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.
From the Hardcover edition.
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.
Customer Reviews:
The Return of Doc.......2007-09-10
Doc Savage has returned!
It is great what Nostalgia Ventures is doing and that FINALLY someone is starting to reprint all these classic tales of adventure. I agree with the other statements, Doc is indeed the first superhero. These stories are timeless and the action is unbelievable. Can't wait for the rest of the series to follow.
Two Excellent Doc Savage Novels.......2007-03-23
The books gathered here come later in the Doc Savage run, just before the stories started to lose some of their steam. It was almost as if Lester Dent (writing as Kenneth Robeson) became insprired by the idea of someone breaking into The Fortress of Solitude and getting away with it! I actually read The Devil Genghis first in 1967 when I bought a copy of the original pulp, before the Fortress of Solitude came out. It took me about two years to get the original pulp, but by then I had read the Bantam edition of THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE.
Doc may seem quaint these days, but Dent's punchy writing style and loopy descriptions still save the day. I recommend all of the Doc Savage books in this run. I'm hoping Doc will find a new audience in the 21st century. He was, and still is, the greatest adventure hero of them all. Above Doc is Superman. There's no one in the middle of those two. Blazes!
A Great Read!.......2007-02-20
I couldn't put this book down. It's not only a fun trip into the early days of PULP, but also a great read.
The original format is preserved; the look and fell of the book itself is cool.
From its action cover to the last page this story was a blast. I also enjoyed the historical notes throughout the book.
An Awesome Return of The Man of Bronze!.......2006-11-04
Doc Savage was the first superhero. He was the inspiration for Superman, Batman and many other of the heroes everyone knows today. An interesting thing to note is Doc Savage's first name is Clark, and Kenneth Robeson's Real last name was Dent. Put them together and you get Clark Dent. HMM. . . Where have I heard that name before?
If you enjoy Science fiction, action, adventure, or just a good old mystery, these books are for you. Written is a fast paced manner, they read very well and keep the action moving as fast as you can read. Unlike many books today, where the author adds so much detail that a minute's worth of dialogue and activity takes 6 pages to read, these novels keep you moving at the speed of an action movie, not a documentary.I have been a fan of Doc Savage since about 1978. I grew up reading and collecting the Bantam editions. In college, I lost my focus and missed the last years of the series and have been trying to find them, ever since. I was excited when I heard this was coming, but after reading my copy, I can only say one thing. Awesome!
This book is printed in the original pulp magazine style. in the 1930's entire novels were printed on 7X10 paper with illustrations and extra articles and such. This edition is a true book, with quality covers, printed spine and heavy paper. Even the original illustrations have been used, along with the original cover paintings from the first editions. Additional articles about the author and the series add interest over and above the enjoyable stories.
Buy yours today! You won't regret it.
Customer Reviews:
Rejoice, lovers of adventure! Doc Savage is back in print!.......2007-06-11
Doc Savage stands as one of the most remarkable series in the history of heroic science fiction. Although little known to today's younger generation of sci-fi adventure, Doc's remarkable career as the star of his own monthly magazine through much of the 1930s and 40s surely places him in contention for the greatest adventure hero in the history of fiction. Certainly his record of derring-do, exploration, invention, crime fighting and mystery solving stack up against any other character that can be named. This career spans 182 novels (all but a handful written by his creator, the prolific Missouri pulp writer Lester Dent). And now with this brand new series of reprints, a new generation of readers is ready to discover Doc again.
During his career, Doc, with the help of his five remarkable friends, did some pretty amazing things. He battled colorful villians and saved the U.S. and the world from the most insidious of plans. He also came up with some spectacular inventions and innovations; and, in the course of his exploits, discovered dozens of lost civilizations and legendary artifacts. His popularity during his time was so great that the creators of Superman borrowed from him several aspects of Superman's character, including the concept of the fortress of Solitude. However, Doc as a hero is more similar to Batman than to Superman, as there is nothing supernatural or extraterrestrial about his powers - rather they are the result of pure physical and scientific development, the result of an experiment in which Doc was trained from infanthood to become a superior human being.
The selection of the two novels in this mini-omnibus constitute the entire "John Sunlight" saga. Sunlight was Doc's Moriarty, the only villian to survive an encounter with the Man of Bronze for a return engagement. In "Fortress of Solitude" Sunlight establishes himself as one of Doc's most formidable adversaries by stealing some of Doc's most secret powerful weapons and using them for his own campaign of evil. And in the sequel, "The Devil Genghis", Sunlight is back again, with world domination as his goal and only Doc standing in his way.
While I'm disappointed that the editors of these new reprints chose not to follow a straight chronological reprinting of this series, starting with the first volume (the best introduction to the series) and moving on from there, I must say they couldn't have picked two more representative stories than these. And even if you already possess the text of all 182 original Doc novels as I do, these reprints would be worth owning because of the original pulp presentation and art - I've also heard that some of these new reprints actaully offer restored text that never appeared in any published version.
The Original Superhero!.......2007-05-11
Doc Savage was the first superhero. He was the inspiration for Superman, Batman and many other of the heroes everyone knows today. An interesting thing to note is Doc Savage's first name is Clark, and Kenneth Robeson's Real last name was Dent. Put them together and you get Clark Dent. HMM. . . Where have I heard that name before?
If you enjoy Science fiction, action, adventure, or just a good old mystery, these books are for you. Written is a fast paced manner, they read very well and keep the action moving as fast as you can read. Unlike many books today, where the author adds so much detail that a minute's worth of dialogue and activity takes 6 pages to read, these novels keep you moving at the speed of an action movie, not a documentary.I have been a fan of Doc Savage since about 1978. I grew up reading and collecting the Bantam editions. In college, I lost my focus and missed the last years of the series and have been trying to find them, ever since. I was excited when I heard this was coming, but after reading my copy, I can only say one thing. Awesome!
This book reprints the two appearances of Johnny Sunlight, one of Doc Savage's most challenging opponents. He is introduced in the first story, where he discovers the hidden research and storage lab of Doc. Doc chases him across the continent back to his fortress, where you think Johnny has been killed, but returns to menace the entire world even worse in the second story.
This book is printed in the original pulp magazine style. in the 1930's entire novels were printed on 7X10 paper with illustrations and extra articles and such. This edition is a true book, with quality covers, printed spine and heavy paper. Even the original illustrations have been used, along with the original cover paintings from the first editions. Additional articles about the author and the series add interest over and above the enjoyable stories.
This edition reprints the famous cover painting by James Bama.
Buy yours today! You won't regret it.
Doc Savage Returns!.......2007-02-14
After an official 12 year hiatus, the adventures of Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze, are coming into print for a new generation. This is landmark day for die-hard Doc Savage fans such as myself and an opportunity for new fans to discover him. Doctor Clark Savage Jr. was raised by scientists to be a "super-man" who righted wrongs and defended the innocent. He made his headquaters on the 86th floor of the "tallest building in New York" and with his five aides -- all experts in different fields -- he travelled the world looking for excitement and adventure.
The series was written (mostly) by Lester Dent and explored many ideas that were later
borrowed by other charaters. (Yes, Virginia, Doc Savage had the ORIGINAL arctic Fortress of Solitude in 1933 fully 5 years before Superman was even published.) Virtually every adventure character since then has "borrowed" from Doc. It is good to have his original adventures back in print.
Product Description
John Sunlight, poetic genius of evil, gruesome master of a thousand elements of screaming terror, discovers the innermost secrets of The Man of Bronze. Doc Savage finds himself enmeshed in a diabolical web of dark horror as he valiantly battles the appalling machines of destruction he himself has invented!
Customer Reviews:
The Horror of Eternal Sunlight.......1999-02-09
I was surprised that these books in the series, specifically, weren't reviewed to the gills by Savage fans everywhere.
These books are probably the most powerful in the Doc Savage series, and most important in the legend. The reason: the introduce and herald the return of the most evil of all Doc's villians: John Sunlight. This man is almost the match of Doc, the only criminal to ever reappear in the series, to truly give Doc a run for his money with a mind just as coldly calculating, twisted, and efficient as Doc's was scientific and humane, and also the villian who most terrified Doc personally and discovered a lot of the secrets behind Doc Savage. In most regards, Sunlight (echoing the name of Lucifer in the bible as the Morning Star and fallen angel) was the antithesis of Doc Savage in mind, body, and soul. Sunlight is a devil, for sure, and fittingly his true identity is never discovered, though he did first appear in the northern reaches of the arctic, which in Scandanavian myth is the domain of Hel.
These books are at the core of the Doc Savage mythos.
Amazon.com
Setting: Charleston, South Carolina, 1803
Sensuality Rating: 6
Get the champagne out of the refrigerator! It's time to celebrate The New York Times bestselling author Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's latest epic, A Season Beyond a Kiss. This pioneer of the romantic fiction genre renews her grateful readers' acquaintance with old friends, the Birminghams of The Flame and the Flower and The Elusive Flame fame. This time it's Brandon's younger brother Jeffrey and his off-again, on-again marriage to beautiful English import Raelynn that captivates audiences. Circumstances--and a murderous villain--have conspired to separate newlyweds Jeff and Raelynn. Raelynn has been broadsided by the accusation that Jeff has impregnated a young serving girl and refused to acknowledge his child. Jeff, of course, vehemently denies the accusation, but Raelynn is unsure she can trust her handsome husband. Just when the young lovers manage to mend their quarrel, a pregnant Raelynn is horrified to discover Jeff standing over the body of the murdered serving girl with the murder weapon in his hand. Throw in a ruthless merchant with designs to possess Raelynn at any cost and a mysterious murderer with a secret worth killing for, and you've got a new classic from veteran author Woodiwiss. In spite of the sometimes convoluted dialogue, fans old and new will be able to overlook the impression that Woodiwiss believes she's being paid by the word and revel in a fresh tale with familiar friends.--Alison Trinkle
Book Description
In the loving embrace of her new husband, the dashing American shipping magnate Jeff Birmingham, Raelynn Barrett can forget her painful past and the tragic, undeserved disgrace of her family. With Jeff, each sweet, lingering kiss is a promise of a future rich in joy and sensual fulfilment.
But Raelynn can hear the whispered rumours that damn the man she loves. And what her own eyes have witnessed seem to brand her adored and adoring Jeff as the worst sort of criminal. In the face of the devastating treacheries of ruthless, hidden enemies, how can Jeff ever hope to win back the trust of the woman he cherishes.?
Customer Reviews:
A Season Beyond a Kiss.......2007-02-02
I love this author. She knows how to write a romance novel. This book was one of three in a series. I guess I just didn't want " The Birmingham Saga" to end. It was very slow and sickening sweet until mid book, then it picked up and you actually wanted to finish it.
*CAN'T GO WRONG WITH KATHLEEN WOODIWISS*.......2006-07-22
There is not a book Kathleen Woodiwiss has written that isn't fabulous! Here is another perfect example! Heated, great story, romance! I LOVED IT!
Tedious and Pretentious - tossed it at page 20!.......2004-12-29
Horrible! The story seemed a bit slow to start with, but what really put me off was the author's constant use of what I can only assume she thought were more classy and literary words than those anyone else would have used. Example: she used "orbs" to describe both eyes and breasts dozens of times (within the 20 pages I read) and rarely used "eyes" or "breasts". Other phrasing seemed overly wordy and pretentious as well, as if trying to impress the reader (or critics) with all the big words and synonyms that she knows - I don't enjoy a book that takes me away from the story with eyes rolling and "oh, brother!" comments regarding the way it's written. Too bad, even though the beginning of it was a bit slow, I would have continued and probably would have enjoyed it, but the writing was unbearable. Tossed into the "donate to the library" pile.
This is a continuation of a short story from an anthology..........2004-03-20
I noticed that some of the reviewers mentioned that they felt like they were missing some of Jeff and Raelynn's story. If you don't read Three Weddings and a Kiss, Woodiwiss's anthology with Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase, and Catherine Anderson, then you will indeed miss the beginning of this book. The story in the anthology is named The Kiss, hence the title for this book - A Season Beyond a Kiss. I didn't realize that either. I read them in the wrong order, and so I thought I'd tell you about it. Be forewarned though, The Kiss is very, very short - the shortest story in the anthology consisting of only a few pages.
why? why ? why?.......2003-11-30
I AM STILL TRYING TO READ THIS BOOK.. I'VE HAD IT FOR OVER SIX MONTHS... I AM SOOOO GLAD THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST BOOK I READ OF KATHLEENE WOODIWISS......I JUST WANT TO KNOW IS WHY DID SHE NOT START FROM THE BEGINNING OF HOW THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS MET.... AND WHY WAS THE VILLAIN/STORY LINE SO WEAK? I WAS JUST SO SURPRISED THIS CAME FROM HER....(ARE WE SURE SHE WROTE THIS?)I HOPE SHE THINKS ABOUT REWRITING THIS BOOK..
Average customer rating:
- The Elusive Flame/A season Beyond a Kiss
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Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Collection: The Elusive Flame, A Season Beyond a Kiss
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: Nova Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: 1587887568
Release Date: 2002-02-28 |
Book Description
The Elusive Flame, read by James Daniels; directed by Laura Grafton; engineered by Jeremy Spanos.
Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress. A brilliant young artist tossed from her home with only the clothes on her back, Cerynise must now turn to a childhood companion for assistance - the dashing sea captain Beauregard Birmingham - and beg him to provide her with passage to the Carolinas. She seeks a new home and a new life across the waters, but all depends on the kindness of a charming adventurer who was once the object of her youthful infatuation.
A Season Beyond a Kiss, read by Susan Ericksen; directed by Sandra Burr; engineered by Melissa Coates.
Her marriage to dashing American shipbuilder Jeff Birmingham signals the beginning of a wonderful new life for Raelynn Barrett. In the loving shelter of her husband's embrace, the pain of loss is diminished, as is her anger over her family's tragic and undeserved disgrace. But try as she might, Raelynn cannot close her ears to the cruel accusations and whispered rumors about her new spouse that buzz around her head like bees.
Customer Reviews:
The Elusive Flame/A season Beyond a Kiss.......2002-07-07
I love all Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's books.They keep my nose in them in'll i have finshed the whole book.
Customer Reviews:
From the dustjacket flap . . ........2007-08-11
In her groundbreaking masterwork, The Flame and the Flower, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss first introduced readers to a remarkable love story. The incomparable author captivated her devoted audience again with the long-awaited sequel, The Elusive Flame. Now the magnificent story comes around full circle with . . .
A Season Beyond a Kiss
Her marriage to dashing American shipping magnate Jeff Birmingham signals the beginning of a wonderful new life for Raelynn Barrett. In the loving shelter of her husband's embrace, the pain of loss is diminished, as is her anger over her family's tragic and undeserved disgrace. But try as she might, Raelynn cannot close her ears to the cruel accusations and whispered rumors about her new spouse that buzz around her head like bees. And she cannot deny what her own eyes see, though the images before her seem to brand her darling Jeff as the worst sort of criminal, forcing her to flee his desire and his love.
Yet Jeff knows he is innocent -- though he is unaware of the conspiracy that has shrouded his marriage in secrets and now imperils it with lies. And he will oppose the treachery with every fiber of his being in order to preserve his threatened happiness -- to win back the trust of the woman he cherishes...and secure his place forever in his beloved Raelynn's heart.
Product Description
Birmingham Trilogy - The Flame and the Flower - Elusive Flame - A Season Beyond a Kiss
Product Description
Large soft cover not mass media
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