Su Lin Mangan

Miss Don’t Touch Me, Vol. 2

gwen — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

My knowledge of graphic novels is limited to having only read The Watchman. When you’re reading a book you imagine what the character looks like and maybe even the environment where she lives. When you experience a graphic novel, an interconnected array of words and colors awaits you much like what a child sees when looking at a picture book. I think it’s a fabulous genre and I look forward to reading more.

Miss Don’t Touch Me, Vol. 2, takes place in Paris in the 1930s. I recommend you read Miss Don’t Touch Me, Vol. 1, first, as there is good back story to the characters in Volume 2. Miss Don’t Touch Me, Vol. 2 centers on a frightened and nervous young woman named Blanche, who is overshadowed by her sister Agatha, a fun-loving free spirit who frequently goes out dancing. They both work as maids and are barely getting by financially. Blanche experiences a tragedy when someone very close to her is shot. She takes it upon herself to find the people responsible, which leads her to the Pompadour, a house of call girls. Blanche becomes a dominatrix and is given the name “Miss Don’t Touch Me,” because she is still a virgin and her male customers are not allowed to touch her.

The other prostitutes at the Pompadour are jealous of Blanche and are constantly bullying her, but she stands up for herself. Through Blanche’s eyes we see a division between the prostitutes and the people with all the money and power—who are often the prostitutes’ customers. In Blanche, we see an advocate for her friends that are abused or mistreated. She has a complicated relationship with her mother and she falls in love with a man who is struggling with his own sexual identity. Blanche grows from a nervous woman to someone who fights the male dominance and the power hungry individuals that threaten to bring her down. She is still frightened, but she works through her fears and tries to survive in a world that is very much against her.

The Miss Don’t Touch Me series is not for everyone and if you’re easily offended by images of men getting whipped or women being tied up, this is probably not the best introductory graphic novel. But if none of the above bothers you, then you will enjoy this strange—albeit entertaining—tale filled with horror, S&M, mystery, and romance.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, March 23rd 2011

Lady of the Butterflies

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:59:00 +0000

By Fiona Mountain

G.P. Putnam’s Sons

One reason I gravitate towards historical fiction is that I enjoy discovering individuals in history whom I normally wouldn’t learn about on my own. Eleanor Glanville was a seventeenth century English entomologist from Somerset. Her specialty was butterflies and some of her collections still live in the Natural History Museum today. Though Glanville’s work is several centuries old, Fiona Mountain brings Glanville’s contributions and character to life in Lady of the Butterflies.

As a child, Glanville grew up under the strict guidance of her Puritan father who forbade her to participate in Christmas or other Catholic celebrations. At the same time, this father also encouraged her to embrace and understand her environment at Tickenham Court, which was located in the middle of a moor. Eleanor’s passionate interest in insects, specifically butterflies, started at a young age but was seen as abnormal behavior among her neighbors and servants. In the late seventeenth century, education for women was not encouraged or looked upon kindly.

In her early twenties, Eleanor married Edmund Ashfield whom she loved dearly, and bore him two children. However, she had a rather unhealthy desire and longing for his closest friend, Richard Glanville, who was a dashing but extremely moody young man. There are sections of the book that are reminiscent of a romance novel, especially in the descriptions of Eleanor and Richard’s interactions. Fiona Mountain wants the reader to know that this was a fiercely passionate woman whether it be toward the men she loved, her butterflies, or her children.

What I found the most interesting about Glanville was her love of nature and learning and her ability to win the respect and admiration of male scientists, young and old. Many naturalists of that time were interested in her quest to understand the metamorphism of the butterfly and were quick to support her discoveries.

While reading this book, there was always a touch of apprehension. Glanville was sometimes on the edge of danger because many of her neighbors, servants, and acquaintances accused her of being insane. After all, what self-respecting woman would run chasing butterflies with her hair down when she had responsibilities at home? This was also during the period of the witch hunts, in which a woman caught interacting with nature might likely be accused of cavorting with the devil.

Lady of the Butterflies was an illuminating read about a fascinating woman. The Glanville Fritillary butterfly was named after Glanville, and I must admit that I have developed a renewed interest in those painted winged beauties.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, June 23rd 2010

Under the Dome

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0000

By Stephen King

Scribner

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had an interest in things that go bump in the night–the unknown and the unexplainable. So, it was only natural that I would discover Stephen King. I’ve only read a quarter of the eighty or so books he has written, but I’ve always considered myself a King fan. One of my favorite books is The Stand, written in 1978 under the classification of what I consider to be “classic King” (pre-car accident and pre-Tommyknockers).

When I discovered Under the Dome was coming out, and that it was over 1,000 pages long, I looked forward to an epic with a good story and strong, interesting female characters. I wasn’t disappointed. Yet be forewarned: this isn’t classic King, but it’s one hell of a read.

King lives in Maine, so many of his stories center around a small town in the state with many “issues.” [Under the Dome[(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439148503?ie=UTF8&tag=feminrevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439148503) begins when Chester Mills finds itself literally under a dome. (Imagine being trapped in one of those snow shakers, and you will understand the desperation that begins to implode within the town.) King is a pro at describing how people slowly become unglued in the midst of a crisis or disaster. Yes, you can sense the exaggeration, but you also feel a certain eeriness when you realize someone could act that way if pushed to his or her moral and emotional limits. King's work can be quite graphic, but that didn’t stop me from reading.

The basic story hearkens of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I thought King’s inspiration must have been the hellish nightmare that was the Superdome where many residents of New Orleans tried to escape from the floods. I was surprised to learn King actually started writing this book back in the '70s. The actual dome is quite interesting, particularly when it begins to get dirty and the sky looks like something you's see through foggy glasses. The stars, weather, and the water are all affected by being trapped inside this insular shape.

King is a master at crafting evil characters, the slimiest and most disgusting people you would never care to meet. In this story, we get to spend many pages with Jim Rennie, the Second Selectman of Chester Mills whose every action is justified by being for the “good of the town.” The dome is probably the best thing to happen to the Selectman, and he uses every opportunity to move things in his morbid and sordid direction.

I was pleased that Under the Dome has several strong female leads. One is Julia Shumway, the editor of the town newspaper. The town is cut off from the rest of the world, but Shumway risks her life to ensure that the news gets out daily to the people of Chester Mills.

Although one wonders what the dome is, how it got there, and if it would ever disappear as magically as it appeared, the unrest of the townspeople is the real story in Under the Dome. The lengthy narrative takes place over a short period of time, starting off strong and not letting you come up for breath until the very end. If you dare take the risk, it’s a great read.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, January 18th 2010

The Children's Book

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:58:00 +0000

By A.S. Byatt

Alfred A. Knopf

When I think of the works of author A. S. Byatt, I think of layers built upon layers and stories within stories. The first novel I read by Byatt was Possession, and I found the story of two modern day English professors solving a love mystery enjoyable. With that said, however, I also found the book to be overly detailed, thinking at the time that 100 pages could easily have been edited out. When I delved into The Children's Book, I expected a similar reading experience, but I was pleasantly surprised that, at almost 700 pages, the novel flows nicely.

The setting for The Children's Book is Edwardian England during the years 1895-1919. The story surrounds the Wellwood family and their mysterious almost dreamlike existence. Olive Wellwood is the matriarch of the family and she, along with her husband Humphrey, are parents to seven very curious and passionate children. Olive writes children’s fairy tales for a living and for each of her children, she writes a special private story. Some of Olive’s tales are frightening and the reader who looks closely can see a correlation to her daily life.

The opening of the novel shows Olive taking in a young homeless boy named Philip who is a gifted artist. He becomes an apprentice to Benedict Fludd, a potter whose many dark secrets are hidden within his art work similar to how Olive’s fairy tales are layered with secrets that cannot be spoken out loud. Philip is an outsider, an observer of these two unusual families, the Fludds and the Wellwoods, and the reader experiences his surprise when mysteries are revealed and begin to unravel.

The Children's Book is hard to describe in a short review. For me, the dominate theme is a mother’s love for her child and this is demonstrated with not only Olive but also with her sister, Violet, who is a caregiver for the children. The reader is introduced to many characters right at the beginning and the flow of the novel seems to focus on one or two people, a conversation or a situation and then move on rather quickly to a different experience. As guests arrive at the family estate for the annual midsummer party, the reader is treated to a tantalizing description of plays, marionette shows, feasts and heated political discussion, a perfect forewarning of things to come. Byatt incorporates, in interesting detail, the progressive political beliefs of the Wellwood family and their friends. The Children's Book is a story within a story and is layers upon layers where so much is happening that the reader is afraid to blink her eye for fear of missing something important.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, December 3rd 2009

Bound to Please

admin — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 04:53:00 +0000

By Lilli Feisty

Forever

I haven't read a romance novel in years, and the only BDSM material I've ever read was Anne Rice's Beauty trilogy (which she wrote under the name A. N. Roquelaure)—and even then, I only browsed through the first book. One would think that from the title of Lilli Feisty's first novel—Bound to Please—the reader would know what to expect. This reader, however, did not.

Bound to Please is a supercharged, erotic, (mild) BDSM book. The back cover even warns, "Read it only if you can handle the heat." Think you can?

The book centers on Ruby Scott, an event planner in San Francisco who is so tightly wound that someone, preferably a man in her perspective, needs to seriously loosen her strings! Ruby is a raven-haired beauty whose retro style and self-limitations are more reminiscent of June Cleaver than Morticia Adams, while Meg, her sidekick and business partner, is a sassy punk with a passion for vintage clothing. Both women end up delving into a world of bondage, domination, and submission.

Ruby has dabbled with some kinky sex with an ex-boyfriend but has never been able to fully give herself or submit, until she meets "almost famous" rock musician Mark St. Crow. He's young, gorgeous, and has an urgent need to dominate—and Ruby is just the woman to satisfy his desire.

Reading through the first twenty pages or so, I had to stifle back giggles at some of the writing and the actions of the characters. Shudder, quiver, and tremble are some of the words used to describe Ruby's reactions to Mark's touches, and the reader knows immediately that he's made a deep connection with her when Ruby starts eating ice cream straight from the carton—something she's never done before! This girl is hooked!

The writing isn't Tolstoy or Austen, but it's not supposed to be, and, I admit, the story took me away. I found myself wondering: How far will Ruby go to please Mark? Will she allow herself to be dominated? Will Meg use sex to solve her marriage woes? Will Mark stay in San Francisco? And will Ruby eventually lose her June Cleaver attitudes toward relationships and her own sexuality?

Bound to Please is not a BDSM 101 book, but I did find out what a top, bottom and switch are and where to shop if I'm ever in need of a, um, paddle or whip. I guess it's true that you learn something new every day!

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, August 23rd 2009

An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:08:00 +0000

By Danny Gregory

HOW Books

Danny Gregory’s An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers will inspire many to pick up a sketchbook and try their hand at drawing the world around them.

Gregory explains his reasoning for writing this book as something he had been searching for since he started drawing as a boy. An Illustrated Life is simply a gorgeous tribute to creativity, art, and getting lost in the object you are drawing. The pages are filled with examples from the sketchbooks and illustrated journals of an assortment of creative people. Some are professionally trained while others haven’t taken an art class since grade school. The pages are funny, sad, weird, and personal, yet all encourage the feeling that creativity lies within each one of us.

I’m one of those people who collect sketchbooks, but never use them. However, after reading the first couple of profiles of artists and being allowed a glimpse into their private thoughts and inspirations, I have diligently been taking my drawing supplies everywhere I go.

One aspect of Gregory’s book that is so interesting is that each profile is unique. Every artist has his or her own style. Some prefer not to attach words to their illustrations, while others write a story to go along with their sketch. Melanie Ford Wilson describes drawing as “vital as oxygen,” while Venantius J. Pinto draws because it gives him clarity and understanding.

Some of the artists keep a sketchbook to jot down ideas for future projects; others to capture a moment in time. Many use it for their eyes only. All the artists seem to have a recurring theme throughout their profiles—that sketching and keeping a journal has brought enlightenment, happiness, and contentment into their lives.

The lesson from An Illustrated Life is to draw for yourself and not worry about the person looking over your shoulder. As popular as photography has become, sketching remains even more personal and close to the artist. It is a treasure representing not just the art created, but the individual who created it.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, May 6th 2009

The Séance

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:04:00 +0000

By John Harwood

Houghton Mifflin

John Harwood’s The Séance combines all the great elements of a classic Victorian ghost story: Dilapidated mansions, noises in the walls, flickers of candlelight in a darkened window, and a fog rolling in across a menacing landscape—all the workings for a good scary read.

The Séance is told from the perspectives of three different characters. We are introduced to Constance Langton, a young woman who is desperately trying to find out more about her identity and where she comes from. She dabbles in séances to help her adoptive mother communicate with her younger sister who has passed away. Constance is unsuccessful in these endeavors and has to struggle with the guilt and sadness of an unfortunate tragedy shortly thereafter.

Constance soon meets an interesting stranger, John Montague, who informs her that she has inherited the Wraxford estate through a blood relative she has never heard of or met. The Séance leaves the story of Constance at this point and delves into the past with the strange history of the Wraxford Family that is filled with mysterious deaths and disappearances. Wraxford Hall lies right at the center of Monks’ Wood, a dark, gloomy place that is inhabited by the ghost of a monk, or so the locals believe.

Nell Wraxford, the other main character of the story, is cursed with visions of seeing the ghosts of people before they pass on. The reader is never exactly sure if what she is experiencing or seeing is real or imaginary. Nell marries Magnus Wraxford and there is always a sense of foreboding whenever he enters the story.

There is a connection between Nell and Constance but what that connection is, or how deep it goes, is not revealed until the very end. The stories of both women intertwine because they are similar in many ways; Nell and Constance both want happiness in life but are never able to find that fulfillment.

A storyline that runs throughout The Séance deals with lightning, a suit of armor and the disappearances that keep occurring on the Wraxford Estate. I never quite believed the explanation or really understood it, but I have to admit that it was an interesting theory.

The Whitecastle murders (Jack the Ripper) are occurring during the same time that the story of Magnus and Nell Wraxford unfolds, thus creating a more ominous feeling for the reader. The author only mentions the murders a few times, but it is enough to give the reader goose bumps. The reader never finds out exactly what is happening and whether the Wraxford mansion is inhabited by the ghost of old Cornelius Wraxford, or the monk in the woods, or if it is Magnus Wraxford trying to drive Nell into madness.

The Séance is a good book for one to read curled up in front of the fireplace on a winter’s night.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, April 30th 2009

Mrs. Lincoln: A Life

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:53:00 +0000

By Catherine Clinton

Harper Collins

Mrs. Lincoln: A Life by Catherine Clinton, is a fascinating account of this very complicated and very misunderstood woman. I knew little about Mary Todd prior to reading this book and what I did know was mostly based on my own mythical ideas about Honest Abe and his wife Mary. Catherine Clinton’s work had me shaking my head many times; it was quite astonishing to see what this woman endured as the wife of the man who was probably our most beloved president.

The book opens dramatically with Abraham Lincoln lying on his deathbed, while close by, his wife sobs uncontrollably. She is eventually taken from the room, never to be summoned again before Lincoln passes away. And from this you are forewarned of the difficult life of Mary Todd because she lost both her husband and the position of first lady.

Both Mary and Abraham were born and raised in Kentucky, but their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different. Lincoln is famous for his poor, humble beginnings in a log cabin, whereas Mary Todd grew up in a family that was well-connected both politically and socially. As a result of these familial associations, she received a good education. Mary Todd craved recognition and prestige; she was also headstrong, and these traits would often have extremely negative effects during her stay in the White House.

The one thing that surprised me was that even in 1860, politics were politics and the public press was ruthless in their reporting of the first couple. These “Westerners” were not well received and not well liked among the Washington high society and political community. Mrs. Lincoln was shunned by many women in the prominent social circles, which was a severe blow. She craved the respect that should have gone along with being the first lady.

Because of the Lincolns' position in favor of abolition, the president received death threats during the Civil War, creating severe stress for Mary. She also experienced the loss of many close relatives during her time at the White House, which contributed to the incredible obstacles that she faced on a daily basis.

However, in presenting these facts, Clinton is not trying to garner sympathy for Mary. She shows the reader a complicated woman who gives her political advice to Lincoln’s cabinet. She could be unpleasant in public situations, but she also had the compassion to visit wounded soldiers in the local hospitals, and fought for abolition.

The friendships that Mary developed with other women were an essential part of how she coped with her day to day living. They were an integral part of her life until her later years. There is still controversy over the mental state of Mary Todd. In 1863, on her way back to the White House, she was thrown from a carriage causing her to hit her head on a rock which might have contributed to her mental state. She was also prone to depression, and Lincoln scholars continue to debate on her mental health.

When the last page of Clinton’s Mrs. Lincoln: A Life is read and the book is closed, the reader cannot help but sympathize with this underappreciated woman.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, April 29th 2009

The Time it Takes to Fall

admin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:46:00 +0000

By Margaret Lazarus Dean

Simon and Schuster

Margaret Lazarus Dean uses an American tragedy, the space shuttle Challenger explosion, as the backdrop of her charming coming-of-age novel, The Time It Takes to Fall. The heroine of the story is Dolores Gray, who is just entering the 7th grade. She lives with her mother, Deborah; her father, Frank; and her 5-year-old sister, Delia in Palmetto Park, a fictitious town near Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Dolores is, in many ways, just like every other 11-year-old kid. She is insecure, wants to fit in with the popular girls, and is developing an interest in boys - yet Dolores is a world apart from her peers. She is an intelligent young woman with an avid interest in physics and a dream of someday becoming an astronaut. Dolores chronicles this dream in an inspiring space scrapbook. Any adult with a goal or high aspirations could learn from Dolores’ practice of keeping a journal.

The author separates the book into sections according to the mechanical terms relating to the space shuttle - Operational, Launch Safety, Launch Delays, and Erosion - correlating this terminology with Dolores’ daily life experiences. For example, in "Operational," we learn that Dolores’ father has just been laid off temporarily from NASA, but the family is able to function and stay operational because her mother finds a job in order to contribute to the family income.

Dolores’ father is a technician who works on the solid rocket boosters, a very important mechanical component of the shuttles. He wants Dolores to someday become a technician. She doesn’t have the heart to tell him that she doesn’t want to follow this path; rather, she wants to follow in the footsteps of her idol, astronaut Judith Resnik. Dolores and her father often go together to see the space shuttle launches.

Dolores’ most interesting relationship is with Eric Biersdorfer. Eric, like Dolores, is an exceptional student and has an interest in science, but is a bit of an outsider. Eric’s father is the Director of Launch Safety and plays a pivotal role in the story in terms of Dolores’ father’s career with NASA - and also in the relationship between her mother and father. Dolores is fascinated with Eric, but feels that she will risk her popularity if she befriends him.

In spite of the looming tragedy of the shuttle explosion, The Time It Takes to Fall is an enjoyable read with interesting characters and family dynamics. It was nice how Dolores’ father took an active role in raising his daughters while their mother was away allowing him to build a strong, albeit rocky relationship with Dolores. Young girls like Dolores need positive role models - such as astronaut Judith Resnik. The novel illustrates how important it is to encourage young women to develop their interests and talents in many areas including science. Even though this novel is for adults, teenagers will also enjoy this story.

Written by: Su Lin Mangan, June 21st 2008