Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy: Sci-fi novel about an impoverished Chicana woman committed to a mental institution by her awful family. She finds herself communicating with a Utopian future society. The characters are original and compelling, but novel’s premise doesn’t go anywhere. And unfortunately, Piercy’s bold political protest is undercut by hyperbole and poor writing. You’re better off reading Ursula Le Guin. Not recommended.
Don’t Look Back by Karin Fossum: I have no idea why this horribly written mystery novel was on my reading list. It’s the first book by this Norwegian author to be translated into English, but I don’t think the badness of it is down to poor translation. Not recommended.
The Stories of Breece D’J Pancake: Pancake’s stark, beautifully written stories set in his native West Virginia are nearly all winners. Everyone should at the very least read “Trilobites,” and lucky you, it can be read online here! (Insert obligatory mention of the author’s tragic, early suicide here.) Highly recommended.
