Novel Reflections at Fifty: Two Reviews

I could probably write a mini-thesis paper comparing and contrasting these two library books - Once Upon a Time, There Was You by established author Elizabeth Berg, and Searching for Tina Turner by newcomer Jacqueline E. Luckett.

First up: Elizabeth Berg tends to be a surefire good steady read. She has a nice manner, strong voices, and her plots move along pleasantly. In this book, we meet John and Irene, both long divorced from each other but connected by their eighteen year-old daughter, Sadie. The adults are in their fifties, seeking out new loves/companionship, are set in their ways, conflicted about their own childhoods, and worried about the future. Sadie's in love with Ron but she hasn't introduced him to either parent. In a rather abrupt few chapters, Sadie is briefly kidnapped. The trauma of this event snowballs emotions, conflicts, and catapults the plot for all concerned.

I enjoyed Berg's story, but felt she glossed over the kidnapping sequence. Sadie was gone and then bam, she was back but married. Whoa! Her parents are concerned over her wellbeing and thought process and rightly so. And yet, when John and Irene married, was it truly for love or just an inevitable fate? Each character is flawed and Berg is very good at picking at the scabs and then cleaning wounds. Once Upon a Time, There Was You is a thought-provoking read with well drawn characters. Despite the characters' issues, you'll enjoy working through their problems with Berg.



Searching for Tina Turner is a sassy, fun read. This book explores the world of successful African American characters in their fifties. Lena and Russell are at the peak of success. He's worked his butt off to earn big bucks and a title. Russell asked Lena to forego her photography career to back him up. Now, Lena's looking to Tina Turner for inspiration. Is she willing to start over with the clothes on her back, her career and talents, and re-discover herself, rather than be in the shadow of a man? A man with affairs and an attitude, at that.

Big questions and at age fifty, it's really tough to start over. The body isn't perfect anymore, everyone has some baggage, and some of it is dragging on the floor. Jacqueline E. Luckett has created characters to root for and her sense of humor is superb.

This is an enjoyable read about serious issues. Lena runs into an old flame, but is she ready to jump back into a fire pit - a rich man with opinions? Lena comes from a strong loving family. Her mother wants her to mend fences with Russell, not rock the boat. Lena's sister encourages her to jump ship and be herself. Lena's daddy in heaven hovers - he was the beloved rock of the family.

I enjoyed Searching for Tina Turner immensely. It reminded me of Terry McMillan's writing and that's a compliment. Strong female characters in real life situations. Humor, style, and sass.

It makes reading fun.

Go Mavericks

Early June, hot as blue blazes, and I'm floating a lot in the pool. Reading and writing and sports are all encompassing in this household. Generally the boys of summer, Texas Rangers baseball, predominate. However, the Dallas Mavericks extended their post season streak and are in the NBA Finals. Not only that but tonight they could win it all over the Miami Heat (boo hiss).

Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas center and quietly humble superstar, has proven his mettle. He's led the team, been a class act, and should earn Player of the Series, in my book. I'm not the best fan and don't watch every second. Too many time outs and fouls annoy me. Just play the game, people. However, I root for the Mavericks and Dirk. They fill the time honored tradition of underdog, and their story requires more page turning. I can only hope it's a satisfying conclusion.

Go Mavs!

Rejection: Go Jump in the Lake

He is most powerful who has power over himself - Seneca the Younger

Yeah, but, writers must defer to the almighty, all powerful editor and his/her ability to give a thumbs up or down. Acceptances and rejections ebb and flow like the tides. I send out my goodies with lovely cover letters, praise for journals, and the abject desire to be selected for a publication.

However, too often it's a quick thanks, but no thanks.

Sometimes, it's nicer - I liked your poems, but not enough to publish them. They were a little too literal for my taste (but that is a matter of taste). I can accept that and it does give me something to work with in regards to my poetry.

For a recent flash - our first readers read your story with interest, but in the end didn't love it enough to send it to the second round. Well, darn. What if I begged and pleaded?

Getting published is a huge game. I have to improve my craft and provide the editor/reader with a treat. It's also subjective - a matter of timing. Hit the right person on the right day with the right piece for the mood.

I chuckled at a WSJ interview (4/29/11) with singer Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane). In regards to American Idol she said she, "loves the show but no way could I be a judge. I have no middle ground. I'm a buzzer or a gong, far more negative than a Simon Cowell."

In another piece (3/16/11), Mr. Eddie Rabin has been playing piano for singing auditions for over thirty years. He said he can tell within three bars if a performer has what it takes. I"m sometimes tempted to say "Kid, you haven't got it." But it's not my place. And I figure they'll find out for themselves in a few years.

There are days when the rejections seem to pour in and I'm ready to jump in the lake. But then, sunshine and glory (the ding in the Inbox) announces an acceptance, and I'm once again validated as a writer. Type, type, type and roll press ... for a few more years.

the Monster in the Box: Fun Read

Summer time - I need poolside reads to keep the brain keen, not melted mush in the Texas heat. Ruth Rendell's Monster in the Box was a wonderful find in the last death throes of the local Borders. I had heard her author name, but never read any of her work. Now I'm hooked.

We meet Inspector Wexford under sad circumstances. A recent murder causes him to reflect on an early murder in his career and a particularly evil suspect named Targo. The short, muscular man wearing a scarf to hide a birthmark is wily. Wexford is positive Targo has been deliberately flaunting his seeming innocence and daring Wexford to accuse him. It seems Targo kills people who he feels others have deemed trouble in their lives. It's as if he thinks he has permission and can justify the strangling.

p.1 None of it could be proved, not the stalking, not the stares, the conspiratorial smiles, not the killings, not any of the signs Targo had made because he knew that Wexford knew and could do nothing about it..

Rendell's writing does not involve explicit gory details. The deliciousness of her book is in the characters, the cat and mouse game, and some missing persons essential to the investigation. All the while, the stoic inspector trusts his gut, and we trust him too, to track down the guilty party - deal with the Monster in the Box.

Marriage Angst: By Nightfall Book Review

By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham is an insightful look at a married couple, Peter and Rebecca Harris. Both are in their forties, have careers (he an art dealer, she an editor), a college age daughter in Boston, and both are questioning their lives.

With the arrival of her much younger brother, Ethan (aka Mizzy), who's been in and out of rehab, seemingly intelligent and yet unmotivated, Peter and Rebecca begin to turn on each other, full of doubts as to their joint goals and love.

Cunningham, author of The Hours, has a smooth spare style. He ingratiates the reader and draws us in to lives and thoughts. We like the characters and at the same time, we question their life choices. He sets his scenes well: p.169 The train from Grand Central Station to Greenwich runs through a morass of exurbia that, let's just say, one would want to conceal from a visiting extraterrestrial.

He evokes emotion: p. 196 Beauty - the beauty Peter craves - is this, then: a human bundle of accidental grace and doom and hope.

Finally, he gives keen observations on life today: p. 234: Isn't it the way? We build palaces so that younger people can break them up, pillage the wine cellars and pee off the tapestry-draped balconies.

Michael Cunningham's sure hand writes an evocative tale of married life. By Nightfall is a bit angsty and yet, I rooted for Peter and Rebecca and the redemption of their marriage.

International Press: Live in China

My boss returned from two weeks in China. He had a fabulous time and came back very impressed by the energy of the people. I've enjoyed his travel tales and asked many questions as to his encounters. We did talk about newspapers and the reporting. Each day he bought the China Daily and the Global Times (both English editions). He followed our weather here in DFW, the tornadoes in Joplin, MO, US economic news, and global updates.

I perused the papers last night (with the admonition to bring them back to work). Well written, thorough reporting, very neutral perspective, and an eye-opener to me. I definitely had the wrong impression, in thinking news would be very censored and repressed. On the contrary. Editorials covered a variety of subjects and were critical on issues like water, energy, economic issues, etc. If not for the Chinese names, I could have been reading a U.S. paper.

Power to the press. Enlightenment, indeed.

Rock of Ages: Musical Feast

Combine music with words and I'm in heaven. I love the theater. If I lived in New York City, I'd be Broadway poor. All of my time and money would be blown on theater tickets. However, it's quite pricey and so I dole out my meager allowance on some touring productions.

Dallas/Fort Worth is fortunate. It has excellent venues - Meyerson Symphony Hall, Bass Hall, old favorite The Majestic, and now new favorite Winspear Opera House. Forget Fair Park Music Hall. Never say never, but I vow to never fork out dough for their crappy acoustics and bad sight lines.

Back to the Winspear. Ray and I enjoyed a touring production of Rock of Ages and it was a blast from the past.

The original Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis (formerly on American Idol) starred as Drew, janitor of a bar/music hall who dreams of playing in a rock band. Sherrie (Elicia MacKenzie) is the girl from Nebraska who dreams of being an actress. The show is about dreams, and boy meets girl, falls in love, loses girl, re-discovers dreams, and ultimately gets the girl. Trust me, you know this from the very first song and are willing to go along for the ride. The nifty part of the mismash is if you lived through 80s rock, you'll know all of the tunes and rock cliches. You'll hum along, feel the love, and C'mon Feel the Noise.
The narrator, Lonny (Patrick Lewallen) has a great voice, sense of humor, and keeps the musical rolling along. We loved our gal, Oh Sherrie. (Yes, Drew sings this Journey anthem and we feel the longing.) Indeed, Elicia MacKenzie was a bright light in this show. Her voice on Harden My Heart was stirring.

More songs kept the cast wailing and the audience rocking - Can't Fight This Feeling, Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Heat of the Moment, Here I Go Again, I Wanna Rock, Nothin' But a Good Time, Sister Christian, Wanted Dead or Alive, and so on. Nothing wrong with using a classic frame, classic music, and creating entertainment.

All in all, it was a foot stomping, laser light, rock 'n roll fist pump.