APRIL, 2002 - JULY 18, 2005

07.18.05 Book Reviews
A good comedy is hard to find. Need proof? Just check out "My Man Jeeves" by P.G. Wodehouse.

07.14.05 "William Lynch" (text version 37k)
Chapter Fifteen: Here it is, the final installment of our beloved story. The Big Boy gets clipped, William prepares to paint his masterpiece, and there's even a wicked good reference to "WKRP in Cincinnati."
by Michael Dell

07.11.05 Book Reviews
Once a year I seem to read a book by Wilkie Collins. Yes, sir, you can practically set your watch by it. This time it's perhaps his most famous work, "The Woman in White."

07.05.05 "William Lynch" (text version 10k)
Chapter Fourteen: We're finally getting to the end. Yeehaw. The story will come to a close next week. Adjust your schedules accordingly.
by Michael Dell

06.29.05 Book Reviews
This week we're looking at three of Washington Irving's most famous stories, "Rip Van Winkle," "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," and "The Devil and Tom Walker."

06.24.05 "William Lynch" (text version 22k)
Chapter Thirteen: William begins to make plans for an actual future. And I think we all know how painful that can be.
by Michael Dell

06.21.05 Book Reviews
This time around we've got "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome. Oddly enough, Mr. Jerome used to play cricket with J.M. Barrie and Arthur Conan Doyle. See how it all ties together? They don't give these web sites to chimps, ya know.

06.11.05 "William Lynch" (text version 7k)
Chapter Twelve: William tries to read a book.
by Michael Dell

06.06.05 Book Reviews
I had to take a refresher course in mystery writing, so let's look at the final two collections of Sherlock Holmes stories, "His Last Bow" and "The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes."

06.01.05 "William Lynch" (text version 26k)
Chapter Eleven: William expounds on the joys of televsion while eating Chinese food. Good times, good times.
by Michael Dell

05.26.05 Book Reviews
Our tribute to J.M. Barrie continues for one more week as we look at "Tommy and Grizel," easily one the best books 70 proof has ever encountered.

05.24.05 Top Ten
The top ten has been updated. Alert your loved ones. A new book review will follow shortly. If you'd like a hint, check out No. 5 on the list.

05.17.05 "William Lynch" (text version 40k)
Chapter Ten: A picture is painted, potatoes are purchased, and a plot is practiced.
by Michael Dell

05.12.05 Book Reviews
J.M. Barrie returns with "Dear Brutus."

05.08.05 "William Lynch" (text version 38k)
Chapter Nine: William attends a social gathering, demonstrates his uncanny knowledge of trivial facts, expounds on Plato, and walks like Juan Epstein.
by Michael Dell

05.03.05 Book Reviews
Considering the current state of affairs, and how the term "Neverland" has been corrupted beyond belief, perhaps it's a good time to examine the original story of Peter Pan, remembering it as it should be, a glorious tribute to the innocence of youth.

04.28.05 "William Lynch" (text version 28k)
Chapter Eight: William gives Meghan a painting. Aw, that's swell.
by Michael Dell

04.25.05 Book Reviews
Not that I lost a bet or anything, but Chaucer returns with "Troilus and Criseyde." And really, it's not as bad as you think. Honest.

04.18.05 "William Lynch" (text version 31k)
Chapter Seven: Excitement abounds. The conspirators plan the heist, Meghan eats a grilled-cheese sandwich, and William paints a picture. There was simply no room for a car chase.
by Michael Dell

04.13.05 Book Reviews
Hey, have you ever heard someone mention "The Canterbury Tales" and thought it would be a good idea to read it? Then you, my friend, are an idiot.

04.06.05 "William Lynch" (text version 33k)
Chapter Six: Meghan's creative drought ends. William's continues. And while they're exchanging notes, her boyfriend wanders in to make things interesting. As an added bonus, the careful reader will also learn an easy way to remember the first 43 episodes of "Columbo." You're welcome.
by Michael Dell

04.03.05 Book Reviews
Wake the kids. Call the neighbors. Dostoevsky is back in town with "Crime and Punishment."

03.28.05 "William Lynch" (text version 8k)
Chapter Five: William's about to finally resume painting when he gets an unexpected visitor.
by Michael Dell

03.22.05 Book Reviews
Over 100 years ago, Bram Stoker not only created an enduring work of literature with "Dracula," he also penned perhaps the most misunderstood novel in history. This isn't a horror story; it's an erotic take on Victorian morality. It's some wild, wild stuff.

03.16.05 "William Lynch" (text version 11k)
This story has a bit of everything, art, philosophy, romance, obscure references to classic TV shows, and a plot to steal the Elby's Big Boy. Tell your friends.

Chapter Four: All great schemes take some planning. William and Norm make a test run, scouting the Elby's and meeting their prey in person.
by Michael Dell

03.09.05 "William Lynch" (text version 16k)
This story has a bit of everything, art, philosophy, romance, obscure references to classic TV shows, and a plot to steal the Elby's Big Boy. Tell your friends.

Chapter Three: Just when things are looking up, reality stops by to remind William that life ain't no boat ride.
by Michael Dell

03.01.05 "William Lynch" (text version 41k)
This story has a bit of everything, art, philosophy, romance, obscure references to classic TV shows, and a plot to steal the Elby's Big Boy. Tell your friends.

Chapter Two: The plan to steal the Big Boy is put in motion. Later, William and Meghan's relationship takes an unexpected, but pleasant, step forward.
by Michael Dell

02.25.05 Book Reviews
In this, The Age of Debauchery, it might be refreshing to take a gander at Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence."

02.17.05 "William Lynch" (text version 29k)
This story has a bit of everything, art, philosophy, romance, obscure references to classic TV shows, and a plot to steal the Elby's Big Boy. Tell your friends.

Chapter One: William Lynch, a frustrated young artist, is coming to grips with his misanthropic existence when old friends and a lovely new neighbor shake things up.
by Michael Dell

02.13.05 Book Reviews
Robert Louis Stevenson makes a triumphant return to the pages of 70 proof with "The Wrong Box." And this time he has a little help from his stepson, Lloyd Osbourne.

02.09.05 The First Seventeen
Here's an updated list of the 17 short stories that have appeared in the pages of 70 proof, including all four Honest John Churchfield stories.

02.09.05 Running Tab
Before we launch into a new batch of book reviews, here's an updated list of all the reviews on 70 proof, organized by shot rating.

02.06.05 "Honest John Comes to Dinner" (text version 23k)
Part Four of Four: The conclusion.

I apologize again for the lack of updates recently, but 70 proof should be back to a regular schedule from here on out. Unless, you know, something better comes along. But this will probably be the last Honest John story to run on the site for a while. I'm about to begin a massive new Honest John project that will require my full attention. In the meantime, look for a new ongoing story to begin next week, entitled "William Lynch," and plenty of more book reviews from the likes of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Robert Louis Stevenson, and others. Thank you.
by Michael Dell

01.22.05 Book Reviews
It's time for a refresher course in mystery writing, so let's take a look at the final three Father Brown collections, "The Incredulity of Father Brown," "The Secret of Father Brown," and "The Scandal of Father Brown."

01.14.05 "Honest John Comes to Dinner" (text version 5k)
Part Three of Four: Sorry for the delay, but it usually takes me a while to recover from the onset of a new year. We'll have some book reviews up next week, along with the conclusion of our story.
by Michael Dell

12.30.04 Book Reviews
70 proof has shockingly little experience with the works of Mark Twain. We aim to correct that this week, as we look at "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg" and "A Double-Barreled Detective Story."

12.20.04 "Honest John Comes to Dinner" (text version 20k)
Part Two of Four: This is the portion of the story where Honest John, like, comes to dinner and stuff.
by Michael Dell

12.14.04 Book Reviews
In Franz Kafka's "The Trial," the main character is arrested on the morning of his 30th birthday for no apparent reason. Oddly enough, when I turn 30 in a few months, I plan to just curl up with a bottle of gin in a dark room and cry myself to sleep. To each his own.

12.06.04 Book Reviews
Reading "A Happy Death," or anything by Albert Camus, makes for a happy week here at 70 proof.

11.29.04 "Honest John Comes to Dinner" (text version 7k)
We had promised to have the next Churchfield story in November, so we're in under the wire. This is the first of four installments.
by Michael Dell

11.28.04 Book Reviews
We keep the comedy rolling this week with Evelyn Waugh's "Scoop."

11.22.04 Book Reviews
Literature and comedy seldom mix. Kingsley Amis had a successful go at it with "Lucky Jim."

11.15.04 Book Reviews
Shangri-La is a nice place to visit, but 70 proof wouldn't want to live there. This week we look at James Hilton's masterpiece, "Lost Horizon."

11.08.04 Book Reviews
Another long-time entry on 70 proof's reading list falls this week as we look at Henry Green's "Loving."

11.01.04 Book Reviews
I've been looking forward to reading "The Sheltering Sky" for years. Thankfully, I'm immune to heartbreaking disappointment.

10.27.04 Book Reviews
This week we look at James Baldwin's "Going to Meet the Man." Oddly enough, I've never actually met the Man. Although, I have spent the better part of my life sticking it to him.

10.25.04 The First Sixteen
Here's an updated list of the 16 short stories that have appeared in the pages of 70 proof.

10.25.04 Running Tab
Before we launch into a new batch of book reviews, here's an updated list of all the reviews on 70 proof, organized by shot rating.

10.19.04 "Honest John Takes a Wife" (text version 32k)
Our story concludes with Churchfield and Dexter meeting Mr. Wyatt Nathaniel Jasper, a frail, unattactive little man with a penchant for mind control.
by Michael Dell

10.12.04 "Honest John Takes a Wife" (text version 16k)
Part Three of our story has Churchfield and Dexter beginning their investigation into the strange matter of Mrs. Dressle.
by Michael Dell

10.05.04 "Honest John Takes a Wife" (text version 10k)
Part Two of our story features William Dexter, the young, aspiring journalist for "Clippinger's Monthly," intervieweing Churchfield, trying his best to learn the detective's history and background information. Good luck.
by Michael Dell

09.29.04 "Honest John Takes a Wife" (text version 13k)
After a slight delay, John Churchfield returns to the pages of 70 proof. When a friend fears for his matrimonial harmony, he hires Churchfield to investigate whether or not his wife is having an affair. Honest John takes to the assignment with his usual brand of drunken apathy only to stumble upon the sinister plot of a criminal mastermind.
by Michael Dell

09.15.04 Book Reviews
Greatness has to start somewhere. For Dostoevsky, it all began with "Poor Folk."

09.05.04 Book Reviews
Once again, Fyodor Dostoevsky is our brother. Behold "The House of the Dead."

08.29.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 86k)
Here's the complete story, all seven chapters pieced together and presented on one handy page. Churchfield will return in September with "Honest John Takes a Wife." We've also got some Doestoevsky book reviews on the way.
by Michael Dell

08.16.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 13k)
Chapter Seven: The conclusion.
by Michael Dell

08.11.04 Book Reviews
We continue to spotlight Robert Louis Stevenson with "The Suicide Club and Other Stories."

08.05.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 17k)
Chapter Six: When last we left them, Churchfield and Constable Fairish were ransacking the fortuneteller's apartment when the front door began to open. Time for a daring escape.
by Michael Dell

08.03.04 Book Reviews
After a slow July, we return to the ol' book reviewin' with "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

07.29.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 11k)
Chapter Five: One man's breaking and entering is another man's evidence gathering.
by Michael Dell

07.22.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 11k)
Chapter Four: In his quest to crack the fortuneteller's scheme, Churchfield enlists the aid of his good friend, Constable Fairish.
by Michael Dell

07.15.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 12k)
Chapter Three: Fake fortuntellers are a sneaky sort. Thankfully, so is Churchfield. The detective begins to formulate his master plan.
by Michael Dell

07.12.04 Book Reviews
So you think you're special, huh? Well, what if there were someone else out there who looked like you, walked like you, and even talked like you? It's either the basis for a Patty Duke sitcom or a rollicking good Doppleganger story. We've got two of the latter this week, "The Double" by Fyodor Dostoevsky and "William Wilson" by Edgar Allan Poe.

07.08.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 12k)
Chapter Two: Churchfield and Henry Hughes pay a visit to the Indian fortuneteller, bringing with them the letter at the root of the soothsayer's fearful prediction.
by Michael Dell

07.01.04 "Honest John and the Irregular Medium" (text version 12k)
Honest John returns, investigating a rather suspicious fortuneteller.
by Michael Dell

06.24.04 Running Tab
It's time to update the tab. Once again, here are all the books reviewed on 70 proof, and they're organized by shot ratings to make your reading decisions all the easier.

06.24.04 The First Fourteen
Here's an updated list of the first fourteen stories posted on 70 proof. Tell your friends.

06.22.04 Book Reviews
After years of it being near the top of our "Want to Read" list, 70 proof finally takes a crack at Franz Kafka's "The Castle." Why were we in such a hurry?

06.15.04 Book Reviews
We bring our examination of G. K. Chesterton's works to a close with "The Ball and the Cross" and "Manalive."

06.14.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 118k)
Here's the complete "Honest John and the Missing Maidens," with all nine chapters together on one page. John Churchfield will return in "Honest John and the Irregular Medium." Look for it.
by Michael Dell

06.09.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 17k)
Chapter Nine: Honest John Churchfield brings the mystery of The Three Maidens to a close, gathering all interested parties to the Braxton Gallery to witness his detective brilliance. Well, "brilliance" is kind of strong, but he certainly tries his best.
by Michael Dell

06.05.04 Book Reviews
Our look at G. K. Chesterton continues with "Tales of the Long Bow" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much."

06.02.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 12k)
Chapter Eight: Honest John gets a lesson in art history.
by Michael Dell

05.29.04 Book Reviews
We'll be spending the next few weeks examining the works of G. K. Chesterton. First up are two collections of Father Brown mysteries, "The Innocence of Father Brown" and "The Wisdom of Father Brown."

05.26.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 14k)
Chapter Seven: Honest John learns to appreciate art, and one artist in particular.
by Michael Dell

05.22.04 Book Reviews
Edgar Allan Poe returns, as we take a look at "The Gold Bug" and several of his other notable stories.

05.19.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 11k)
Chapter Six: When last we left, three thugs were giving good ol' Honest John a right proper beating. Aw, but they don't call him Honest John for nothing. This week, Churchfield makes sure those men pay what they owe.
by Michael Dell

05.15.04 Book Reviews
We saved the best for last, concluding our look at great detective stories with Edgar Allan Poe and his three C. Auguste Dupin mysteries, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Mystery of Marie Roget," and "The Purloined Letter."

05.12.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 13k)
Chapter Five: Honest John mixes with high society, visiting the Primrose Club to interview Stephen Braxton about the disappearance of The Three Maidens. Comedy ensues.
by Michael Dell

05.10.04 Book Reviews
Our run of mystery reviews rolls on with "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes," and "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

05.05.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 13k)
Chapter Four: Being a detective is a lot of work. You have to go, like, talk to people and stuff. This week, Honest John interviews two of the guards on duty when the paintings were stolen.
by Michael Dell

04.28.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 16k)
Chapter Three: Honest John visits the scene of the crime.
by Michael Dell

04.25.04 Book Reviews
No discussion of mystery writers would be complete without Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This week we offer the first two Sherlock Holmes novels, "A Study in Scarlet" and "The Sign of Four."

04.21.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 14k)
Chapter Two: Malcolm Moncrief needs help finding his three priceless paintings. Enter Honest John Churchfield.
by Michael Dell

04.18.04 Book Reviews
In honor of the "Honest John Churchfield" stories appearing on 70 Proof, we'll spend the next few weeks looking at three of the earliest, and greatest, mystery writers. First up, "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins.

04.14.04 "Honest John and the Missing Maidens" (text version 12k)
Honest John Churchfield is one of the great detectives of 19th-century London. His singular sleuthing style, equal parts sarcasm, brutality, and alcohol consumption, leaves him second to none. Unfortunately, Sherlock Holmes casts an enormous shadow. While the public at large may not know his stories, criminals fear the name Honest John.

In the first installment of our tale, London society is gathering for the unveiling of The Three Maidens, three legendary paintings once thought lost forever. Gee, I hope nothing mysterious happens.
by Michael Dell

04.14.04 Born Again: Wake the kids and call the neighbors. After a one-year absence, 70 Proof has returned!

03.25.03 Running Tab
Before we fade off into the sunset, let's take a stroll down memory lane with all the books reviewed thus far.

03.25.03 The First Thirteen
Links to the first 13 stories presented by 70 Proof can now be found on this one page. We like to make things easy like that. It's our job. It's what we do.

03.25.03 Book Reviews
Dostoevsky returns with "The Gambler," and we look at the works of fellow countryman Nikolai Gogol with "Diary of a Madman and Other Stories" and "The Inspector General."

03.19.03 Book Reviews
In honor of baseball season, we'll take a look at Ring Lardner's "Lose with a Smile." And in honor of monsters everywhere, not to mention a general hatred towards life, we'll venture a gaze at Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."

03.17.03 Top Ten
Two new books find the top ten. And remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. So please, as always, no wagering.

03.14.03 Book Reviews
This time we've got "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett and "Ignorance" by Milan Kundera.

03.10.03 Book Reviews
Jean-Paul Sartre is our brother. The least you can do is read "Nausea" and "The Wall and Other Stories."

03.05.03 Book Reviews
What's got two thumbs and just read some Anais Nin? This guy! Take a look at "A Spy in the House of Love" and "The Four-Chambered Heart."

03.02.03 Book Reviews
Albert Camus is one of our favorite writers. "The Fall" is a perfect example of why he's so respected. Oh yeah, we also look at "Exile and the Kingdom."

02.26.03 Book Reviews
We're kind of working opposite ends of the spectrum this week with "Father Goriot" by Honore de Balzac and "Tropic of Cancer" by Henry Miller. Do you think anyone else in the history of the planet has ever read those two books one after the other?

02.13.03 Book Reviews
With Valentine's Day upon us, let's consider two books from everyone's favorite literary couple, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.

02.10.03 "Holy Mackerel" (text version 6k)
A challenge was issued. Write 1,000 words about a fish; any genre, any style, so long as a fish was featured somewhere within the story. And this, dear readers, was the response.
by Michael Dell

02.06.03 Book Reviews
When was the last time you heard anyone say the French are funny? Okay, well, besides Pepe Lepew. Wait, there may be one other! Sure, he's not an amorous cartoon skunk who falls in love with black cats who have crawled under freshly-painted fences, but Moliere did his part to give France a claim to comedy. Here's a look at four of his most famous plays.

02.03.03 Book Reviews
Russian literature is swell. We've got two of the greats this week in "Notes from Underground" by Fyodor Dostoevsky and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy.

01.28.03 Book Reviews
Samuel Beckett already calls our Top Ten home thanks to "Murphy." Now we'll consider two of his other works, "Molloy" and "Mercier and Camier."

01.26.03 "Wait and See" (text version 11k)
Did you ever just wake up and know you were going to die that very day? Aw, I hate when that happens.
by Michael Dell

01.20.03 Book Reviews
We got your Booth Tarkington right here with "Alice Adams" and "Monsieur Beaucaire." Ah, good ol' Booth Tarkington. Remember when he used to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings? A play was never dead when ol' No. 10 was scrambling around the pocket.

01.16.03 Book Reviews
Two new writers to 70 Proof this time around as we look at "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe and "The Optimist's Daughter" by Eudora Welty.

01.12.03 Book Reviews
G. K. Chesterton, the famed English journalist, essayist, and critic, garners our attention with "The Man Who Was Thursday" and "The Club of Queer Trades."

01.08.03 Book Reviews
Strictly speaking, "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "Lady Windermere's Fan" by Oscar Wilde are plays and not books. But it's our site, we'll review whatever the hell we want.

01.03.03 Book Reviews
Two works by Max Beerbohm are considered, as we look at "Zuleika Dobson" and "Seven Men."

12.30.02 Running Tab
Here's a list of all the books reviewed by 70 Proof in 2002. They're divided up by shots to make the experience all the more enjoyable for you, our valued readers.

12.30.02 Top Ten
Time to update the Top Ten before 2002 comes to a close. One book makes the cut.

12.18.02 Book Reviews
This week we've got "The Death of the Heart" by Elizabeth Bowen and "Death in Venice" by Thomas Mann. Wow, two books with Death in the title. It must be Christmas.

12.12.02 "Scream Therapy" (text version 13k)
It's a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the city; the sun is shining, the birds are singing, a man is screaming...
by Michael Dell

12.03.02 Book Reviews
Oscar Wilde had to make the scene eventually. We've got "The Picture of Dorian Gray," plus "A High Wind in Jamaica" by Richard Hughes. One of them is really, really good. Here's a hint: it's not "A High Wind in Jamaica."

11.22.02 "Any Seven" (text version 25k)
When freakishly good luck is on one's side, what could possibly go wrong?
by Michael Dell

11.14.02 Book Reviews
We've got a German theme this week with "The Sufferings of Young Werther" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse. Too bad somebody already checked out "I Was a Prison Camp Commandant" by Colonel Wilhelm Klink.

11.07.02 Discussion
Why do we answer letters? Because we care about you, our valued readers. That's why. Besides, there's not much to do during the day now that they took off "Columbo."

11.05.02 "Until We Meat Again" (text version 15k)
A take on vegetarianism, philosophy, and the great equalizer.
by Michael Dell

10.28.02 Book Reviews
The spotlight shines upon the works of two favorite authors: Willa Cather's "The Professor's House" and Hermann Hesse's "Gertrude."

10.18.02 Book Reviews
Did you ever think to yourself, "Gee, I sure wish someone would read 'The Moon and Sixpence' by W. Somerset Maugham and 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor and tell me all about 'em"? Then you, my friend, are one lucky bastard... or bastardess, whatever the case may be.

10.12.02 Book Reviews
Do you like short stories? Do you like drifters? Then we've got two great selections for you: "In the Midst of Life" by Ambrose Bierce and "Knulp" by Hermann Hesse.

10.05.02 Book Reviews
This time we've got "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston and "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf. Here's hoping you've got your flask with you, because not many shots are being poured.

10.01.02 "The Great Gilroy" (text version 14k)
There comes a time when every man must get on in the world. Although it's probably easier for some than others.
by Michael Dell

10.01.02 Top Ten
Every 50 books or so, we like to take a look at the top ten list and update it with any recently-discovered works of brilliance. Two new titles make the cut this time around.

09.24.02 Book Reviews
Apparently Hermann Hesse and 70 Proof were separated at birth. Who knew? Read a review of our new-found brother's "Steppenwolf" and Ernest Hemingway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories."

09.19.02 Book Reviews
This week we'll look at Sherwood Anderson's "Poor White" and Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome."

09.12.02 Book Reviews
Next up: "Another Country" by James Baldwin and "The Unicorn" by Iris Murdoch.

09.03.02 "Worth a Shot" (text version 11k)
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
by Michael Dell

08.13.02 Discussion
Answering letters can be fun.

07.24.02 Book Reviews
It's been a while, but we're back to take a look at three works by Nathanael West: "Miss Lonelyhearts", "A Cool Million", and "The Dream Life of Balso Snell."

07.01.02 Book Reviews
Only one book this week. But when that book is Sinclair Lewis' "Main Street", one's all you need.

07.01.02 Discussion
We reach into the ol' mailbag this week and answer some letters from you, our valued readers. Who knows? Maybe we'll answer one of yours. Yeah, right...

06.17.02 Book Reviews
We review books. It's our job. It's what we do. Next up? Samuel Butler's "The Way of All Flesh", Willa Cather's "Lucy Gayheart", and Vladimir Nabokov's "Pale Fire."

06.10.02 "Who?" (text version 17k)
Regrets come in all shapes and sizes. And they never seem to get the hint when it's time to leave.
by Michael Dell

05.28.02 Book Reviews
Three books this week: John Updike's "Rabbit, Run", Aldous Huxley's "Chrome Yellow", and Vladimir Nabokov's "Bend Sinister."

05.28.02 Discussion
We reach into the ol' mailbag this week and answer some letters from you, our valued readers. Who knows? Maybe we'll answer one of yours. Yeah, right...

05.20.02 Book Reviews
Hey, I got an idea. Let's take a look at Willa Cather's "A Lost Lady" and William Faulkner's "Intruder in the Dust". And, better yet, let's do it together!

05.06.02 "Life of the Party" (text version 17k)
Charles Bennett, an underground artist and writer, is leaving. His friends won't let him go without a party. They gather to celebrate and send him off in style.
by Michael Dell

05.06.02 Book Reviews
Four shots all around this week as we look at Dashiell Hammett's "The Thin Man", Ernest Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and Iris Murdoch's "Under the Net".

04.29.02 "Good Luck" (text version 21k)
Near-death experiences can change one's outlook on life. Or they could reinforce it. All depends how you look at things.
by Michael Dell

04.29.02 Book Reviews
Only three books this week: "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway and "The Moon Is Down" and "Wayward Bus" by John Steinbeck. Did Steinbeck influence "Gilligan's Island"? Read for yourself.

04.22.02 "Let It Go" (text version 15k)
An attempt to relive the past sets the wheels in motion for someone to do a good deed. And you know what they say about good deeds. Oh yeah, one more thing, be sure not to trip over the symbolism.
by Michael Dell

04.22.02 Book Reviews
Among the books chosen for review are Albert Camus' "The Plague", Anthony Powell's "At Lady Molly's", and Kafka's "Amerika".

04.15.02 "The Stockboy" (text version 15k)
This one's got a little bit of everything; a grocery store, the nutritional content of canned spinach, life-altering decisions, and an eldery man with lamb chops down his pants.
by Michael Dell

04.15.02 Book Reviews
Among the 10 books chosen for review are Richard Wright's "Native Son", J.P. Donleavy's "The Ginger Man", and Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited".

04.15.02 "Ideal" (text version 9k)
This is what life's all about, right?
by Michael Dell