Book Description
This is the story of two boys, Dylan Ebdus and Mingus Rude. They are friends and neighbors, but because Dylan is white and Mingus is black, their friendship is not simple. This is the story of their Brooklyn neighborhood, which is almost exclusively black despite the first whispers of something that will become known as "gentrification."
This is the story of 1970s America, a time when the most simple human decisions—what music you listen to, whether to speak to the kid in the seat next to you, whether to give up your lunch money—are laden with potential political, social and racial disaster. This is the story of 1990s America, when no one cared anymore.
This is the story of punk, that easy white rebellion, and crack, that monstrous plague. This is the story of the loneliness of the avant-garde artist and the exuberance of the graffiti artist.
This is the story of what would happen if two teenaged boys obsessed with comic book heroes actually had superpowers: They would screw up their lives.
This is the story of joyous afternoons of stickball and dreaded years of schoolyard extortion. This is the story of belonging to a society that doesn't accept you. This is the story of prison and of college, of Brooklyn and Berkeley, of soul and rap, of murder and redemption.
This is the story Jonathan Lethem was born to tell. This is THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE.
Download Description
¿Lethem has done a number of things here, any one of which is impossible for any but the very finest novelists. He has vividly and lovingly and truthfully, through thrilling evocation of its music, its popular culture, its street games, argot, pharmacology, social mores and racial politics, recreated a world, a moment in history that I would have thought lost and irrecoverable. He has created, in young Dylan, a genuine literary hero. He has reinvented and reinvigorated the myths of the superhero, of black-white relations, of New York City itself. But most of all, from my point of view, he captures precisely¿as only a great novelist can¿how it feels to love the world that is, on a daily basis, kicking your ass.¿
--Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and Wonder Boys
¿THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE is luminous, stinging with truth and life. A story of two boys, a Brooklyn story, an American story that gives in its very specificity the force of the universal.¿
--Paula Fox, author of Desperate Characters and Borrowed Finery
"Wondrous and sweeping, this story evokes perfectly the nuances of friendship and the often odd arrangement called family. The drum of loss beats poignantly beneath the surface, as this tale moves from the streets of Brooklyn to the West Coast and back, presenting us the with baffling and tender gift of acceptance."
--Elizabeth Strout, author of Amy and Isabelle
"The Fortress of Solitude is a grim, brave, soaring American masterpiece."
--Richard Russo
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Worth reading.......2007-10-05
I'm a sucker for coming-of-age novels written by people about my age. Jonathan Lethem is from Brooklyn and I'm from Queens, so my fondness for this book is perhaps axiomatic. The first half of the book is a coming of age story; the second, more of a quest: to find the lost best friend and the lost mother.
I found the first half stronger, but maybe I simply related to it more. Throughout, there is terrific writing.
The superhero subplot felt extraneous; I kept wanting more to come of it.
Still, very much worth reading.
Details, Details, and more Details.......2007-09-24
Jonathon Lethem's large-scale novel "The Fortress of Solitude" is good on so many levels. And bad on as many levels, too. Lethem tackles a plethora of topics ranging from inner city drug abuse to comic book conventions to growing up in a predominantly African American neighborhood as a white person. While there are points in the novel that could be better elucidated (such as several characters being introduced then simply abandoned like a Pynchon novel), overall, Fortress is a must read by any person that's lived in NYC or anyone interested in NYC social-economic history that is willing to tackle Lethem's verbosity.
The book has much to offer, and it offers a lot--sometimes too much. When reading Fortress I had one main problem: I felt its voluminous passages on seemingly trivial points (it is 528 pages long) could be truncated. Many passages, at the time, didn't seem to add to the plot or anything for that matter. But after having read it in its entirety, I have to say that part of the book's allure is its detail on various topics taught me many things about New York City and Berkeley. It was a treat to see a non-academic perspective on gentrification and historical trends in New York. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book unless you're willing to devote your attention for an extended period of time and don't mind a challenge (not too hard, though). This is neither a comic book nor a quick beach book. It's a decent piece of literature, often humorous and entertaining, that demands attentive and focused reading.
Slow reading, but probably worthwhile.......2007-04-11
I found this book VERY slow going. To some extent this is because the writing is very rich--like eating fudge or chocolate cake. You can only eat a little bit at a time, even though it's delicious. I wonder how much of my reaction is that of a baby boomer white woman in the face of the much younger, multiracial cultures depicted in this book. But I had trouble making it through 25 pages a day (to meet my book club deadline) and if I didn't "have to" read it, I might not have finished it.
I think that some of the book's problems involved insufficient editing--it might have made 2 good novellas, rather than one very long novel, and tighter editing might have made it a better book as well.
Yet, I am glad I read it. I learned a lot and believe that Lethem will be one of our great American novelists if he keeps producing work.
A Gorgeous Book.......2007-03-22
No car chases, no cliffhangers, and so what? This is a tremendously rich story, the kind of book I hate to see end. The characters are amazing thanks to Lethem's gift for creating a full-scale world with relentless, nuanced, and precise language. Of course there is a plot, but the anticipation is not in seeing what happens, but in how people become themselves. I loved, loved, loved this book.
Hopeless.......2007-03-11
Dylan's parents have decided to raise him in an up-and-coming Brooklyn neighborhood. His mother, also raised in Brooklyn, thinks it will be good for him to grow up as a real city kid. She doesn't see the problem with Dylan being the only white kid on his block, one of only three white kids in his entire elementary school. Dylan's parents both seem oblivious to the fact that Dylan is a constant target of harassment by other kids.
When Mingus moves into the neighborhood, it seems like salvation is at hand for Dylan. Mingus is black, his father is rich, and, most important, Mingus is cool. For some reason he becomes friends with Dylan, and Dylan has hopes that association with Mingus will mean his life will become easier. Instead, he finds things getting more and more complex.
Although only four months apart in age, Mingus is a year ahead of Dylan in school, so the two move in different orbits. Mingus is unable or unwilling to offer Dylan the protection Dylan is desperate to have. However, when the two of them do meet up, there are as close as friends can be. Mingus introduces Dylan to drugs and graffiti, while Dylan introduces Mingus to a ring that holds magical powers.
As the boys grow older, their lives move in radically different directions, yet they always seem linked in some way, never quite able to break away from each other and from the old neighborhood.
This book was infused with a sense of utter hopelessness. There were glimpses of possibility for the characters, but then none of them were able to escape from their neighborhood, or kick the drug habit, or settle down to have a family. There was no satisfaction in the ending, and important questions were left unanswered. Why did Rachel leave? Why did Barry seem to hate his son so much, when his neglect was a main cause of Mingus' behavior? Why "Dose"? How did Dylan manage to end up in a stable job when he'd totally screwed up with drugs every opportunity that came his way? How did Arthur end up pulling himself together?
And the most important question of all: what was the point of the book? This book rambled and meandered, and in the end simply petered out. Very sad.
Book Description
Ray Lawless-prominent attorney and father of Minneapolis res-taurateur Jane Lawless-faces his biggest case yet defending a serial killer and arsonist dubbed 'The Midnight Man.' When The Midnight Man kills himself in his cell, everyone believes it's the end of a dreadful period in the Twin Cities. Unfortunately, The Midnight Man's own father blames Ray and plans a meticu-lous revenge by targeting his children, including Jane. But the father doesn't know what he's up against. Jane is intimately familiar with danger, and sets out to discover why this man is so determined to undo her family. It seems a basic revenge plot-until Jane uncovers some startling information. Immaculate Midnight is a taut, dynamic installment in an award-winning series.
Customer Reviews:
Where's the Mystery?.......2004-08-04
"Immaculate Midnight" by Ellen Hunt is the first, and probably the last, novel I've read in the Jane Lawless Mystery Series. Hunt weaves a good story, one that is relaxed and attenuated by a meandering plot, one that ultimately satisfies only superficially. One can read the notes from above for information about the plot if they are interested, and it is a good story as far as a story can go. But it isn't much of a "mystery" -- even in the end. There's no point in guessing who the culprit is, because there isn't enough information on which to base any speculation. In the end there is no surprise, because there is no suspense leading up to who it might suddenly be. There was a glaring typo "alter" for "altar" and numerous run-on sentences, but otherwise the book is well edited.
Closer to form of earlier books in the series.......2002-11-01
I was a little tentative about reading this book only because Hart had begun highlighting Jane's weaknesses and depression so much in the last two books that the series itself was becoming depressing to read. Although Jane's character isn't a ray of sunshine in this book, the suspense is tighter than it has been for a while. There is also greater attention paid to Jane's father, brother, and sister-in-law so that the family relationship and dysfunctions (and yes, Jane's family has them) are fleshed out. Cordelia is returned to her larger-than-life dramatic self and Jane does manage some self-relevations such that some progress for personal improvement is made. All-in-all, a solid effort to a very good series.
exciting amateur sleuth mystery.......2002-07-08
The Midnight Man is an arsonist, who drugs his victims and then sets fires to their homes, making it look like it was an accidental death. All told there were five victims but the police linked Bobby Alto to two of them. Defense attorney Raymond Lawless thought he could get his client off but the jury found him guilty and he lost on appeal.
Alto's father Conrad blames Raymond for his son's conviction and swears to get even. Raymond, his son Peter and his daughter Jane receive in the mail tarot cards. When the Lawless family compare notes, they believe somebody in the Alto family has targeted them. Jane, who hates to feel helpless investigates the family, a move that saves her and her sister in law from a sociopath killer.
The Jane Lawless mysteries just keep on getting better and better. In IMMACULATE MIDNIGHT, readers are given a glimpse into the lives of Jane's immediate family and this makes the audience fail a connection to the protagonists. As a counterpoint to the caring Lawless family, the Alto's are a dysfunctional disunity that readers will pity and detest. Ellen Hart has written another exciting amateur sleuth mystery.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- A little eerie....
- This book helped me when nothing else did
- Wasn't Impressed
- Good, easy book, nice exercises
- Permission to be angry
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Women, Anger & Depression
Lois P. Frankel
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ASIN: 1558741615 |
Book Description
This book is about empowerment. It is about fulfilling your needs, dreams, and aspirations without being trapped by feelings that society has taught you to ignore. If you: Fear that expressing your feelings will upset others Allow others to decide what's best for you Are not quite happy and not sure why Take better care of the needs of others than your own Believe that showing your anger is bad.... then stop denying your feelings! Dr. Frankel encourages women to trust their feelings and insticts and examine ways of regaining control of their emotions and lives. Expore how finding and defining your anger can help you lose your depression and overcome the feelings of denial that serve as obstacles to personal empowerment.
Customer Reviews:
A little eerie...........2007-05-02
I have been fighting depression for a few months now. I am in a great relationship and have a great job, great family, but for some reason I have hit a very low, very dark place. After spending weeks researching and trying to find answers without going to a therapist, I order this book. I read all of the comments and it seemed that it would be the best to start with. I have just received it and am already enthralled. I couldn't believe that so many of the stories sounded like me, that I could easily answer all the questions posed. I do think that I need help working through my issues, but rather than starting and feeling helpless, I feel like I have found a starting point and things to work on. Thank you Lois for writing such an easy to read book. I tried one on depression, just general depression and all the technical terms made me want to scream. This is written so everyone can understand it.
This book helped me when nothing else did.......2006-01-20
I'm a psych nurse, and this is a wonderful book that a great therapist I know always recommends to her patients.
She makes them read it OUT LOUD - slowly.
I respect her a whole lot, so when I was going through a painful divorce, and was about to lose it, I got the book.
I read it in the bathroom OUT LOUD, SLOWLY while the water was running so no one would hear me. (I never get any time alone!) I think it really helped me a lot.
Although I had never realized it, I had extreme feelings of powerlessness and anger that I carried over from childhood that this book helped me uncover and deal with.
While some of the situations in the book didn't SEEM to apply to my situation, the FEELINGS and the ways that a woman has of dealing with them in our society did.
It is not a thick book. If you buy it for yourself because you really NEED some help - seriously - try reading it OUT LOUD to yourself slowly. Also, make sure you do the exercises.
Wasn't Impressed.......2005-03-28
I thought far too much of the book was used discussing how male dominated the work force is. I would not have bought the book if I knew a good part of it was about white males being favored in the work force, because I know that isn't my problem. I rated it 2 stars instead of 1 star because there were some useful parts of the book unrelated to favoring white males. I learned some ways to better stand up for myself and reword my requests so I sound stronger. Although there were some good points, overall the book was too feminist for me (even though of course I'm for women's rights, that's just not the problem I'm dealing with right now), and a little too anti white male (my white husband is currently my best support system). I thought the author Lois P. Frankel wrote about some controversial issues that didn't need to be included in this book, such as when she suggested that readers join a group supporting a women's right to choose.
Good, easy book, nice exercises.......2003-02-15
The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is that Dr. Frankel includes exercises along the way to get the readers to think about their depression and their anger, their causes, and how they can get in touch with their anger and express it appropriately. I generally agree with her premise--that women have been taught not to show their anger, to stuff their feelings, to accept the "glass ceiling," and all these stuffed emotions can lead to depression. But I think she fails to see the chemical component of depression. Why do some women deal with these issues and not get depressed, and some do? Still, medication alone doesn't "cure" depression, any more than therapy alone, and certainly giving women permission to express their anger will help them deal with their depression. After all, what is depression but anger turned inward?
Permission to be angry.......2000-09-26
I found this to be an excellent book. It was enlightening to realize that a woman CAN be angry and deal with that anger in a healthy manner. The title includes a sub-title of "Strategies For Self-Empowerment" -- Lois Frankel, Ph.D. helps us to "empower" ourselves effectively with this book.
Book Description
Anger. It's a strong feeling of irritation. It's a signal that something is wrong. It's a special delivery letter telling her that she's being hurt, her rights are being trampled, she's living in fear, she's frustrated. But when this warning flashes, many women have learned to ignore it. For them anger is not safe, not good, and should be avoided at all costs. Instead they may turn to masks that are more acceptable: depression, guilt, self-doubt, self-hatred. Dr. Oliver and Dr. Wright extensively surveyed women from many walks of life, exploring with them what they believe about anger and charting a new and healthy path for handling this important emotion. With sensitivity and understanding, the authors provide tools for expressing anger constructively in the various spheres of a woman's life.
Customer Reviews:
The answer is here........2003-09-11
This book was wonderful in explaining anger, its origin, and how to handle anger. It was so easy to understand and had practicle applications. It helped me see anger in a positive way and helped me to be comfortable with others when they are angry. This is the book that you are looking for!!!
Much needed for today's women.......2001-09-27
AS a women and someone who has struggled with passive style of anger I found this book very helpful to myself and to my relationships. Also as a therapist, I recommend this book frequently to women who sruggle with many different types of anger issues. It is comforting to know its OK to get angry and still be a good woman.
Helpful and Practical Ways to express and deal with anger.......2001-09-26
While this book is clearly written by two Christian Authors it is one of the most helpful and practical books on the subject of anger. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor that utilizes the book in my counseling practice to help women identify their anger issues and how to express anger in helpful and healthy ways. I highly recommend the book.
A good book for tackling anger.......2000-06-01
I found this book very helpful in identifying the causes of my anger, and strategies to overcome it. The authors are very sensitive to the issues of women and did an excellent job of approaching the subject. I am a therapist and have recommended this book to female clients.
bad news for the non christian.......2000-04-10
i was very disapointed to recieve this book and see that every other phrase was quoting the bible or talking about god and your place as a woman. i didn't even read it, i sent it back. even my christian friends would be bothered a bit by it's in your face approach.
Average customer rating:
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Women in Therapy: Devaluation, Anger, Aggression, Depression, Sel-Sacrifice, Mothering, Mother Blaming, Self-Betrayal, Sex-Role Stereotypes, Depende
Harriet Lerner
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Beyond Tears: A Book to Encourage Women
Yvonne Rose Bush
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
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Book Description
Beyond Tears is an inspirational book to encourage women in all stages of life.
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