Reviewed by Douglas Eyman CFCC

Rhizome Maggie Skodon       The opening Storyspace link map of Maggie Skodon's "Rhizome" is nearly opaque with link paths; every lexia links to every other lexia in this rhizomatic hypertext. The links, however, are not specified within the lexia, so each lexia becomes a smooth tunnel leading to other, unknown, lexia--such is the rhizomatic nature of the hypertext. In "Rhizome," Skodon argues that " writing forms a rhizome with the world. Semiotic theory forms a rhizome with writing, as its supplement. If so, such theory is bound to influence writing, make it and its writers self conscious." Like Meyer's "Plateaus," "Rhizome" draws heavily on the work of Deleuze and Guattari, as well as Derrida. In fact, Skodon connects some of her lexia to lexia from "Plateaus," reacting to his responses to the theorists' ideas. (I was surprised that this dialogue mode, which seems so natural to hypertext, was not exploited more between the various hypertexts.) Contents: The Optics Carlos D. Aizenmann-Stern Simulations: Baudrillard through Hypertext Ethan Fiks Circular Voice(s) John P. Garland Electronic Zen Taro Ikai Ultramundane Tom McHarg Breath of Sighs and Falling Forever Nathan Marsh The Dead Letter Office David Mayer Plateaus Tom Meyer Food for Thought Jane Park An Evening at Roy's Roy Perlis Bodily Writing Anne Pycha The Hero's Face Joshua Rappaport Rhizome Maggie Skodon Freud Web David B. Stevenson LBJ Timothy Taylor Adam's Bookstore Adam Wenger Contact the Reviewer!