NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW ON-LINE

The Vincent Brothers Review is an A5 size perfect bound 164 page magazine. The first thing you notice is that it comes with extras; in my copy were two cards with cooking tips and a recipe and a hand coloured laminated bookmark. When I read through the book I discovered that the bookmark had been provided by a school in Ohio by students with special needs. It is these touches and the look of the book which gives it a unique and almost quaint look. The look is deceptive though because inside there is some very powerful writing and nothing you would want to call quaint.

The theme this edition is "rivers" and every piece of writing in the book uses this theme well. From the opening story Paul Headrick's THE CANDLE THIEF you know you have found something special. This is very strong writing and a well crafted and developed narrative.

The other stories in the book build on this strong opening and the whole creates a very satisfying read. GOING PLACES, WHO KNOWS WHERE by Mark Morelli and THE DECOMPOSITION OF A CONVERSATION by Stephen Graham Jones are both worth singleing out for praise as they stand out in the very strong selection. The book also includes essays and in this selection SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER by Curt Dalton who using archive material and witness reports gives a fascinating account of the history of Dayton's floods.

The poetry which is included also has some very strong pieces among which TATTOO by David Lee Garrison, the story of a drowning, is outstanding. The poem contains very strong images and a sharp ending which stays with you long after you read it.

The Vincent Brother Review is supported by grants from Montgomery County Arts and Ohio Arts Council and by its subscribers all of whom I am sure must feel they get very good value for money.