THE ONE ARMED QUEEN by Jane Yolen (Copyright 1998) I read all the way through, even though I think I don’t like fantasies. I’ll give it a 9 or 10 rating to re-read in 30 years. There’s so many other books I might enjoy. It has a lot of humor. I also enjoyed its being broken into segments labeled Songs or Ballads, The History, The Fable, The Story, The Myth, The Legend, The Tale and perhaps several others. At times these labeled sections disagreed, at times agreed, at times one would ridicule another. As a whole, it gives a good and somewhat satirical look at history, historians, people, the way the world works. Good going, Jane!
THE THREE PILLARS OF ZEN by Philip Kapleau (Copyright 1965) is still a useful book for meditators, Zen students, other Buddhists, and, of course, professors. It was the first book that gave details of how to practice Zen. Kapleau translated a series of lectures by Yasutani Roshi, at the time Kapleau’s Zen Master. Kapleau later abandoned Yasutani, declared himself a Zen Master, and has had a very checkered career.
I suggest reading only the translation of the lectures—that’s the meat of the book, and you will miss little by ignoring the rest. Select from the lectures what you can use, and become your own guru or Zen Master. I have done that and it’s what I suggest for everyone. Elsewhere in these articles I have dealt with the problems I see with organized Zen, becoming a loyal follower which is what Zen Masters want more than your becoming enlightened, should you believe in that concept. And they love any money you might contribute. I suspect I’m too damn cynical. Certainly my 2nd wife thought so.
THE LAST VAN GOGH by A. J. Zerries (copyright 2006) I had great hopes for. And I tried, I really did, but only managed a little over 100 pages. The author is a married couple and this is their first book after abandoning NYC, their ad writing jobs, and moving to New England. A is for Al, J is for Jean.
The book is loaded with good writing: long well written descriptions with loads of detail. I found them too long, and longed for more action. Chapter One, which gives a murder to solve, while only 6 pages long, lots of words on each page, made me impatient. I knew a crime was coming up, but really wished it had come up sooner and with less literary polish. The style is not modern, it’s more like that of the early 20th Century. If you have time to linger of well written exquisite detail, you’ll love this book. At 86 I have too many other things I want to do. I won’t try it again, but will give it a 6 for the good writing. Try again Al and Jean, but remember, mysteries are supposed to move and the action is more important than good writing.
If you like my re views and find them useful, recommend them to friends, family, and acquaintances.