http://truthtalltales.blogspot.com/2012/07/he-read-it-all-and-lived-to-tell-about.html#links

The Arabian Nights : A companion
Robert Irwin
Nonfiction 342 pages
Tauris Parke Paperbacks. 2004

Henry Reeve discussed the translations of the Arabian Nights available during his time, saying, “Galland is for the nursery, Lane is for the library, Payne for the study and Burton for the sewers.” Burton’s version of the Arabian Nights is full of archaic language, gratuitous vulgarity, and racism. It is also the most readily available complete translation, and the one you may have to read if you want to become thoroughly acquainted with this story collection.

During the time Burton was translating it, a Middle Eastern superstition claimed that no one could read the entire Arabian Nights without dying. Author, Robert Irwin, writes that he read the entire Burton translation without dying, but not without pondering suicide as an alternative to slogging through it. Fortunately, if you wish to be better acquainted with the Arabian Nights, you can read Irwin’s Companion instead.

Irwin explores the Arabian Nights from a variety of perspectives as evident in his chapter titles, including, “Street Entertainments”, “Low Life”, and “Sexual Fictions”. Of particular interest is Irwin’s discussion of how stories mutate, merge, migrate, and reappear elsewhere. For example, a short story about partners plotting to kill each other is the plot of “The Pardoner’s Tale” in The Canterbury Tales. Later it’s a movie plot in The Treasure of Sierra Madre. Other versions of a story from the Arabian Nights, “The Tale of the Woman who Wanted to Deceive her Husband” also appears in Sanskrit in the 11th century, Latin in the 12th, and in the 14th both Persian and Italian in Bocccaccio’s Decameron. In the 20th century, Thomas Mann reused the plot once again in his Dr. Faustus.

Besides Mann, other modern authors have found inspiration in the Arabian Nights, including James Joyce, Marcel Proust, Jorge Luis Borges, John Barth and Salman Rushdie.

Irwin’s The Arabian Nights : A companion offers an expansive and thoroughgoing look at this great work. There is little that he doesn’t touch upon. If you don’t want to risk death by reading the entire Arabian Nights, then read Irwin instead.

I was going to try to write a review of this book, but let’s face it, the author is my brother and I think it’s all hilarious and have since he started the original website, so I’m going to just give you some info about the book 🙂

Introduction from Daniel
Ignorance, lack of common sense, and downright inhuman stupidity run rampant in this country and around the world. I watch people, and I hear stories, and they beg, beg, beg to be mocked and ridiculed.

Weirder Than Marshmallows showcases tales of stupidity and ignorance in the hopes of making people laugh. Stories are divided into five categories.

Do Not Stop on Tracks showcases warnings that should never have to be warned.

En Masse contains stories of mass ignorance.

Technology Sucks explores the hazards of the technological age.

That’s Just Freaky features Twilight Zone like tales of paranormality.

Weird Stuff is stuff that is… well, weird

All the stories on the site are true. That’s what makes the concept attention grabbing. Anybody can make up strange stories, writers do it all the time. That’s why people love Stephen King, his stories are downright weird.

But these are real, they actually happened, to relatively normal human beings. There’s no fiction here.

Editor’s Note:
Then there are the musings about life and things in general that follow these five categories.

All of the content in this book was written by Dan Fogg, except as noted as an Editor’s Note.
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If you would like to review the Weirder Than Marshmallows e-book on your own website, please fill out the form by clicking here.

Review first published on Barb Shelton’s Blog

A SR Perspective
from
The Wordsmith Journal Magazine
Hello and Welcome to our SR Perspective page where our SR Reviewer,
Barb Shelton will post her opinion/review of the books she reads.
This month is The Visionary by Pamela S Thibodeaux

Authors, email twjadsales@gmail.com for details on how to have your book reviewed by Barb!

Just Sayin….
The Visionary is a story very detailed about all types of love, and particularly those identified in the Bible. From my younger memory, I can recall four – Agape, selfless or unconditional love; Phileo, love of friends; Eros, erotic love and Storge, family love. Of course, love can be described in a variety of ways, from fierce, intense and blazing to gentle, tender and soft. While some of the characters in this story want to be controlling in their own right, author Pamela S. Thibodeaux’s emphasis in her story is on God’s unconditional love proving HE is in control. Emotions ebb and flow as far heavenward and as far downward as can be humanly expressed. Familiar emotions are expertly articulated; while other emotions unknown by some human souls are eloquently voiced for a deeper understanding.

The moment I began reading of The Visionary, my mind, which usually doesn’t respond “speechless” too much of anything…was in complete awe to Pamela’s writing. Immediately I became deeply infatuated with her clever use of words. She caused sparks to flit around my mind and tickled my fancy for easy recall of what my eyes read. There’s that age thing creeping into my reading enjoyment – folks at my age are inclined to blank minds and memory loss, well forgetfulness! LOL

I was filled with wonder at how adept author Thibodeaux is in the “show and tell” method of writing, like it is a natural thing for her. I admire her wonderful descriptive power and can feel the aura of each personality by her use of words. Pam Thibodeaux can show an instantaneous mood or inner physical feeling as though you are “seeing, hearing and feeling” every movement and thought of the characters.

The Visionary is indeed a novel written “on the edge.” But then again….wasn’t the Bible? I was not offended or thrown off with the manner in which this story was written. Within each sentence flows God’s truth and grace emphatically within the structure of decency and refinement.

Having said that, I’m positive you would like to know a bit about the story and the characters that live it. Twenty-seven year old twins, Taylor and Trevor Forrestier are the main characters and both suffered evil in their childhood. They are as close as Siamese twins in their dependence and attachment to one another. Both have been endowed by God with beautiful physical appearances from their thick honey colored hair, green and gold flecks in topaz eyes, trim firm frames, right down to gold hoop earrings dangling from perfectly shaped earlobes (on the girl, of course). One very basic difference between the twins is that one believes in God; yet the other is like Thomas or Thomasina in the Bible…a doubter that Jesus is real.

The story takes place in Lake Charles, Louisiana where Taylor and Trevor are the owners of T & T Enterprises. Taylor is an interior designer and Trevor is an architect and landscape architect for urban planning and design – in less Ivy League terms….a builder. Taylor has received magnificent reviews as the designer with vision. I don’t intend to give away any of the interesting secrets regarding Taylor’s gift….you will need to discover them on your own. On the down side, Trevor is extremely over protective of Taylor, which causes jealousy of anything or anyone that interferes personally with their closeness.

Enters Alex Broussard, a financial analyst, who currently bought a large piece of historical real estate called The LeBleu Estate which dates back to the original settlers of the area. It was rumored to have been a favorite visiting spot of Jean LaFitte during his excursions in and out of the area. There is much curiosity over the rumor that he left his initials carved on a board inside the barn where he slept at times. Alex is a very sensitive man and is stunned upon his first meeting with the twins, but all I will tell you here is that he went seeking their company to restore The LeBleu Estate.

Pam LeBlanc, secretary to Taylor and Trevor is a sweet, vivacious young woman, highly skilled in dealing with the office scenarios; on top of everything else to make the twins jobs easier. Pam is also a love interest to a main male character in this story. No secrets now! I must admit my curiosity as to Pamela Thibodeaux giving a main player in this story her first name. Perhaps she will clue us in to that one day. Just asking, Pamela!

I felt such emotion and prayed for all the characters often…not that I could have changed Pamela’s story…but perhaps God heard them as for someone else to bless. One of my favorite tv channels to watch is HGTV – which made my visions of the estate purchasing and refurbishing so much fun. Working jigsaw puzzles is another pleasure of mine….and there are many puzzles of mystery in Pamela’s story to engage your curiosity. Some scenes raised my ire and others made me sniffle and sob. This book may very well bring someone from riding the fence to making a decision to follow Christ.

The Visionary is one of the better books I have read. I vehemently recommend that you acquire a copy of this novel to meet and enjoy the story yourself. Some parts of this book I’ve wanted to read over and over and didn’t want the story to end. Pamela, I sincerely hope you’ll be writing more about this rare and wonderful community of people. I will remember and recall this story for a long time because it meant so much to me. I could relate to the evil things written about, as well as the healing and redemption. There has been grief and tragedy also, as in others’ lives, which brought about memories of sadness. I can also say honestly….that my wisdom of life and scripture has grown and I’m much wiser now. I hope in my old age I can remember that!

I want to thank our Abba father for Pamela. She is indeed guided by His Holy Spirit that indwells her. What a holy imagination she uses to write God’s word! This is some of my perception of Pamela S. Thibodeaux. May our Creator’s grace and creative power be with you always.

The Visionary
Pamela S Thibodeaux
A visionary is someone who sees into the future, Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique”Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disturbingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in…The Visionary ~ Where the awesome power of God’s love heals the most wounded of souls
Note from Pam to Barb
I am humbled and honored you would pen such beautiful words about my story and writing. Thank You!
My prayer has always been that I glorify God in all I do and write and your opinion of this book encourages me that I just may be on the right track.

As for naming a major character after me — I am 100% SOTP writer (seat of the pants) – I have no outline or clue of the characters’ names, appearance or anything else until they appear on the page or pop into the story. Some are secondary (like Steve, Colleen & Pastor Hebert) and some, like Pam play major roles.

Alas, this is the joy and frustration of being a SOTP writer LOL!

Once again, Thank You, Barb for your lovely comments. May God bless you 100fold in your own writing endeavors
Available @ Amazon & Barnes and Noble!
Meet our SR Reviewer ~ Barb Shelton!

Barb is married to Jack Shelton, a retired military officer and lives in Arlington, Texas. Having been married for thirty seven years, Barb and Jack share eight children between them, (His, Mine, Ours); 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Barb was born and raised in Enterprise, Kansas. She is musically inclined and is a retired church music director. A former Weight Watcher lecturer, she has had many interesting and unusual jobs, including working for a private detective, defense attorney, office manager for a video production company and administrative assistant to two different pastors. She is involved in volunteer and church activities, and describes herself as creative, friendly and can talk with anyone.

“I am a Christian and love to spread God’s love and enjoy making others smile and lift up their day.”

She wishes to write a book one day. “I’ve been through several soap operas in my lifetime and lived to tell about them.”

Barb is the writer of two blogs, Passing it Forward and Barbjan10’s Blog, both of which she invites you to drop by to visit one day.
Disclaimer
Our goal at The Wordsmith Journal Magazine is to introduce readers to authors of books with a strong moral message. Primarily Christian based, we do not adhere to any particular denomination, nor do we question the integrity or worship of our readers, interview candidates, sponsors, columnists, reviewers, or authors who advertise with us. We understand reading is subjective and what one person deems sweet, clean, cozy or inspirational, another will not. Please know we do not read nor endorse every book advertised in our magazine but trust that the author understands our goal and his or her work fits the desires of our readers.

Book: American Goddesses by Gary Henry

I enjoyed the story American Goddesses even though it did get a bit sappy towards the end. Now being an emotional female, I cried and hugged and shared the sorrow with the characters, but a guy would probably say, “Okay enough of the tears, just get on with the story already…. Alright a man hug. There are you happy now?”

American Goddesses is a story about two women, Megan and Trish, who volunteer for a medical experiment that could wipe out all diseases known to man or woman, from the common cold to cancer. What they get are super powers that complicate their lives in good and bad ways.

Gary did an excellent job of weaving the story so that you felt you were a part of it. You felt the emotions of the characters. You could see them just as clearly as if you were in Gary’s head as he wrote.

Would I recommend American Goddesses? Yes. Would I give it five stars? Yes, I would.

http://karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/my-review-of-american-goddesses/