Subject:  candyman and cry me a river
        Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 22:50:46 -0500
       From: Michael Brecher mbreche@webspan.net
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To:  jco@usfca.edu
          CC:  Keith_Brecher@brown.edu


I recently saw the "world premiere" of Cry Me a River at the Hasty
Pudding theater, so I'm writing to let everybody know that it was pretty
damn good. The most surprising thing about the performance was that it
starred the guy who played Candyman in the movie of the same name (I
think his name's Tony Todd) which, consequently, was sort of weird since
I kept thinking to myself: that's Candyman. Did anybody else who saw the
play have the same problem? It may be peculiar to me or Cry Me a River
since it turns out Tony Todd was in The Rock too and I didn't think once
of Candyman. Hmmmm.



Subject:  Re: candyman and cry me a river
           Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 21:55:25 -0800
          From: Randy Souther Randy Souther
    Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu
               To: jco@usfca.edu
              CC:  mbreche@webspan.net


Michael Brecher wrote:
> 
> I recently saw the "world premiere" of Cry Me a River at the Hasty
> Pudding theater, so I'm writing to let everybody know that it was pretty
> damn good. The most surprising thing about the performance was that it
> starred the guy who played Candyman in the movie of the same name (I
> think his name's Tony Todd) which, consequently, was sort of weird since
> I kept thinking to myself: that's Candyman. Did anybody else who saw the
> play have the same problem? It may be peculiar to me or Cry Me a River
> since it turns out Tony Todd was in The Rock too and I didn't think once
> of Candyman. Hmmmm.

I didn't have the pleasure of seeing the play, but if I did, I suspect I
might
have had a similar problem, thinking hey, that's Worf's brother! (If you
can
admit to Candyman and The Rock, then I hope I'll be forgiven for Star
Trek--Tony Todd does get around!)

Randy Souther



From: LoriLamb@aol.com
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 18:55:25 -0500 (EST)
To: jco@usfca.edu
Subject: Foxfire
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu

I am trying to round up criticism on the novel Foxfire, and the movie
adaptation.  I have checked every database (such as MLA).  All I am coming up
with are book and movie reviews.  

I know that Brenda Daly's new book has a chapter on Foxfire.  Does anyone
know of any other article length (or section of a book) criticism?  Also, I
would appreciate any guidance in terms of which book or film reviews are
better than others.

Just a suggestion:  what if we pick one (or two) novel or short story a week
to discuss?  Just to keep things going? 

Hope everyone's work is going well.

Thanks!

Lori 



Subject:  Marya..
        Date:  Sun, 2 Mar 1997 21:55:52 -0600
       From:  TRASLAVINAA@platte.unk.edu
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To:  jco@usfca.edu


        I'm reading the book Marya: a life, I need to write a response for my
english class, we are in the chapter THEFT, does anyone know how could I star
my paper?
Thanks
        _______________________________________________________________________________
Andres Traslavina                     phone:(308)865-4497
Business Administration Major         Address: Martin 321, UNK
University of Nebraska at Kearney              Kearney, Ne 68847
_______________________________________________________________________________



Subject:  Re: Foxfire
        Date: Sun, 02 Mar 1997 20:54:38 -0800
       From:  Randy Souther Randy Souther
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco jco@usfca.edu


> 
> I am trying to round up criticism on the novel Foxfire, and the movie
> adaptation.  I have checked every database (such as MLA).  All I am coming up
> with are book and movie reviews.
> 
> I know that Brenda Daly's new book has a chapter on Foxfire.  Does anyone
> know of any other article length (or section of a book) criticism?  Also, I
> would appreciate any guidance in terms of which book or film reviews are
> better than others.


I periodically scan various databases to find new JCO criticism.
Everything I have found is listed on the FOXFIRE Web page: 
http://storm.usfca.edu/~southerr/foxfire.html  (I haven't listed film
reviews, however)  Not much has been written on the novel, other than
reviews.


> 
> Just a suggestion:  what if we pick one (or two) novel or short story a week
> to discuss?  Just to keep things going?
> 

I think that would be a great idea. I suspect, however, that a lot of
people have read different things. That is, if we choose Novel X, it's
likely that many people will not have already read it. The same with
individual short stories. In the Bronte discussion list, they are
reading Wuthering Heights
"together," one chapter at a time. (Of course, when you have only a
handful of novels to discuss, this may actually be reasonable, unlike
with JCO.) I would be willing to post the texts of stories for the
benefit of those who might not have ready access to them. Or, in the
unlikely possibility that enough people wanted to imitate the meticulous
Bronte group, I could manage a chapter a week of a novel. In any case,
let's hear what people want to do, or if there are any other ideas.

Randy Souther



Subject:  Re: Foxfire
        Date:  Mon, 3 Mar 1997 02:19:35 -0500 (EST)
       From:  Annedyer@aol.com
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To:  jco@usfca.edu
          CC: Annedyer@aol.com


In a message dated 97-03-02 23:55:16 EST, you write:

> 
>  I think that would be a great idea. I suspect, however, that a lot of
>  people have read different things. That is, if we choose Novel X, it's
>  likely that many people will not have already read it. The same with
>  individual short stories. In the Bronte discussion list, they are
>  reading Wuthering Heights
>  "together," one chapter at a time. (Of course, when you have only a
>  handful of novels to discuss, this may actually be reasonable, unlike
>  with JCO.) I would be willing to post the texts of stories for the
>  benefit of those who might not have ready access to them. Or, in the
>  unlikely possibility that enough people wanted to imitate the meticulous
>  Bronte group, I could manage a chapter a week of a novel. In any case,
>  let's hear what people want to do, or if there are any other ideas.
>  
>  Randy Souther


I'm with you on the chapter a week idea. I think that would be fantastic. Any
other ideas out there?



Subject:   Archive
        Date:  Mon, 03 Mar 1997 23:13:11 -0800
       From: Randy Souther Randy Souther
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco jco@usfca.edu



This list now has an archive.

Since the listserver here doesn't support automatic
archiving, I am going to do it myself  and put it on the
Web site:

http://storm.usfca.edu/~southerr/discussion.html

Randy Souther

Subject:  RE: short story discussion
        Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 17:13:26 -0600
       From:  TRASLAVINAA@platte.unk.edu
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco@usfca.edu


Is someone going to help me with my paper?
Is about Maria:A life_______________________________________________________________________________
Andres Traslavina                     phone:(308)865-4497
Business Administration Major         Address: Martin 321, UNK
University of Nebraska at Kearney              Kearney, Ne 68847
_______________________________________________________________________________



Subject:  novel vs story discussion
        Date:  Thu, 06 Mar 1997 11:23:06 -0800
       From: Randy Souther Randy Souther
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco jco@usfca.edu


One of the benefits of this kind of forum is that it can sustain
multiple simultaneous discussions. So there is really no reason
to be forced to choose between stories and novels as long as there 
are enough people who would like to pursue each.

Lars Olrogge suggested "Blind" from  the collection HAUNTED, so 
in the absence of other suggestions, why don't we start there? 

Randy Souther



Subject: Re: novel vs story discussion
           Date:  Thu, 06 Mar 1997 15:56:20 -0500
          From:  Kim Brennan poetess1@bellatlantic.net
    Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
               To: jco@usfca.edu

Randy Souther wrote:
> 
> One of the benefits of this kind of forum is that it can sustain
> multiple simultaneous discussions. So there is really no reason
> to be forced to choose between stories and novels as long as there
> are enough people who would like to pursue each.
> 
> Lars Olrogge suggested "Blind" from  the collection HAUNTED, so
> in the absence of other suggestions, why don't we start there?
> 
> Randy Souther

That sounds good to me!

Kim



Subject:   new member
        Date:   Sat, 08 Mar 1997 00:08:54 +0000
       From:  "t.a. hulslander" t-hulslander@top.monad.net
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco@usfca.edu


I am so glad i found this discussion forum on JCO..I've been reading 
her for years, and it is great to find others interested in her, 
wnating to talk about it.  I just finished We Were The Mulvaneys, but 
have not yet read HAUNTED, which includes "Blind."  I will venture to 
my local library this weekend, hopefully they will have that book.  
They are woefully slow at stocking the shelves with books I'm 
interested in..but I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Until next time,
                KJ Hulslander



Date: Sun, 09 Mar 1997 12:37:31 -0800
From: Tom & Sandy Fasano tomchat@gte.net
To: jco jco@usfca.edu
Subject: American Appetites
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu

I recently finished this novel and was amazed at how she was able to use 
an early dramatic climax to propel me thruogh the rest of the book. The 
central incident (what carried me through the book) occurs early on at 
the McCulloughs' home one evening when Glynnis confronts Ian about what 
she believes is his infidelity. She'd found a cancelled check for $1,000 
made out to a woman named Sigrid Hunt. Glynnis is drunk and attacks Ian 
with a steak knife. He tries to defend himself and--sadly, maybe not 
so sadly--she ends up crashing through a plate-glass window. She dies a 
few weeks later. Ian is duly arrested for murder.

This incident was so powerfully realized that I just kept reading, 
expecting more, and wasn't let down at all with Sigrid Hunt's eleventh 
hour appearance at the end. BUT NO SPOILERS HERE.

As I see this novel, it's about the brittle fragility of the structures 
we've built around our lives, the fragile institutions and so on. I know 
Oates is fond of the "looking glass" image, and she certainly uses and 
distorts this motif throughout the book.

Highly recommended. An unusually linear plot for Ms. Oates. Really good 
book.

Tom Fasano



Date: Sun, 09 Mar 1997 13:42:51 +0000
From: Francie Schwartz fabela@gte.net
To: jco@usfca.edu
Subject: Re: American Appetites
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu

Tom & Sandy Fasano wrote:
> 
> I recently finished this novel and was amazed at how she was able to use
> an early dramatic climax to propel me thruogh the rest of the book. The
> central incident (what carried me through the book) occurs early on at
> the McCulloughs' home one evening when Glynnis confronts Ian about what
> she believes is his infidelity. She'd found a cancelled check for $1,000
> made out to a woman named Sigrid Hunt. Glynnis is drunk and attacks Ian
> with a steak knife. He tries to defend himself and--sadly, maybe not
> so sadly--she ends up crashing through a plate-glass window. She dies a
> few weeks later. Ian is duly arrested for murder.
> 
> This incident was so powerfully realized that I just kept reading,
> expecting more, and wasn't let down at all with Sigrid Hunt's eleventh
> hour appearance at the end. BUT NO SPOILERS HERE.
> 
> As I see this novel, it's about the brittle fragility of the structures
> we've built around our lives, the fragile institutions and so on. I know
> Oates is fond of the "looking glass" image, and she certainly uses and
> distorts this motif throughout the book.
> 
> Highly recommended. An unusually linear plot for Ms. Oates. Really good
> book.
> 
> Tom Fasano
Here, here.  As this is one of my favorites, I'll put my two cents in.
The deterioration of the protagonist as he slides into a relationship, 
a lifestyle following the death of his wife, also says a great deal 
about JCO's view of the importance of objects, possessions, and middle 
class accoutrements to our identity as Americans.  Without the 
"credentials" of a proper wife, a well-kept household, etc., this man 
slides into the shape of the new container that is his widower's life 
as if he were liquified clay.  Point 2: I didn't think it was so 
linear after the second half really got going!  But all in all, one of 
her best, if not most popular.  PS: It also says something about the 
replaceability of women... the new model may have a few bugs that 
aren't so easy to live with.

Francie Schwartz



Subject: http://storm.usfca.edu/~southerr/discussion.html
        Date:  Sun, 9 Mar 1997 19:54:39 -0500
       From:  mac5519@is.NYU.EDU
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To:  jco@usfca.edu


To let everyone in on a recent development you might not be aware of: in
New York there was a small reading of Joyce Carol Oates's most recent
play, THE PASSION OF HENRY DAVID THOREAU.  The reading was directed by
Carol Rocamora and was held on Monday March 3 at New Dramatists.  I was
the stage manager (got to read stage directions), and am happy to let
everyone know that the play is quite good.  Ms. Oates was at the reading,
and gave a quick question and answer at the end.  The play has had one
other reading and is now seeking a producer, so it shouldn't be too long
until it gets a full production somewhere.  A wonderful actor named
Christian Camargo read the role of Thoreau, and may (hopefully) end up as
Thoreau in whatever production comes about.

Ms. Oates characterized Thoreau as a sort of quintessential rebellious
adolescent, and said that the best time to discover him is in adolescence,
for then he will stay with you for life.




Subject: Take me out
        Date:  Sun, 9 Mar 1997 18:54:47 -0600
       From:  TRASLAVINAA@platte.unk.edu
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To:  jco@usfca.edu


I don't want to be in this discusing list anymore..
Please..._______________________________________________________________________________
Andres Traslavina                     phone:(308)865-4497
Business Administration Major         Address: Martin 321, UNK
University of Nebraska at Kearney              Kearney, Ne 68847
_______________________________________________________________________________



Subject:  Problem
        Date:  Thu, 13 Mar 1997 12:18:26 -0800
       From:   Randy Souther Randy Souther
Reply-To:  jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco jco@usfca.edu


I don't know if anyone has tried to send a message to
the group and gotten "returned mail," but if so, the problem
should be fixed now.

Randy Souther



Subject: Blind
        Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 12:20:00 -0800
       From: Randy Souther Randy Souther
Reply-To: jco@usfca.edu
            To: jco jco@usfca.edu


So what has actually happened in "Blind" ? Was
there a global catastrophe; or is the woman simply
blind? Or is it a metaphysical blindness, and a portrait
of paranoia? 

The story reminds me, in a way, of Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart"
in which the speaker develops an irrational hatred for his
companion, or at least his film-covered eye, and murders him.

So she murders her snoring husband, as she took "revenge" on 
her friends who slighted her.  ("The thousand injuries of Fortunato I
had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed
revenge" begins "The Cask of Amantillado.")

Any thoughts?

Randy Souther

Maintained by Randy Souther
Last updated 3-13-97
Send comments and suggestions to Randy Souther