I read this book 15 years ago, it really changed my look to literature, to language to life. I will have the foreword/preface written on my epitaph. it was something like this-forgive my poor translation-"...everything I said is true, because I dreamt about it."

11/22/96, rating=10: "L'Ecume Des Jours" tells a bizarre, intriguing story of the young Colin and his strange friends. The story itself is wonderful, but the way in which it is written is the main reason why this novel is one of the best I've ever read. And reread. Boris Vian is like a magician the way he puts words and sentences together and makes it all a brilliant work of art. It is a real "language party". This book has been called "one of the most beautiful contemporary love stories", but don't expect sappy romance. This is bizarre, it is surprising, it is totally different from any other "love story", and above all: It is hillarious. A friend of mine tried to read a Norwegian version this book on a train from Paris to Normandy, and she just had to put it down because of all the funny glances she got: she was laughing and choking constantly, tears running down her cheeks and mascara all over her face. It is so funny, you just can't stop laughing, even during the sad and rather grotesque scenes. The optimism of Colin in spite of successive tragic occurences in his life is just amazing. And the way Vian describes it is even more appalling. This book could be looked upon as a modern fairytale, a critisism of society, a love story; whatever you like. Enjoy!

This is Boris Vian's masterpiece. A beautiful mixture of cynicism, romance, social activity (Paris during the late 40's), bittersweet, and dopey at the same time. There will be a new translation of the book coming out in 2001. TamTam Books will be the publisher.

It's the best book that I have read in a last years! I was very impressted by the main hero - Aleksei Meres'ev. This book is very easy to read so I highly recommended it for everyone. It's one of the most brilliant Russian novel of the twentith century

It is widely said that our utmost abilities, mental and physical, surface in extreme conditions. By definition, war is an extreme condition predicament. Let alone war in the frozen lands of the Russian (then Soviet) plains. One man and his will against all odds... The achievement and prevail of human spirit against life's little games.... Makes a man wonder when not to smile, when to complain, what to think as impossible. I guess impossible is just something we just don't want bad enough as Kazantzakis put it... Recommendable to all... Enjoy every page; I know I did...

One of the greatest novels that have ever been written. It makes one realize the great power of human spirit. Brilliantly written. Unfortunately unknown to the book lovers at large.

A perfect story: nothing extra, nothing missing. Conveys the true feeling of being a scientist and making discoveries, and elegantly states the moral dilemma of committment to truth versus committment to one's self, appetites, and family.

Just read this book and liked it a lot. It seemed to explore the theme of why most people never really live up to their potential, or fulfill the dreams of their youth, but instead get sidetracked or sucked down in the concerns of everyday life. Perhaps it's the homeostatic universe at work. "Since then crooked, roundabout, godforsaken paths stretch out before me..." Great stuff!

I like Strugatsky very much. I'm happy I can read them in Russian, but you can find many translationsinto English just as well. Definitely Maybe, or, originally, One Billion Years before the End of the World, is, no doubt, one of their best books, along with Hard to be a God, Roadside Picnic or Snail on the Slope. It's a pity people in the West talk so much about Solzhenitsin and the like and know practically nothing about Strugatsky whose contribution to the world literature is in no way less. One more thought for those who think they hate science fiction. Strugatsky themselves (or Strugatskii, or Strugatski -- you can find any of those spellings on the Internet) once wrote that in fact there's no such genre as science fiction. There's good literature and bad literature. Strugatsky is definitely (without any maybe) a good literature.

The illustrations in this volume are lush and expressive-- Baba Yaga is truly a sight to see. Boris Zvorykin's vivid imagination perfectly complements the stories, bringing them to life without overshadowing them. Of all the books I read as a child, this is no doubt one of the most memorable and most touching.

Like a fool over 22 years ago I gave my copy to my nieces my copy of this most wonderful storybook. The illustrations are some of the most imtensive color printing I've seen in many years, the stories are equally wonderful, and would be welcome in anyones' fine book collection.

The full-page illustrations in this book are simply stunning. The soft pastels blend with the glittering jeweltones, and the fantasy settings and gorgeous characters are sumptuously detailed. Each plate is a work of art and suitable for framing; believe me, if you have a color scanner/printer you'll be grateful. Notes at the end of the book inform us that the illustrations are reproduced from the original gouache paintings, and the pages are in heavy glossy paper.

There are four tales in this volume: The Firebird, Maria Morevna, Vassilissa the Fair, The Snow Maiden.

The pictures will take your breath away. The stories are charming and well translated (from an older Russian translated into French volume), but you will probably be too taken away by the glorious art to really pay much attention to the not-really-for-small-children fairy tales.

This a good book for any Lupus patient. I have SLE and found this book inforamtive, but it is interlaced with optimism and cases of people who were able to reduce their symptoms. It has everything.. the basics, meds, alternative therapies, coping and relationships, tips on what to ask the doc. This is a good book.

Being a long time Lupus sufferer, I've read and have every book known to man. This book explains everything you've ever wanted to know about Lupus, very elouquently. Applause go out to the author, Theresa DiGeronimo. If you are or know someone who suffers from Lupus, this is the best book on the market.

As a lupus sufferer who's read just about every book ever written on the subject, I found this to be the definitive book on a very complex subject. Digeronimo covers the realm of symptoms, treatments and complications thoroughly and with warmth and compassion. If you've just been diagnosed with lupus, or know someone who has it, this is the book for you! Congratulations to the author on a job well done.

'Amos and Boris' was my favorite book when I was in Kindergarten. It is now my children's favorite, too. The characters, Amos (a mouse) and Boris (a whale) learn about friendship, loss and love in a warm, comforting story. This is a book Mr. Rogers might read to his kids - but without the annoyance factor. The illustrations are peaceful, immpressionistic, and very grown up. Parents won't mind being asked to read 'Amos and Boris' night after night.

I love William Steig's work, and this is one of his best picture books. Steig always fills his books with love and family and friendship and with a love of life. Rarely in any type of literature will you find a book about friendship better than this one. The story of "Amos and Boris" is about a mouse and a whale. When the mouse has an accident in his sailing ship, he is saved by the whale. The two strike up an immediate and deep friendship which will continue though the two are forced to be worlds apart. "Amos and Boris" is a remarkable book for the meaningful lessons it teaches. It is also remarkable for the beautiful prose, the humor, and for the marvelous pictures by Steig. "Amos and Boris" is truly a perfect picture book for children and for adults.

This book is so charming and original and to top it off it is so poignant it almost brought tears to my eyes. The language is lyrical and the story is whimsical yet it explores issues such as lifelong friendship and our interconnectness. The mouse, Amos, heads off to sea and is so overwhelmed by its beauty and the feeling of oneness with creation that he rolls right off his boat and has to be saved by a friendly whale, Boris. Amos hopes he can repay his friend someday although it is hard to imagine how a little mouse could help a big powerful whale. Sure enough Amos will get his moment! This book is great for a range of ages and will delight both parents and children.

I have read hundreds of sci-fi books in my life - nothing like this one! I must reiterate - you will never read anything like this again! The most original sci-fi ever written, and if you combine this with light, humorous satire at the soviet reality, disguised as a phantasy - you get one of the most enchanting sci-fi stories ever. It helps if you are familiar with the Russian folklore and culture, but don't be taken aback if you are not! Another thing, I first read this book when I was 10, and re-read it maybe 20 times since then - it only gets better with time!

I am amazed not to see "Stalker" among the referenced books. Hasn't it been translated in English? I think it is the best of all the Strugatski brothers books. Tarkowski has made a fantastic film out of this book but I fear this is not listed either over here. What a pity! "The dead Alpinist's Inn" is another state-of-the-art you might want to read.

Dimitri

YOU SHOULD READ THIS STORY.IT GIVES US A UNIQUE CHANCE TO LINK UP WITH A FUTURE LIFE OF OUR WORLD. I AM SURE,YOU HAVE NEVER READ SUCH BOOK AS THE "MONDAY BEGINS ON SATURDAY" STALKER {from USSR}

Boris Vallejo is one of the best artists who can create and depict fantasy art like no one else. I really believe that if someone is not turned on to fantasy art and they recieve a chance to look at the contents of Mirage they will be a fan at the least. This is my favorite book out of his collection and I like to look it over before I work on my drawings and paintings of women. It helps me focus on what I am trying to create and what I want to create. Buy this book you will not regret it.

Boris Vallejo, to me, is an exceptional artist. He is also my first inspirational artist. At school, I had seen his images but never knew directly anything about Boris. So, I went and found some information and as soon as I discovered the many books on his art, I made it my business to try and get them all. Mirage is truely a beautiful part of my collection. The images of the women embracing demons, in seductive poses and their fleshy vibrancy really make this book attractive. At the start of the book, which I found helpful with my drawing, are graceful images drawn in pencil. Delicate particles of graphite sculpted to create beautiful images. What makes Boris a great artist is his ability to see, not just to view a body in 2D but to see all the angular parts of the body. This is best demonstrated in his shading and the way he captivates light illuminating the body. This book also contains erotic landscapes, and I say erotic because they clearly depict forms of an erotic and sexual nature. The text pieces accompanying the images are abstract but they do add to the mystery and interpretations of each and every picture. If you are a collector of art books or anything to do with the fantasy art genre, I would honestly recommend this as a book to have, simply because of the depictions, the colour and because it's Boris, Boris at his best. Look for the washing image and the soapy bubbles and the woman's rear!---Magnificent and realistic.

For many years now Boris Vallejo has been at the top of my favourite artists, no other painter comes close (perhaps Michael Whelan?). A collection of erotic fantasy paintings from a time when Vallejo was at his best. A must for any budding fantasy artist (like myself!).

This book was not quite what I expected when I bought it. My first thought when I saw it on the shelf was, "Oh, a new Daniel Pinkwater novel! I better get that." About halfway through the first story, though, I began to be suspicious. "This isn't a novel. . .or is it? Is he kidding, or is he serious? Is this nonfiction?" This is one of the great things about Daniel Pinkwater--he keeps you on your toes, always trying to guess what is next to come. By the time I'd finished the book, I'd learned some neat dog-training tips (in case I should ever need them). I'd laughed guiltily and hysterically at the idea of a parrot being frightened to death by the misconception that it was being cooked, and I'd thought a lot about how funny life can be. This book is good for reading over one long sitting or for digesting one anecdote at a time.

Daniel Pinkwater is a very smart and funny writer -- one who knows the value of not taking himself too seriously. This thoroughly enjoyable book points out what most perceptive dog-lovers know: that dogs have a lot to teach us, about them and about ourselves. Pinkwater's dogs have taught him, among other things, that having the capacity to be both silly and dignified enriches a life.

I ended up reading this book one chapter at a time before bedtime, and each night I'd go to sleep with a smile.

If you loves dogs, you'll enjoy this book -- which also makes a great gift for the dog-lovers in your life.

Anyone who knows Daniel Manus Pinkwater's work is destined to buy this book for the sheer pleasure of carefully digesting every syllable he writes, as always. In this autobiographical book he bears his huge soul, his comical side (that we all know and love) and his uncanny, campy, unusual way of looking at the world, all as it relates to his many relationships with Canines.
Buy it! You will not be disappointed.

An excellent book for all times, cultures, and societies, "Prisoners of Power" (the original is called "The Inhabited Island") is about every person's right to be free and about the responsibilities that come with freedom. A hero from Utopian society finds himself in the world where he is nearly a Superman, but in this world he doesn't know the difference between good and evil, and a mistake in judgement can cost him more than his own life. This is one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, the English translation misses some finer points of the book. I can only hope that with the new version of the book, where the authors restored the changes made (I should say inflicted) by the Soviet censorship, English-speaking readers will get a translation that's closer to the spirit of the original.

This might be not the best book Strugatzky wrote (The Picnic, 1000 years till the end of the world, Monday starts in Saturday...), but it is the beginning of thye "progessors" saga, the best thing Sci-fi. I've read Zelazny, Azimov, Simak, Lem, Windam... But maybe only Zelazny is a step close to Strugazky. It is not only the fantazsy they have... it's the way they describe the mankind, they way it goes, the mistakes we make. Look around, you will see how sad and small and how great we could be... It is not great to be powerful and good, the great is being the weaker and still be good... If you can find the book- read it and you will need more.