Steps and Exes : A Novel of Family

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A master of research

Unusual family trees, but fine people

Steps and Exes: A Novel of Family

Interesting story and characters

Touching, funny (and surprisingly deep)

Steps and Exes : A Novel of Family
Laura Kalpakian
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Educating Waverley

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Caveat Caveat

Graced Land

ASIN: 0380977672
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Amazon.com

On Laura Kalpakian's imaginary Isadora Island, women not only rule, they've been calling the shots since men first hunted (i.e., sat around campfires trading their B.S. stories) and women gathered (cooked, raised kids, cleaned up, etc.). At least, that's how Celia--grand dame, 1960s holdout, and advocate of unfettered love--sees it. In the world according to Celia, Eve wears the pants while Adam's alias is "first whiner." Perched at the tip of Useless Point, she lords over a quirky, cozy B & B, Henry's House, all the while extolling the virtues of independence and bristling at the notion of institutionalized love. That is, until one of her daughters announces she wants to tie the knot Martha Stewart-style, and Celia is called upon to host the event. In her desire to fulfill her daughter's whim, she transforms Henry's House into the magical hub for a far-flung, idiosyncratic, anything-but-nuclear family. And in this rarified air, guests assemble to raise glasses but instead reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. The trick allows Kalpakian to poignantly dramatize the inner struggle between autonomy and the sometimes cloying grasp of familial love--or, as Celia puts it, "the tie that binds all right. Enough rope to hang yourself."

Kalpakian's well-honed, lyrical prose is as intoxicating as "lavender and lemon, cinnamon and rose and something else, a whiff of what must have been--surely from some remembered Eden." Celia tells us that "God's opera has no sopranos," but after reading Steps and Exes, you'll beg to differ. --Sandra Dalrymple

Book Description

Celia Henry owns the most famous bed-and-breakfast in the whole Northwest. Married only once and widowed at twenty-two, Celia has spent a lifetime preaching(and practicing) Unfettered Love, glorying in unions free of matrimony, free of the ties that bind-and that can just as easily strangle. But though the men in her life moved out and moved on, Celia maintained her affections for their children, acquiring a large extended family of children, step-children, partners, and ex-partners. And the children she nurtured remember their island childhood with wry warmth. When her daughter Bethie announces her engagement, Celia reluctantly agrees to throw a lavish celebration. To this party she must invite everyone in her overextended family: her steps and execes, their current partners and starchy in-laws, as well as a host of island eccentrics. As the big day approaches, Celia senses impending disaster, but nothing prepares her for the fallout when the nuclear family explodes and she must reconstruct the past in order to transform the future.

Customer Reviews:

A master of research.......2003-10-03

Lovers of Pacific northwest history will love this book! The Puget Sound sings through the words of Laura. I look forward to more stories of these people, who came from her previous book, Educating Avery.

Unusual family trees, but fine people.......2002-07-28

You may never figure out how all the characters in this book are related or unrelated, but you will learn that they are all genetically or relationally connected to Celia, the literal or figurative mother of this book. The book tells the story of Celia, from the time she met her husband to the present. Henry, her wealthy husband, died at 22 when his sailboat was toppled while he slept off a joint. Celia turns her inheritance from Henry into a famous B&B, while raising children and living with various men, disdaining legal commitments. The men come and go and the children grow up. The book tells the story of Celia and her now grown children and the manner in which they come and go into her life as a 50ish woman. What makes it particularly good is that it is told in several voices, so not only do you get Celia's spin on things but her children's spin on Celia. There is an important symbol in the book - Celia's stockpot - that is always on her stove, no one knows what's in it, but it's delicious and cannot be replicated by anyone else. This is kind of what Celia is like.

Steps and Exes: A Novel of Family.......2001-08-08

Well written, fun story. Very good character development and weaving of sub-stories. Couldn't wait to keep reading it.

Interesting story and characters.......2001-05-16

This is my first Kalpakian book and I have already ordered two more! Steps and exes is one of the most interesting novels I've read in quite a while. The story is unique and unpredictable, the characters real and the reflective moments bear a lot of truth in them.

Touching, funny (and surprisingly deep).......2000-08-16

Through the tale of the aging hippie matriarch Celia and her complex family tree of exes (and their current spouses) and steps(children), this book ends up examining love (mostly healthy love for one's self, for one's children, for one's spouse) and the wrongful turns one may take while searching for it.

The writing is vivid and one does get a feeling of somehow 'being there', a silent witness to a tragic-comic and often touching and deep series of family and personal discoveries.

I was somewhat disappointed at what I found to be a predictable late turn of events and a predictable ending, but it did not detract from the enjoyable reading.

Average customer rating:

A great novel from an evolving writer

acceptable Exes

THIS BOOK ROCKS!

Uneven but endearingly likeable

The story doesn't grab you

The EXES: A NOVEL
Pagan Kennedy
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Spinsters (High Risk)

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Stripping: And Other Stories (High Risk)

Confessions of a Memory Eater

ASIN: 0684834812

Amazon.com

This charming novel charts the last days of rock as seen through the eyes of the four members of the Exes, a painfully hip Boston-area indie alterna-pop band. Each of the four chapters takes on the tale of the band's conception and fruition from the perspective of a different member, producing an omniscient Rashomon-like narrative that weaves pop reference and nerdy rock-geek sensibility into a combination Harlequin Romance/Celebrity Tell-All. Author Pagan Kennedy is best known for her zine Pagan's Head and her handbook of all things '70s, Platforms. She puts that subcultural know-how to work in this fast-moving story about rockers who love their own images more than the notes and tempos of the music they play. --James DiGiovanna

Book Description

In one of the most critically acclaimed novels of recent years, Pagan Kennedy takes readers on a hip and hilarious tour of today's rock 'n' roll world. The Exes, an up-and-coming indie band, is made up of people who used to be lovers. Progressing from jam sessions in a basement to second-rate clubs to a cross-country tour that requires them to share seedy hotel rooms -- with their exes -- the four band members reveal their quirks, their problems, and their fantasies in alternating narratives.

Wickedly funny, realistic, and poignant, The Exes sheds a knowing light on the compromises and connections we all make in avid pursuit of our ambitions and dreams.

Customer Reviews:

A great novel from an evolving writer.......2006-01-20

The review is for four-and-a-half stars, actually.

After having reading Spinsters, I tackled this book, expecting that it would be more developed and much deeper. And I was right. The Exes is a great book, a charming and friendly little novel that was well worth my time.

The story revolves around a band made up of two couples that were previously in relationships, and it follows the story of how they form into a dynamic performing unit while also trying to make sense of themselves and each other. The viewpoints of all four members are offered, giving a great illustration of the different views of the same story.

The first thing I loved about the book was how well Kennedy portrayed a world so many of us know, that adolescent/twenty-something world of alternative/counterculture culture. Kennedy has always captured this quite well, because she goes beyond the pretension of pose and trying to make a name for yourself to instead portray a world where people try to find an identity and assert who they are. She is a sympathetic writer here, one who made this reader know all about her characters and yet still like them.

I also enjoyed the interplay of relationships and feelings between the characters, as there was more reality than drama in their actions. I liked how a character such as Hank could almost innocently rule over the other characters at times without meaning to-or even being aware of it-and yet continue in the behavior nonetheless.

I thought the book was fun, well-paced, and good in its timing. I even enjoyed the momentary confusion of picking up the story as it changed from one character to another-it was an agreeable challenge.

One final note: After a spate of publishing in the 90s, on the crest of the Gen-X wave, I see Kennedy hasn't published much in recent years. I hope that we see more from her in the near future.

acceptable Exes.......2004-10-05

I've re-read this slim volume a number of times because it's a quick, effortless and enjoyable enough read; I just re-read it again after getting it back from a friend to whom I'd loaned it, and i thought i'd comment.

I should say that this is the only novel of Kennedy's that I've cared for. The structure with the four chapters, each dedicated to a single band member, is a clever device and gives the reader a chance to get into the mind of each character separately.

The character that i felt was most interesting was Shaz, the bass player; she and her section were the most developed back-story-wise, since most of her part is a flashback, but we also get more information and description regarding her family, peeks into her unusual job and her apartment than with any of the other characters. The story of her ex, Walt the drummer, is also enlightening because throughout the rest of the book he comes of as an awkward enigma, so to get into his head at last is fulfilling. Walt's story also gets a different tone from the rest as it's told all in present tense.

I was less inspired by the other characters; Hank, the guitarist, gets fairly typecast as the wannabe rocker whose personality takes a downturn once the band gets going in earnest. His chapter is somewhat skimpy regarding himself since half of it is taken up by information about Lilly, his former girlfriend who comes up with the Exes concept. Given Lilly's personality (a hyperactive, self-centered and somewhat bratty attention hog) it's fairly appropriate that Lilly takes over some of Hank's space, though her section would have been more than enough for the reader regarding her character. Lilly does evolve somewhat as the story progresses, though her whininess remains intact throughout and does get old. The book could have suffered from having these two characters composing the first half of the book (though plot-development-wise it couldn't be any other way, really), but they're not annoying enough to make you put the book away because of them.

A big theme in the book of course is that of relationships, but some aspects of this get strained; one example of this is the appearance of Lilly's new boyfriend Dieter, a cheezy stock intellectual character whose personality completely changes once Hank befriends him. I have a hard time believing that someone of that temperment would even be able to stand Lilly, much less date her, or that his personality would make the complete 180 that it does, even with Hank's trying to shape him. Also, it's hard to imagine Shaz and Walt ever dating (Walt's section delves into this somewhat), though for the purpose of the story it's a necessary device.

This book is more about the characters than the actual music, which is fine since it's hard to get a sense of their music without actually being able to hear it, though there are some lyrics sprinkled throughout. I wasn't bothered by the lack of the techincal aspect, though perhaps this would frustrate a more musically-inclined reader.

This book comes across as slightly dated now as it's set in the mid-late 90s alternative rock scene, so references like miniskirts with combat boots and the like seem a little stale, but overall that doesn't detract from the whole.
This book is decent as a quick read; if you try to take it too seriously and are hoping for a "High Fidelity" or such you'll probably be disappointed. Still, it's worthwhile.

THIS BOOK ROCKS!.......2001-12-30

Ms. kennedy is an artist and she creates a masterpiece of language everytime she decides to use a pen. I am a huge fan and I hope she continues to write amazing novels. You can feel the emotion of the characters, as if they were your own.

Uneven but endearingly likeable.......2001-11-13

Pagan Kennedy is one of those occasionally maligned writers who makes their home in the narrow purgatory between serious literature and pop kitsch. With a vision that seems to have been shaped by equal measures of too many postmodern lit. courses in college and a youth composed of watching Three's Company on TV, Kennedy and other writers of her ilk are too often either unfairly dismissed or hugely overrated. In reality, they are doing what all authors, in the end, do -- recording their world as they see it. Occasionally, a great work of art emerges (such as Michael Chabon's Wonderboys) and occasionally, the result is an all-out fiasco (i.e., the career of Bret Easton Ellis). And much more frequently, the result is a book crafted with obvious intelligence that still remains frustratingly uneven and perfect example of this is Kennedy's novel the Exes.

Taking place in the independent music scene of Boston, the Exes tells the story of an up-and-coming band that is made up exclusively of ex-lovers. While this might seem to be a bit too cute and gimmicky, Kennedy very adroitly acknowledges the gimmick behind the band and makes no secret of the fact that her characters pursue the idea more as an exercise in advertising than anything else. To her credit, Kennedy also proceeds to rather intelligently investigate the ramifications of such a gimmick and she treats the whole idea with a comendable and clear-eyed seriousness. She doesn't just coast on that one idea and that alone sets her book above a lot of other recent fiction. As well, Kennedy obviously knows the world of underground music and, when dealing with the gossipy and incestous nature of Boston's indie world, her writing snaps with the knowledge of an insider. It makes for exhilirating reading and in these passages, Kennedy truly shines.

She seems less sure when it comes to dealing with the four members of the band. Each gets to "star" in their own section of the book which details the band's story from their own individial perspective. To put it bluntly, some members of the band are far more interesting than others. While the band's "leaders" come across as rather smug and shallow (and therefore, their sections of the story tend to display the same qualities), the two "background" members -- a bisexual bassist and her ex-boyfriend, the drummer -- are both truly fascinating and their two sections are probably the best in the book. As well, the book's "insights" regarding modern relationships, at times, come across as a bit too pat, a bit too easy. On the whole, it makes for an uneven book with a few dead spots that are all the more frustrating because of the incredible talent that Kennedy shows in other more lively sections.

Still, this is a book that is undeniably likeable. Kennedy manages to perfectly capture the atmosphere of vulnerable dreams and insecure posturing that seems to suffuse almost any "underground" scene. Anyone who has ever been in an independent band or a member of any town's local artistic community will recognize the situations and personalities that Kennedy describes in her book. She proves herself to be a keen social observer and commentator. As well, Kennedy manages to pull off something that few other writers have ever succeeded at doing -- she crafts a perfect ending with an absolutely killer last line. Whatever flaws this book may have, one cannot help but like the quirky world that Kennedy describes and be thankful for the chance to share in her undeniable talent.

The story doesn't grab you.......2001-08-17

The Exes (as many of the reviewers will tell you) is about four members of a band. It has four parts. Each part is devoted to telling the story from the perspective of one of the band members.

I liked the idea of seeing the same situation from four perspectives. In fact, despite knowing that I would not relate so well to the characters, I thought the organization of the book would be interesting enough to get me beyond that. Unfortunately, that was not the case. As the reader from West Hartford said, I found myself not caring about the characters.

I think if your lifestyle or interests are similar to the characters, you will enjoy the book, because you will see a bit of yourself in each of them. Or, you will relate to the frustrations they feel about their band members. If not, then you might find yourself sitting outside of the story waiting to be pulled in. I think a great book should take you beyond yourself and place you inside the charcters even if they are nothing like you. This book could not do that for me. Somewhere during Shaz's tale of woe with Sluggo, I had to close this book for good and return it to the library unfinished.

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Tales from the Crypt #1: Ghouls Gone Wild (Tales from the Crypt Graphic Novels)
Don McGregor , and Mark Bilgrey
Manufacturer: Papercutz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Horror | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1597070831
Release Date: 2007-10-02

Book Description

TALES FROM THE CRYPT is the acknowledged premier horror comic of all time.
The original series suspended publication over fifty years ago. Papercutz has obtained the exclusive rights to revive this frightful franchise and to create all-new TALES FROM THE CRYPT comics, in our full-color digest-sized format. The debut volume features four tales of terror:
"Body of Work," reveals how two nosy and somewhat murderous neighbors discover the shocking inspiration for Jack Kroll's outsider artwork. "Runway Roadkill" presents a behind the scenes look at what is destined to be fashion designer Kimberly Kinselling's final show. "For Serious Collectors Only" proves that even connoisseurs of Japanese action figures should always carefully read the labels-or risk deadly consequences.
"The Tenant" features the fearsome fate of slumlord James Winchell, who, after one of his tenants dies due to his neglect, is forced to live in one of his buildings by a creepy
cemetery. All stories, painfully introduced by the perpetually-punning
GhouLunatics, The Crypt-Keeper, The Old Witch, and the Vault-Keeper

Tales from the Crypt #2: Can You Fear Me Now? (Tales from the Crypt Graphic Novels)

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Tales from the Crypt #2: Can You Fear Me Now? (Tales from the Crypt Graphic Novels)
Neil Kleid , and Stefan Petrucha
Manufacturer: Papercutz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Horror | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 159707084X
Release Date: 2007-12-10

Book Description

More scary comics stories sure to shock!The original EC comicbook series inspired a generation of young filmmakers, including Stephen Spielberg, John Carpenter, and George Lucas, as well as authors such as Stephen King and R.L. Stine. Who knows which future superstars' minds will be warped by this volume's collection of creepy comics?"The Garden" is the shocking tale of a man named Richard, who is promised beautiful women waiting on him hand and foot in paradise, all in exchange for completing one simple task. "Extra Life" shows Andy Dabbstein's worst nightmare come to life, when what happens to him in virtual online fantasy game, "Ogre Continent," also happens to him in reality. "Crystal Clear" offers a frightening look at what happens to a gangster, with cell phone technology imbedded in his head, when one of his victims seeks revenge."Slabbed" depicts the dire consequences of what can happen to you if you sell a priceless collector's comicbook to the wrong dealer. All stories introduced by The Crypt-Keeper, and his fellow GhouLunatics, The Old Witch and The Vault-Keeper, in classic pun-filled CRYPT-style.

Tales from the Crypt #3: Zombielicious (Tales from the Crypt Graphic Novels)

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Tales from the Crypt #3: Zombielicious (Tales from the Crypt Graphic Novels)
Mort Todd , Marc Bilgrey , Jared Gniewek , Jim Salicrup , Allison Acton , and Rick Parker
Manufacturer: Papercutz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Horror | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Prequel #1-5 (TMNT: Raphael, TMNT: Michelangelo, TMNT: Donatello, TMNT: April, TMNT: Leonardo)

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Prequel #1-5 (TMNT: Raphael, TMNT: Michelangelo, TMNT: Donatello, TMNT: April, TMNT: Leonardo)
Steve Murphy , and Jake Black
Manufacturer: Mirage Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000U0DLHY

Product Description

A five-issue prequel miniseries that gives a backstory for each character and the events leading up to the 2007 movie. Raphael: the story of how Leo leaves on his journey, and he becomes Nightwatcher. Michelangelo: a lighthearted story in which Michelangelo, as Cowabunga Carl, chases a purse snatcher. Donatello: Donatello creates a machine that scans for unknown lifeforms, and discovers the 13 monsters. April: explains how Max Winters hired her to search for the Fourth General. Leonardo: the story of Leonardo's journey and the path he followed.

Average customer rating:

Great start to the Dwarven Nations Trilogy

The Covenant of the Forge

Oustanding Begining to an Amazing Series

Timeline is messed up

Excellent Dragonlance History book
Covenant of the Forge (Dragonlance Dwarven Nations Trilogy, Volume 1)
Dan Parkinson
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Parkinson, Dan | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Brother of the Dragon (The Barbarians, Volume Two)

The Kagonesti (Dragonlance Lost Histories, Vol. 1)

Children of the Plains (Dragonlance Barbarians, Vol. 1)

Land of the Minotaurs (Dragonlance Lost Histories, Vol. 4)

Sister of the Sword (Barbarians, Book 3)

ASIN: 1560765585

Customer Reviews:

Great start to the Dwarven Nations Trilogy.......2007-01-20

Dan Parkinson does an excellent job spinning the tale of how the dwarves came to find (or claim) their new mountain home and how the many dwarven clans become inspired to live (somewhat) peacefully alongside their neighboring clans. The history of the majestic and powerful Hylar clan and how they helped to unite the dwarves is an interesting one that I would recommend any Dragonlance fan should read.

The Covenant of the Forge.......2005-06-06

The Covenant of the Forge portrays the dwarven image to perfection and is a fast read for any fantasy lover. High action and great wording by Parkinson kept me going strong until the end. The best thing about this book is that its a trilogy, so I can satisfy my need for more and reach the conclusion of a great start of a great series.

Oustanding Begining to an Amazing Series.......2002-09-20

This book was the one that drew me into the amazing world of krynn. This story begins the Dwarven Nations Trilogy, which is one of the best DL series ever!

I was totally captivated by this story. The dwarves leave thier homeland, being lead by "Colin Stonetooth", leader of will soon be the "Hylar" clan. They soon arrive in Kal-Thax, and make thier new home below the mountains.

What a spirited begining!! A must read!!

Timeline is messed up.......2002-09-11

This is a good book, with a big flaw. The timeline is all wrong. The Elven Nations Trilogy for the most part is supposed to have taken place after the Dwarves have delved Thorbardin, and Damon Omenborn (Father of Kings) is long dead. Namely because the ambassador to the Silvanesti in the book Firstborn is Hylar, as well as the fact that troops that fight alongside Kith-Kanan are Hylar troops.

Well in this book Cale Greeneye meets elves in Kal-Thax that say they are from Qualinesti. That really cannot be, since Kith-Kanan didn't found Qualinesti till after the Kinslayer war. Which brings up the question, how do the Hylar of Thorbardin fight in the Kinslayer war, if they are still the Calnar of Thorin?

The Elven Nations Trilogy was released prior to this trilogy. Dan Parkinson should have at least read it, so that they could get their stories straight.

Other than that it is a very good story, and Dwarves make fascinating subjects.

Excellent Dragonlance History book.......2001-06-03

A wonderful explaination of why Dwarves are the way they are. Wondeful book with lots of suprises along the way!

3 Dragon Lance PBs by Dan Parkinson, The Dwarven Nations Trilogy: Covenant of the Forge + 2 Sequels (The Dwarven Nations Trilogy)

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3 Dragon Lance PBs by Dan Parkinson, The Dwarven Nations Trilogy: Covenant of the Forge + 2 Sequels (The Dwarven Nations Trilogy)
Dan Parkinson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QW5W0K

Product Description

Dragon Lance, The Dwarven Nations Trilogy: 1. The Covenant of the Forge. 2. Hammer and Axe. 3. The Swordsheath Scroll.

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Covenant of the Forge
Dan Parkinson
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GROQ8E

"Dragonlance" Dwarven Nations Trilogy: The Covenant of the Forge, Hammer and Axe, The Swordsheath Scroll (Set of 3 Fantasy Novels)

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"Dragonlance" Dwarven Nations Trilogy: The Covenant of the Forge, Hammer and Axe, The Swordsheath Scroll (Set of 3 Fantasy Novels)
Dan Parkinson
Manufacturer: TSR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000TJQF7E

The Covenant of the Forge (DragonLance Dwarven Nations Trilogy Vol. 1)

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The Covenant of the Forge (DragonLance Dwarven Nations Trilogy Vol. 1)
Dan Parkinson
Manufacturer: TSR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

A warm tribute to the late Hal Clement, the writer, and to Harry Clement Stubbs, the man behind the pseudonym, this book brings you remembrances by friends and colleagues, a previously uncollected Hal Clement short story, an original story by Walter Hunt, an interview by Darrell Schweitzer, a reminiscence by his widow, Mary Stubbs, and many reminders of the many ways he affected the lives of fans, students, and fellow writers. The contributors to the book begin with the members of the writers' group he mentored, Hal's Pals: Leslie A. Greenleaf, Jr., Sherry Briggs, Tania Ruiz, Anne Warner, Steven F. LeBrun, Matthew Jarpe, Ramona Louise Wheeler, and Lance Dixon. From the professional community come: Ben Bova, Allen M. Steele, Walter H. Hunt, Anthomy Lewis, Jeffrey A. Carver, Michael Swanwick, Stanley Schmidt, Julie E. Czerneda, Isaac Szpindel, Jack Williamson, Michael A. Burstein, David Gerrold, J. Michael Straczynski, Darrell Schweitzer, and Joe Haldeman. All proceeds will go to Milton Academy, the school where Harry taught science for thirty-eight years, and Joslin Diabetes Center, important to Harry because he had the disease.

Customer Reviews:

Honored to be a part of it........2005-07-19

This collection of stories and essays is a tribute to one of science fiction's grand masters, the late Hal Clement. In addition to interviews of the man himself, there are essays on his work and his relationship with the writing group he mentored for so many years. This volume contains my first published short story, Extended Warranty, a part of my own Dark Wing universe.

The contributors to this work have donated all proceeds to the Joslin Diabetes Center and to Milton Academy, where Hal Clement worked for many years as a teacher.

Book Description

This is not just a book of masterful recipes, tips, techniques, and meticulously detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. It is an extravagant paean to decadent desserts. Filled with luscious creations and lavish artistry-Chocolate Swan Truffles, Enchanted Forest Torte-this definitive guide to working with chocolate is unusual because it is written with beginners in mind. A cooking teacher with decades of experience, Elaine Gonz‡lez has devised innovative techniques to put the art of working with chocolate within everyone's reach. After mastering a few basics, any cook can create shimmering cakes, seductive truffles, and amazing chocolate sculptures. With The Art of Chocolate, even novices will soon roll, curl, twist, coax, and nudge chocolate to dizzying heights of fantasy.

Customer Reviews:

Not enough photos..........2006-05-10

The book is OK, the recipes seem to be good (I haven't tried any yet), but there's a lack of photographs...

I think they are very important in cook books!!

No nonsense guide.......2006-04-21

A good guide for home cooks with the time and interest to play with chocolate artistically. Great overview of equipment and terminology. Inspiring photos. Thanks Elaine!

Beautiful, well explained book!.......2005-08-15

The explanations are clear and the ideas are great, but there are few photos that show the step-by-step of the confections. It is a pity!

Needs more pictures.......2005-02-17

I just received my copy of The Art of Chocolate. There seems to be a lot of information, great receipes and "projects" in the book. The problem I have is that there aren't enough pictures showing how the items are made and constructed. In some cases there aren't even picutres of the finished product so you can't tell if your constructing it correctly. To add insult to injury, I bought the book from Stone-Creative which arrived missing pages 19 through 22 which had the tempering information needed for most of the receipes in the book. You may want to keep this in mind if you're considering ordering anything from them.

Chocolate Lovers Delight.......2003-07-07

I tried The Chocolate Lovers' Cookbook, a compilation by Juliet Cobb and ever since then, a great Chocoholic. As some ingredients were not available in town, I grabbed this book 'Art of Chocolates: Techniques & Recipes from a friend. The books says in detail:
Start to Finish -
Ingredients and Tools
Melting and Tempering Chocolate
Spectacular Chocolate Confections
Chocolate Magic Tricks
Spectacular Chocolate Gifts
Spectacular Chocolate Cakes and Desserts
Basic Cakes, Fillings, Frostings, and Sauces

Easier to go through step by step with simple Instructions. The magic tricks are great I like most because once you make a chocolate, the appear has to be cool. So here's a mould,chocolate plates, bowls, boxes, cups, leaves, bows, flowers, tree bark various cutouts.Chocolate baskets, decorated boxes and various tricks is sure catchy. Of coz, some ingredients fall short in India, there's always some substitutes to use and I find it much easier to try my hand on one or two recipe but yeah, reading is cool n the taste touches the sweet tooth jes seeing the pics. A good pick.

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