A strong anthology, selected from over 3,000 nominations made by the editors of 364 literary magazines and small presses, of challenging and generally first-rate stories, poems, and illustrations (photos, art work). The 88 contributors include William S. Burroughs (``Where He Was Going,'' a short story from Cherry Valley Editions); Tom Disch (``Crumbling Infrastructure,'' a poem from Southwest Review); W.P. Kinsella (``The Dixon Cornbelt League,'' a story from Baseball History); James Harrison (a drawing/collage from Poetry East); Amira Baraka, Gregory Corso, Grace Paley, Czeslaw Milosz, Paul Bowles, and a host of lesser- knowns. All the works were originally published between 1984 and 1990 (the first two Editor's Choice volumes spanned 1965-83). Henceforth, the series will appear every two years—a biennial treat to look forward to as editor Sklar, founder of The Spirit That Moves Us Press, performs the invaluable service, similar to that performed by Bill Henderson and his Pushcart Prize anthologies, of intelligently and diligently combing the American literary landscape for those gems too easily overlooked in this age of megapublishing ventures.
Pub Date: May 8, 1992
ISBN: 0-930370-40-6
Page Count: 336
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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