Light That Bends When It Passes: And other short stories and poems [Paperback]

Phoebe Frank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

Alas, Frank's work, with the exception of a searing Holocaust story,lacks brutal violence, AIDS, smarmy drug dealers, gansta' rap lyrics or murder suitable for the 5:00 o'clock news.

Although many of the stories are comically quirky, the title story is a soulful examination of a mother-daughter relationship. The daughter, gravely ill, "understands the passage of light that bends when it leaves the universe." She feels she can reach out and "touch the edge of the galaxy."

Counterposed against this endearing centerpiece come other stories with a comic twist. For example, a short work without the letter "E" appearing in it anywhere. Intrigued? Then visit the bizarre world of "Quadrant G" a govenmentality ruled by the Girl Scouts and their obsessive need to sell cookies, learn why ten thousand elephants are spinning hairnets, and how the author fought to overcome insidious elf-knapping urges. Sip alphabet soup that speaks its own mind. Finally, come face to face with the captive crocodiles at an Orthodox wedding and you'll be drawn into THE PHOEBE ZONE.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Phoebe Frank, Ph.D. is a licensed marriage, family counselor and the former Director of the Human Services Training Program at the University of Judaism, where she continues to present lectures in psychology. She has published articles in psychology, teaches writing for the University of Judaism, and Barnes and Noble. She is currently involved in writing classes with the Jewish Women's Theater Group in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: Permanent Press (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914615246
• ISBN-13: 978-0914615248
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,741,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty, Wacky, Warm = Worthwhile, February 17, 2000

By 

Helene LaFaro-Fernandez (West Hills, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light That Bends When It Passes: And other short stories and poems (Paperback)

Phoebe Frank's short stories and poems run the gamut. Just when you are convinced humor is her forte, along comes a poignant tale or poem: "A List with My Name on It" and "Medium Rare". She turns many nice descriptive phrases throughout and there's some truly imaginative stuff. Her imagination and talent for the comedic come uproariously together in "Origin of Kashrut According to Rabbi Nachmand Brachman of Bratloff".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Pass on Light That Bends When It Passes, February 13, 2000

By 

Judi Rothenberg (Boonton Township, NJ.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light That Bends When It Passes: And other short stories and poems (Paperback)

Just when I thought my mother was going to be like the kind of mothers who make cookies, my mom made them but forgot to bring them to my Girl Scout meeting . Maybe that's how she got the idea for Quadrant G. Now that she's a grandmother, she wrote a book that actually turns out to be quite funny and appealing. and the worst part is, my friends like her, too. when her book came out, I organized a book signing. The main event was that I had secretly taken some of her 60 and 70's clothes and my girl friends wore them to her autographing party. Mom was speechless for a change, and thought that since my friends looked so good in her clothes, maybe she had once looked nice in them, too.

Mom even included a story based on a true event my husband described. It's called "Norma Spinos." If you say it fast several times, you'll understand why we laugh every time we say it or read the story. I know you'll enjoy her book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Permission to write as one pleases, February 7, 2000

By 

karen mason (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light That Bends When It Passes: And other short stories and poems (Paperback)

As a person who enjoys writing and reading first person essays, I want to recommend this book for its whimsey, its variety and its permission to let a writer go where ever the spirit moves. Phoebe Frank roams easily over the aspects of life that we all experience, probing into nooks and crannies that we may be too busy to notice. The short essays, poems and stories provide a pleasant respite at the end of a busy day. Light That Bends When It Passes arrives like a nice new friend that stays to share its warmth, wit and wisdom.