Had a Good Time: Stories from American Postcards

Rating:
Summary: Had a good time reading this
Review: Before email, faxes, and even regular phones was the postcard. The "golden age" of postcards perhaps lasted from 1898 to 1912, and in one year alone (1907) the Post Office delivered over 600 million cards (and the population was only 80 million). It is for traces of this era that Robert Butler has scoured the antique malls and postcard shows, looking for remarkable messages to craft his stories around.

The stories work well because Butler is historically accurate and the voices behind the stories seem (usually) authentic. Some of the stories revolve around simple, but pivotal events. The most humorous is, "The Ironworker's Hayride" and I had the pleasure of hearing Robert Butler read this and the audience was roaring in laughter. The stories are sometimes about the historic events of the era, for example the real photograph postcards and stories from "Woody Wilson's little escape in Vera Cruz" or "Mother in the trenches" of World War I. And in "Twins", for an immigrant to the United States trachoma was a real concern and a traveler on the White Star Line certainly would have thought about the Titanic. Perhaps some of the voices edge toward stereotype (for example "Uncle Andrew), but most resonate as clear individuals.


Rating:
Summary: I give up
Review: I used to respect Mr. Butler's work. I was a big fan of "Good Scent" and especially of "They Whisper." But this is yet another superficial, lightweight offering. It makes me sad to see a once-great author sinking to such depths. Anyone interested should go back and read the old works. They had some real magic to them. The last few books are all just dead weight, a finished author plowing ahead simply because he's expected to. I wish I could say something more nuanced and objective. But this is just a depressing last straw. I am finished with Mr. Butler from here on in.

Rating:
Summary: Taking Calculated Risks on Behalf of Literature
Review: Mr. Butler continues to experiment with new ways of looking at the world, at the people who enhabit his world. He doesn't write simply to give us the same old same old. He is taking chances on behalf of his craft. AND he's still very much in control of his powers. HAD A GOOD TIME, though not a perfect book, is another attempt by the author to keep going, to keep surprising himself with possibilities, to give his readers something different. For that and much more he gets my respect. I recommend people read and enjoy this new book regardless of what I or anyone else in these little snippets say. In my book, Mr. Butler is a brave writer for continuing to write from where it counts, where it is still vibrant and exciting. Writing from his intellect and heart. It's a winning combination.

Rating:
Summary: Postcards from a muse.
Review: Mr. Butler has been visited by a divine muse. How else can one explain his inspired idea of writing the stories behind the antique postcards he collects? "Carl and I" and "The Ironworkers Hayride" are quite possibly two of the finest short stories ever written. The author is a master of this format and his book is a must-read for aspiring writers and postcard collectors.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Bliss Transfered on Printed Pages
Review: This is a fanciful book that illustrates the boundless bliss to be enjoyed when imagination is at work. Butler gives of himself to the world a treasure in this collection of short stories. A bonus is to be found by readers who can listen to the author read selected stories from the book at various public radio websites. I enjoyed it thoroughly.