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Sept 1. NEXT by Michael Crichton. The bio-shape of tomorrow as seen in the crystal ball of M Crichton.
Plenty human-animal fusions, plenty lawsuits as the law tries to keep up with runaway science. Hard to follow because of the
cast of hundreds. Best character: a wisecracking parrot who recalls everything he's heard on TV and movies and can bring up
appropriate dialog. Wearysome to read.Sept 9. ACCORDING TO QUEENIE by Beryl Bainbridge. Beautifully written account of
the relationship between Samuel Johnson and Mrs Thrale, the viewpoint being that of Queenie, Mrs Thrale's eldest and healthiest
child.Oct 7. KISSING THE GUNNER'S DAUGHTER by Ruth Rendell. Involved mystery surrounding the massacre of a writer's family.
Rendell writes beautifully, with both characters and surroundings meticulously described. Perhaps a bit wordy on the descriptions
of nature. The culprit turns out to be one of the ostensible victims!Oct 17. MY LIFE AS A DOG, a great Swedish hit in
1985. Found it in the great new organization of the DVD's in the Princeton Library. Story of a hellish kid whose mother slowly
dies. He finds his place among his country cousins, who live in a village of eccentrics. The next door neighbor, e.g., spends
most of his time on the roof of his house.Oct 27. WOLF TO THE SLAUGHTER by R Rendell. Inspector Wexford thinks that a
missing girl has been murdered, but all he has to go on is the confusing testimony of her brother Rupert, who is an artistic
genius but a social dropout. Some great character sketches by the author, along with a very misleading first chapter.Nov
1. CRIES AND WHISPERS (DVD) by Ingmar Bergman. Agnes, one of three sisters, is dying, probably of cancer. Her sisters continue
their selfish life routines with their unloved and hateful husbands. Only the housekeeper Anna loves and cares for her. A
nightmare to watch. Oct 2. TALKING TO STRANGE MEN by Ruth Rendell. Young men playing spook with codes, safe houses and
message drops. Mix in sex, divorce and pedarasty and you get a mixed up world.Nov 11. A DEMON IN MY VIEW by R Rendell.
Two men, both with the surname Johnson, live in an apartment house in London. One is an academic with serious love problems.
The other is a hidden psychopath, who takes offense and pilfers letters between the other Johnson and his love. Leads to murder
and mayhem.THE MINOTAUR by Barbara Vine (actually R Rendell) A young Swedish nurse is hired to take care of a mentally
ill young man in a rambling old English home in Essex. Little happens in the house that doesn't lead his mother and four sisters
into conflict. Good suspence for two thirds of the novel, but the latter chapters could be edited without damage to the story
line. Takes too long for the blood to flow!Dec 30 on. NEW HISTORY OF THE WORLD by JM Roberts. Reading for the rest of
your life! By the time you finish you've forgotten how you started. The book gives most credit for the invention of writing
to the Sumerians, rather than the Egyptians. Interesting chapters on the history of the Jews and their contributions to early
Christian doctrine. Plenty of vast generalizations to argue with. Will continue reviews for the indefinite future.
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