Lake, The

Rating:
Summary: Compelling story, masterfully written
Review: I found myself unable to put this one down, except when I went to the dictionary to learn a few new words. You'll want to catch the nuances of each word in every sentence here, because the author uses every available word and device to convey a rich, full experience for his readers. Stream-of-consciousness lists, word combinations, extensive vocabulary, and Faulknerian sentences do not make this the easiest read, but the author "owns" these devices and uses them masterfully and judiciously to take the decided reader on a spiritual and thought-provoking journey.

Rating:
Summary: Underneath the stars
Review: I have gratitude for this book. Daniel Villasenor
brings the reader deeper into the internal world
of understanding and feelings. He expresses the
strong desire to nuture and love. He reminds me
of a modern James Joyce: these are so-called
broken people who demonstrate a worldly capacity
to know, to love, to care for. The book is free
of devices to engage the reader into an emotional state.
It is real. It is honest.

Rating:
Summary: Good story; memorable images
Review: This story has a marvelous set-up and a brilliant ending. I recommend it, and look forward to Villasenor's next effort.

Four minor quibbles: 1. Because Villasenor is more a stylist than a storyteller, problems arise when he strays from the latter altogether. So when the story slows in the middle, the reader is left with the arid space of style for style's sake. 2. The author is overfond of the word "splayed." 3. The stylistic choice to not use quotes sometimes means a brilliant, seamless expression of thought. Sometimes it falls flat and only means more work for the reader. 4. Zach's "making lists" exercise is not concluded satisfactorily.