http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Mon, 20 Oct 2003 19:51:25 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/20/195125.php Michelle DittrichWith the RIAA suing illegal filesharers (read: their customers) right and left, it has been also discussed how people should react to it. Boycott of RIAA products is the first idea that comes to mind, though you might think this would be hard to coordinate. Well, now's your chance. You will never find out whether or not a boycott could have any effect or would even be noticed in sales if you don't try it.StopRIAAlawsuits.com now takes charge. A (growing) number of websites asks their users to boycott CDs from major labels for a weeks time beginning today. Instead, why not try out independents and explore new music? On their press release they say:The site stopRIAAlawsuits.com will feature information about the lawsuits, a list of coalition members, places to buy used CDs online, and, most importantly, resources for finding the best independent music. "Independent labels give their musicians a much bigger cut of CD sales," said Andrew Ross, who's band's site joined the coalition, "and they're not hiring expensive lawyers to bully families with reckless and unwarranted lawsuits." [via mixburnrip.de]So far, 122 websites are on the support list. How about Blogcritics joining after all the interesting discussion we had on the RIAA subject? Music9348@blogcritics.org Mon, 20 Oct 2003 19:51:25 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/02/113538.php Michelle DittrichThe 2003's Nobel Prize for literature is awarded to South African writer J.M. Coetzee, "who in innumerable guises portrays the surprising involvement of the outsider" as the jury put it. After Nadine Gordimer he is the second South Africa author to receive the prize.The press release summarizes his work as follows:J.M. Coetzee's novels are characterised by their well-crafted composition, pregnant dialogue and analytical brilliance. But at the same time he is a scrupulous doubter, ruthless in his criticism of the cruel rationalism and cosmetic morality of western civilisation. His intellectual honesty erodes all basis of consolation and distances itself from the tawdry drama of remorse and confession. Even when his own convictions emerge to view, as in his defence of the rights of animals, he elucidates the premises on which they are based rather than he argues for them.Well, I have to admit, though I heard a lot of good about Coetzee especially in the last year, I haven't come around to read any of his work. However, I guess now would be the best time to dwelve into his novels! Books8845@blogcritics.org Thu, 2 Oct 2003 11:35:38 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/09/16/110549.php Michelle DittrichToday, the Booker Prize Shortlist was announced. The original longlist of 23 books was reduced today to a shortlist containing six authors with their books. The nominations are as follows:Monica Ali for "Brick Lane" Margaret Atwood for "Oryx and Crake" Damon Galgut for "The Good Doctor" Zoë Heller for "Notes on a Scandal" Clare Morrall for "Astonishing Splashes Of Colour" DBC Pierre for "Vernon God Little"The jury will consist of John Carey, A.C. Grayling, Rebecca Stephens, Francine Stock and D.J. Taylor. The winner will be announced on October 14th in the Great Hall of The British Museum (London). He or she will receive 50.000 £ and of course an increase of sales. The ceremony will be broadcasted by the BBC. More on the Booker Prize you will find on their (very black) website. Books8411@blogcritics.org Tue, 16 Sep 2003 11:05:49 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/23/155142.php Michelle Dittrich23 novels were announced for this year's Booker Prize who's winner will be announced on October 14th in London. Monica Ali for Brick Lane Martin Amis for Yellow Dog Margaret Atwood for Oryx and Crake Carol Birch for Turn Again Home Melvyn Bragg for Crossing the Lines JM Coetzee for Elizabeth Costello Julia Darling for The Taxi Driver's Daughter Gerard Donovan for Schopenhauer's Telescope Damon Galgut for The Good Doctor Barbara Gowdy for The Romantic Mark Haddon for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Zoë Heller for Notes on a Scandal Francis King for The Nick of Time Shena Mackay for Heligoland Clare Morrall for Astonishing Splashes Of Colour John Murray for Jazz etc Julie Myerson for Something Might Happen Tim Parks for Judge Savage Caryl Phillips for A Distant Shore DCB Pierre for Vernon God Little Jonathan Raban for Waxwings Graham Swift for The Light of Day Barbara Trapido for Frankie & StankieMore on the novels and their authors can be found on the official Booker Prize website.Last year's winner was the later bestseller "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel (Kevin Holtsberry did a very enlightening review on the novel here at blogcritics) which told the story of the Indian boy Pi Patel who survives for over 200 days on the open pacific ocean with a grown tiger in his lifeboat. Books7783@blogcritics.org Sat, 23 Aug 2003 15:51:42 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/08/182023.php Michelle DittrichJim Morrison is a legend and so is his band The Doors. Morrison, who always liked sex, drugs and rock'n'roll died on July 3rd 1971 when he was only 27 years old. With his sudden death in a Parisean bathtub The Doors as a band were history. However, now in the year 2003, an important anniversary is coming up. On December 8th Jim would have turned 60 (he was born in 1943). For this day, the remaining band members Ray Manzarek (organ), John Densmore (drums) and Robby Krieger (guitar) plan a special nod to their old friend. On his birthday they want to meet up with the fans at Pere Lachaise Cemetaire in Paris (resting place for the famous) to celebrate his birthday at his graveside. The French officer who always stand on guard there won't be happy about this...The really big news is planned for December 9th, however. The band wants to play the entire "LA Woman" album in Paris' "Le Zenith". It's said the band will be in a new constellation, but who will be on stage - on most importantly who will sing - is not yet clear. Drummer John Densmore isn't ecstatic about the revival and thinks it's all about money and publicity. Which is probably true - yet it's possibly the only chance for a lot of younger fans to get an impression of The Doors live.[via vivaplus.tv - sorry, German news source...] Music7458@blogcritics.org Fri, 8 Aug 2003 18:20:23 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/31/194355.php Michelle DittrichRepublican senator Norm Coleman has a few questions for the RIAA. Now it seems also to dawn on politicians that the RIAA tactics might be a wee bit too harsh. While he is all for protecting the rights of the RIAA he is questioning the methods the RIAA is using. Here is the official press release:United States SenatePERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONSCommittee on Governmental AffairsNorm Coleman, Chairman Carl Levin, Ranking Minority MemberFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 31, 2003COLEMAN CONCERNED RECORDING INDUSTRY'S RUBBER-STAMP SUBPOENAS INADVERTENTLY TARGET UNWARY CONSUMERS"Law of unintended consequences" may be needlessly threatening American citizensWASHINGTON--Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) today began an inquiry into the tactics being employed by the Recording Industry Association of America in a crackdown on illegal file sharing that may be inadvertently targeting thousands of Americans.Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, issued a Chairman's Letter to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today requesting a series of answers from the industry on the details of more than 900 subpoenas that have been issued in its efforts to combat illegal file sharing."The industry has legitimate concerns about copyright infringement," concurred Coleman. "And, it has every right to develop practical remedies for protecting its rights. Yet, the industry seems to have adopted a "shotgun" approach that could potentially cause injury and harm to innocent people who may have simply been victims of circumstance, or possessing a lack of knowledge of the rules related to digital sharing of files. I am sure it is not the industry's intent to needlessly cause harm in its efforts to legally protect its rights. Indeed, the law of unintended consequences may be at work in this matter.""The RIAA subpoenas have snared unsuspecting grandparents whose grandchildren have used their personal computers, individuals whose roommates have shared their computers, as well as colleges and universities across the United States like Boston College, DePaul University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology," said Coleman. "Individuals like Fresno, California grandfather, Bob Barnes, are not immune from devastating financial losses. Mr. Barnes is facing $45 million in penalties for downloading some of his "oldie" favorites."In his "Chairman's Letter" to RIAA, Coleman requested the following information by no later than August 14th.1) Copies of all subpoenas issued to Internet Service Providers (ISP) requesting information about subscribers2) A description of the standard that RIAA is using when filing an application for a subpoena against an ISP with a U.S. District Court3) A description of the methodology RIAA is using to secure evidence of potentially illegal file sharing by computer users.4) A description of the privacy safeguards RIAA is using when securing this information in an effort to prevent unfair targeting of de minimus users5) A description of how RIAA is protecting the rights of individuals from erroneous subpoenas.Coleman made it clear to industry officials that he supports their efforts to protect their legal rights, but believes that other, less intrusive and potentially destructive methods could be employed."As you may know, I have an abiding interest in protecting the privacy rights of individuals. Clearly, I do not condone illegal activity, however I am confident that there may be a more circumspect and narrowly tailored method that RIAA could utilize to prevent substantial illegal file sharing. As a former prosecutor, I know first hand the power of a subpoena and I am concerned about the potential for abuse in the current system." [found at mixburnrip]Let's hope other politicians will follow Coleman's example and start to speak up for the public! Politics7362@blogcritics.org Thu, 31 Jul 2003 19:43:55 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/07/06/130618.php Michelle DittrichYou know, I admit, I only know Nerf Herder from the Buffy Theme. I've heard they had a new album, „American Cheese", out, but I didn't even pondered buying it. Until I found out Nerf Herder are currently touring Europe. So I found myself searching out the Wild at Heart in Berlin/Germany to see Nerf Herder live.But first things first. After meeting up with some friends in front of the Wild at Heart we went inside to get some of the few seats. This was when the waiting started. Anyway, it wouldn't be cool if a gig would start on time;-)Some hour later a band entered the stage that looked like the local schoolband. But just like you should never judge a book by its cover you should never judge a band by its appearance. Singer Kelly Kemp introduced the band as No Comply from England and started a set of ska/punk that got the people off their seats. Kemp has a pretty good voice and she is backed up by the usual guitar, bass, drums - but also a trombone and trumpet. Everyone on stage was so furiously banging, jumping and playing their respective instruments that I was wondering how nobody knocked his neighbour out (I was especially anxious for Kelly Kemp who sang off stage, the trombone always dangerously hanging over her head). Even if No Comply don't play the kind of music I would normally listen to, I was neither bored or annoyed. Trombones and trumpets were a new experience for me and they gave the music of No Comply an interesting sound. Definitely a band you should keep in mind, and that's not just my opinion.Around 10pm Nerf Herder came onstage. Singer Parry Gripp sported a white shirt, a tie and a red cardigan. Not the kind of outfit you would expect from a punk band. It was obvious that the four guys of Nerf Herder had fun playing their songs - after ten minutes Gripp was sweating so hard he stripped of his cardigan (don't fear - he didn't get naked during the show). They were playing old and new songs - they even played the Buffy Theme twice - until then I didn't know it was a song to mosh to! Parry Gripp has a strange sense of humour - he showed off his German vocabulary and gave an impromptu variation on „I have a small member ... so small, so small" (in German, as I said). The crowd in front of the stage formed an impressing moshpit and brave Parry Gripp dared to jump into the audience. The music of Nerf Herder is made to be played live. It might sound good on an album, but having a crowd in a little club jumping frantically to and fro while the band jams away - that's just better. Therefore we didn't regret spending money on a ticket and waiting in a dark and hot club in the middle of summer. Nerf Herder will go on playing until the end of July. For everyone who's interested, here are the other tourdates: 7.7.2003 Wien, Arena 10.7.2003 Leoben, Cafe Spektakel 11.7.2003 Ebersberg, AJZ 12.7.2003 Dusseldorf, Benrather Hof 13.7.2003 Sjock Festival 14.7.2003 Peet, Het Pourt Huis 15.7.2003 Cambridge, Boat House 16.7.2003 Bradford, Rio 17.7.2003 Manchester, Roadhouse 18.7.2003 Sheffield, Corporation 19.7.2003 Middlesbrough, Empire 20.7.2003 Cardiff, Barfly Music6751@blogcritics.org Sun, 6 Jul 2003 13:06:18 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/29/125506.php Michelle DittrichTHE CROW is going a similar way like HIGHLANDER. After a first part you absolutely had to adore, the sequels were more and more disappointing. As of 2003 the myth of a man coming back from the dead to take revenge for his murder has seen two sequels: THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS (1996) with Vincent Perez in the leading role and THE CROW: SALVATION (2000) starring Eric Mabius and Kirsten Dunst. And - we shouldn't forget the tv-series that's been on air from 1998 on. Yet there's no end for the dark and action filled story. In the beginning of June production started for THE CROW: WICKED PRAYER. Again there is going to be a totally new cast, that sounds quite promising: Luc Crash (David Boreanaz) is the leader of a biker gang called Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In order to become an immortal demon he kills poor Jimmy Cuervo (Edward Furlong) and his girlfriend Lily (Emmanuell Chriqui). However, Jimmy comes back with the help of the crow to avenge Lily's death and to stop Crash from completing his ritual. In addition to Edward Furlong (you might still know him as John Connor from TERMINATOR II) and David Boreanaz who is best known for his role as the two-sided vampire with a soul on ANGEL, Dennis Hopper will co-star in the movie!The movie will be losely based on the novel by Norman Partridge with the same name. According to a source this site mentions, the script promises either to top the first movie and reinvent the whole myth anew or to totally flop. When THE CROW IV will hit cinemas in 2004, we can decide which of the possibilities is true. Video6589@blogcritics.org Sun, 29 Jun 2003 12:55:06 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/15/164225.php Michelle DittrichThinking of Buffy, either the dog of your neighbour comes to mind or the blonde vampire slayer from Sunnydale that saved the world from vampires and other monsters on a weekly basis on TV for the last seven years. If it's the latter you also think of Sarah Michelle Gellar, the petite (false) blonde brought the character to lif,e so that a whole generation could grow up and survive high school together with Buffy and her friends. Now, after seven action-filled years Buffy lays down her stake - the show saw its last episode in April. Reason enough for me to go back to the roots. Not the roots where Sarah Michelle Gellar still had hips and Alyson Hannigan sported rather long hair. No, I mean the real roots, because only fanatic Buffy fans or geeks that still love the movie trash of the early 90ies know that there's another Buffy out there. Blonde as well, yet more shallow and bitchier Kristy Swanson brought Buffy the Vampire Slayer to life on the silver screen back in 1992.Buffy (Kristy Swanson) goes to Hemery High in LA. She's one of the popular crowd - a cheerleader, addicted to shopping and football playing boys. Her life consists of shopping, gossiping and polishing her nails. So, we already suspect it: Buffy leads a usual and not very charming life in the LA of 1992. Until the queer Merrick (Donald Sutherland) appears at her school and tries to persuade her that she's the chosen one - the only who can stop the vampires. Okay, Buffy's blonde, but she's not totally stupid. If an old guy comes along telling you some story about bloodsucking fiends, you don't call him trustful.However, Buffy has to learn the hard way, that Merrick is right. At the local cemetery she has her first encounter of the undead kind. Finally accepting (somewhat) what Merrick told her, she starts to train for her new "job" as the Slayer. She gets help form Pike (Luke Perry), whose best friend had been sucked dry by the vamps.More and more she is alienated from her friends and her former life. Her friends more and more ignore her, because she prefers to take her leave when she should prepare the prom dance. Her parents are never at home. And then there are these strange dreams in which the vampire Lotus (Rutger Hauer) appears to her, who came to LA only to kill the Slayer.Lotus plans the final fight for the night of the prom (what a coincidence). With a group of vampires he attacks the gym, but Buffy and Pike take up the fight...Joss Whedon, whom fans now and then like to call "God" (no blashemy intended), wrote the script for the film. His father wrote for the "Golden Girls", Joss himself belonged to the writing team of "Roseanne" - even there is special sense of humor is evident on the show. In 1992 he writes the script for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", finding it funny to make the stupid blonde girl, that normally dies in the first five minutes, a superhero and save the world. However, his script didn't look onscreen as he had intended it to look. And he's right, the movie has a high trash-factor. Although there are a large number of great names on the cast list (Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer and later Oscar-winner Hilary Swank), you don't feel for the characters. Only Donald Sutherland can give his old mysterious character Merrick a charming note. But neither Kristy Swanson in the leading role nor Luke Perry as the mostly goodlooking sidekick and damsel in distress (as he calls himself) can bring life to their characters. Even Rutger Hauer seems to be rather bored. His Lotus has too much pathos and is desperately missing an ironic touch. Perhaps Hauer was only shellshocked about his terrible wig (a tradition Joss Whedon liked to continue on the later series with terrible Angelus-hairdos) and couldn't concentrate on his performance.Yet, even in this early film you can already see trails of the later so legendary Slayer Slang. Buffy has a quick tongue and can always come up with a witty reply. Interesting are the similarities and differences between film and later series. The character of the Watcher is highly mystified: Donald Sutherland appears as a wise leader who is reborn every time a Slayer needs to be trained for her mission. On the other hand, in the series Anthony Stewart Head as Giles is part of a strictly organised Council (see "Highlander" or Anne Rice) that collects information about vampires, demons and monsters over the centuries. Yet the series always tried to tie the knot with the earlier film. More than once incidents from the film are mentioned and one episode ("Becoming") even featured a modified scene from the film (when Merrick tells Buffy about her destiny).Having had the trash factor always in mind I was now positively surprised to watch the film again. The witty language, the quick replies, the irony - all that reminds me of the later series and why I loved it. So, after all, I don't regret buying the DVD to complete my Buffy collection... and you should do that, too;-) Video6204@blogcritics.org Sun, 15 Jun 2003 16:42:25 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/05/27/165647.php Michelle DittrichThe ninth volume of "The Vampire Chronicles" by Anne Rice I'm holding in my hands. Published half a year ago "Blackwood Farm" was praised beforehand as the horror queen's new masterpiece. Fresh and fascinating it was called, which led to high hopes, because the last volumes in the Chronicles, "Merrick" and "Blood and Gold", lacked both storyline and interesting characters.However, thinking Anne Rice would come back to old form is in vain. We don't learn what happened to Louis after the last pages of "Merrick" were turned and we don't see brat prince Lestat in a leading role once more. Sure, he makes a wonderful appearance in the frame of the story, yet he seems to have become teethless through the last few years.In "Merrick" he had made New Orleans his hunting ground and threatened to kill every intruding fledging. Now in "Blackwood Farm", Quinn Blackwood - vamipre greenhorn - dares to enter the city anyway. He has read all of Lestat's books and is well informed about the history of vampires. According to mythology the first vampire was "born" when a bloodthirsty ghost entered the body of a dying aegyptian pair. From then on, part of this ghost is preserved in every vampire. And exactly this mythology is Quinn's problem: Since his very childhood he has a doppelgänger, a ghost named Goblin. Since Quinn became a vampire also Goblin has changed. Every time after Quinn has fed, Goblin attacks him to get his share of the blood. And every time the ghost becomes stronger. What would happen if he was the source of a new race of vampires?So he needs Lestat's help. He should know how to destroy Goblin and ban the danger. And Lestat happily takes the challenge. Instead of killing Quinn, he adopts him, entangles him in philosophical nonsense and befriends his old aunt Aunt Queen who he immediately finds "entrancing".To explain Lestat every detail about the ghost, Quinn starts to tell the story of his life. First the history of the complete Blackwood family back to the ancestor Manfred Blackwood who built the manor in the swamps of Louisiana. Then forward to Aunt Queen and his upbringing up to the present day.Little-Quinn grew up as the only child between adults. Therefore his invisible friend wasn't a surprise to the rest of the family. When growing up, also his invisible friend Goblin would vanish they thought ... just that he didn't. As the extremely rich heir of Blackwood Farm Quinn grows to be a self-centered, excentric yet terribly naive young man. He has never seen a public school from the inside (remember: excentric) and is educated by his family and some private teachers. The Grand Tour through Europe follows when he is eighteen and also in this age he falls in love with the young Mona Mayfair, though one day before he still thought he was gay. The romantic that he his, he pleads with Mona to marry him not spending a second thought on homosexuality (though he already played some nasty sex games with ghost Goblin in the shower).Enter vampire: Quinn starts to explore the family secret which is an old house on Sugar Devil Island. Visiting the house he finds read paperbacks, ashes in the fireplace and - who would have thought - a golden crypt in the garden. Who has ever only heard of the name Anne Rice will know what Quinn still has to learn the hard way: Sugar Devil Island is the home of a bloodsucking fiend.Petronia, fitting the Ricean rolemodel for vampires perfectly, takes an interest in Young Blackwood and starts spying on him, threatening him and playing with his fears. What happens next is no surprise: After some to and fro she makes him a vampire.After Quinn's detailed biography the last fifty pages describe the mystery evolving around Goblin, the quest to destroy him and on the last page Mona Mayfair is healed from a strange illness. Where Rice describes every detail concerning Quinns life the real action is written plainly like a task that has to be done. The much more exciting story of Lestat, Goblin and Quinn is brought to an end in the minimum of possibly used pages."Blood refreshed for Rice" (Denver Post) or "a completely fresh story" (Booklist) enthused the press. And it's true: "Blackwood Farm" is for many reasons much more entertaining than the former two volumes. When Anne Rice excursed into unknown jungles ("Merrick") or traveled to ancient Rome ("Blood and Gold"), she now luckily realized that her writing is most powerful when she stays with what she knows. As a resident of New Orleans her descriptions of the city and the surrounding landscapes are so vivid that even a reader who has never seen these places (like me) feels kidnapped and put down in a swarming swamp. Not by incident the title of the novel is "Blackwood Farm" - the house plays a major part in the story, it is a living being. Anne Rice's talent instantly lessens when she leaves known ground. Descriptions of Italy or even New York sound like copied from a tourist guide.Another advantage is the fact that this time the whole story takes place in present day. This makes it possible to take another try at a crossover with the "Mayfair Witches". When this sounded forced and not determined by the story in "Merrick" it makes perfect sense in "Blackwood Farm".Yet, "Blackwood Farm" doesn't reach the quality of her very first novels, namely "Interview with the Vampire" and "The Vampire Lestat". In the last years she went to producing mere vampire-biographies that all worked with one writing scheme: Take a frame where you put two vampires at a table and force one to tell the story of his life. Then shush the other one till the first one is done talking (this takes about 300 to 400 pages). Then, on the last 50 or so pages, bring the frame to an end. Also important: Never, and I say n e v e r, connect two following novels plotwise. This also applies to "Blackwood Farm" and many a Rice-reader will soon find the mere technique tiresome.Yet "Blackwood Farm" is entertaining because of the fresh and unused characters which bring new life to the stagnating Ricean book production machine (and vampire dolls, for that matter). Old fans that were disappointed by her last books, might find new hope here. And people who haven't heard of Anne Rice's vampires until now (how dare you!) can easitly join in. Though a lot of old characters play minor roles, they don't confuse the new reader with their background. Anyway, it is always recommended to start a novel series in the beginning, so here are all the novels in order.Interview with the Vampire The Vampire Lestat Queen of the Damned The Tale of the Body Thief Memnoch the Devil The Vampire Armand Merrick Blood and Gold Blackwood FarmThough I was sceptical when I started to read "Blackwood Farm", the story soon captured my interest. It is a quick read, chock-full of sweaty Louisiana-weather, beautiful vampires and fresh characters. Thumbs up for Anne Rice's novel. Be sure to read it before the next one is published in October! Books5671@blogcritics.org Tue, 27 May 2003 16:56:47 EDT