Correspondence: Poodie James

Having read many articles and liner notes you have written as well as Take Five, your marvelous book on the life of Paul Desmond, I had no doubt that I would enjoy your first novel, Poodie James. This was confirmed to me the day that Bill and Judy Mays, Matt Wilson, Martin Wind, Alisa Horn, and I attended your book signing in Yakima, where you read excerpts from the book. All of us bought copies of Poodie James that afternoon.

But though I knew I would enjoy the book, I was unprepared for the depth of feeling that your writing would evoke from me. I was truly touched. Your writing style is very personal, as if you are telling the story directly to me; and each character in the book immediately comes to life, possessing all the very human traits we experience in dealing with people every day. They have both the good qualities and human failings of us all.

Your book is filled with the warmth of people who feel deeply the sensitivities of others; other people who interminably sit on the fence, having difficulty deciding whether to do the right thing; and then those who have such a abiding prejudice against anyone who is different that they are blinded to any of the good things that life offers. Your description of life from that period of time in which the book is set truly calls to my mind the memories and feelings of that period of my own childhood.

Poodie James is a wonderfully compelling and touching book. I "felt it" as much as I enjoyed it - as my wife is now experiencing as I write this. Thank you for this gift. As I do anything that you write, I very much look forward to reading and enjoying your next endeavor.

Marvin Stamm
New York