JUNE 1997

What's doing in Northampton

Dear Burning Questions:
I have enjoyed all of Elinor Lipman's novels. I first heard about her in Burning Questions. Does she have anything new on the horizon?
Lee Wood
Gainesville, Florida

BQ:
She sure does. One of western Massachusetts' finest writers (second only to our cousin, of course, who gave us the scoop on Lipman) is tapping away on a new novel, "The Inn at Lake Devine," which will be out from Random House in spring 1998. Her description (we love authors' descriptions -- it's not the easiest thing to do): "The novel is about a Jewish girl's relationship with a family who runs a once-restricted hotel." Rich material there, no doubt.

Coming soon: Oprahville at www.bookpage.com

Dear Burning Questions:
I was recently told by a friend that Oprah is currently planning to discuss "The Rapture of Canaan" by Sheri Reynolds, which was a fabulous book and I'd like the opportunity to put my two cents in. However, I don't own a TV, so don't know the scoop on how to contribute. Can you help? Thanks.
Susan York
via the Internet

BQ:
We like the idea of someone who has a computer but no TV. The sad thing, of course, is that your computer is becoming more like a TV all the time. Before you know it, you'll be sitting there answering email and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" is going to pop up on your screen.

If you'd like to have some virtual discussion about Oprah's book club, check out America Online's Oprah area (keyword: Oprah). After all, AOL is as close to TV as you can get, except that you have to pay for AOL.

For a free discussion of Oprah's book club selections, try www.bookpage.com. Beginning June 15, we'll have a special nook for those who want to explore the latest anointed author's works.

A regular Mother Teresa, he is

Dear Burning Questions:
I was very disappointed that the April issue did not carry a review of Sol Wachtler's book, "After the Madness." Besides being riveting as a read, it is undoubtedly one of the most important books written in contemporary times. I do hope it will be reviewed soon.
J.C. Smith
Erie, Pennsylvania

BQ:
We understand that the former judge's story of his life in prison is indeed one of the most important books written in contemporary times. "Riveting" only begins to describe Wachtler's experiences stalking and threatening a woman who wanted nothing more to do with him. Unfortunately we blew our quota for prison memoirs with Jim Bakker's tale of life in the slamma, "I Was Wrong."

Mayhem on the way

Dear Burning Questions:
Is Allan Folsom, the truly gifted author of "The Day After Tomorrow," ever going to gift us with another offering?
mjw51
via the Internet

BQ:
You betcha. But will it involve freezing Adolf Hitler's head again? We don't know. Folsom is hard at work on a new international espionage thriller, to be published next year at the earliest. Once again, Little, Brown will publish the author who was such a bestseller his first time out.

There is such a thing as bad publicity

Dear Burning Questions:
I am an author with a new paperback release. It is my fortieth novel -- but it is also the most important book I think I have written. How does one arrange for an interview?
Tracey Hickman

BQ:
Interview with whom? With us? You don't want an interview with us; we ask way too many personal questions, and writers never want to talk to us again after we interview them.

We think Caleb Carr is just plain terrific

Dear Burning Questions:
I thought Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" was a terrific novel. Tell me, please, that he is writing another book.
Bridget Valenzuela
Los Angeles, California

BQ:
Yes, the dreamy Mr. Carr will have a new novel featuring the same turn-of-the-century New York City characters who appeared in "The Alienist." "Angel of Darkness" will appear this fall from Random House.

What BQ is reading

Until now, we've never gotten around to reading all those Montana writers everybody seems to like so much (Tom McGuane, Rick Bass, Norman Maclean and such). At the moment we are taking our first sip from the cup that is Montana: David Long's "The Falling Boy" (Scribner, $22, 0684800349). It's more like a gulp of vodka, really -- Long compresses his story well, telling a deceptively simple narrative of a quiet man who owns the Vagabond cafe in a small Montana town.

Whether Mark Singer will end up involved with his wife's wild child sister isn't really in question. But how this ill-fated liaison plays out is a triumph of control and art. The word "gentle" comes to mind when describing this book (Long can capture an emotion in a phrase), but there is real power here, too: that of a writer who knows exactly what he's doing.

Wondering why your favorite writer doesn't call, doesn't write anymore? Want to send us e-mail no. 9,001 about Jean Auel? Inquire with us, and we'll try to find out what's up: Burning Questions, 2501 21st Ave. South, Suite 5, Nashville, TN 37212. Or better yet, e-mail us at Burning_Questions@bookpage.com.

Alas, we regret that personal replies are not possible.

©1997, ProMotion, inc.

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