| | David Forbes |
"I am human, nothing human is alien to me."
ÇƒÓ Terence
ï
Well, dear reader, this week there is no book review. Donët worry, theyëll reappear in this space soon enough.
What youëre reading right now is instead a statement of what this space will be used for, why ÇƒÓ and how it will differ from many of the book reviews in any number of newspapers that dot the land.
Open any of those papers and you will find reviews of the newest books, usually the most popular ones or the best sellers.
I have no question that those reviews serve a purpose. Make no mistake, I will endeavor to review a fair share of new releases in this space, especially the most interesting or unexpected.
However,
I will not stop there. I also aim to highlight books that may have
slipped under the radar, are off the beaten path, a little unusual or,
on the other hand, may be vastly overrated.
I will take my
cue from the quotation at the beginning of this column, written by the
ancient comedic playwright Terence: no subject is off-limits.
I am of the firm belief that important insights and fascinating reading can come from any realm.
Hence, I will
review fantasies, histories of events both famous and forgotten,
diatribes, confessions, biographies, prophecies, romance, science
fiction, poetry, nightmares, dreams, utopias, fantasies, dystopias,
rants (political and personal), mysteries (murder and metaphysical),
philosophy (high-minded or vulgar), slices of life (magical or mundane)
and anything else that might contain words, lie between two covers and
has been published.
In Asheville I
have had the pleasure of finding an extremely literate and creative
populace ÇƒÓ and I will try to especially highlight work by local
authors in this space.
I will be
reviewing graphic novels. Sadly, despite accolades like Alan Moore and
Dave Gibbonsë "The Watchmen" making TIME magazineës list as one of the
best novels of the 20th century, this amazingly innovative medium is
still far too often pigeon-holed as "kidës stuff" or "escapist." Not
here.
This is, after all, the Daily Planet.
In doing all
this, I ask for help from you, the reader. Iëm not, after all,
all-knowing and unlike some critics, will never claim to be.
If you know of a
work that has escaped notice, that has been overlooked or perhaps, you
feel, misrepresented or that is new and groundbreaking then, please ǃÓ
tell me about it.
I canët promise
that I will review it. That will, of course depend on time,
circumstances and, of course, if I can manage to get my hands on it.
But I can promise that no matter the subject, I will consider it.
I mean that. Anything. Bring it.
Fair warning: I will review any work with complete honesty. Pros, cons and everything else.
If you recommend
a book to me that ends up getting reviewed in this space, I will thank
you, by name, in the review. Though if you wish to remain anonymous
Iëll respect that too.
I can be reached
through letters-at-ashevilledailyplanet.com or, if you prefer, by phone
message at 252-6565 or via snail mail at Asheville Daily Planet, P.O.
Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490.
Complaints, disagreements or compliments can be directed through the same channels. Any input is welcome.
After all, it is
in the end about the reader. This column is for your benefit, put
forward in the hope that it can, in some small way, entertain, provoke
and inform.
Youëre the reason this space exists. Thank you ÇƒÓ and keep reading.
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