The Los Angeles Review – Winter 2004

This new literary magazine, by the same people who run independent Red Hen Press, brings to life the vibrant literary scene of L.A.

This new literary magazine, by the same people who run independent Red Hen Press, brings to life the vibrant literary scene of L.A. (Yes, you read that right – vibrant literary scene, L.A.) with an offbeat charm. By design, the editors differ from issue to issue in order to foster diverse work – so the poetry and fiction chosen for this issue may not reflect on future issues. In this issue, anyway, the quality of the work is pretty impressive. A standout is the story “Hailstones on Samfara” by Sefi Atta, which won the Red Hen 2003 Short Fiction Award. Here is a sampling of lines from Suzanne Lummis’ “Last Reports from the Gondola Suspended by Balloons”: “…In all the world there’s just one / Japanese piano tuner gazing down / on the Pacific from a gondola / help up by balloons. I am the last / possibility that has not been exhausted.” Good production quality – a glossy color cover, a nice overall heft and clean, easy-to-read type face – should be noted as well. Definitely an auspicious beginning for a journal I hope continues to be a beacon for neglected West Coast talent. [The Los Angeles Review, Red Hen Press, P.O. Box 3537, Granada Hills, CA 91394. E-mail: [email protected]. Single issue: $14. http://www.redhen.org/losangelesreview/] – JHG