NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW ON-LINE

This is an attractively formatted new journal, edited by Ann J. Davidson, and published by SCW Books. It has uniformly large clear print throughout—although some of the editorial apparatus is a bit quirky— and the small black-and-white illustrations are pleasing and appropriate. Notes on contributors are very brief, and for a publication with such a specialist interest, some more information here might be welcome, if only to allow enthusiastic readers the opportunity to learn more about the writings of authors they like, or to follow-up on some of the topics suggested by the articles. There are, in fact, twelve contributors to this issue, and the range of genres includes poetry, short fiction, biography and other non-fiction subjects.

The first article, by Davidson, forms a kind of preface to the whole and, in my view, is a bit uncertain and disjointed in its aims, varying in styles from poetic to encyclopedic.

Similarly, Richard J. Stanton's ALBERT CAMUS: HIS WORLD OF NAMES, is an uneven compound of biography and etymology.

Gerald England's INTERNATIONALIZATION THROUGH HAIKU is much more successful, being both personal and pragmatic in its manner and its exposition. If the journal proves to be successful, and earns more space for contributions like this, many of the topics glimpsed tantalizingly here might be expanded upon, encouraging readers to ask questions, write letters and debate the subjects in greater detail. For example, as persuasive as England is, I wish there had been room to deal more fully with questions like, why it is that the haiku form itself is so appealing.

The other really notable contribution is the short fiction by Andrew Parker entitled, EPILOG TO THE STRANGER. There are many sensitive appraisals of characters' motivations and reactions in Parker's story, and the narrative is well-paced for its limited scale.

Certainly this is a very intriguing debut issue, and the potential for future success has been clearly demonstrated.

An A5 perfect bound book with 130 pages. This issue contained poetry, images (of contributors), articles, stories, a short play, and an interview. The black and white image on the inside front cover was fine except that it would probably be wise to omit the cigarette in future. An interesting PROLEGOMENON, by Ann J Davidson, introduced the thoughts of Albert Camus. Dr S Arivudainambi discussed Tamil language in an article called TAMIL — A GLORIOUS LANGUAGE. The discussion was very interesting until:

Even now, a system called Sidha system, which evolved out of these books, is being practised. This system of medicine has many cures for the incurables including cancers.

The interviewee in this issue was John Light who talked about LIGHT'S LIST, the world-wide list of small press magazines, which is a useful reference publication. Consequently, readers interested in this area would welcome this interview.

There were a variety of poems. FERN by Liz Niven describes a fern growing in an inhospitable place:

	it's flourished.
	See its glossy leaves shine.

	Watch the water caught
	in the camera's quick lens,

	He digs with a nib
	in the dark like an aardvark
	hauls his findings
	to a high hill, frees them
	into first light: lets them
	roll down onto unexpected heads.