“Dead Cert” by Dick Francis

Dead Cert Dick Francis “Dead Cert” wasn’t the first Dick Francis book I read–that honor belongs to “The Danger”–but it’s his first novel in what would turn out to be a long and storied career, so it seems fitting to start my “classics of Dick Francis” retrospective with it. Reading “Dead Cert” after becoming familiar […]

“Going Scapegoat: Post-9/11 Literature, Language and Culture” by David A. Buchanan

Going Scapegoat David A. Buchanan David Buchanan opens “Going Scapegoat” with a story about getting warned when setting off from a very secure American base on a very safe trip to downtown Riyadh “not to get scalped by no Injuns.” This story sets in motion his examination of scapegoating mechanisms in post-9/11 literary and cultural […]

“Crossfire” by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

Crossfire Dick Francis and Felix Francis Last January I set an absolutely ridiculous Goodreads reading challenge for myself–so ridiculous that I’m embarrassed even to admit how high it is (okay, it was 200 books). Needless to say, unless a miracle occurs I’m not going to meet it, although I will say in my defense that […]

“The Last Child of Leif” by Chris Pridmore

The Last Child of Leif Chris Pridmore In “The Last Child of Leif” we follow the early adventures of Valiant, a young prince rescued by his bodyguard from a palace plot that kills his father. Valiant and his guardian escape, only to find themselves on the run and caught up in something much bigger than […]

“Need For Seed: Gertrude’s Tale” by CB Archer

Need for Seed: Gertrude’s Tale CB Archer Tales of Gentalia After the last, unexpectedly sex-free, romp in the Tales of Gentalia, readers may be wondering anxiously: has CB Archer lost his touch? No fears, Gentalians, no fears: this latest outing contains plenty of touch, and many other things besides. Gertrude is setting off as an […]

“All Soldiers Run Away” by Andy Owen

All Soldiers Run Away Andy Owen My review of “All Soldiers Run Away,” which was released today, is below. You can read my very interesting interview with Andy Owen about writing the book and about war, literature, and PTSD here and my review of his novel “East of Coker” here. Some soldiers are heroic. But […]

My Chat with Veteran and Author Brian Van Reet About Literary Creation and Military Service

As I work on my research about, and prepare for my class on, contemporary war writing, a number of authors and translators have graciously agreed to talk to me. A couple of weeks ago I posted my chat with British veteran and author Andy Owen; this time it’s American Brian Van Reet, author of Spoils, […]

“Anatomy of a Soldier” by Harry Parker

Anatomy of a Soldier Harry Parker In “Anatomy of a Soldier,” the wounding and subsequent rehabilitation of British soldier Captain Tom Barnes is told, in non-chronological order, from the perspective of the objects that come into contact with him, from the IED that rips off his legs to the prosthetics that he is eventually fitted […]

“Queen of Spades” by Michael Shou-Yung Shum

Queen of Spades Michael Shou-Yung Shum What a cracking tale! As soon as I saw the title, I knew I had to read it. Although “Queen of Spades” isn’t my favorite of Pushkin’s stories–that honor goes to his “Little Tragedies”–it’s certainly a classic for a reason. This version, set in a casino in Snoqualmie in […]

“Can You Keep a Secret?” by Sophie Kinsella

Can You Keep a Secret? Sophie Kinsella The Shopaholic series was a guilty pleasure of mine last year, and was just the thing to read while, e.g., sitting in the vet’s office when my dog was terribly ill (he’s okay now, thanks for asking), so I approached “Can You Keep a Secret” with both interest […]