Lord John and the Hand of Devils, Diana Gabaldon

William Hogarth, The Ball

(March 27) Really liked it -- really like Lord John, love Gabaldon's way with details and human nature, don't think she needs to bring in Jamie Fraser so much -- that is no longer the reason I'm reading the Lord John books -- in fact, John doesn't even sound like himself when he "writes" to Jamie.....

Anyway, so this is a collection of three novellas containing "supernatural" elements... these paranormal mysteries are kind of murky and never clearly resolved, although nothing is ultimately attributed to the unexplainable... and plot is not the thing you look for with Gabaldon anyway... but the novellas were enjoyable and I'm sorry I've got nothing else to read till a new Lord John or Jamie-and-Claire comes out.

Note to self: Apparently, there are no stories about John's spy work. Why do I think he's a spy?

Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, Diana Gabaldon

Sir Joshua Reynolds, Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton

(March 17) Have come to love John Grey as much as Jamie and Claire. Gabaldon has a fascination with homosexuality, and also gore. Is this supposed to be a mystery? I guess so. But John doesn't really do detective work in the usual way. Maybe this will be more pronounced in the stories about his spy work??

Gabaldon writes in a "screenplay" way. You can see the action... right down to each breath and throat-clearing.

Anyways, love John, enjoyed the book. That's Percy above.

Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel (translated by Carol Christenson and Thomas Christenson)

Frida Kahlo. My Grandparents, My Parents, and I

(March 3) After years of hearing about this book, I was expecting "Betty Crocker meets Love Potion No. 9," but it was not that kind of book at all.

It was wonderful magical realism à la Gabriel Garciá Marquez or Isabelle Allende, which I love. And what was really fascinating and kind of satisfying about this version of it was that Esquivel carefully contrived all the supernatural events to have a rational interpretation... "it was Pedro's and Tita's undying passion that immolated the ranch, but afterwards people said that spilt wax was what started the fire that burned down the place"... that kind of thing. It's about how history becomes mythology. Well done.

Love it when love is the driving force in major events, sigh.