Lady Books

I really enjoyed this book. Nissenson tells a fascinating story of the life of one of the most powerful women in American journalism, a woman who had a huge influence on politics in New York City and the nation. Dolly Schiff was a mover and shaker who came from a rarified, super-affluent background but became a champion of mid-century liberalism. In one well-written volume, Nissenson acquaints us with the history of New York City reform politics, the history of the Democratic party, and the history of American journalism, as well as the story of a woman who led an extraordinary life. I highly recommend this book.

What a shock it must have been for the author of this book when it was announced earlier this year that Pat Summitt had elected not to continue the annual series against the UConn Huskies. Worse...she refused to give any specific reasons. First, because she did not discuss her schedules before they were finalized, and once they were finalized....just because. "Geno knows why," is all she says. While most Lady Vols fans stand by their coach and claim she doesn't owe anyone a reason, other fans, particularly of UConn, are rather upset, as the trash-talking between the two fan bases has gone on for years, and one side or the other could always be silenced (for a while) depending on which team won that year.
But not any more. UConn and Tennessee, the most storied rivalry in WCBB, is no more, for no better reason than that Pat Summitt doesn't like Geno Auriemma, and rather than beat him on the court and make him like it, has simply taken her ball and gone home.

I've just finished "The Lady Was a Gambler" and it is a great read! Non-fiction can easily become boring, but this book takes you in right from the start and holds you all the way through. Each chapter is the story of a different lady gambler of the frontier days, and each story is equally captivating. Ms. Enss paints pictures with her words that take you back in time to the degree that you can actually hear the honky-tonk piano playing in the corner and smell the perfume over the cigar smoke. The period artwork and photos add to the adventure. It's a world that's seldom talked or written about, and she leaves the reader wanting even more. If you like the old west, or western stories, this book should be in your library.

Sado-masocism, homosexuality, and bed hoping in an affluent suburb are all part of this mystery. The hero is a Puerto Rican private detective, that has to go to the suburbs to help a familly member accused of a crime. The hero is laid back, and decidedly unheroic, but somehow he muddles through to help his family. I did not guess who the real crimminal was, and I do not think you will either. But his mystery is indeed a good read.

LADY WHILTON'S WEDDING
Daphne Whilton's widowed mother is remarrying, but Daphne's uncle Albert is determined to throw a monkey wrench into the wedding plans if he can't keep the money his late brother left his widow. When Albert dies, it seems that he's won after all, as a death in the family would postpone a wedding for at least 6 months. So Daphne decides to hide the body, aided unknowingly by the groom's son Graydon and the loyal butler.

The good:
The humor. It's reminiscent of the movie Arsenic and Old Lace, with the body disappearing, and some bumbling petty criminals.
Daphne. She's a wonderful heroine--no shrinking violet, she's logical and resourceful
Graydon. Likewise a wonderful hero. He's protective, but when he discovers Daphne's involvement, he respects her and works with her.

The bad:
The emphasis is more on the comic adventure than the romance.

The unusual:
This is written in omniscient POV, which can be distancing, but it's very effective in this case.

The verdict:
This would make a fabulous movie. As it is, it's a rollicking fun read.


AN ENCHANTED AFFAIR
Lisanne Neville can see fairies, which makes people think she's odd. Her parents die, leaving her an orphan heiress, and her greedy uncle takes over, alternately punishing her and ignoring her. She routinely escapes to the "haunted" woods, but this is threatened when the impoverished Duke of St. Sevrin who owns them decides to sell the timber. She proposes marriage to him as beneficial to both--saving her woods and getting her out from under her uncle's thumb, and paying off his debts.

The good:
Lisanne is a very strong heroine, and I liked how she took matters into her own hands and engineered her own rescue.
The story doesn't end with the wedding. It shows Lisanne and St. Sevrin adjusting to marriage and working at making it a success.

The bad:
It's a bit darker than most Regencies, at least at the beginning, with the abuse Lisanne suffers at her uncle's hand.
I wanted Lisanne to escape sooner, though I understand why she didn't.

The verdict:
Surprisingly complex for such a short book (228 p.). It's a Cinderella story, if Cinderella had played the part of her own fairy godmother.

Lady White and her friend Blue (who are both snakes), decide to leave their residence at Mt. Emei and experience the human world. A young man, Xu Xian, offers the two women the use of his umbrella when it begins to rain, and plans to pick it up from them the following day. After spending the day drinking tea with the two women, Xu Xian and Lady White agree to marry. Unfortunately, the two do not live happily ever after--because of the meddling of a monk who considers Lady White a demon and tries to convince Xu Xian of that fact. After a series of confrontations between the monk and Lady White, the story follows operatic tradition as the monk finally succeeds in ripping the two lovers apart. He captures Lady White and imprisons her under a pagoda by West Lake, where she will remain until either the lake dries up or the pagoda falls. However, the story does conclude on a hopeful note. As the centuries pass, Lady White's friend Blue trains until she and her army are able to destroy the pagoda and free Lady White from her prison, giving her freedom and perhaps one day another chance at love.

The author has included some pages of extra information that is helpful to those of us who are not familiar with aspects of Chinese opera that appear in this story. The beginning also has a pronunciation guide on names non-Chinese speakers may have problems with. There is also a brief description about the style of Chinese calligraphy the artist chose to incorporate into the illustrations. The illustrations are quite impressive, especially the two page spread showing the battle between the armies of the monastery and Lady White. The illustrator makes it seem as though they are images from a production of the opera, which enhances the story.

This is a great, well-written book, telling a story that most readers will not be familiar with. All the readers though will appreciate the action of the story and the lovely pictures that accompany the text. There is love and excitement, and while there is not a `happily ever after' ending between Lady White and Xu Xian, there are hints that love might come again for Lady White. However, one thing to be aware of is that this book will probably work better as a read aloud book than one kids read themselves, because of the long plot and unfamiliar words.

This story will probably especially appeal to girls, in both the exotic costumes and the characters who are passionate and adventurous. While Lady White does marry and have a child, unlike the "traditional" female role, she is not someone who will passively stand by and watch things happen without doing something. Her friend Blue has a similar personality, even struggling over the centuries to become strong enough to free Lady White.

I have always loved this book. The story is timeless and the illustrations are beautiful. If your children have not seen this book, they are missing a true treasure.

Pancho Barnes (Florence Lowe) was one of Hollywood's most flamboyant aviatrixes during from the 30's to the 50's. She was the daughter of Thadeus Lowe, a wealthy pioneer of Pasadena who made a small fortune during the Civil War, supplying Abraham Lincoln's army with tethered hydrogen balloons. Her anti-social and rebellious ways eventually led her to the world of Aviation and she eventually held many world records (beating out Amelia Earheart sometimes) and worked in the Hollywood Aviation community where she became President of The Motion Picture Pilot's Association. During the 40's she founded her notorious "Pancho's Happy Bottom Ridding Club" based at what is now known as Edwards Airforce Base. This is the bar and restaurant where aviation greats such as Chuck Yeagar, Bob Hoover, and Scott Crossfield would frequent after their legendary flights. This is must reading for anyone who follows the history oh Hollywood's Aviators and Aviatrixes.

I was anxious to ready Lady Windamere's Fan after I'd read Oscar Wilde's other more popular play, The Importance of Being Earnest. I'm not quite sure what I expected, but I was surprised at the content of Lady Windamere's Fan. Considering the lifestyle that Wilde indulged in, it was interesting to see his take on the confusions and lack of communication between a husband and wife. He introduced the subject of a possible affair and divorce, but sketched his main characters as honorable citizens who were willing to go against the "impulse of the moment" and instead, stay true and faithful to their spouses. The person of Lady Windamere is interesting and effective. She is one who many women would do well to emulate. She demonstrates great love and devotion to her husband and her child, and shows forth woman's indwelling feeling of responsibility for her offspring.

As always, Wilde gives us an interesting little "twist" at the end of the play, just to keep us on our toes and prove again that we aren't nearly as clever as he! Wilde proves himself again with Lady Windamere's Fan-- a job well done!

"Lady with a Laptop" is a howlingly funny sendup of the Greek island setting in which Don Thomas leads workshops and, when this manuscript was in progress, treated attendees to excerpts. There we found ourselves practicing the literary craft in sometimes tense proximity to drum-beating, vegetarian wannabe-shamans. The New Wave personalities and spirit of the place are vividly captured and, for extra spice, the author's alter-ego is faced with an entirely fictive problem: the mysterious death of the title character.