Monday, 23 June 2008

Billie Letts goes back to Wal-Mart in fourth novel, 'Made in the U.S.A.'

Billie Letts returns to Wal-Mart in the opening of her fourth novel, which features a shoplifting gymnastics star and her younger brother.

Letts' first novel, "Where the Heart Is," became an American classic with its tale of an unwed, pregnant teen who finds refuge and eventually gives birth in a Wal-Mart store.

In her latest novel, 15-year-old Lutie McFee eases the pain of being kicked off the high school gymnastics' team by stealing sexy clothing from the discount retailer. She's mid-theft when her father's ex-girlfriend drops dead at the checkout counter, leaving her and her 11-year-old brother on their own.

Fearful of foster care, the two children steal the dead woman's car and flee to Las Vegas in search of the father who abandoned them.

The initial resemblance between "Made in the U.S.A." and "Where the Heart Is" is striking. Both start in Wal-Mart and star teenage girls on the run with a young child to look after.

But "Made in the U.S.A" is a much darker book, with an unflinching look at the hardships and dangers runaway children face. Lutie McFee is also a much tougher character than the trusting and hopeful Novalee Nation, who seemed to bring out the best in those around her.

Damaged by her mother's early death and father's alcoholism, Lutie is wilful, spiteful and selfish. She's redeemed by her affection for her younger brother, Fate, a budding intellectual who dreams of going to the aptly named Paradise Elementary School.

That makes the first two sections of "Made in the U.S.A." a tough read as the two children are beset by tragedy and repeatedly victimized. But when it seems like a happy ending is impossible, Letts has a guardian angel move the children to Oklahoma, where they - like Novalee Nation - find love, acceptance and a home.

The result is a gripping 200 pages followed by an ending that feels forced. The abrupt change of scenery and lighter tone of the book's third section makes it feel more like an epilogue than a conclusion to the original story.

Letts' novels following "Where the Heart Is" have fallen a bit short in terms of pure reading pleasure, and "Made in the U.S.A." is no different.

But it's her best work since her stunning debut novel, and she still writes about America's lower-class with a clarity few other contemporary American authors can muster.

-

"Made in the U.S.A."

Billie Letts (Grand Central Publishing)










See Also

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Dean Evenson

Dean Evenson   
Artist: Dean Evenson

   Genre(s): 
New Age
   



Discography:


Sacred World Chants   
 Sacred World Chants

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 9


Raga Cycle   
 Raga Cycle

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 5


Buddhas Dream   
 Buddhas Dream

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 10


Mountain Meadow Meditation   
 Mountain Meadow Meditation

   Year: 2003   
Tracks: 9


Healing Sanctuary   
 Healing Sanctuary

   Year: 2002   
Tracks: 8


Native Healing   
 Native Healing

   Year: 2001   
Tracks: 9


Sonic Tribe   
 Sonic Tribe

   Year: 2000   
Tracks: 9


Healing Waters   
 Healing Waters

   Year: 1999   
Tracks: 12


Dreamstreams   
 Dreamstreams

   Year: 1996   
Tracks: 14


Ascension   
 Ascension

   Year: 1995   
Tracks: 11


Forest Rain   
 Forest Rain

   Year: 1993   
Tracks: 13


Desert Moon Song   
 Desert Moon Song

   Year: 1991   
Tracks: 12


Ocean Dreams   
 Ocean Dreams

   Year: 1989   
Tracks: 8


D'rachael - Peaceful Pond   
 D'rachael - Peaceful Pond

   Year: 1986   
Tracks: 8


Mystic Mountain   
 Mystic Mountain

   Year:    
Tracks: 10




In the '70s, Evenson and his married woman Dudley traveled crossways the country with early portable video equipment to document "the awakening cognisance as it was manifesting in people's lives." The brace finally settled in Tucson, AZ, and reinforced a small conglomerate with their Soundings of the Planet record fellowship. Their stated determination was to help people "have the healing energies of medicine and natural sounds and suffer in partake with a more passive station inside themselves." Soundings of the Planet has had awing success in creating and distributing recordings that communicate this goal. Evenson produces many of the label's artists. He as well has several albums of his possess that combine natural sounds with his lightly flowing fluting melodies and various early acoustic and electronic instruments.






Monday, 16 June 2008

Darkwood

Darkwood   
Artist: Darkwood

   Genre(s): 
Folk
   



Discography:


Weltenwende   
 Weltenwende

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 8


Flammende Welt   
 Flammende Welt

   Year: 2001   
Tracks: 13


Talons   
 Talons

   Year: 2000   
Tracks: 2


In The Fields   
 In The Fields

   Year: 1999   
Tracks: 18




 






Friday, 6 June 2008

Matt Willis enters rehab after night with Amy Winehouse - Tabloid Hell

Ex-Busted star Matt Willis has entered The Priory drug rehabilitation centre.

According to The Mirror Willis, who had stints in rehab in 2005 and 2006, went for treatment after having a heavy partying session with Amy Winehouse in London.

The newspaper claims that Willis' fianc�e, Emma Griffiths, gave him an ultimatum � give up drugs or lose her.

An anonymous source is quoted as saying: "He [Willis] went too far after the night out with Amy. He was so out of it he started swinging at photographers.

"He and Emma are supposed to get married next month and have a massive magazine deal, but she told him he needs to sort himself out before she becomes his wife."