Seedy Motels, Striking Workers, Disaster at Sea, the Panama Canal, Food/Love, & More: July 14, 2025
Volume 2, Issue 26 of The Seaboard Review of Books
In this issue:
The American Zone by Howard Shrier
Bread and Stone by Allan Weiss
Off Menu by Amy Rosen
Shanghailanders by Juli Min
Prodigals by Sean Minogue
Enjoy Your Stay at the Shamrock Motel by Andrew Kaufman
The Lucky Seven: The Story of the Elite Navigator by Gary Collins
In Dialogue: Brenda J Thompson and Jeremy Ackerman
Review of the Week
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Interview
Michael Greenstein Reviews:
Hot Takes: Brief Notes on Books Present & Past
(Note: clicking on the underlined link takes you to the book’s publisher page or Amazon.ca for more information or for purchasing purposes)
Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay
Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest novel Written on the Dark explores the same different-but-familiar fantasy world that appeared in some of his previous works, including All the Seas of the World and A Brightness Long Ago. While it takes place in a different, imaginary locale, Written on the Dark was inspired by medieval France, and includes a Joan of Arc figure, albeit with a happier ending.
The protagonist, Thierry Villar, is a tavern poet. Definitely not included among the great and powerful, he is nonetheless swept up into important events within his world. As in some of Kay’s other books, Written on the Dark shows us how slight nuances can affect the tide of events, at the personal level as well as more broadly. Steeped in a different time and place, Written on the Dark contains echoes of our own world’s history, lending a ring of authenticity. Those who enjoyed All the Seas of the World and A Brightness Long Ago should enjoy this latest addition to Kay’s works. (Reviewed by Lisa Timpf)
Book News
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Emily Weedon’s Drunk Fiction
Yes, The Seaboard Review of Books is sponsoring “Drunk Fiction”! One of the books for sale at the event will be free for a lucky attendee. Mark your calendars for July 22nd! The Caledonian is at 856 College Street in Toronto. Drink responsibly, read voraciously!
Selena Mercuri
Co-admin and contributor Selena Mercuri has started up a new Substack site that promises to be a CanLit hit: Coffee Dates with Authors. Click the link below to find out more and subscribe.
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Thanks for reading this issue of The Seaboard Review of Books!
James M. Fisher, editor-in-chief
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