Tuesday Edition
It probably won’t mean much but at least it’s something. Headline from newsmax.com: “Disney, Hollywood Halts Releases in Russia, Including ‘The Batman’.” And: “GM to Stop Auto Exports to Russia.”
Headline from foxnews.com: “Republicans demand Biden stop funding Putin’s war with oil purchases.” No, it’s better if Russia rather than the U.S. is environmentally-incorrect.
After more than 400 rejection slips, Kate DiCamillo hit literary gold with the 2000 publication of the children’s novel Because of Winn-Dixie, which is now a staple of American schools. It’s the charming first person account of a ten-year-old girl just moved to a small Florida town where her dad is the preacher. Her mom took a hike when she was two. One day while shopping, a stray dog causes havoc in the supermarket. She takes him in, naming him after the establishment, and good things begin to happen. Several themes run through the narrative: loss, sorrow, acceptance, and the mistake of judging a person by his/her surface. The prose and dialogue are authentic, at least to my 71-year-old ear. The 182 pages of the paperback edition I read seemed like half that. Besides dog lovers, the book would appeal to those adults who prefer a tale on the sweet side. Its heart is always in the right place. 8000+ users at Amazon have rated Because of Winn-Dixie, forging to a consensus of 4.8 on a scale of five. It was adapted to the big screen in 2005, starring AnnaSophia Robb, who two years later did a fantastic turn in Bridge to Terabithia. DiCamillo has now published more than 20 books and received many awards, including the prestigious Newberry. Four other of her works have been adapted to film, and another is in post-production. Kudos, madam.
RIP Bronx born actor Ned Eisenberg, 65, who succumbed to cancer. His name may be unfamiliar, but he was a constant presence on the big and small screen from 1980 to the present, 77 titles under his name at IMDb. Fans of the Law & Order franchise would know him, as he made more than 30 appearances on its three main series. His most notable film roles came in Last Man Standing (1996), the underrated Limitless (2011), Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Flags of Our Fathers (2006). He frequently played Italians. Well done, sir. Thank you.
Today’s session of the floating book shop was cloudy and cold. I spent most of the time in the car. My thanks to Cabbie, who did a swap and buy of paperback thrillers, and to the two ladies who combined to buy three books in Russian between them, one a translation of Nora Roberts.
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