I really just can't believe it's out of print--it makes no sense to me.This book is a true treasure. It stays with me, and I've read it several times and given it to all my friends. It is an interesting, touching, and funny story of a family, akin to the work of John Irving. I encourage you to order an out of print search and read it for yourself.

As I read this moving, and beautifuly written, accont of a family trying to put into a focus the suicide of their son, I kept re-reading the dog Prince's coments. The entire ankst of the family can be seen in the dog's (youthful) padding around seeking the lost son, and then her various thoghts about the family as she ages, and ... Can't reveal plot lines here. If I were a teacher, I would reccomend this book to young students. The incidence of teenage suicide is so real, and disturbing, that this novel, and the fully developed lives of the characters after the suicide, might be a powerful message.

The sophisticated writing of this author indicates wide popular audinece, but somethow I don't think he will find it with this book. It brought many tears to my eyes, but I am old enought to
have lived through some of these scenes. And have old dogs.

This is a painful novel, from which comes no resolution, just hope, - which is what I think the author intended.

GMS

this book was absolutely amazing. the emotions, themes, ideas, etc., throughout the book are incredible. i've never been so entertained by a novel. i highly suggest this to anyone who likes to laugh, cry, and read.

Century's Son was a truly rewarding read. if you enjoy rich characterization, then you will enjoy Boswell's writing. Few authors are able to create such textured characters with as much feeling and depth as Boswell does here. If anything, the only character that did not strike me as particularly real or original is Peter Kamenev, who is slightly stereotyped as the precocious, over-sexed, hyperbolic old man. Nevertheless, Kamenev if extremely enjoyable as a character as well.

The only reason why people may not like this book is that there were no earth-shattering developments in the plot. Nothing truly happened to resolve the lingering tension in the book. But to me, that's precisely the point. The richness of the characters is not drowned out by a schmaltzy plot device. Every character is allowed to develop and reveal his faults at their own pace. They develop organically.

You know that you've found a satisfying read when your chief complaint is that the book is too short!

Typically, I have a bias against abridged editions of literary works. Nevertheless, prudent editing and abridgement enhances the casual reader's appreciation of this literary tome. Undergraduates working a required reading list for English Lit classes are on their own. Anyway, Samuel Johnson was a noted author and editor of the 18th century English literary scene. Instead of an exhaustive study of Johnson's life as author and editor, biographer Boswell compiled a series of anecdotes, quotations, and correspondence that is held together by his friendship with Johnson. Boswell's purpose was to capture the essence of the man. Johnson was adept at articulating pithy remarks with surgical precision. For example, "...a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprized to find it done at all." The 18th century spellings, etc. remain intact. We have Johnson to thank for the familiar "...hell is paved with good intentions," and "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." Boswell takes care to portray Johnson as sexually moral. After the death of his wife, Johnson (according to Boswell) was apparently celibate. Johnson rebuffed "women of the town," and said he wasn't interested in their carnal delights. Johnson told David Garrick, the actor, that he would not go backstage at the theater because "the white bubbies and silk stockings of your Actresses excite my genitals." As an interesting aside, the editor's introduction speculates that Johnson's relationship with the widow Thrale may have been sexual, with bondage overtones. Who knows? The description of London coffeehouses, theaters, and gathering places are heavy with 18th century atmosphere. Bottom line, reading this book is interesting as a curiosity. Its relevance for 21st century readers may seem limited, but don't let that stop you from sampling the fare. ;-)

Needless to say, Boswell's LIFE OF JOHNSON is one of the preeminent works of biography and should be read by anyone interested in Johnson or the genre. It is a great book (also great is W. Jackson Bate's SAMUEL JOHNSON [1st published 1975]which is a MUST for anyone interested in Johnson). But although I love the Everyman's Library, I do not recommend this edition of Boswell. Unlike the usual quality of the Everyman's Library, its Boswell is rife with typographical errors (there's even missing text!). Though it's the only edition of Boswell I've read, I regret that a correct edition is not on my bookshelf. That being said, if this is the only affordable hardcover version you can find -- and you buy only hardcovers -- go ahead and purchase the Everyman's despite the numerous and distracting errors.

I chose the 1,000 or so page Wordsworth Classics paperback edition of The Life Of Johnson (ISBN 1 85326 797 x) and was very pleased I did. The book had a nice heft to it, and the print was large enough for a comfortable read. My only major beef with this edition is that Boswell's text is replete with quotations from a variety of languages including Latin, Greek, French, Italian and others, and very few of them are translated into English. Whether the editor assumed that the average modern reader is a polyglot, or was unable to provide the translations for some other reason, I feel deprived at not having had access to this portion of the book's material, particularly as the quotes are most often used to gild the lily of one of Johnson's witticisms. Nevertheless, the book rewards the diligent reader with a wealth of intellectual stimulation, and offers a fascinating look into the England of the period including: polite London society, Oxford University, and jaunts around the British and Scottish countryside. Johnson's somewhat eccentric life and personal habits are lovingly and affectionately relayed by his close friend Boswell, who somehow managed to preserve a vast amount of Johnson's conversation without the aid of a tape recorder. With everyday life as a backdrop, we see how Johnson, a self-described lazy man, managed to produce such an abundant literary legacy, not the least of which was his groundbreaking dictionary. I recommend this book highly to people with an interest in 18th century England, the literary society of the period, or who simply love a great biography.

The "Mystery Ride" in Robert Boswell's 1992 novel of that name is marriage, or perhaps life itself. Angela and Stephen were married young, had a daughter, Dulcie, then divorced. Each remarried, and spends much of this novel examining whether they made the right choices, and realizing that what's past is prologue. Stephen remains on his farm in Iowa, where he struggles with the business and regrets. Angela, who has custody of Dulcie, moves to California, where she marries a husband whom she realizes is adulterous, but whom she still loves dearly. Dulcie, as a teenager, is hopelessly screwed up, and her parents hope that some time on dad's farm might help matters. Above all else, this is a very good story about people we can't help but care about. A very good book.

Robert Boswell's work has been uneven, but in this novel he pulls everything together. The blazing romance and failed marriage of Stephen and Angela is one of the subtlest and most insightful portraits of real love in modern literature. Dulcie, their daughter, is an unforgettable holy terror who brings out the worst in everyone around her and very nearly steals the show. Boswell never takes the obvious road in this story--Dulcie makes sure that everything will go awry at one point or another. But her savage humor and flair for anarchy, brilliant as they are, only serve to highlight what may be Boswell's greatest feat: his portrayal, in Stephen, of a truly contented man. Happiness is a hard thing to write about, but Boswell does it and still keeps you turning the pages. Tremendous stuff.

What an enthralling exploration into the lives of a modern day American Family, found in Robert Boswell's Mystery Ride. Angela is a strong female embodiment to a character women can relate to. Looming forty, she feels like her life is spinning out of control. Steven, her ex-husband is a small-town boy, about to take on the intricate task of caring for their daughter during the Iowa summer of 1987. The character development of Dulcie, Angela and Steve's guileless mutinous 15-year-old is what fuels this novel with erotic, yet sordid glee. From pooping on guys getting fresh to peeing in her pants to revolt from her mother, Dulcie is far from rational but it ensues a justly great read. Nicely detailed and sexy! Highly recommended.

"Jingle Bells, Wedding Bells" is a great read, containing 4 stories of Christmas wishes and true love. Each story is full of holiday cheer and is sure to lift your spirits any time of the year!

First is Nora Roberts' "All I Want for Christmas", my favorite story of the four. Zack and Zeke Taylor, twins just starting first grade, decide to ask Santa Claus for a mom this Christmas. Nell, the new high school music teacher in Taylor Grove seems to fit the bill. Luckily enough, Zeke and Zack's father, Mac, can't stop thinking about Nell. Nell and Mac's relationship is passionate and tender and full of ups and downs. This story is fabulous, and will surely please readers.

Next is "A Very Merry Step-Christmas" by Barbara Boswell and it is great! Natalie and Brian meet in detention for being late to school and soon discover their lives are remarkably similar. The two 14-year-olds each have a single parent and three younger siblings. The two schemers decide that Brian's dad, Police Chief Zack Ritter, and Natalie's mom, Claudia Nolan would be perfect for each other. When Claudia and Zack meet, the sparks immediately fly, but Zack refuses to date women with children, and that makes Claudia completely off limits. But fate keeps pulling them together and happiness is within reach, if only they can find the courage to take a risk! This is a lovely, uplifting tale, and my second favorite story in this anthology.

"Jack's Ornament" by Myrna Temte is an entertaining read. Jack Zorn's life is all about work on the Bar Z Ranch, until beautiful Elizabeth Davies-Smythe arrives to drop off his niece and nephew for a visit. Elizabeth gets snowed in for some time, and has a wonderful time flirting with the ruggedly handsome Jack. The longer Elizabeth stays, the more powerful her feelings for Jack become. Jack too begins falling in love, but he stubbornly believes that the glamorous Elizabeth could never be happy with a simple rancher like him. Will true love triumph? Or will Jack's inflexible views prevent him from finding happiness with Elizabeth?

Finally is "The Forever Gift" by Elizabeth August. Abigail Jones has been hiding from her past for years, and has finally settled in a tiny out of the way town called Blye's Stand. When she picks up a young hitchhiker on the way home, she soon discovers that the girl, Rose, is the niece of Abigail's sexy neighbour, Kane Courtland. Two years of avoiding each other is brought to an end for Kane and Abigail, as Rose befriends Abby. Abigail has a powerful reaction to Kane's presence, which she knows will only get her into trouble, but is incredibly hard to ignore. Kane and Abigail become cautious friends, but Abigail knows that before they can take their relationship any further, she must tell Kane about her dark past. Will Kane stand by Abigail? Or will he turn from her like all of her friends before him? This is a truly touching and enjoyable story.

Overall, this anthology is lots of fun. It contains 4 well-written stories that capture the magic of Christmas. This book is well worth the read if you can find it. Enjoy!

Mischief and mayhem ensue when the Taylor twins decide they want a mom for Christmas in NORA ROBERTS-ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS. And there are more merry complications when children plot to get thier single parents married in BARBARA BOSWELL'S-A VERY MERRY STEP-CHRISTMAS. For lonely rancher Jack Zorn, work always comes first-until he gets a hankerin' for marryin' sparkling Elizabeth Davies-Smith in MYRNA TEMTE'S-JACK'S ORNAMENT. And in ELIZABETH AUGEST'S-THE FOREVER GIFT the holidays can be hard when your alone like Abigail Jones. But Kane Courtland is about to give her the greatest gift of all-love.

This year I am using Jean Racine's "Phaedra" as the one non-classical text in my Classical Greek and Roman Mythology Class (yes, I know, "Classical" makes "Greek and Roman" redundant, but it was not my title). In Greek mythology, Phaedra was the half-sister of the Minotaur who was married to Theseus after the hero abandoned her sister Ariadne (albeit, according to some versions of what happened in Crete). Phaedra fell in love with her step-son Hippolytus, who refused her advances. Humiliated, she falsely accused him of having raped her.

My students read "Phaedra" after Euripides's "Hippolytus" as part of an analogy criticism assignment, in which they compare/contrast the two versions, which are decidedly different, to say the least. In the "original" Greek version Hippolytus is a follower of Artemis, and the jealous Aphrodite causes his stepmother to fall in love with him. Phaedra accuses Hippolytus of rape and then hangs herself; Theseus banished his son who is killed before Artemis arrives to tell the truth. In Racine's version Hippolytus is a famous hater of women who falls in love with Aricia, a princess of the blood line of Athens. When false word comes that Theseus is dead, Phaedra moves to put her own son on the throne. In the end the same characters end up dead, but the motivations and other key elements are different.

While I personally would not go so far as to try and argue how Racine's neo-classical version represents the France of 1677, I have found that comparing and contrasting the two versions compels students to think about the choices each dramatist has made. Both the similarities and the differences between "Hippolytus" and "Phaedra" are significant enough to facilitate this effort. Note: Other dramatic versions of this myth include Seneca's play "Phaedra," "Fedra" by Gabriele D'Annunzio, "Thesee" by Andrea Gide, and "The Cretan Woman" by Robinson Jeffers.

I think that this novel would have given me greater enjoyment if it was written more subtly. By the time I was three-quarters of the way through the book I felt that I was reading a soap opera - and like people get sucked into watching soaps, I was sucked into finishing the book JUST BECAUSE. I enjoyed Robert Boswell's writing, but felt that I had digested the message and expended enough energy on the characters. I wanted to move on. Don't let this review stop you from buying the book, but buy it on the clearance shelf if you buy it at all.

An enjoyable read but not as haunting as "Mystery Ride." The characters were well developed for the most part (my favorite was Henry) but it didn't seem to go where it could have. And what was the meaning of the black river? Think I missed something there....a good book to check out at the library, but I wouldn't encourage buying it.

Authors must always deal with their past successes and failures. MYSTERY RIDE was a tremendous success; as such, readers will inevitably compare AMERICAN OWNED LOVE to it. But they are vastly different books. One might enjoy both (for a variety of reasons: the good prose and engaging characters in each, for starters). If you believe characters are at the heart of good fiction, you will like this book. If you want to be told how or what to think (or told what the black river has to "mean"), then look elsewhere. Look in your dream journal. Ask your therapist. While you're doing that, Boswell will quietly chip away at better questions: what it means to be human, what love is, what it does to us, and why.