The events depicted by Mr. May open a window on a horrible event in our relationships with the American Indian as told by two young boys. I guarantee you will empathize with their plight and be ashamed and saddened at the events so graphically depicted. I sincerely hope someone will take this book and make it into a movie as the story needs to be told to all Americans. Don't pass this novel by. It is well worth the read.

The stories combine folktale motifs brought from Africa by slaves with those of the native peoples of the south, particularly the Cherokee and Choctaw. Since both cultures had stories with animal characters, and specifically trickster rabbit characters, ethnologists have not been able to completely determine which elements are the African and which are the Native American. No matter, since the two cultural traditions blend together seamlessly.

This edition is the most encyclopedic of all the Uncle Remus collections, and contains many different types of tales. There are origin tales, like how Mr. Dog originally came to live with Mr. Man and why Mr. Cricket has elbows on his legs. There are satirical tales, like the one in which Brer Rabbit convinces Brer Fox that it's the fashion in town for up-to-date foxes to have their heads cut off, which is information that Brer Fox, out of vanity, acts on in the way Brer Rabbit hopes. There are Trickster tales --mostly involving Brer Rabbit and Brer Tortoise (who is the only character who can out-trickster Rabbit). And there are tales of witches, magic, and superstition specific to Africa.

It's written in Southern African-American dialect of the 19th century, which can be tough going for some, but there is a glossary in the back (which I didn't realize was there for over a year) that helps. Also, the stories demand to be read out loud, being originally of an oral tradition, and I think you will find that reading them aloud while just following the given spelling will make the dialect more understandable than just reading it silently.

These stories are so wonderful that my teenaged sons, who think it's "babyish" to be read to, will still allow me to read Brer Rabbit tales to them. If you are looking for great Literature that's funny and easy to read, buy this book and have a really good time!

Although this story was about a very serious and horrible turn of events it was never depressing. Yes, it's brutal and tragic, but the narrator keeps it's light in a black comic sort of way. Believe it or not it's very humorous at times. There's a lot of irony here, and catchy story telling. A perfect book, a quick read, and a good way to spend an evening curled up by the fire in your favorite chair. I recommend you don't miss this one!

Here's a review I just read from the prestigious Library Journal about 'Brain and Body':

"After a brutal attack at a public toilet for being gay, 17-year-old Jip is left severely brain-damaged and must rebuild his life. Since Jip can barely remember his own name for more than five minutes at a time, his guilt-ridden housemate tells his story. Jip makes friends, works out, gets a job, and finds a lover despite his severe handicap yet remains incredibly vulnerable to the manipulation of others. He, his family, and friends and even the shadowy, unnamed narrator are clearly drawn characters, complete with the quirks and complex motivations of real individuals.

This quick debut novel is at turns ominous and optimistic, highlighting the ability of people both to heal and to harm others grievously. First novelist Frost uses foreshadowing to build suspense about Jip's ultimate fate. The reader can be certain it won't be a happy one but will be compelled to keep turning the pages. Recommended for all public libraries." Devon Thomas.

Jane Price, Editorial Team, ...

A poet like Frost comes around maybe once in a generation (if we're lucky). Some of his works are undeniably for the ages. This volume is filled with the treasures Frost left to us.

Works like "The Tuft of Flowers," "The Death of the Hired Man," "Blueberries," "The Road Not Taken," "Fire and Ice," and "Mending Wall" (a poem that literally changed my life) are genuine contributions to world literature.

A ton of Frost's poetry is to be found in this edition. I am struck by how consistent and sure he is in his poetry. This man was a great poet. I am not a big fan of reading plays. I'd rather see them interpreted by actors on a stage. I'm not going to lie and say Frost was a great playwright--he was not. But all the same, I am glad to have read the works contained in this volume.

I must say that The Library of America's volume are all handsomely done and attractively presented. The texts are extremely readable for only being in ten-point font. For the most point, I ignored the notes (I prefer to make heads or tales of things on my own.) The few that I read surprised me because they actually were enlightening.

I recommend this volume most highly.