Novel Criticism

BLITZ BOOK REVIEW UPDATE

Expecting my p.o. box to be swamped with review copies, my original plan with Blitz Book Review (http://www.blitzreview.blogspot.com/) was to write very many quick but entertaining reviews. Since the expected apocalyptic deluge of books hasn't occurred, I'm modifying my strategy.

Expect me to mix brief reviews with larger think pieces, in which the overarching question will be, "What makes a novel great?"

First up in that direction, if not it's realization, is a look at the genre novel via a review of Steve Martini's Trader of Secrets.

I've oft been accused of attacking highly-praised "literary" writers, while ignoring the best sellers. This review rectifies that without in any way changing my ideas.

I also plan to revisit Jonathan Franzen, though my role will not be as a polemicist or literary activist. Different blogs, different viewpoints. I'll give what will try to be a dispassionate analysis of his Freedom, noting its strengths as well as its failings.

Can I write good criticism? We'll see.

Blitz Review of a Japanese Detective Novel

Yes, the latest Blitz Review has been posted at
http://www.blitzreview.blogspot.com/

of Keigo Higashino's The Devotion of Suspect X.

I can tell you that the book receives the highest Blitz Rating I've yet given out-- but how high is that? Is it justified? Take a look!
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Have a Merry Christmas. I'll be back with some provocative posts. Please return.

Amazing New Book Review Blog

I've revived, big-time, my book review, Blitz Book Review at

http://www.blitzreview.blogspot.com/

What's amazing about it?

You'll receive honest literary criticism, Raves and Hates, as nowhere else. I have no hostages to literary fortune. As always from me, you'll receive the unrestrained truth. PLUS, you'll receive it with a unique feature: The Blitz Rating. I'm setting myself to do a ton of reading.

Do YOU have a book you're hawking? Send it on. Smallish paperbacks preferred-- modest-sized novels or short story collections. No large-sized envelopes please!  Mail to:

K. Wenclas
PO Box 22681
Philadelphia PA 19110

Note: I'm not set-up for ebooks yet, but that's coming.

Recommendations considered.

Get in line now for the Blitz Review treatment.

Mass Celebration

Word has it there are massive demonstrations in Egypt, Syria, and Tibet, as well as in downtown areas of our own country. What could possibly be the reason?

I figure it has to be out-of-control joy at the launch of my great new book review blog, Blitz Book Review! What else?

Join the excitement at http://www.blitzreview.blogspot.com/

Don DeLillo, Joyce Oates, and David F. Wallace are already at the party. What about YOU?