Category Archives: LITERATURE

LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Magical Realism

Posted on January 31, 2006 by susan

I have just about finished the stories–only the last two to read–but have been absolutely uplifted by one in particular:  Tim Pratt’s Hart and Boot.  Totally caught up in it, I loved the characters, totally fell into the state of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Braiding

Posted on January 27, 2006 by susan

I believe that’s what it’s called–braiding–and it is applied in Cory Doctorow’s Anda’s Game, by the reality of Anda and the online game she plays which is your pretty typical slash ’em and fight your way to points and status … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Story Layers

Posted on January 26, 2006 by susan

I’m in the middle of Cory Doctorow’s Anda’s Game (p. 223) and am a little conflicted in my reaction.  It is the story of a young girl (Anda) playing a computer video game online at some future time not far … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – POV

Posted on January 25, 2006 by susan

I’ve strayed in faithful reading of Boethius’ Consolation in that I have felt too personally in need of the lessons, therefore, thinking that my interest and my understanding of it was taken in a selfish way rather than for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005

Posted on January 25, 2006 by susan

Death Defier by Tom Bissell (page 174) goes a bit further into layering stories and presenting the reader with some work to define the theme.  The main story in the past tense third person POV is of a journalist (Graves) … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005

Posted on January 24, 2006 by susan

First Four Measures by Nathaniel Bellows is a rather odd bit of story abut a fourteen year-old boy who tries hard to gain his piano teacher’s approval, and it seems, physical touch, though we aren’t quite sure if it actually … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: The Bible

Posted on January 22, 2006 by Susan

Something else from beyond the centuries to ponder: What does it profit a manif he should gain the whole worldand lose his own soul?Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?                    … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Writing

Posted on January 21, 2006 by susan

I want to get one or two more stories read before I do another review of Best American Short Stories – 2005, but this is one of the reasons I read, to catch the writing style, and too often my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: Consolation – Philosophy’s Reply

Posted on January 21, 2006 by susan

After quietly listening to the complaints and woes of Boethius, Philosophy understands and focuses not on the situation in which Boethius finds himself, but to the degree of which he has allowed it to unsettle him: "When I first saw … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – Look Inward

Posted on January 19, 2006 by susan

Boethius’ litany concludes with a poem: "Harsh punishment, deserved by the criminal, afflicts the innocent.  Immoral scoundrels now occupy positions of power and unjustly trample the rights of good men.  Virtue, which ought to shine forth, is covered up and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: Consolation of Philosophy – Justice

Posted on January 18, 2006 by susan

As I head to court this morning, to fight on principle against greed and an illegal contract, I read of Boethius’ complaint as he sits in prison, justifying his position to Philosophy: "I have often opposed the greed of Conigastus … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Story Length

Posted on January 17, 2006 by susan

There was a recent question raised at the MetaxuCafe forum about story length, and the usual answer would be "when the story has been told and finished."  Or, if must be done, according to the publisher’s specs.  Of course, I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – Branches

Posted on January 16, 2006 by susan

I’m not sure how to take this, the lady Philosophy is speaking to Boethius: "Philosophy has never thought it right to leave the innocent man alone on his journey.  Should I fear to face my accusers, as though their enmity … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005 – Flash Fiction

Posted on January 15, 2006 by susan

Eight Pieces for the Left Hand by J. Robert Lennon is a series of eight vignettes, each telling a short short story (flash fiction) of an episode in the narrator’s home town (only tip-off to first person POV is usually … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: BASS 2005

Posted on January 15, 2006 by susan

I’m five stories into this, and the main reason I broke my rule about catching up from the past to the present is because another MetaxuCafe member, gzreads, is also reading this now.  It’ll be interesting to compare notes. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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