Wednesday, February 5, 1992 —- North Shore News - 24 A coliection of stories out of the ordinary Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair By Jancis M. Andrews Publ. CaCanadadada Press Ltd. 1992, pp. 142. EST VANCOUVER author Jancis An- drews’ first book Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair, contains some well-crafted short stories. The title story, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair’ stands out most. The account of a woman whose grossly fat and Publishers welcome federal strategy THE ASSOCIATION of Book Publishers of B.C. (ABPBC) wel- comes the new publishing strategy for kook publishers announced recently by federal Minister of Communications, Perrin Beatty. The new program will add $18 million this year to ihe Depart- ment of Communications’ existing budget and provides for funding for the next five years. “While it is difficult to respond to a yet unspecified program,” comments ABPBC president Steve Osborne of Arsenal Pulp Press, “the industry in the province is optimistic that the new program's guidelines, which are to be devel- oped in consultation with the in- dustry, will allow for much-needed support for many of the ABPBC’s active members.”’ The publishing industry in the province is pleased that the gov- ernment recognizes the fragile fi- nancial situation of publishers and has promised an immediate cash infusion to the industry. The ABPBC reiterates the cautious optimism expressed by the Association of Canadian Publishers with regard to govern- ment’s intention to strengthen the Canadian-owned sector through changes to foreign investment pol- icy. if rigorously implemented and enforced, the undertakings re- quired of new foreign investors could help make Canadian-owned publishers more financially viable and increase market share. unattractive exterior hides an in- ner, unaccounted-for beauty lingers long after in the heart of the reader. Despite her tent-like dresses and sweaty arm pits, the more-than- Rubenesque Ruby emerges as a “jewel,"’ overlooked by the cruel superficiality of the world. Andrews leads the reader through a series of emations in this story: first ridicule toward the obese woman; then pathos as Ruby is deluded in her love; and finally, admiration as Ruby en- dures rejection and returns to her PURCHASE TDK 10 pack with calculator Get this terrific 10 pack of 90 minute TDK cassette tapes and a pocket calculator for one low price. it adds up to top quality and sound sav- ings! 441-8009 solipsistic world of culinary arts. Andrews’ skill lies not in her writing style which is quite straightforward and crisp, but in her ability to create an emotion- scape, a sort of dreamy, larger- than-life framework for her char- acters, It is not quite magic realism, nor is it the surrealism of Bc-ges or Cortazar, but in many of the Stories there is a lingering in- congruity that stands out from the ordinary. In other, more mundane stories, characters show a fortitude that Pocket-size calculator has large easy-to-read LCD display. Features 7 func- tions. A terrific value! Repieca worn out or broken tapes, #0 you'll never miss a single 20% off audio cassette tapes Make sure you get ftlrat-quailty playback and recording of your favourite tunes 15% off all video tapes can be summed up in one of An- drews’ own lines: ‘’...n0 matter the nature and magnitude of the tyranny, you must never give in.” in addition to the title story my favorites in this collection include “The Keeper of the Keys,” in which Andrews successfully evokes a numbing near-drowning in cold West Coast waters: “Something was rippling towards him out of the dim afternoon. It was a small piece of reddish seaweed, its underbelly padded with bronze balloons. Dully, he watched it bob up to him, then " ind phone answerer tapos, and brand names sike Kyocera’, TOK? and Memorex"! HURRY IN! THIS OFFER EXPIRES ackand slide past as it it were journeying to some distant meeting place...” In another memorable tale, "Ballad for British Columbia,” a bag lady triumphs over officialdam with a well-timed trickle of urine. Readers will also enjoy recognizing Vancouver and B.C. lacales in Rapunzel, Rapunzel. Andrews’ book is available at Amber Bookstore in West Van- couver, Granville Books and Duthie’s on 10th. -By Barbara Black, assistant copy editor at the North Shore News. et 25% off the regular price of a Radio Shack phone en- swerer tapes. Choose from a wide selection of lengths, pre- recorded message tapes, or biank ones so you can crea le your own anncuncements. anve 25%, Coupon expires Fab. 8th, 1992. *Gat 20% off the reguier priceof hack Supertapes, ail Fae emorex audio tapes. Ang you can choose from our dletaphone tapes; mint cas sette tapos and micro casse tapes at 20% off. -piscount does sx apoty to TOK 10 pack. 441-8009 4, Coupon expires Feb. 8th, 1902. 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