To: ALL Date: 12/30
From: KDEX08B RUTH BAVETTA Time: 0:11 AM
A BLESSING ON THE MOON (a rave review) AND SUNDRY OTHER
BOOKS.
After a period of periodicals, I've galloped into an
end-of-the-year frenzy of reading. In the past week, 4
novels. First IF YOU KNEW ME, by Anne Roiphe. An
interesting study of a woman reassessing her life, a
small-town schoolteacher and his retarded sister. Then
DROWN, a collection of short stories by Juno Diaz, many of
which I had already read in the New Yorker.
Of course, I took a book with me on the flight to Arizona.
When we had to arrive early for our flight home in order to
avoid paying another day's rental charges on the car, I was
unflustered. I had a good book to pass the time. I
thought. Until I remembered that the book was still sitting
on the coffee table at my stepson's house. I approached the
airport "bookstore" with expectations, which were borne out,
of the usual mass of dreck. BUT, there they were, down in
one inconspicuous corner corner of the rack, not one, but
two, books by Kay Gibbon. I bought A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, which
saw me through the airport wait, the airplane wait, and the
evening once I got home.
And today, there in the mail, was the book I'd left at my
stepson's-A BLESSING ON THE MOON by Joseph Skibell. I
finished it this evening. Vicki Karno's post about this
book piqued my interest. Didn't she say a nephew had
written it?
Vicki, if you're reading this, please give him my
congratulations. This is a stunner of a book.
I'm normally not much for magic realism, and I was one of
the few here that didn't care much for THE WHITE HOTEL, and
this book has been compared to both. It would be an
understatement to say I was completely enthralled. My
disbelief was suspended willingly by the end of page 1 and I
was sucked into a literary Marc Chagall as filtered through
the holocaust.
Funny, sad, miraculous, thought-provoking. Please, someone
else read this book so I'm not left alone trying to figure
out its never-ending series of puzzles. A first book by an
author unafraid to tackle the big questions in a small book.
Ruth
=============== Reply 1 of Note 44 =================
To: KDEX08B RUTH BAVETTA Date: 12/30
From: WSRF10B SHERRY KELLER Time: 10:35 AM
Dear Ruth,
I was at a reading by Skibell and planned on reading it
soon, but was distracted. He read the (rather long) part of
the wandering soul carrying the German head. I thought that
was wonderful.
With my kids here, I don't do as much reading as I'd like,
and I was going to start the Carver next, but I'll see.
Sherry
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=============== Reply 2 of Note 44 =================
To: ALL Date: 02/24
From: UHUB31A D RANDALL Time: 3:27 AM
A BLESSING ON THE MOON - Skibbell. I did finally read this
one and found it very powerful and compelling. I had picked
up a copy and asked Dale to copy the reader's guide for me
but by the time his note appeared to say the guide was in
the mail -- I had given the book to my friend for Christmas
and/or Hannakuh. Then I found it at Bookman for about half
price which surprised me. Now comes the best part --
slipped into the back of the library cover I discovered the
actual reader's guide and several photocopied reviews and
the four page Algonquin release with the sheduled stops
beginning with one BEFORE it was actually released. AND a
5X7 glossy of the author -- and all because I gave the first
copy I bought to someone as a gift! I just thought this was
all TOO much! I am still thinking about this book -- my
main reaction is to note that THIS Holocaust story grabs my
personal attention -- INVOLVES me -- because of this real
character. Dottie
PS -- I am now reading The Gospel According To The Son --
Norman Mailer. I have not come to grips yet with my
thoughts on A Blessing On The Moon but will post here again
in a couple days (or less).
=============== Reply 1 of Note 27 =================
To: UHUB31A D RANDALL Date: 02/24
From: WSRF10B SHERRY KELLER Time: 8:46 AM
Dottie,
Isn't it interesting that the "real" character is dead? I
guess reality is relative . It's neat you found all that
extra material in the book. What a find! This was an
original book, all right.
Sherry
=============== Reply 2 of Note 27 =================
To: WSRF10B SHERRY KELLER Date: 02/24
From: UHUB31A D RANDALL Time: 1:33 PM
Sherry -- It certainly is interesting! At first it was
disconcerting but then it became interesting and then it was
nescessary because the experiences were so bad that it would
have been terrible for anyone alive to experience them.
Which was the point perhaps? The experiences of those who
were consumed in the Holocaust were beyond the pale in terms
of comprehension on a "live" human level and yet they
happened. Maybe that's why the connection to these events
seems to be more complete here? Hmmmm? A book that
requires thought. Dottie, who still hasn't read all the
lovely 'extras' discovered in the book jacket. ALSO, the
moon because it is so remote symbolizes our difficulty in
comprhension -- might as well be made of green chees or ice
or whatever -- just beyond understanding.
=============== Reply 3 of Note 27 =================
To: UHUB31A D RANDALL Date: 02/24
From: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Time: 9:52 PM
Dottie, it's been several weeks since I finished this book,
and it still haunts me. I have not yet figured it all
out--or even a tiny portion of it. I think it deserves a
re-read, but there's precious little time for that right
now. I like the idea about the moon being unattainable, out
of our grasp of knowledge or understanding...much like the
holocaust in general. Perhaps only certain people are privy
to the truth...
Anne, awaiting El Nino's contribution to Colorado tomorrow
=============== Reply 4 of Note 27 =================
To: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Date: 02/24
From: UHUB31A D RANDALL Time: 10:50 PM
Anne -- I need to add that this concept is more applicable
to years gone by. Does it still fit when we consider that
in our lifetimes we sent men up to walk on the surface of
the moon? Or is it still workable because those of us who
have never actually had that experience are still in that
'awed' state of incomprehensibility? Perhaps the real truth
is that no one knows except those who were there and
survived it. The first hand stories recorded and told (not
that they were all told) are the only way for others to
begin to know about these things. The official wettest
winter in California history since 1877 just announced on
the news. Hope El Nino isn't too hard on you! Dottie
=============== Reply 5 of Note 27 =================
To: UHUB31A D RANDALL Date: 02/25
From: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Time: 8:18 PM
Dottie, El Nino blew right over us, strong enough to
rrearrange the patio furniture, but without the expected
snow dump.
Regarding the moon, to those of us who view it from afar
only, it has such a mystical quality. Probably to those so
fortunate to have walked on it, too. I'm getting this image
right now of all the old bones on the moon...is this
correct? (my book is on loan & I can't verify) Was this
symbolic of heaven, of lost souls or spirits? So many
questions...and none of the reviews I've seen address any
answers, so it ain't just me!--Anne
=============== Reply 6 of Note 27 =================
To: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Date: 02/25
From: UHUB31A D RANDALL Time: 11:00 PM
Anne --- I had a completely different take on the bones on
the moon -- the moon fell into one of those mass graves full
of Holocaust victims. Maybe that is also off the mark but
that was my thought. I like the lost souls thought but like
you I am truly struggling to find understanding here. Glad
El Nino didn't hit you -- we had cold and wind today but are
actually supposed to hit 70 degrees come Sat -- first in a
LONG while. Dottie, who needs to read all those extra
goodies that came with ABOTM --- but can't tear herself away
from The Gospel According To The Son --- SOON I'll be done
and then will read these and post what I find on ABOTM
=============== Reply 7 of Note 27 =================
To: UHUB31A D RANDALL Date: 02/26
From: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Time: 9:39 PM
Dottie, I hope all the "goodies" you found in the back of
the book add some needed insight here! Keep me posted.
And tell me more about the Mailer book. I've passed that one
over several times, somewhat reluctantly. I have read many
of his books, but got so bogged down in OSWALD'S TALE that I
avoided the new one. What do you think...should I put it
back on my list?
Anne
=============== Reply 8 of Note 27 =================
To: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Date: 02/27
From: UHUB31A D RANDALL Time: 5:51 PM
Anne -- THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE SON was really
relatively easy reading although I did take longer with it
than with many of the others I've torn through lately. I
enjoyed it -- it is almost sacreligious I suppose for some
folks but I was both intrigued and amused by the different
view offered herein. I don't think that some of what was
obviously intended to provoke reaction would result in
derailing one's faith necessarily -- but much of it does
allow for open dialogue and might raise too many questions
for some while opening the door for others to begin to
believe what they couldn't quite do previously. Do read it
and let me know what you think here! Dottie
=============== Reply 9 of Note 27 =================
To: UHUB31A D RANDALL Date: 02/28
From: KXBZ24A ANNE WILFONG Time: 1:22 PM
Dottie, thanks for the recommendation. It'll go back on my
list, and I'll probably getto it sooner than later. I hope.
Nearly picked it up today at the grocery store!
Anne, whose preferred way of enjoying this gorgeous day will
be in front of the TV for the Duke-Carolina basketball game!
(Go Blue Devils!)
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