Web Exclusive Reviews: 3/22/2010
Publishers Weekly Staff
Mar 22, 2010
NONFICTION
The Boy Who Would Be Shakespeare: A Tale of Forgery and Folly
Doug Stewart. DaCapo, $24.95 (224p) ISBN 9780306818318
William Henry Ireland was an unassuming law clerk in Georgian England when he
seemingly stumbled on the greatest literary find of his generation-a chest of
documents in the home of an unnamed patron, full of Shakespeare's receipts,
private letters, and a draft of an unpublished play. This find brought fame and
notoriety to Ireland and his father, Samuel, a collector with a low opinion of
his son. Soon, however, that fame turned to ignominy when it is was revealed
that Ireland's Shakespearean trove was entirely fabricated; perhaps even more
tragic was Samuel's unwillingness to believe his son had the talent to execute
the forgery. Stewart's exhaustively researched examination of the Irelands'
rise and fall is as entertaining as it is informative; modern readers,
accustomed to Shakespeare's place of reverence, will be surprised to learn how
ignorant Georgian England was of his work. Where Stewart's research truly
shines is in accessing Ireland's human motivations-his desire for approval and
artistic legitimacy, not profit, distinguishes him from other cons, making him
neither wholly despicable nor pitiable. History and literary enthusiasts will
be delighted with this smart investigation into a high-minded hoax. (Apr.)
Cheesemonger: A Life on the Wedge
Gordon Edgar. Chelsea Green, $17.95 (256p) ISBN 9781603582377
Beginning with the Antique Gruyere that awoke his sleeping palate to the
wonders and possibilities of cheese, professional cheesemonger Edgar recounts
the path that landed him behind the cheese counter of a San Francisco co-op.
Armed with a healthy disdain for pretentiousness and a liberal attitude rooted
in punk rock and activism, Edgar provides engaging, illuminating essays on the
intricacies of cheese and its production-from milk to the use of hormones to
methods of farming-as well as profiles of well-known varieties; he even makes
room for oft-maligned American Cheese (Edgar himself was raised on Velveeta and
Kraft Singles), as well as entertaining digressions on crazy customers.
Unfortunately, Edgar's asides can irritate as often as they inform, repeating
his thoughts on issues like the logistics of food cooperatives and challenges
facing the nation's milk producers. Edgar's passion for the subject, including
its politics and social implications, is unassailable, and should give readers
a new perspective on their favorite wedge of fromage. The book works best as a
bulletin from the front lines, rather than a guide to distinguishing Cashel
from Maytag Blue; it should prove most interesting to locavores, fellow
cheesemongers, and those interested in the U.S. food industry. (Mar.)
Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond
Heist in History
Scott Andrew Selby and Greg Campbell. Sterling/Union Square, $24.95 (336p)
ISBN 9781402766510
Two experts on diamonds-Selby wrote his master's thesis on them, Campbell
authored
Blood Diamonds: Tracing the
Deadly Path of the World's Most Precious Stones-turn in a top-notch
true-crime read while dissecting the plot, the payoff, and the post-op
investigation of a group of professional thieves who ripped off a supposedly
impregnable vault in Antwerp, the heart of the world's diamond trade. As Selby
and Campbell probe the personalities and mechanics behind the 2003 heist,
readers will learn plenty about diamonds, their value and handling, the
ubiquitous black market, the history of De Beers, the intricacies of insurance,
and the safeguards (or lack thereof) meant to secure a constant flow of cut and
uncut diamonds. Readers will also become familiar with the elite fraternity of
thieves determined to carry out the impossible crime, known as the "School of
Turin," and it's hard not to root for them. The minutiae of the preparation,
the drama of the robbery, and the details of the investigation are all equally
fascinating, supplying myriad surprises all the way through the machinations of
the Belgium justice system (even now, the loot is still at large). Like a
diamond, this true-life caper is clear, colorful, and brilliant. 24 b&w
illus.
(Feb.)Lift
Kelly Corrigan. Hyperion, $16.99 (96p) ISBN 9781401341244
Penned as a letter to her two young daughters, the latest from author Corrigan
is an attempt to illuminate their particular relationship ("I want to put down
on paper how things started with us"), and an ambitious, inspirational meditation
on parenthood in general. A slim volume, it perhaps suffers for its brevity but
recounts engagingly events like Corrigan and her husband's decision to start a
family, and baby Claire's bout with viral meningitis, "the beginning of how I
came to know what a bold and dangerous thing parenthood is." She also examines
the gifts all mothers hope to present their kids: "a decent childhood, more
good memories than bad, some values, a sense of a tribe, a run at happiness."
Fans of Corrigan's
The Middle Place, a memoir of her fight with cancer,
will welcome the return of figures like Corrigan's father, Greenie, and should
appreciate her wistful but down-to-earth thoughts on parenthood. Newcomers
might be less inspired, but should appreciate Corrigan's charm and honesty.
(Mar.)
A Tale of Two Mailers
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In new memoirs, two close personal friends of Norman Mailer remember the literary lion very differently.
Loving Mailer Carole Mallory. Phoenix, $22.95 (262p) ISBN 9781607477150
Writer-model-actress Mallory provides a titillating account of her
not-so-secret life with late, legendary author Norman Mailer, beginning in 1983
when the Hollywood starlet met Mailer at literary hotspot Elaine's. It was
hardly love at first sight: their first time, Mallory thinks of Humpty Dumpty,
while Mailer coos lines like "Take off your panties. I want to experience your
soul." Mallory and Mailer maintained a long, tempestuous relationship-he called
her "each week...for nine years"-that revolved around sex and writing. Mailer was
a strict mentor, but Mallory benefited from his association, publishing
extensively during their time together. Mallory harbored the notion that she
might become Mailor's seventh wife, "because of the way Norman made love to me,"
but ultimately concluded that Mailer would not leave his sixth wife because "she
knew things about Norman that he did not want revealed," including his possible
bisexuality. Unfortunately, Mallory's whining and armchair psychoanalysis
quickly wears through reader goodwill; by the time Mailer leaves Mallory in
September 1991, it's impossible to work up any sympathy, though Mailer fans won't
be surprised by the literary legend's personal shortcomings. (Apr.)
Mornings with Mailer: A Recollection of Friendship Dwayne Raymond. Harper Perennial, $13.99 paper (352p) ISBN 9780061733598
In 2003, hard at work and happily ensconced at his home in Provincetown, Mass.,
Norman Mailer invited young writer Raymond, a casual acquaintance, to become
his assistant, beginning a relationship that would change Raymond's life and
ease the end of the literary icon's. Raymond's responsibilities were varied,
including researcher, cook, critic, and technology liaison, enabling him to
catalog Mailer's idiosyncrasies in work and home life ("He would suggest I buy
the best possible wine for dinner guests and then ask me to make sure we had
plenty of Hershey's Bars"). Raymond was clearly enchanted with Mailer, and this
intimate but respectful look at Mailer's life is entirely free of mudslinging;
Mailer is portrayed as a devoted husband (to sixth wife Barbara), and an
indulgent father. Through devoted eyes, Mailer emerges a witty, hard-working,
tragic figure: discussing the Norman Mailer Society, he complains that "most
authors are dead who have these societies. I feel slightly pushed ahead."
Raymond also captures the sobering moments of a legend approaching its end,
including a particular moving scene in which the extended family gathers around
Mailer in a hospital room, passing around a clandestine rum cocktail. (Feb.)
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The Lunatic Express: Discovering the
World...Via Its Most Dangerous Buses, Boats, Trains and Planes
Carl Hoffman. Broadway, $24.99 (304) ISBN 9780767929806
Travel and technology journalist Hoffman (
Hunting
Warbirds) had two motives for penning this tour of the world's most
life-threatening modes of transportation, including trains in India, buses in
South America, and trucks in Afghanistan: to expose the "parallel reality,"
obscured by the tourism industry, of millions for whom "travel was still a
punishing, unpredictable, and sometimes deadly work of travail"; and for
thrills. By the first measure-showing how much of the world gets from place to
place-Hoffman is commendably fascinating: his depiction of the horrors people
endure just to see family members or get to work is unforgettable.
Unfortunately, Hoffman's secondary motive dominates much of the ruminating
prose, and it's hard to sympathize with his middle-aged family-man angst when
he's subjecting his teenage daughter to a 24-hour ride across South American
mountains in a bus with no bathroom. Elsewhere, a powerful description of the
Indian train system segues into a tepid quasi-love affair. Readers with the
patience to avoid some self-indulgent side-tracks will find much to reconsider
during their next tough commute.
(Mar.)Mother Jones: Raising Cain and
Consciousness
Simon Cordery. Univ. of New Mexico, $21.95 (248p) ISBN 9780826348104
A key organizer in the early American union movement of the late 1800s, Mother
Jones encouraged many groups of American workers to stand up for their rights
in the face of larger-than-life foes like Carnegie and Rockefeller, becoming a
powerful symbol in her own time as well as in the civil rights movements of the
1960s and '70s. Author and professor Cordery (
British Friendly Societies, 1750-1918) has produced an exhaustive
biography of Mary Harris Jones, drawn mostly from her own testimonials and
primary source accounts of her work-which the activist-agitator didn't begin
until her sixties. Cordery is quick not to take Jones's words at face value-her
commitment was to the cause, not to truth-but his reportorial rigor takes a lot
of steam out of the proceedings, making for a scandalously dry narrative about
a figure central to some very
interesting times. 22 b&w illus.
(Mar.)Playing in the Unified Field: Raising
and Becoming Conscious, Creative Human Beings
Carla Hannaford. Great River (Midpoint, dist.), $16.95 paper (256p) ISBN
9780915556397
In this scientific self-help, educator and biologist Hannaford (
Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your
Head) uses research into atoms, photons, and earth fields to illuminate the
capacity for and importance of living in the moment. She also explores the
power of chronic stress to limit us, the overuse of prescription drugs for
depression, and the proven effectiveness of therapies like exercise, community,
and listening to music. Every chapter is heavy on science theory, propelled by
Hannaford's sure voice and enthusiasm, and all focused toward revealing the
everyday reality of human consciousness and relationships. Science, it turns
out, can turn some of our most basic ideas on their heads and provide the basis
for seemingly extra-sensory phenomena; for instance, the electromagnetic fields
generated by the heart and brain extend outside the body, and can influence the
mental and emotional states of those around us. Hannaford explains how
scientific research continues to expand upon, rather than circumsribe, the
potential of human consciousness, broadening horizons for all kinds of human
experience.
(Mar.)
Political Awakenings: Conversations with History
Harry Kreisler. New Press, $17.95 paper (304p) ISBN 9781595583406
For more than 25 years, the University of California's Kreisler has been
conducting hour-long interviews with "the distinguished men and women who pass
through Berkeley on a daily basis" for a series he calls "Conversations with
History." In this remarkable collection, Kreisler selects 20 converations,
spotlighting some of the most important activists, academics, and journalists
of our generation, including Elizabeth Warren, Michael Pollan, Tariq Ali,
Howard Zinn, and Oliver Stone. Having honed his craft over decades, Kreisler
poses provocative, open-ended questions leagues deeper than typical sound
bite-centered journalism. While discussion ranges from apartheid with Justice
Albie Sachs to the Iranian revolution with Nobel Peace Prize-winning lawyer
Shirin Ebadi, Kreisler also investigates the formative experiences of each
subject. Offering insight into world events, as well as the life and career
paths of those who work for change, this study in the art of thoughtful dissent
should fascinate anyone interested in activism and world events, especially new
and soon-to-be graduates.
(Mar.)The Sensitive Liberal's Guide to Life:
How to Banter with Your Barista, Hug Mindfully, and Relate to Friends who
choose Kids over Dogs
An Uptight Seattleite. Gotham, $15 paper (224p) ISBN 9781592405299
More than a spoof of politically correct mores, this enhanced collection of
satirical advice columns from the
Seattle
Weekly is packed with laugh-out-loud social commentary. Each themed chapter
("Diversity," "Relationships," "Doggies!") includes a number of Q&A entries
submitted by readers (and a few supposedly sourced from the author's own office).
The unnamed Seattleite tramps down the eggshell-lined path of standard liberal
political correctness, turning cultural sensitivity on its head at every
opportunity-from finding gifts for the "differently privileged" ("your office
intern [who] is from an at-risk youth program") to dealing with people involved
in a "church-based mind-control program." He also encourages animal equanimity,
suggesting dog owners take on the role of "a fellow creature who just happens
to have all the food," and includes plenty of brief goodies like "Jottings from
my Moleskine," sensitivity exercises ("spend the day in a post-verbal realm"),
and strategies for passing on his wisdom ("artfully" help out a colleague sporting
a toilet paper tail by recounting an ancient myth about Mayan lesbians). The
Seattleite's dry voice and zany humor make this a wickedly addictive read for
anyone sick of excessive Lefty thought-policing. 20 b&w illus.
(Mar.)
Treading Softly: Paths to Ecological Order
Thomas Princen. MIT,
$22.95 (206p) ISBN 9780262014175
Rejecting the "tried-and-true path" as well as the promise of high-tech
innovation, University of Michigan professor Princen (
Confronting Consumption) makes an impassioned and illustrative plea
for radical societal transformation, from consumerism to sustainability. Taking
issue with a stripe of environmentalist and progressive thinker, like Thomas L.
Friedman, anticipating a quick fix (high-tech or otherwise) to retrofit the
existing, growth-based consumer economy, Princen rejects the idea of endless
growth, which defies all laws of logic and physics: "A system that grows
endlessly crashes... unendingly increasing consumption cannot continue on a
finite planet." Looking to historical economic reversals, like the upheaval
that occurred after slavery was abolished or the plummeting popularity of
cigarettes, Princen argues that society must dethrone the "sovereign consumer"
and adopt the ethos of sacrifice if it is to survive. Practically, many more
people need to overcome widespread alienation from the natural world by
prioritizing community over profit, becoming direct producers of goods, and
adapting better to the rhythms (and limits) of nature; ideas include an
intermittent electricity supply, season-appropriate availability of many foods,
and communities that are largely self-sufficient. Genuinely provocative, this
book challenges practices and theories sacred to both sides of the ecology
debate.
(Mar.)Willful Neglect: The Dangerous Illusion
of Homeland Security
Charles S. Faddis. Globe Pequot/Lyons, $24.95 (204p) ISBN 9781599219066
Author and CIA counterterrorism veteran Faddis (
Beyond Repair) opens his latest salvo against the state of homeland
security by detailing a surprise attack that cost more than 2,000 American
lives, the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor; even worse, he contends, was the
complacency that permitted successful "follow-on attacks" a full eight hour
later, and for several days after, in the Philippines. Faddis finds the
aftermath of 9/11 a bitter reminder of the 60-year-old failure to react
effectively: over eight years, the U.S. has spent billions making the
Department of Homeland Security the largest federal department in history, but
effective new security measures are nearly nonexistent. Instead, the department's
work includes a $200,000 grant for a tiny Alaskan fishing village 300 miles
from the nearest major population center; and $160,000 for eight plasma screen televisions
in Montgomery, Maryland. Meanwhile, many municipal railways, chemical plants,
liquid natural gas terminals, and even military installations remain entirely
vulnerable; in the case of a well-rehearsed, well-timed attack, the potential
for casualties far exceeds those of 9/11. Faddis is a passionate and
fully-informed advocate for effective and responsible security, and his
analytical survey is a valuable clarion call for anyone involved in homeland security
and public safety.
(Mar.)LIFESTYLE
The Brazilian Kitchen: 100 Classic and
Creative Recipes for the Home Cook
Leticia Moreinos-Schwartz. Kyle Cathie, $24.95 (176p) ISBN 9781906868208
Expatriate Moreinos-Schwartz takes readers on a mouthwatering tour of her
native country in this outstanding guide to Brazilian cuisine. Basics like the
Caipirinha cocktail (which finds its way into marinades, risotto and bon bons),
Caldo Verde, the fish stew known as Moqueca, and empanadas (served here in a
pot pie-like version), as well as fudgy Brazilian truffles called Brigadeiros,
enable residents of the northern hemisphere to recreate the country's bounty.
Inspired dishes like Striped Bass with Cashew Soy Sauce, Passion Fruit Cannoli,
and Coffee Souffle with Dulce De Leche Sauce, meanwhile, elevate this volume
above the standard culinary tour. Coconut seems omnipresent, appearing in soups
(paired with both pumpkin and yucca), sauces for seafood, and cakes (including
a luscious Coconut Cheesecake with Guava Sauce); fritters and croquettes also
make multiple appearances. Though readers may encounter the occasional sourcing
dilemma (quail eggs, minas cheese), Moreinos-Schwartz keeps recipes as
convenient as possible, sticking mostly to ingredients easily found on U.S.
shores and offering suggestions for substitutes. With this smart, eye-opening
and palate-expanding volume, Moreinos-Schwartz has an outstanding collection
sure to inspire adventurous eaters.
(Mar.)I Can't Believe It's not Fattening! Over
150 Ridiculously Easy Recipes for the Super Busy
Devin Alexander. Broadway, $19.99 (240p) ISBN 9780767931571
More a guide to smarter shopping than cooking, the latest from Alexander (
The Biggest Loser Cookbook) gives
dieters largely healthy options in 150 basic low-calorie recipes. Alexander
admits her recipes are geared for convenience, unabashedly utilizing processed
foods and artificial ingredients; though she does offer substitutions for
organic or all-natural diets, readers will want to pay attention to nutritional
information (Mafia's Favorite Turkey Sandwich, for instance, has over 1,600 mg
of sodium per serving, while Tequila Cheese Fondue is measured in
two-tablespoon serving sizes). Novices and those pressed for time will be
pleased to find more assembly than actual cooking: Pigs in Comforters consists
of only four ingredients-olive oil spray, low-fat beef hot dogs, biscuit dough
and mustard-and Spicy Tuna Salad comes together in seconds using tuna, low-fat
mayo and chili sauce. Almost all of her recipes derive their health benefits
from the inclusion of low- or reduced-fat store-bought ingredients:
Ravio-Sagne, a ravioli-based riff on lasagna, relies on canned sauce, ravioli
and low-fat cheese; Cheesy Brown Rice consists of cooked brown rice and
Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Squares; Peppermint Brownie "Pizza" consists of
fat-free whipped topping spread over a low-fat brownie (made from a box mix).
(Mar.)The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach
to Life's Challenges
Paul Gilbert. New
Harbinger, $24.95 (544p) ISBN 9781572248403
British clinical psychologist Gilbert (
Overcoming
Depression) integrates neuropsychology, Buddhist practices, and Carl Jung's
concept of archetypes to illuminate the human mind and its potential for
meaningful connection through compassion. Eschewing the standard self-help
focus on "learning to accept and love yourself," Gilbert explores the universal
challenges stemming from conflict between the "old brains" humans share with
other primates and the "new brains" unique to humankind (providing "our ability
to think, imagine, learn and use symbols and language"). Gilbert argues that it's
necessary to accept without shame or guilt our "many dark and cruel
potentials," because compassion represents just as powerful a force in the
human mind. Human brains, Gilbert explains, have "evolved for social relating,"
and his approach to self-acceptance involves "think[ing] about our internal
world as being full of ‘social-like' relationships" with different personality
aspects-the angry self, the compassionate self, the competitive self, etc. He
also proposes a number of familiar techniques (mindfulness, controlled
breathing, visualization, journaling) to help readers increase compassion, toward
our ourselves and others, while dealing with the anxiety, depression, rage, and
other uncomfortable emotions relationships can evoke. Though his writing is
diffuse, Gilbert has an arresting but rational perspective that should appeal
to self-help enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
(Mar.)
Mental Health, Naturally: The Family Guide to Holistic Care for
a Healthy Mind and Body
Kathi J. Kemper. American Academy of Pediatrics
(IPG, dist.), $19.95 paper (600p) ISBN 9781581103106
Citing alarmingly high numbers of children and adults suffering from mental
disorders, Wake Forest University School of Medicine integrative medicine
specialist Kemper (
The Holistic
Pediatrician) examines an array of practical strategies, from diet and
exercise to acupuncture and supplements. Kemper's comprehensive approach covers
commonplace tips ("Things that promote physical fitness promote mental health,"
"Poor sleep leads to numerous mental health problems"), over-the-counter
standards (reviewing of the benefits and possible side effects of vitamin and
mineral supplements), and other non-prescription remedies (bright light to
counter winter blues, aromatherapy) with equal vigor. Fundamental strategies
include advice on avoiding environmental hazards like toxic cleaners and
pesticides, and techniques for stress management like positive thinking and
meditation. Discussing specific herbal remedies, Kemper summarizes research
into health claims (crocus for depression, Gingko or Pine Bark for ADHD), as
well as pertinent safety information. In Kemper's opinion, most homeopathic
(plant-, mineral-, or animal-based) remedies are safe (in moderation) but of
questionable benefit; she is far more positive about massage therapy and
acupuncture. For those investigating alternative medicine for mental health,
this makes an informative and reliable resource. (
Mar.)
The Undervalued Self: Correct Your
Love/Power Imbalance, Transform the Inner Voice that Holds You Back, Find Your
True Self-Worth
Elaine N. Aron. Little, Brown, $25.99 (288p) ISBN 9780316066990
Psychotherapist and "social psychologist" Aron (
The Highly Sensitive Person) presents a "rich, complex and deeply
layered" approach to building self-esteem, suitable for studious readers ready
to work for understanding and change. Introducing lots of psychology terms and
ideas, Aron's guide requires attention and concentration; regarding quick fixes
like self-affirmations, Aron contends that research shows "they can make those
with low self-esteem feel even worse about themselves." Instead, Aron
investigates the basic concepts of ranking and linking, which play a role in
all of our relationships and contribute to the ways we undervalue ourselves.
Using a series of true/false questionnaires, case studies and analytical
observation, Aron identifies the masks and self-defense strategies we use
unconsciously to deal with traumatic events, and how those strategies affect
self-worth. Topics under consideration include dreams, the specter of the Inner
Critic, and self-sabotaging behavior like the Protector-Persecutor paradigm.
Though the material can be hard to grasp, dedicated rereading will give readers
a sophisticated understanding of low self-esteem, and concrete steps to improve
it.
(Mar.)FICTION
Dark Faith
Edited by Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon. Apex Publications
(Ingram, dist.), $19.95 paper (320p) ISBN 9780982159682
Although the horror genre naturally lends itself to up close and personal
examination of good and very nasty evil, little writing in that genre is faith
inflected. This anthology addresses that gap. "Faith" is used loosely and
expansively in this collection of short tales that offers something for lots of
different tastes-slasher, fairy tale, end times, ghost story-as well as
religion. "Zen and the Art of Gordon Dratch's Damnation," by Douglas F. Warrick,
is a meditation on enlightenment as cagey as any Zen master's teaching. "Different
from Other Nights" by Eliyanna Kaiser offers a knife twist on the Passover
celebration. Although the anthology is uneven, as collections often can be, the
very best, like Gary A. Braunbeck's "For My Next Trick I'll Need a Volunteer,"
resonate in the mind long afterward, with no guts or gore. And while Cathrynne
M. Valente's "The Days of Flaming Motorcycles" is a wicked clever zombie tale
set in Augusta, Maine, readers may wonder where zombie Jesus is when we need
him.
(May)The Irish Duke
Virginia Henley. Signet Eclipse, $15 paper (416p) ISBN 9780451229205
As children, James Hamilton, Lord Abercorn asked for the hand of Louisa,
daughter of the duke of Bedford. Though she refused him, Abercorn never loses
hope of marrying her, despite her later vow never to wed or bear children. As
she grows more beautiful, Louisa earns the admiration of men and the envy of her
insecure sister, Georgy. When Georgy's irresponsible behavior embroils the
entire family in scandal, Louisa is forced to marry the handsome Abercorn,
setting them up for a turbulent journey toward regaining trust and, inevitably,
falling in love. Henley (
The Decadent
Duke) is a historical romance veteran, and her skill shows on every page,
despite her dedication to formula; her heroine is typically willful, beautiful,
talented and innocent, while the hero is a patient, faithful variation on the
charming rogue. Henley's satisfying balance between romance and sexuality will
help genre fans overlook the contrived plot.
(Mar.)Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of
the Dreadfuls
Steve Hockensmith. Quirk, $12.95 paper (288p) ISBN 9781594744549
In this prequel to Seth Grahame-Smith's Jane Austen revamp
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the town of Meryton has grown
quiet and complacent while the long-lived zombie menace lays dormant. Taking
place five years before Bingley moves into Netherfield, and sightings of "unmentionables"
have become routine, this story kicks off with a certain Mr. Ford sitting up in
the middle of his own funeral. In response, the Bennet sisters begin intensive
training in the deadly arts with their warrior father and a new Master. Their
neighbors, much slower on the uptake, are variously dismembered, disillusioned,
and eventually convinced to prepare for a terrifying final confrontation. With
a sure grasp of Austen's characters and the social structures of the times,
Hockensmith is loyal to the material's roots but, divorced from any particular
text, he's able to take Grahame-Smith's silly, raunchy, violent tone much
farther than in the first volume. Mixing taught horror-movie action with
neo-Austen meditation on identity, society, and romance, this happy sacrilege
is sure to please fans of Grahame-Smith's original mash-up. 15 b&w
illustrations.
(Mar.)
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