality.

I was pleasantly surprised when my copy of Uno arrived through the letterbox. There is a wide range of poetry included in the book and yet it holds together as a collection extremely well. Some names I recognised such as Lyn Lifshin, Larry Jaffe, Richard Denner and John Bennett but there a lot of poets inside these covers that I had never been exposed to before. I was particularly taken by the poems of Deborah Swain, Claudine Moreau, Allyson Kallea Bogges and Adrienne Lee, they write well crafted poems that have interesting ideas, occasionally I was left thinking "I wish I'd written that" which is always the sign of a good poem. The great thing about anthologies such as this one are that they are source books for further reading. If you find a poet that you like then you can go looking for more of their work. I do wonder if, by reading this book, I am participating in the birth of some of the big names in poetry of the future...Overall, a very satisfying read.

Thanks to the open-minded eclecticism of Comrades Press editor Verian Thomas, in UNO we find 75 poets of varying styles under one cover. Buy this book - it's a richly satisfying read and proof that contemporary poetry is alive and kicking in the 21st century!

This poetry anthology shows the purest of writing from the Appalachian region's best poets. All of the poets featured in the book had been previously published. My favorite poem of course...is the one that inspired the title of the book!

REVIEW: Wild Sweet Notes Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry 1950-1999, 418 pages Publisher's Place, Inc., Huntington, W. Va. www.publishersplace.org

Today, for many people, home is a state of mind. Home of the past and the home of the future. "Wild Sweet Notes," Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry l950-1999, edited by Barbara Smith and Kirk Judd is a literary treasure for not only West Virginians and others of the Appalachian region, but for readers of poetry and prose of any geographic locale. This collection contains a rich texture where universal themes are rendered with evocative voices.

The editors are to be complimented on their artful selections and placement of this diverse range of poetry and bringing together a cohesive book of superb quality. Certainly, the pride of West Virginia comes through; and as a West Virginian, I feel there is much to celebrate with this publication. The writers represented cry out on issues that are all about humanity.

The word "confluence" comes to mind--a word that the late Willie Norris used to describe his world of the South. Yes, there is a confluence in this collection where the personal becomes public and the public becomes personal because of the intense commitment to the landscape, family, and friends. A strong appreciation exists for what money can't buy--the feeling that a person is a part of something larger than the self.

Several of these writers have a national reputation as poets and as writers of fiction and nonfiction. However, every writer represented in this book is equally worthy and deserves the highest praise and recognition. Reading this book you say to yourself, "One is as outstanding as the other." When I studied creative writing with Lester Goran (Isaac Singer's translator) at the University of Miami, Goran repeatedly said, "The arts are not about a democratic process." It took a few years of experience writing and submitting my work to appreciate his words. Thus, I believe in giving equal tribute and praise when deserved, and I particularly feel this way in regard to this anthology.

Striking images appear in the late David Jarvis' poems that breathe with keen observation and emotion. I have a bias for what he created having read his chapbook, The Born Again Tourist. Jarvis' work leaves much for the reader to complete in his or her own mind. It is the same kind of feeling that I have when I view a Walker Evans photograph. Following is an excerpt:

Sometimes I hear them call my name at night.

Why do they make me wear these chains

And stake me to this land,

Land stained with their sweat and blood

And rich with their bones

This faceless choir that's chanting now from mountaintops

An ageless aria that penetrates the rock

And writes through hollows

Where streams rush like their ancient bloodlines. ***

Joseph W. Caldwell's, "BELLS ON PARCHMENT CREEK" resonates with an immediacy of the kind that lasts for decades, and you sense it will be handed down to the next generation as an historical document. Excerpts of the first and last stanzas are as follows. (Stanzas two and three are extraordinary in lending to the development of this poem but are omitted here because I believe it is unfair to reveal too much in a review).

ON THAT FEBRUARY MORNING

DINNER BELLS SURGED AND SWELLED ALONG THE CREEK

CARRYING SHARPLY IN THIN AIR,

SENDING THE WORD SOMETHING

HAD HAPPENED AT THE HANNING FARM.

EIGHTY-NINE YEARS LATER

SHE RETELLS THIS STORY

ABOUT A MOTHER SHE HARDLY KNEW,

AND THE BELLS STILL TOLLING.

Barbara Smith's Apple Pie Dying has a personal quality, the kind of a reflective conversation where, as the reader, you feel she is conversing with you and sharing intimate thoughts. She causes you to pause and think about your own life. An excerpt of the first stanza is as follows:

How I wish I had been with her

As she measured the flour and the salt,

Cut in the shortening

And sprinkled on water,

Baling the dough,

Rolling it out, lifting it--

Peeling the applies, slicing them

Spicing them and crimping the crust,

Listening to Paul Harvey or Cokie Roberts

Or Oprah in the background,

Mopping the floor and changing the beds,

Filling the birdfeeder while the pastries were baking,

Then cooling, then being basketed and backseated

And on to the church.

In Wilma Stanley Acree 's "At Honanki," she takes you on a journey with her where you examine the vastness of space and time--understanding that which flees and what still remains. An excerpt from the first stanza is as follows:

At Honanki (the Badger House)

the guide,

Arizona Hopi face

framed by gray braids,

leans against the red cliffs,

points at the pictograph, and recites, "This is

Kokopelli,

the Sinagua symbol

of fertility,

fertility of soil,

of woman,

of action and thought.

See the raindrops he scatters."

One of the most compelling pieces I have ever run across on the importance and the beauty of the written words comes in Grace Cavalieri's poem entitled Letter. This will be a piece that I will read at my writing workshops at The New School, in New York City where I teach. Excerpts are as follows:

If you ask what brings us here,

starting out of our lives

like animals in high grass,

I'd say it was what we had in common

with the others--the hum of a song we

believe in which can't be heard,

the sound of our own

luminous bodies rising just behind the hill,

the dream of a light which won't go out,

and a story we're never finished with.

We talk of things we cannot comprehend

so that you'll know about

the inner and the outer world which are the same.

Someone has to be with us in this,

and if you are, then,

you know us best. And I mean all of us

the deer who leaves his marks behind him

in the snow, the red fox moving through the woods.

The poetry and prose that is here is accessible and creative in form. This book can serve many purposes--the main one for the pure and simple joy found in reading. It also makes a lovely gift, which is how I came to know this book. It was given to me as a birthday gift from my brother, Sam Kessell, and Larry Halsted. They also happen to be friends with the late David Jarvis' brother. A West Virginia heritage is like that--we find one another, one way or the other, sooner or later. On another level,"Wild Sweet Notes," has tremendous academic and historical value, which can make a strong contribution in an academic setting. The voices are authentic, direct, and powerful. They serve as excellent examples of fine writing in terms of language and form.

--Reviewed by Mary Sue Kessell Rosen

Bio: I teach writing workshops The New School in New York City (An Essay Writing Workshop and The Bloodroot of Our Voices Workshop, a multi genre course).

Wild Sweet Notes: Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry leaves me in awe of the poetic achievements of West Virginia writers. Rarely does a poetry collection read as compellingly as a novel and possess the same power to hold a reader so strongly in its grip that it is nearly impossible to put the book down. But Wild Sweet Notes accomplishes this and more and in the process reveals that West Virginia is not an intellectual and cultural black hole but rather a place where poetry is a natural and necessary response to life in a harsh, unyielding and sometimes strange place. These poets could all be Welsh given the way they see and feel and touch their world and let it touch them; the way they use language and the music of words to capture the experience of the mines and miners, the black and barren waste of land and men, the mystery of the back-woods hollows and mountains and people who live there, the dreams of the young and the memories of the aged. West Virginia surprises the visitor in many ways - its beauty, its drama, the tenacity and strength of its people, its landscape where nature nurtures and destroys. It is a land where appearances are illusions, where the man who runs the little roadside grocery could have the wisdom of a sage and the heart of a poet. But who would know it from his rumpled clothes, his weathered face and gnarled hands, except perhaps by looking into his eyes and reading what they have to say. Wild Sweet Notes is not a simplistic down-home collection of local poetry, but rather a universal journey through time, the mind, landscapes, essences, and the enduring spirit of people and a place so little known, so misrepresented and so misunderstood. Few poetry collections are as satisfying, moving, enlightening and rewarding as Wild Sweet Notes.