32 Variations on a Theme by Basil II (in the Key of Washington, DC)

by Louis Harris

Gridlock between Congressional Republicans and President Clinton closes the government, casting thousands of workers and dependents adrift for an uncertain Christmas. City services have collapsed,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964472236
• ISBN13: 9780964472235
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Ten Times Three Productions
• Length: 282 Pages

Customer Reviews

Extremely Entertaining and Gripping

I don't normally read fiction, but this book was so entertaining and gripping that I wanted to finish it in one sitting! It normally takes me months to finish a work of fiction. I highly recommend this book.

The Star Field

This is one of those tough reviews to write. The book, as described on the jacket, captures the lives of a number of characters in Washington, DC - 1996 style. Or, does it capture Washington through the eyes of a number of characters. Maybe it captures politics both local and federal through the eyes of this nations capital city. Maybe what it really does is capture relationships in as many variations as described above. Friends, co-workers, lovers, confused social climbers, some straight, some gay all are here to be discovered by the reader. The backdrop is the Washington of 1996, but sometimes, the city insists on taking over and becoming the main character. I don't think it is possible to get tired of one character in this story since the variations on the theme - you can decide what the theme is - keep the pages turning.One can't write something about this book without mentioning the politics that play a role in the lives of these sometimes likable, sometimes not, intelligent, and all so human characters. At times it seems the author's sole intention is to write something which can only be described as a polemic view - of course, that description may only apply to the reader if they disagree with it. And then, just when this reader felt some of the views which the characters were discussing were as polemic as some of the 1980's Japan bashing novels, the writer insists on showing us other viewpoints through our very fun characters.The title does say it all. The story follows a musical cadence. Variatons - like the ones so present in my life. So, I suggest you put on a nice piece of music and sit down for a fun read.

A Star Field

This is one of those tough reviews to write. The book, as described on the jacket, captures the lives of a number of characters in Washington, DC - 1996 style. Or, does it capture Washington through the eyes of a number of characters. Maybe it captures politics both local and federal through the eyes of this nations capital city. Maybe what it really does is capture relationships in as many variations as described above. Friends, co-workers, lovers, confused social climbers, some straight, some gay all are here to be discovered by the reader. The backdrop is the Washington of 1996, but sometimes, the city insists on taking over and becoming the main character. I don't think it is possible to get tired of one character in this story since the variations on the theme - you can decide what the theme is - keep the pages turningOne can't write something about this book without mentioning the politics that play a role in the lives of these sometimes likable, sometimes not, intelligent, and all so human characters. At times it seems the author's sole intention is to write something which can only be described as a polemic view - of course, that description may only apply to the reader if they disagree with it. And then, just when this reader felt some of the views which the characters were discussing were as polemic as some of the 1980's Japan bashing novels, the writer insists on showing us other viewpoints through our very fun charactersThe title does say it all. The story follows a musical cadence. Variatons - like the ones so present in my life. So, I suggest you put on a nice piece of music and sit down for a fun read.So, where does the star field title of this review come from? In thinking about the book I was struck by how many points there were in the bood (points being the city, the many characters, the 38 variations, and more). I then thought of our galaxy (don't ask how I made that jump). Looking up from earth we know that what we see is a 3 dimensional image, yet from here, our eyes are hard pressed to see the difference in distance between the many stars. But enter the star field and we can see that we are surrounded by these points of light. We can draw many lines from one star to many other stars. This book is somewhat like that. If I plot out the story lines, the characters, the politics, the city, and the relationships I come up with a star field. And there is nothing boring about something that offers me so many ways to experience something. Enjoy.