The Berkshire Eagle from Pittsfield, Massachusetts • 38

Books El The Berkshire Eagle, Sunday, April :4, E2 The On the Vt'eb: voAw.BerkshircEaste.com gle.com Bestsellers Baumbach's compelling short stories offer lessons that demand time and attention Bai le rktkta These stories engage the whole brain, make you visualize, hear and even taste the sensations that the author embraces with words. Book Review MIIMEMIE1 3 3 On the Say to My Father's Funeral; New and Selected Stories By Jonathan Baumbach LOFI Low Fidelity Press, 402 pages. S16.00 Reviewed by J. Peter Bergman 10 tag Readers may believe that the authors of fiction are often, if not always, writing about themselves, revealing their own experiences in fictional ways. Readers may, in fact, feel that they can prove this by showing how an author always, relates the same information, just in different ways.

Some readers may go so far as to claim personal knowledge of the facts in the matter, some close association with the author serving as their source, What most readers do not realize is that writers of fiction tend to use reality as the stepping stone into their imagination. They forget to recall what they learned in school, I t.t.all a nat um" mat 11,4.1 Ill akittA.1,, On the Funeral, By Jo LOE1 Lc Reviewed So Readers 1 authors of always, writ revealing th. fictional wa fact, feel th by showing relates the 5 in different may go so fr. knowledge let, some the author What most is that writer reality as th their imagir recall what i Times artaiyzes 21st-century economics and foreign policy and presents art tfierview gtobalization trends. 3, BUNK, by Macobll G4acIwell Broym, $25,95.) The author of "The Tipping Point' exptores the importance of hunch end instinct to the fortunes of the rntrbl.

4. MEMORY AND IDENTITY. by John Paul N. (Rizzo. 61995.) Commentary by the late focusing on democracy and patriotism.

history and current affairs. 5. A DEADLY GAME, by Catherine Crier with Cole Thompson. (Regan 800ksHarper $27.95.) A former Judge and cur- rent Court TV artatyst looks at the Scott Petetson case. 6.

ON BULL. by Harry G. Frankfurt (Princeton University, $9.95.) A philosopher attempts a theoretical tmderstanding of a -vast and amorphous" phenomenon. 7 AMERICA (THE BOOK), by Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin. David Jovehewn at al.

(Warner, $24.95.) The Daily Show offers an illustrated parody of a civics textbook. EL CONSPIRACY OF FOOLS, by Kurt Eichenwald. (Broadway. $26.) The spectacular rise and fall of Enron, as reported try a correspondent for The New York Times. 9.

RISE, LET US BE ON OUR WAY. by John Paul II. (Warner, $22.95.) Memories and reflections of the late pope: a sequel to the memoir -Gift and 10. IDIOT. by Johnny Damon with Peter Golenbock.

(Crown. $24.) The Red Sox can, tat fieldet remembers his early years in baseball and tells what it was like to help bring an end to the Curse of the Bambino. 11 PLAN B. by Anne Lamott 624.95.) The author of "Traveling Mercies" meditates on personal and political mat- ters and on the spiritual life. 12.

POPE JOHN PAUL II: A Tribute, by Robert Sullivan and the editors of Life. (Bulfinch.Little, Brownlime Inc. Home Entertainment. $14.95.) A lavishly illustrated economics isents OM et. (tittle.

rhs Ticvng of hunch he mint )hn Paul IL try the tate ridpaui twth ksHarpet- rt and cuw the Scott Frankfurt ihilosopher lading of a KtOft. in Stewart. rs an illuw 1. by Kurt re spectac- )orted tfy a Times. Y.

by John riones and quer to the with Peter id Sox years in Ike to help Bambino. Riverhead. Mercies Rical mat-Tribute. by rs of Life. (Bulfinch.Little, BrownTime Inc.

Home Entertainment, $14.95.) A lavishly ed homage 1. NO PLACE UKE tiOmE Mary Hurts Clark. (Sorom IS Schuster $2595.) A woman who is trying to conceal Mr past becomes the target of a tuner 2. ME MERMAiD CHAill. by Sue Monk Kidd.

(Viking. 12495.) On Egret Island. off the coast of South Carokna. married woman is strongiy attracted to a monk who is just months may from takung final vows 3. REVENGE OF THE SITH.

by Matthew Stover (LucasDel ReyBallantine. $25.95.) A new -Star WarS novel. featuring Makin Siiywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. 4. THE DA VINCI CODE- by Dan Brown.

(Doubleday. special Illustrated edition. $35.) A murder at the Louvre leads to dues to the discovery of a secret society. SATURDAY. by Ian McEivan.

(Nan A. TaleseDoubleday, $26.) A day In the life of a successful London neurosurgeon. trou bled by 911 and the impendirg war in Iraq. who comes face to face with senseless violence. 6.

YA-YAS IN BLOOM, by Rebecca Wells. (HarperCollins. $24.95.) The further hires of members of the Ya-Ya sisterhood. 7. HONEYMOON, by James Patterson and Howard Roughen.

(Little. Brown. $27.95.) An FBI agent who is investigating beauti- tut and mysterious woman ends himself becoming obsessed with her B. THE BROKER, by John Grisham. (Doubleday.

$27.95.) The CIA arranges a presidential pardon for a power broker who may know crucial secrets. laying a trap for the foreign intelligence service that wants him dead. 9. WITH NO ONE AS WITNESS. by Elizabeth George.

(HarperCollins, $26.95.) Detective Inspector Lynley and his colleagues hunt for a serial killer. 10. THE YEAR OF PLEASURES. by Elizabeth Berg. (Random House.

$24.95.) A recently widowed woman moves to the Midwest In seamh of a new life. 11. THE RISING. by Tim LaHaye and Jerry. B.

Jenkins. (Tyndale. $25.99.) The Prince of Darkness chooses a Romanian woman to be the mother of the Antichrist. IMPOSSIBLE, by Danielle Steel. (Deladorte.

$27.) A romance blossoms between the owner of a Parisian art gallery and a bohemian I 9. WM-I NO ONE AS WETNESS, by Elizabeth George. (HarperCollins, $26.954 Detective Inspector Lynley and his co)- leagues hunt for a senal killer. 10. THE YEAR OF PLEASURES, by Elizabeth Berg.

(Random House. $24.95.) A recently widowed woman moves to the Midwest In search of a new life. 11. aa THE RISING by Tim LHye and Jerry' B. Jenkins.

(Tyndale, $25.99.) The Prince of Daddiess chooses a Romanian woman to the mother of the Antichrist. IMPOSSIBLE by Danielle Ste I (Delaeorte. $27.) A romance blossoms between the owner of a Parisian art gallery end a bohemian painter validity of critical assumptions. Here is a talc that seems so familiar, so insightful, that the main character, Ernie, comes vividly to life, almost as though he had been there, in the room with author Baumbach, dictating the realities without giving away too many details of the behind-the-scenes life he must have been living. It is a masterful story, one from the middle period of Jonathan Baumbach's career, and one that, if perceived as a real story and not a fiction, could explain the range of the works and their oddly simultaneous lack of range.

This book is not for the languid, casual reader who want to set his or her mind free for an hour. These stories engage the whole brain, make you visualize, hear and even taste the sensations that the author embraces with words. Baumbach likes to present scenarios that confuse the eye even as they illuminate the imagination. Nothing herein is easy, everything is a challenge. In that alone one might believe ardent reader who conceives an author's fictions as direct lifts from the author', own life and experiences.

Yet taking one more long, direct look into these fictions it becomes clear that experience in life has simply provoked creative rushes that provide excellent spaces for the reader to get lost in for a time. This book takes time and attention, but the valuable lessons created by a distinctly curious author are more than worth the work taken at both ends of the writingpublishing acquaintanceship. an author's fictions as direct lifts from the author', own life and experiences. Yet taking one more long, direct look into these fictions it becomes clear that experience in life has simply provoked creative rushes that provide excellent spaces for the reader to get lost in for a time. This book takes time and atten- tion, but the valuable lessons cre- ated by a distinctly curious author are more than worth the work taken at both ends of the writ- mgpublishing acquaintanceship.

real life these stories may seem. In the opening work, "On the Way to My Father's Funeral, He Tells Me His Story," the principal narrator is caught in the traffic jam from hell, his father behind him in the hearse, his own thoughts on the mundane and not on the tale his father wishes him to hear. The secondary narrator, a self-centered artist who paid less attention to his son than he might have when alive, tries to justify that lack of personal commitment by chatting amiably and incessantly about love and sex and independence. This tale sets a remarkable tone for what is to follow and the author manages to create an almost seamless cloth out of many disparate swatches. The story "Lost in Translation," the seventh in the book, sets his somehow familiar character loose in a foreign country compelled to create a new life for himself in spite of the reality of a life waiting for him in America.

Sometimes his characters write out impressions of the day or of life, as in "Courtship" or in 'Drool." Other times one character, a baby for example, manages to appear in similar guise in several consecutive stories. The final piece in the book, "The Life and Times of Major Fiction," may set into question the sOMenOW laminar cnaracter loose in a foreign country compelled to create a new life for himself in spite of the reality of a fife waiting for him in America. Sometimes his characters write out impressions of the day or of life, as in Courtship" or in 'Drool." Other times one character, a baby for example, manages to appear in similar guise in several consecu- tive stories The final piece in the book, "The Life and Times of Major Fiction," may set into question the already in evidence in the earlier works and even a few character names crop up from tale to tale. Even so, readers, do not mistake this collection as a loose autobiography. These are short stories, distinct in their fictions.

They are to be enjoyed and not to be analyzed. That is the difficulty, of course, when so many of them actually. deal with an analyst character or. with people who tend to analyze their own motives alongside those of their partners or adversaries. Husbands and wives dine with friends.

without friends, spy friends dining, all the while discussing their own peccadilloes, each other or a friend's indiscretions. Friends meet and part, meet and part, meet and part, their tenuous relationships strained by time and circumstances. One man falls in love with a friend's wife. One has an affair, meets her later when she is married and has another affair with her only to lose her because he cannot understand how difficult he makes her life by loving her. Everyone in these stories has a difficult time with something and, usually, no one has a solution for the situational difficulties including the author.

How like part, meet and part, meet and part, their tenuous relationships strained by time and circum- stances. One man falls in love with a friend's wife. One has an affair, meets her later when she is mar- ried and has another affair with her only to lose her because he cannot understand how difficult he makes her life by loving her. Everyone in these stories has a dif- ficult time with something and usually, no one has a solution for the situational difficulties including the author. How like the motto "write about what you know about." They forget that the best in fiction always has a basis in some fact somewhere After all, we are all only human and there is just so far a range of personal experience will stretch.

This volume of long short fiction was written, and published. over a period of approximately 28 years. The first "volume," comprising 13 stories, is the newest. There are three first published in 1976 in a book entitled "Babble," four from the collection "The Return of Service" which was first published in 1980 and five more from 1987's "The Life and Times of Major Fiction." Many of the themes that appear in the newer pieces are the motto know about. best in fictio some fact 5 we are all or just so far.

experience This volun was written, period of at The first "v( stories, is tl three first book entitle the collecti Service" whi in 1980 and "The Life Fiction." MI appear in ange ot personal tretch long short fiction published over a ximately 28 years te," comprising 13 iewest. There are shed in 1976 in a labble," four from The Return of vas first published more from 1987 Times of Major )f the themes that newer pieces are Miscellaneous illustratI Miscellaneous Busibe 11011111111111111 1. THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE. by Rick Warren. (Zondervan, $19.99.) Finding the meaning of life thmugh God.

2. WINNING, by Jack Welch with Suzy Welch. (HarperBuseless, $27.95.) Business and career advice from the former General Electric CEO. 3. YOUR BEST LIFE NOW, by Joel steer).

(Warner Faith, $19.99.) A faith-based approach to living with enthusiasm. 4. FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT, by Mireille Guiliano. (Knopf, $22.) The secrets of French women, who enjoy food and wine while staying slim. 5.

THE SOUTH BEACH DIET, by Arthur Agatstort. (Rodale, $24.95.) A weight-loss plan designed by a Miami cardiologist. Rankings reflect sales for the week ended April 9. New York Times News Service ine secrets od and wine by Arthur weight -loss week ended Nice 1. THE PURPoSE-DRIVEN LIFE.

by Rick warren. (of life Zondethrorvam S19.99.) Finding the meaning ugh God. 2. WINNING, by Jack Welch with Suzy Welch. (HarperBusiness, S27.95.1 ness and career advice from the former General Electric CEO.

3. YOUR BEST LIFE NOW by Joel Osteen. (Warner Faith, $19.99.) A faith-based approach to living with enthusiasm 4 FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAX by Mireille Guiliano. Woof, $22.) The secrets Nonfiction Nanfirlinn Bookends 1. MY LIFE SO FAR, by Jane Fonda.

(Random House, $26.95.) The autobiography of the Academy Award-winning actress, anti-war activist and fitness guru. 2. THE WORLD IS -FLAT, by Thomas L. Friedman. (Farrar, Straus Giroux, $27.50.) A columnist for The New York ERICA FAY interiors Poetry reading The Bookstore in Lenox is in a new poetry series this spring, on three Friday nights at 8..

Michael Gizzi, formerly of Lenox, and Geoffrey Young of Great Barrington will lead off the series on Friday, April 29. The reading will be held in the newly expanded area of the bookstore and refreshtnents will be xserved. The event is free and open to the public. The Bookstore is located at II Housatonic Lenox. For more information, call 637-3390.

Poetry re The Book pirating a I spring, on th Michael Giz and Geoffr Barrington on Friday, will be held i area of the t) tnents will b( free and op. Bookstore atonic motion, call lg in Lenox is in au- )oetry series this 'riday nights at 8.. rmerly of Lenox, roung of Great 'ad off the series 29. The reading newly expanded tore and refresh- ved. The event is 1 the public.

The ited at 11 Hous- For more infor- 1390. 4: i i.e.', los '4 i J. 4 1 '1, 4.. C'-' 1 I '0 interested in books." Many of the books in the sale were originally donated to the library by Orville Dewey, the hail's namesake, or by other Sheffield residents. Many carry inscriptions from their original donors.

The Rev. Dewey (1794-1882) was a prominent clergyman who founded the Sheffield Friendly Union. He was a friend of many notable literary figures such as William Cullen Bryant, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne, all of whom visited Dewey in Sheffield. A small number of books from the library have been donated to the Sheffield Historical Society for its permanent collection. The remaining volumes, which comprise the bulk of the library, will be priced mainly from 50 cents to $5 with some more expensive int, wei libr nan resi fro' was fou Uni not Wil We Em tho in A lished its schedule for the remainder of 2005.

The club, established in 2004, meets at The Triple Nickel coffee shop at 555 Route 20, New Lebanon, N.Y. Because some club members prefer weekend book discussions and others prefer weeknights, each book is discussed twice: at 11 aln. on a Sunday and at 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday. The book selected for the club's meetings on Sunday, May 1, at 11:00 a.m.

and Tuesday, May 24, at 6:30 p.111. is "Tender at the Bone," a delightful memoir by New York Times' restaurant critic Ruth Reichl. The 2005 meeting schedule for The Triple Nickel Book Club is June 12, Sept 11, Oct 23 and Dec. 4 Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and July 5, Sept 27, Nov.

8 and Dec. 13 Tuesdays at 630 p.m. The book club welcomes new and seasonal members and invites potential members to drop in at any of its meetings. For more information, contact Kay McMahon at 518-794-7270 or email to: i "Create your own unique Get the knowledge and confidence you need to create your own successful designs in this three-hour workshop by an experienced professional. Make the most of your time and money bring materials on your projects and learn how to achieve the interior designs of your dreams.

our an and to achieve the interior designs of your dreams. Stuart Rams on AP C.K. Williams wins Lilly Prize $149. Group size is limited register early. Your choice of sessions: Morning (9 to noon), Afternoon (1.

to 4), or Evening (6 to 9). Wed. May 4 at the Williams Inn, Williamstown Thurs. May 5 at the Country Club of Pittsfield 0 9). $149.

Group size is limited register early. Historic book sale SHEFFIELD A collection of several hundred old books belonging to Dewey Memorial Hall will be sold to the public on Saturday, April 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale will be held at the hall in the village center in conjunction with the Indoor Farmer's Market All proceeds from the book sale will benefit the hall. The books are part of the town's original circulating library which was located in Dewey Hall beginning in the late 1800s.

The sale will include decorative bindings, first editions, sets, children's books, novels, history, travel, a bit of The sale will be conducted by Mark Godburn, owner of The Bookmark, a used and rare book business. Godburn is building a bookstore on Sheffield Plain. "The books in this sale circulated among Sheffield residents a hundred years ago," Godburn said. 'As such, they are part of the history of the town. I hope everyone will stop by and pick up a few Historic I SHEFFIE1 several hund ing to Dewey sold to the pu 30, from 9:30 The sale in the village with the Indl All proceeds will benefit ti The books original circi was located I ning in the la include decc editions, set novels, hist( The sale Mark Godb Bookmark, a business.

Gc bookstore on "The book ed among 5, hundred ye. said. "As suet history of th( one will stop sale A enth.rtkin if Poet C.K. Williams, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and many other honors, has been named this year's recipient of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, for which be will be awarded $100,000. The prize was announced Wednesday, April 20, by Poetry magazine, where Williams' first published verse appeared in 1964.

Above, Williams makes his acceptance speech after winning the Poetry category at the 2003 National Book Awards in New York City, with his book "The Singing." Mystery author to speak Local author Elise Title will give a talk about her series of suspense novels, including "Conviction," "Inside Out and "Killing Time on Saturday, April 30, at 2. She will discuss how she got started and how she found a publisher. The Bushnell-Sage Library is located on the east side of Route 7 just south of the center of Sheffield. For more information, call the library at (413)-229-7004. ClubTheTripleNickacom.

4 z- '1-7r-'1 0 0 i of le po 1 A lb h-voilopoord did I -wsliteteptoo, 411h 0 62111 trw It A if IMIIN A Ar 4( sp ita ii, 4 el INdr 111---MillArt avow orla trite' Lea 7 1 161 iht ICISF El Ilk A MN- wiLtik it 4 1340AM lo 101 dall.r 7 4 1 Triple Nickel Book Club sets schedule NEW LEBANON, N.Y. The Triple Nickel Book Club has estab At A 11ft IF! Ati Ob AI rms volumes. They'll be helping Dewey Hall, and they'll own a bit of Sheffield history. It's also a great way for parents to get children 1 I 4 PAOIO PP-'-ZLj AUCTION CO it.sitiii:fo littlihiv )1 skiie 110N iliktio SATURbAY MAY 7 Start bidding at 9 a ni fry With our fixed Rate Home Equity Loan, you can afford a-. New Car Swimming Pool Family Vacation With no fees or closing costs, what would you use it for? We're right there with you making dreams come true.

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