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1blue_ruin
I was pessimistic when I began reading Jacob M. Appel’s collection of short stories, Einstein’s Beach House. I do not follow the advice of never judging a book by it’s cover. I judge by the title, the cover, and the table of contents. In the age of digital copies of books and eReaders, it is hard to get that feel of a book or to issue that judgement. Judgmental cover critics like me must throw caution to the wind and books must stand on their own merit.
The table of contents listing short story titles such as “La Tristesse Des Herissons” and “Limerence” worried me. I feared the stories may be too stuffy or too cerebral. I could not guess what most of the stories were about because I did not know how to pronounce a few of their titles, much less define them. I gave the book a chance based on name recognition. I had recently read and thoroughly enjoyed a novel by Jacob M. Appel.
Appel should not be penalized by a reader’s ignorance as he almost was in my case. In fact, he cleverly titled his short stories to offer a hint at their plots, but you must peel back a protective layer. The meanings behind his titles are not crudely obvious. One of Appel’s many talents is that he hides meaning throughout the layers of his writing. Once the meanings and allusions are uncovered, the stories shine with extra polish.
As with any collection of stories, some tales are stronger than others. “Hue and Cry” is an exceptional piece of literature that easily could be included in a high school or college anthology of literature and question our ideas of acceptance and community. “Einstein’s Beach House” the titular short story, “Rod of Asclepius,” and “Paracosmos” are all equally entertaining and thought provoking.
Fans of Appel who have read Mask of Sanity will notice a few familiar names. Appel reuses the surname “Sucram,” the locale “Pontefact,” and includes a woman who makes origami fowl.
Almost every short story involves a character that works either in the health care industry or in the legal system and has ties to the Jewish faith. Appel writes what he knows in this respect and it works for his tales. It adds a realism to his writing and his knowledge pays off in the little details. For instance, his expertise is evident when he chooses to use the Rod of Asclepius that is associated with professional organizations instead of the Caduceus which is mostly used by commercial organizations that are more concerned with a visual impact.
Lastly, based on “La Tristesse Des Herissons” and “Sharing the Hostage,” a woman must have badly broken Appel’s heart. That woman must have also had a strange and unhealthy attachment to a quirky pet! Luckily for us, Appel knows how to translate that hurt into a great story!
The table of contents listing short story titles such as “La Tristesse Des Herissons” and “Limerence” worried me. I feared the stories may be too stuffy or too cerebral. I could not guess what most of the stories were about because I did not know how to pronounce a few of their titles, much less define them. I gave the book a chance based on name recognition. I had recently read and thoroughly enjoyed a novel by Jacob M. Appel.
Appel should not be penalized by a reader’s ignorance as he almost was in my case. In fact, he cleverly titled his short stories to offer a hint at their plots, but you must peel back a protective layer. The meanings behind his titles are not crudely obvious. One of Appel’s many talents is that he hides meaning throughout the layers of his writing. Once the meanings and allusions are uncovered, the stories shine with extra polish.
As with any collection of stories, some tales are stronger than others. “Hue and Cry” is an exceptional piece of literature that easily could be included in a high school or college anthology of literature and question our ideas of acceptance and community. “Einstein’s Beach House” the titular short story, “Rod of Asclepius,” and “Paracosmos” are all equally entertaining and thought provoking.
Fans of Appel who have read Mask of Sanity will notice a few familiar names. Appel reuses the surname “Sucram,” the locale “Pontefact,” and includes a woman who makes origami fowl.
Almost every short story involves a character that works either in the health care industry or in the legal system and has ties to the Jewish faith. Appel writes what he knows in this respect and it works for his tales. It adds a realism to his writing and his knowledge pays off in the little details. For instance, his expertise is evident when he chooses to use the Rod of Asclepius that is associated with professional organizations instead of the Caduceus which is mostly used by commercial organizations that are more concerned with a visual impact.
Lastly, based on “La Tristesse Des Herissons” and “Sharing the Hostage,” a woman must have badly broken Appel’s heart. That woman must have also had a strange and unhealthy attachment to a quirky pet! Luckily for us, Appel knows how to translate that hurt into a great story!
