Fellow All Things That Matter Press author Robert Rubenstein recommended my editing skills Oana, a Romanian immigrant whose book The Healings has delighted readers. She sent me a 40 page piece on her experiences living under communist rule. I’ve done 10 pages so far and find it engrossing. Her grandparents bought a house in the 1930s, and when the reds came to power the family was forced to share it with others, and their garage was appropriated as a repair shop. Of course, the squatters did not care for the property the way most owners would. Imagine having to deal with that. At least America’s redistributionists only force its citizens to provide for freeloaders through taxes. Anyway, I’ve suggested many little changes to the piece, mostly in the use of comma, which is problematic even for the most popular authors, or wordage. I hope she isn’t hurt or offended. My main concern is that more polish will give the work an entirely western tone instead of one from someone who has adopted the west as her home. I love that she gets why capitalism is so superior to communism. Socialism and communism will always be second-rate systems because they go against a person’s natural inclination toward self interest. Capitalism is perfect. It is humans who are not.
Also from the eastern bloc -- I just finished The Mighty Angel by Jerzy Pilch, translated from Polish by Bill Johnston. It is a novel in the first person from an alcoholic’s point of view, the author himself the main character. It almost intellectualizes the affliction. Since it’s not a theme I can relate to, as I’ve been never more than tipsy in my life and only a few times, I almost abandoned it. I forced myself to stick with it, which wasn't hard, as it is only 155 pages. Each year it gets more difficult to be open-minded. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much out of the book, although the writing is lively. Several arguments were lost on me. Of course, this may have been intentional, as it is an account of a drunkard. The story takes place after the fall of communism. The totalitarian yoke is not part of the reason the man drinks. I won’t rate it. It might be of interest to anyone who has, or has had, a substance abuse problem. The author is clearly talented.
Although I'm a Giants fan, I was glad Tim Tebow threw two touchdown passes against them last. The game was just an exhibition and it was great to see the lion-hearted kid make it tough for his naysayers to drum him out of the NFL. My hope is that he will go from the Patriots, who I hate, to another team.
It was a quiet day at the floating book shop. There was a huge highlight, however. Marie has finished reading Killing and raved about it, saying it brought her to tears several times. Thank you, my dear. I believe it's my best work and I'm thrilled when someone gets it. I sense it scares or shocks most readers. Anyway, my thanks also to the young man who purchased Jonathan Kellerman's Rage, and to Richie, who bought a book on Krishnamurti, and also to the woman who bought the illustrated New Testament, which is at least the fifth copy of it I've sold thanks to the generosity of Ol' Simon.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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