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Review: The Noveltown Review
Topics: Noveltown Bakotopia Bakersfield Belardes Literary Poetry Review
Posted by thenovelist Mon May 7, 2007 15:03:19 PDT
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0 responses 15 comments Of all the literary magazines vying for space at local bookstores, the locally published Noveltown Review emerges as a breath of fresh air. The project of longtime Bakersfield media gadfly Nick Belardes, the Noveltown Review offers a both fiction and non-fiction essays about today’s literary landscape. An oversized magazine boasting slick, shiny covers, the periodical is beautifully laid out. More importantly, the Noveltown Review offers highly accessible prose for readers weary of experimental efforts that often prove to be not worth the effort.

Divided between poetry, and articles, the debut issue features short stories such as “Christmas Day” by Brad Listi, “Taking the Hollows” by N. Frank Daniels, Conrad Romo’s “Make-Up” and Susan Henderson’s “Lady Bug.” All are worthwhile. Listi’s “Christmas Day” recounts an annual family ritual done with people – that for very good reason, one doesn’t see the rest of the year. Daniels’ “Taking the Hollows” is a very edgy piece justifying heroin addiction. “Make-Up” is how a natural disaster, in this case, instantly creates a community out of strangers and Henderson’s “Lady Bug” is a harrowing childhood account of a character whose mother loses a battle with mental illness.

The non-fiction articles in the Noveltown Review all deal about the adversity that faces those who pick up the quill. Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s “The Working Writer” stresses the importance of setting goals as a wordsmith, whether it’s mainstream acceptance of critical recognition. Of all the non-fiction pieces, N. Frank Daniels’ “2006: The Year of the Lit Scandal” is especially telling. Daniels relates how JT Leroy, the alleged male prostitute and author of the books “The Heart Is Deceitful Above All things” and “Sarah” was later proven to be Laura Albert, an unpublished woman author. Daniels also cites how James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces,” about the author’s supposed battle with drug addiction was later revealed to be a fraud, forcing talk show diva Oprah Winfrey -- who offered the novel through her book club, to recant her high praise.

As Daniels later reveals, these authors were all reacting to the demands of the marketplace. (In the case of JT Leroy, however, it was clear at the outset that something was amiss. Highly reclusive, “Leroy” made very few public appearances, with Albert in highly unconvincing male drag. Asia Argento, who made a film out of Albert’s/Leroy’s “The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things,” would unsuccessfully feign ignorance.) The unanswered question is on whether or not these books still have inherent literary value in spite of the facades their authors constructed to gain attention in a short-attention-span world.

Robin Slick takes a cold, heart, yet hilarious look in “Psychotic Reaction,” about the effect of the Internet blog has on the contemporary literature. Slick wonders if people read her blog for her stories, or because she inexplicably comes up in Google searches for such phrases as “photo of world’s largest turd!” The periodical comes to a conclusion with poetry written by MatildaKay, Jenn Williams and Rich Ferguson and an interview with Rose Castillo Guilbault. All in all, a very satisfying package.

The only real criticism about the debut issue of the Noveltown review is that it’s a bit too breezy. This reviewer gobbled up the magazine in a very leisurely two-hour sitting. Always leave them wanting more, I guess…
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You can get the Noveltown Review in Bakersfield free at Russo's at the Marketplace, or $5.95 (includes shipping) online at noveltown.net/books

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Comment From: matt

I agree, it looks cool and is a welcome breath of freshness. Let's see some more quality Bakersfield writers in there. They gotta be hiding around here somewhere, not just halfway across the nation. Come out, come out, wherever you are!! Comment From: thenovelist

The next issue promises a special London flavor... stay tuned... And yes, Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Pixley... we love the valley... Comment From: twinkie

I **heart** The Noveltown Review. That cover picture is breathtaking! As are the pictures inside. London? COOL! Can't wait to see what London writers have to offer! Let me know when you do a McFarland-tastic issue. I'd love to submit something! :)  haha. Comment From: thenovelist

Not sure the world is ready for McFarland, Twinkie. They can barely handle the Ska King of Bakotopia. Comment From: matildakay

Great Review Greg! I think the Noveltown Review is about building a literary community that includes local writers with writers across the nation and beyond. What we want are quality writers! And where else would a local writer like myself get to be in the same magazine with an L.A. Times best selling author like Brad Listi... only in the Noveltown Review where we're building a literary community one writer at a time. A community that starts in Bakersfield but reaches the world. You can be a part of the Noveltown Review literary community too! Comment From: Aurelio

I was invited to attend the Noveltown Mixer and picked up my copy of The Noveltown Review there. I've since read it cover to cover and loved it. It's the first literary mag I have read where every piece held my interest. I hope they can keep it up, but boy, they're off to an impressive start, IMHO. Comment From: chingpea

I had the great honor of gracing the cover of TNR's inaugural issue. Wow! If you haven't picked up your copy, do so... FAST! This is one of the best things out of the Central Valley at the moment. Only greater things are to come... keep your eyes and ears open! Comment From: thenovelist

LOL. I heard the ghost of George Bush's great grandmother would appear... Comment From: draken182

hell yeah!!!! Nascar! i mean NovelTown!! Silence Club, Hectic Films!!!YEEAAAAAHHHH>SPLAT! Report a Violation