Rating: 
Summary: yellow jack, a novel
Review: no social redeeming value.....I am truly sorry that I spent time reading this book. Can I have my money back?
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful First Effort
Review: Reading "Yellow Jack", Josh Russel's first novel, is like watching a little-leaguer pick up a bat on the first day and knock his first pitch out of the park. You are left standing in stunned amazement. "Holy crud," you say to yourself, "how did he do that?" The amazement comes from the fact that the little tyke, with no training or form, has yet achieved perfection. Likewise, Russell has created a thing of beauty his first time out. The story contained within the covers is almost incidental, as is the title. Certainly, there are plenty of scenes involving the various yellow fever epidemics that raged through New Orleans during the 19th century, but that is not what this book is about. Certainly, there is a plot, concerning Claude Marchand, fictional assistant to Daguerre, and his journey to New Orleans and his tribulations while trying to arrange marriage with his true love, but that is not what this book is about. Instead, this book is about the nature of identity and reality. It is about how, with the right PR, a man might sell himself as a genius, when he is truly a petty thief. Or how a young girl from a good family might seem saintly when she is, in fact, depraved. This book is about how history can get it all wrong and build legends, even when there is documentary evidence, such as photographs, left for posterity. It is about the way we convince ourselves of things, even when those things are contrary to the truth. Russell underscores the theme by having Claude use his soliographic talents to destroy a politician at the behest of a rival by presenting a truth out-of-context. Granted, these ideas are not new. They are handled gently here, but masterfully, through various storyteller's tricks: an unnamed academic's descriptions of Claude Marchand's existing photographic plates, Claude's first-person account of the creation of those plates and diary entries made by Claude's octaroon mistress, Millicent, whose version of events sometimes differs. The language throughout is hushed and magical and though there is much violence, death and tragedy, the tone does not take the bait and become violent itself. Layers of poetry reveal themselves throughout and Russell occasionally scores with phrases that continue to echo. Certainly, there are negatives. I didn't like any of the characters and was not saddened as they slowly succumbed, one by one, to the yellow fever epidemics, though Millicent emerges as the only character with any strength. But that doesn't alter the fact that she is still a pouting, manipulative person. The tactic of telling the story through various narrators leaves one feeling that the author is re-mining old ground. But the overall effect is marvelous and well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Unique and satisfying
Review: Russell's first novel is spectacular -- I've owned it for less than a year and have already read it twice. Whether or not he gets all the historical details exactly right seems to be debatable, but unless you are an expert on 1840s New Orleans and are seeking out every historical flaw, you will be immensely satisfied by Russell's treatment of time and place. The characterizations are strong, even if many of the characters are less than likeable, and Russell's technique of framing the story with modern-day "criticism" of Marchand's work is very effective. The end result is a unique first novel with a strong sense of place, memorable characters, and often gripping prose.
Rating: 
Summary: Unreliable narrators
Review: Sadly, Russell's description of the daguerreotype process is riddled with gross inaccuracies. You'd think he would have taken the trouble to speak to some of the modern daguerreotypists who still practice this exquisite art. Otherwise, the book was an interesting exercise in style.
Rating: 
Summary: I Wish Russell had done his homework better.
Review: Sadly, Russell's description of the daguerreotype process is riddled with gross inaccuracies. You'd think he would have taken the trouble to speak to some of the modern daguerreotypists who still practice this exquisite art. Otherwise, the book was an interesting exercise in style.
Rating:
Summary: Unreliable narrators
Review: The most ingenious use of unreliable narrators that I have read. The story is sharp and avoids being wordy. The setting and time are well calculated and the characters are very vivid. I have to say that the most exciting (and consequently enjoyable) part of the read is the initial landing in New Orleans and meeting of the miniture painter. The power of Russel's prose is obvious when the situation is comical and the pace, rapid. A great 'first' effort.
Rating:
Summary: Undisciplined Hashish Dream
Review: The reference to Caleb Carr on the back of the book caused me to purchase and read this novel. I must say, however, that I was not as taken with this book as I had hoped. Mr. Russell does a good job of creating interesting characters and presenting a solid story. However, I found myself wanting to learn alot more about each one. I also felt that one of the strongest characters, the City of New Orleans itself, was not fully utilized. All of the mystery,character and perpetual decay of that time and place could have enhanced the descent and increasing madness of Russell's characters. Some of that heavy, sensual, moldering place was apparent but not as much as it may have needed to be. All in all, this was a good read but I just didn't feel it fulfilled its potential.
Rating:
Summary: A good story but overall disappointing
Review: The reference to Caleb Carr on the back of the book caused me to purchase and read this novel. I must say, however, that I was not as taken with this book as I had hoped. Mr. Russell does a good job of creating interesting characters and presenting a solid story. However, I found myself wanting to learn alot more about each one. I also felt that one of the strongest characters, the City of New Orleans itself, was not fully utilized. All of the mystery,character and perpetual decay of that time and place could have enhanced the descent and increasing madness of Russell's characters. Some of that heavy, sensual, moldering place was apparent but not as much as it may have needed to be. All in all, this was a good read but I just didn't feel it fulfilled its potential.
Rating:
Summary: Yellow Jack
Review: This book arrived promtly, was inexpensive, and in fantastic condition. Thanks, you're a star!
Rating:
Summary: Yellow Jack
Review: This book arrived promtly, was inexpensive, and in fantastic condition. Thanks, you're a star!
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