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Half of a Yellow SunBy Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Completed July 4, 2008
Admittedly, it was with trepidation that I selected Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for my personal challenge to read Orange prizewinners. So many of my reading friends raved about this book. When a book is so highly regarded, I worried that it would be too high up on the reading pedestal – and in the end, it would disappoint. Furthermore, when I finally got this book, I scowled (just slightly) at its length – 541 pages. Chunksters (what I consider books over 350 pages) rarely hold my interest. Indeed, I was worried.
However, once enveloped in this book, my worries quickly ceased. Half of a Yellow Sun was a book worthy of its praise and its long length. Quite simply, it was an astonishing, gut-wrenching read.
Briefly, it’s the story of the effect of Biafra’s (in southeastern Nigeria) quest for independence in the late 1960’s. It’s also the story of family – both biological and assumed – and how those ties know no bounds. Colorful and unforgettable characters filled each page: Ugwu, the houseboy; Odenigbo, the revolutionary-minded professor; Olanna, Odenigbo’s beautiful lover and her twin sister, Kainene; and Richard, who is in love with Kainene. The reader was swept into Nigerian cultures and lifestyles. Without a doubt, it was an illuminating read.
Adichie did not sugarcoat how war affects civilians. People died, family members went missing, homes destroyed, women raped and children became ill. This book is not for the weak of heart. As a reader, I was torn by my need to take a break from the content and my desire to continue reading because I was so caught up in the story.
I highly recommend Half of a Yellow Sun to anyone interested in reading a profound novel about war, family and the effects of nationalism. (
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- Mood:
relieved
I can't believe July is just around the corner. So far I have read 43 books during the first half of 2008. Here are the books that earned a five-star rating from me (in order that I read them).FIVE-STAR BOOKS (FICTION)
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan
Property by Valerie Martin
FIVE-STAR BOOKS (NON-FICTION)
A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen
Tara Revisited by Catherine Clinton
AND MY TOP FIVE BOOKS
1) The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
2) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
3) The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
4) The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
5) Property by Valerie Martin
READING CHALLENGES COMPLETED:
1) Beg, Borrow and Steal Reading Challenge
2) Pub 08 Reading Challenge
3) Themed Reading Challenge
4) Spring Reading Thing
5) Southern Reading Challenge
6) Book Awards Reading Challenge
I also participate in Bonnie's Book Around The States and Book Around The World reading challenges, and here is a summary of the places I have been:
BOOK AROUND THE STATES (my reviews)
Alaska - The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
Hawaii - Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
Louisiana - Property by Valerie Martin
Maryland - Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones
Missouri - Becky by Lenore Hart
North Carolina - On Agate Hill by Lee Smith
South Carolina - Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
Texas - The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block
BOOK AROUND THE WORLD (my reviews)
Iran - The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
Pakistan - The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Sudan - The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
Yugoslavia - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Wales - Resistance by Owen Sheers
Whew! It's been a very adventurous reading year so far! I am looking forward to my Orange July, when I will be reading a ton of books that have won or been nominated for the Orange Prize. That promises to be a good reading month, don't you think?
- Location:home
- Mood: excited
The Faith of a WriterBy Joyce Carol Oates
Completed June 29, 2008
Joyce Carol Oates explored the craft of writing in her collection of essays, The Faith of a Writer. I was expecting an autobiographical passage through JCO’s evolution as a writer, but that was not quite what she delivered in this slim book. Instead, she talked about how other writers – namely Emily Dickinson, Ernest Hemingway, Herman Melville and a host of others – became great writers.
Several themes emerged from JCO’s essays. First, writers are their own worst critics but have high opinions of their writing genius. Secondly, many of a writers’ early works were raw, hard to read and commercially unsuccessful, but without these first attempts, the greater works would not have existed. Finally, writers live in an alternate universe: always thinking about their stories, how to revise them and how to advance the story or the characters. This usually resulted in insomnia, social isolation and blank stares.
Probably, these essays are examined in great depth by college students whose professors want to explain the psyche of a writer. If you are looking for a book about the personal writing process, this is not the book for you. I would recommend Stephen King’s On Writing for that type of book. The Faith of a Writer is better suited for readers who love writers – the famous ones – and want a better understanding on how they perfected their craft. (
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- Mood:
tired
ResistanceBy Owen Sheers
Completed June 27, 2008
I think poets make great novelists. Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, even Shel Silverstein all embrace a stunningly descriptive way of writing that makes their stories and characters just flow through your mind. Like his poetic counterparts, Owen Sheers used this lyrical style in his debut novel Resistance.
Resistance is an alternate history – what if the German army invaded England during World War II? In this book, Sarah Lewis woke one morning to find her husband missing. In fact, all of the men in her Welsh valley had disappeared with no note, explanation or forewarning. Another wife, Maggie, discovered a pamphlet in her barn that led them to a grave conclusion: their husbands and sons left to join the Resistance.
Then, things become more precarious when a German patrol arrived in their valley, led by Captain Albrecht Wolfram, an Oxford-trained medieval scholar who became an unlikely soldier when Germany went to war. Settled into an abandoned house, the German soldiers collectively decided to stay in this isolated area because they felt the end of the war was near. As a fierce winter dug its teeth into the valley, the men helped the women maintain their farms. While their assistance was accepted reluctantly at first, the soldiers and women formed bonds as they fought against the devastating winter.
Two forces, however, threatened their delicate coexistence. If the Gestapo discovered these women whose husbands were Resistance fighters, the women would be executed (and more than likely the German soldiers would be court marshaled and killed too). If the British Resistance discovered that the women were “collaborating” with the German soldiers, their countrymen would kill them all. Isolation could be maintained easily during the winter. But when spring arrived, the sheep had to be brought to market, cows needed mates and goods needed to be exchanged. Spring, a time of new beginnings, created an unavoidable compromise in the fate of these characters.
The story is loosely based on the existence of a real Resistance group that Britain formed during World War II. Sheers also researched life on Welsh farms during this time, resulting in an engaging historical novel (despite the alternate history). Admittedly, I found some issues with the advancement of the plot, but overall, Resistance was a compelling story with fully developed characters, vivid descriptions of Wales and heart-breaking accounts of the effect of war on men and women. If you like World War II fiction or alternate histories, then I highly recommend Resistance to you. (
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- Mood: cheerful
Moloka'iBy Alan Brennert
Completed June 22, 2008
Having just finished Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, I am left with a mixed bag of emotions. Here is a book that mostly everyone loved. Other reviewers described the main character, Rachel, as one that lingers with you. Others praised the rich Hawaiian history that filled this book. Others were engrossed by the sense of community created by these characters – all who were diagnosed with leprosy and isolated to prevent the spread of this disease.
I agree with all of these points. Rachel was fully drawn and life-like. I enjoyed reading about Hawaiian history at the turn of the century – a new topic for me. And I appreciate the community and family (“ohana”) that bound these people together.
But I am left with a nagging sense too. Specifically, there are two aspects of the book that bothered me:
1 The acceptance of Leilani, a transvestite, into Moloka’i without so much as a sneer, prejudice or a bad word. This is the early 1900’s in a traditional Catholic society. I highly doubt this would happen. Heck, it doesn’t happen now in 2008. Perhaps the author felt these people who were shunned by society could be welcoming to Leilani. It’s a stretch for me, considering the historical nature of homophobia.
2) The Forrest Gump syndrome, as I like to call it, when the main character witnesses historical events first-hand. We learn about the first airplanes, vehicles and “moving pictures” through Rachel’s eyes. Also, the usurpation of Hawaiian royalty and the attack on Pearl Harbor both find their places in this novel. I don’t mind reading about history through a character, but in this book, I found some of it to be distracting and non-essential to the story.
I realize that I am in the minority with my objections, and that’s okay. Each book holds something different for its readers. If you enjoy good character-driven historical fiction, then I think you will find Moloka’i to be a smart, heart-warming book. Despite my objections, I am glad to have read this novel and learn more about leprosy and historic Hawaii. (
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- Mood: indifferent
The Known WorldBy Edward P. Jones
DID NOT FINISH
Those of you who visit my blog regularly know it's rare when I don't finish a book. What's even more unusual is when I don't love a book set in the antebellum South. Unfortunately, with The Known World, this is the case. I gave up on this book when I reached page 60.
The storyline was difficult for me to follow. It meandered aimlessly, and I felt no attachment to the characters. After hearing several other reviewers (with similar tastes as me) express their frustration with this Pulitzer Prize winner, I decided it was a sign that this was not a book for me.
It's unfortunate because I usually love books set in this time period. I am very disappointed that I could not finish The Known World. Perhaps I will pick up again another day. (no rating)
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- Mood:
disappointed
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood
By Janisse Ray
Completed June 18, 2008
Janisse Ray carefully intertwined two distinct themes in her autobiographical book, Ecology of a Cracker Childhood. First, there was the theme of her family - an interesting tapestry of men (mostly) and women who made up her genetic landscape. Second, there was the ecological theme - chapters about the deforestation of south Georgia. Ray loved, admired and respected her family and her forest, and this tenderness made her memoir charming and memorable.
Wrapped in the sweet cadence of her language, I especially enjoyed reading about Ray's family. That was a colorful bunch. Most of the men suffered from mental illness, which Ray depicted with dignity. But they were also resourceful - living off the land and inventing machines from scraps. I could hear their drawl in every page.
All in all, I enjoyed this short book about this beautiful region of our country, their Southern ways and Ray's determination to protect and preserve the land that she loves. ( )
- Location:home
- Mood:productive
Janeology
By Karen Harrington
Completed June 15, 2008
Nature versus nurture – it’s an old question and still a widely debatable one. Do genes rule our own impulses? Does one’s environment shape who we become?
It’s this theme that formed Karen Harrington’s debut novel, Janeology. In this book, Jane Nelson decided that she was “done being a mother” and drowned her twin children. Her daughter, Sarah, survived the incident, and Jane was declared insane and sent to a psychiatric facility. However, the state was not done pointing fingers, and they pursued criminal neglect charges against Jane’s husband, Tom, who the state contended saw Jane spiral out of control and did nothing about it.
Faced with a five-year prison sentence, Tom’s attorney, Dave, wanted to build a case that focused on Jane’s genetic make-up and family history. In essence, nature and nurture underpinned Jane’s actions.
Little was known about Jane’s past, though, and Dave employed a clairvoyant, Mariah, to help them rebuild Jane’s lineage. Mariah was able to channel Jane’s parents, grandparents and great-grandparents – each telling a story where parents failed to protect their children, neglected their families and even committed crimes.
When I started to read Janeology, I was expecting a John Grisham-like court drama. Instead, this book focused on the stories that make up family histories and how our circumstances often affect our decisions as we get older. The appearance of the clairvoyant was a little far-reaching for my taste, but once I suspended a level of disbelief about Mariah, I was wrapped up in each family member’s tale.
As a parent, I found some of Harrington’s words very resonating: “ There was no gene that made one fit for parenting. One couldn’t assume that the instinct to protect exists in every individual, not if they haven’t been protected themselves.” (page 224). This very thought buttressed Tom’s entire defense.
Karen Harrington’s writing style was easy and engaging, and she toggled a hot-button issue with great objectivity. She drew her characters, including Jane, into several lights so you can gain a better perspective of each one. I look forward to reading more of Harrington’s books – she’s a promising young writer with a great gift for storytelling. ( )
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- Mood: impressed
Tara Revisited: Women, War & The Plantation LegendBy Catherine Clinton
Completed June 12, 2008
Tara Revisited: Women, War and the Plantation Legend by Catherine Clinton was a non-fiction book that discussed the affect of the Civil War on white and black women of the American South. This book also explored the romanticized myths of white Southern women and slave/master relations during this time period.
For many, the Civil War holds an intriguing place in our American landscape. Southern belles, popularized by Scarlett O’Hara, emerged as the quintessential representation of all things “southern” – genteel and well mannered, tough and tenacious, and ardent supporters of the Southern cause during the Civil War. Called “The Lost Cause,” post-Civil War writers created this mystification of Southern women to perpetuate the “cause” long after the war ended.
Through her research, Clinton dispelled this myth. While many Southern women were active in the war effort, whether darning socks or assisting at military hospitals, they were impatient for the war to end. Home life without their men was hard, boring and frightening. Instead of yearning for what was, as contended by Clinton, Southern women were more interested in moving on.
The “Lost Cause” philosophy also advanced the untruth that blacks and whites lived harmoniously together with slaves emotionally attached and loyal to their owners. Again, Clinton ruled out this myth, based on interviews of former slaves conducted during the Great Depression. In reality, little love was lost between formers slaves and their white masters and mistresses.
Catherine Clinton, in my opinion, is one of the most approachable of historians. Her writing style was easy and interesting. She relied mostly on primary resources – memoirs, diaries, newspaper stories and interviews – to weave this historical account of an often-misunderstood period in American women’s history.
History is one big story, and Catherine Clinton is one of the best “storytellers” of this time period. I highly recommend this quick read to any reader interested in learning more about how the Civil War marked and impacted Southern women of both races during this era. (
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- Mood:
contemplative
Property
America AmericaBy Ethan Canin
Completed June 8, 2008
Corey Sifter was an average boy, living with his working-class parents in New York, when the wealthy, well-connected Metarey family employed him to work on their estate. Liam Metarey, the family’s patriarch, took a shining to Corey and gave him important jobs at the mansion as well as paid for his education at a prestigious boarding school. While working on the estate, Corey was exposed to the presidential campaign of New York Senator Henry Bonwiller, who Metarey supported despite Bonwiller’s flaws. In turn, Corey witnessed numerous scandals, politics and events, which eventually shaped Corey into the man he became.
America America by Ethan Canin was, in effect, the story of the have’s and have not’s, 1970’s political scandals, family and friendships, and the power of the almighty American dollar. And this book’s main character saw it all.
This book was a slow-starter, slowly building momentum until the reader reaches the mid-point. Canin’s writing style reminded me of Richard Russo – quaint, meandering and illustrative. It takes patience to read a Russo book, and I needed the same patience to finish this Canin novel too.
I also have to comment about the characterization. While the reader gets to know Corey well enough, the other characters were flat to me. The wealthy Metareys seemed plastic and unbelievable. I felt no rapport for Corey’s parents, who were more like bystanders than parents during Corey’s employment with the Metareys. Even Senator Bonwiller, who had the potential for interest with his drinking and womanizing, was boring and lifeless. Perhaps the passivity of the characters was intentional, but for this reader, it cast a long shadow over this long book.
Critics are already raving about this novel, and I suspect that America America will make notable and prize lists this year. For me, the novel’s story was a good one, but I have a personal distaste for books that take awhile to build into a crescendo of a story. If you like books about politics and are a more patient reader than me, then I would recommend America America to you. ( )- Location:home
- Mood: hot
The Crimson PortraitBy Jody Shields
Completed June 1, 2008
The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields was a novel about the importance of faces, reflections and appearances. If your face became disfigured, how would it change you as a person? How would others perceive you?
Catherine was a lonely widow living on her husband’s estate during World War I. Her husband, Charles, offered up the estate prior to his death so it could be used as a hospital. Catherine had no choice but to watch a medical team convert her home into a hospital for men suffering from severe facial disfigurements. Their first order of business was to remove all mirrors – making the estate a place of no reflections.
At the estate, the physicians performed surgeries on these men in an attempt to restore their faces. For the unrestorable, the doctors turned to thin prosthetic masks, created by artist Anna Coleman. Their first subject was a young soldier named Julian, who was having an affair with the emotionally fragile Catherine. Anna needed to create a mask in the likeness of Julian prior to his injuries, and Catherine made a dangerous decision: to provide a picture of Charles as the pre-injured Julian so that Julian’s face would resemble her dead husband. Catherine, in effect, missed her husband so much that only his face would do on her lover’s body. But did it work to erase her demons?
The characters in this book were elegantly drawn. Catherine was depicted as severely depressed and delusional. The doctors battled between emotional attachments and treating their scarred patients. And the men battled their own demons, left with able bodies and faces that scared people.
Throughout this story, I often contemplated that it would translate well into the big screen. I think the medicinal and surgical aspect of The Crimson Portrait would draw audiences right in. And the unforgettable, flawed characters would seem human and familiar, especially considering our current state of military affairs.
Until the movie is made (if it’s ever made), I would recommend The Crimson Portrait to readers of World War I fiction or to those who are interested in stories that have medical theme. For certain, The Crimson Portrait is a medical book and one should find medicine interesting to enjoy this story. All in all, Jody Shields told a compelling and thought-provoking story about the love and loss of the human face – and human life. (
)- Location:home
- Mood: chipper
Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky ThatcherBy Lenore Hart
Completed May 29, 2008
I must admit that I am a sucker for a good companion novel. Last year, I read Finn by Jon Clinch, which was a story about Huck Finn’s infamous father. My latest read was the feminine side of this group of friends – a story about Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer’s sweetheart. In Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher by Lenore Hart, Becky got her voice and opportunity to set the story straight.
"I loved and hated men, lost and found them, tried and failed to tempt them away from their own destruction. I’ve been the cause of more than one death. I’ve been a friend and enemy and fiancée, wife and mother and widow. I’ve killed in a fight, and longed to do murder once or twice at home. I’ve taught, mothered, soldiered, mined and even written for the newspapers. But I was never the weeping little ninny Sam Clemens made me out to be in his book."
And with this statement, Becky began her story as a complex, multi-dimensional character, dead set about shaking this timid image that Mark Twain described in his novels.
The story opened as Becky’s husband, Sid, was about to leave for the army during the late months of the Civil War. This began Becky’s adventures as she chased her husband into the wilds of Missouri in an attempt to bring him home. She disguised herself as a soldier to accomplish this mission and was involved in skirmish or two. Once reunited, the couple decided to move to Nevada to escape the war atrocities as home – thus, beginning another set of adventures for Becky as she moved West.
Hanging like a web over all of these stories were Becky’s feelings for Tom. Tom and Huck were minor characters in this book, and Hart added different perspectives to these famous boys (who are now men in this book). Tom was self-absorbed and restless, always caring for his childhood sweetheart despite his lack of commitment to her. Huck was Tom’s loyal companion – raw, impatient, cunning and unforgiving - but I felt that Huck had more sense than his reckless friend. In addition to Tom and Huck, Hart added Sam Clemens, who came across as imaginative and scheming, eventually betraying his friendship with Becky when he published his books.
With all of these males in her life, one can see how Becky did not grow up to be a “weeping little ninny.” However, I think Hart tried too hard to prove Becky was as strong as her male counterparts. The killings, the soldiering, the wearing of pants, the lying, the adultery – it was a tad too much. Women can be strong without acting like men.Despite this small criticism, I enjoyed Becky and highly recommend this book to lovers of Tom Sawyer stories, Civil War fiction and tales about women’s lives in history. (
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- Mood: good
Songs for the MissingBy Stewart O'Nan
Completed May 25, 2008
I cannot imagine one of my sons disappearing into thin air. The panic, the fear, the anger, the questions – it would be all too much to bear. In Songs for the Missing, Stewart O’Nan tackled this topic head on, and after finishing this page-turner (I finished the book in one day), I was left exhausted and heart-broken. Despite the devastating topic, though, I am glad to have read this spellbinding novel.
The story is about the disappearance of Kim Larsen, Kim was pretty, popular and counting the days until she left for college. One afternoon, Kim did not show up for work. It wasn’t until almost dawn when her parents detected that she was missing. They called the police and the search for Kim was on.
Each chapter of Songs for the Missing was written from a different person’s viewpoint. At first, Kim had her voice until she went missing. Then, her father, mother, sister, boyfriend and best friend each “took turns” telling about the search, their hope for a positive outcome and how they tried to cope with the day-to-day aspects of living.
As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, you saw how each character realized that Kim might not return home. Each character dealt with the grief in different ways. I specifically thought the age-relevance of each character was realistic. The teenagers were equally scared about their fates as the police investigation uncovered drug use; the younger sister dealt with (again) being in her sister’s shadow; the mother worked furiously, advocating for missing persons; and the father struggled emotionally, financially and psychologically but never wanted to show these “weaknesses” to his loved ones.
Their plight was so realistic and heart breaking. Thanks to O’Nan’s superb writing style, you could not help but be drawn to these characters and wonder what happened to Kim. I kept hoping that Kim would be found alive because I wanted these characters to have a “happily ever after” ending. I was so invested in each one of their lives that their grief was my own.
This is my first Stewart O’Nan book, but it certainly won’t be my last. His writing style was gripping and the way he drew his characters reminded me of Jodi Picoult. I highly recommend Songs for the Missing to anyone. I don’t think any reader of literary fiction could be disappointed with this engaging story. (
)- Location:home
- Mood: sympathetic
Looking For Salvation at the Dairy QueenBy Susan Gregg Gilmore
Completed May 24, 2008
Looking for a light but entertaining poolside read this summer? If so, then I would recommend Susan Gregg Gilmore’s debut novel, Looking For Salvation at the Dairy Queen.
It’s the story of Catherine Grace Cline, the preacher’s daughter, of Ringgold, Ga. Catherine Grace had been planning her departure from her one stoplight town as long as she could remember. The first part of the book explored her childhood, including the loss of her mother, her befriending of the town “floozy”, the trials and tribulations of being the preacher’s kid, and all creatures big and small in this sleepy Georgia town. The last half of the book was about Catherine Grace’s exodus to Atlanta and eventual return to Ringgold because of a family tragedy. Was big city life all Catherine Grace hoped it to be? Or did she decide that small-town life was perfect after all? I won’t tell you Catherine Grace’s decision, but I think you may have fun reading her journey of self-discovery – with Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen as her therapy.
Personally, I related to Catherine Grace. I fled to more “metropolitan” cities – Macon and Atlanta – to attend college and was bewitched by the allure of these Southern cities. I stayed in Georgia for eight years and loved every minute of it. But the reality of aging parents 500 miles away wielded its ugly head, and I made the decision to move home. I am glad I did. There is, after all, no place like home.
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen is the quintessential Southern book. Gilmore’s writing style was fun and approachable but serious when it needed to be. If you like reading about Southern towns, characters and culture, then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading more from this promising new Southern writer. (
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- Mood: satisfied
The Blood of FlowersBy Anita Amirrezvani
Completed May 18, 2008
In her The Blood of Flowers, Anita Amirrezvani explored the lives of 16th century Iranian women and the art of making Persian rugs. It was an interesting juxtaposition as rug making was predominantly a male profession during this time, but it was the women, in particular the unnamed narrator, who had a special gift for making these famous carpets.
The narrator is an unmarried 15-year old girl who lived in a village with her parents. Upon the untimely death of her father, the girl and her mother moved to Isfahan, the beautiful capital of Iran, to live with the girl’s uncle, one of the royal rug makers. The women endured continued hard ships in their new home, relegated to live as servants under their family’s roof with bleak marriage prospects for the girl. The narrator though was more interested in rug making than marriage, and under her uncle’s tutelage, she started her unofficial internship (women were not allowed to be apprentices) in the art form of creating Persian rugs. For the narrator, it was her success as a rug maker, not scoring a wealthy husband, that would better guarantee her financial freedom.
However, it was 16th century Iran, and the reality that she must marry became evident to the narrator, especially under the pressures of her mother and aunt. A wealthy horse owner soon offered the girl a sigheh, a three-month marriage contract that could be renewed if the husband was pleased with his wife. In effect, the sigheh was a form of prostitution – money in return for sex – and the best the wife could hope for was to sexually entertain her husband enough to inspire a renewal, or to get pregnant to secure an income as the mother of her husband’s child. Faced with no other prospects, the narrator suffered this indignity to provide income to her family.
The characters in this book were deftly drawn, and the reader felt a real attachment to them, especially the narrator. She was strong and impulsive, often making mistakes despite her best intentions. You saw her growth as a person, and one could not help but root for her. She definitely had a stroke of bad luck and personal issues, but Amirrezvani invested you in her life with each page.
In addition to strong characterization, the passages about making the rugs and the descriptions of Isfahan were exquisite. Amirrezvani’s uses of color to illuminate these sections of the book were unusual and successful – and added great dimension to the story.
I highly recommend The Blood of Flowers to readers who enjoy learning more about the history of women in different countries or who have an interest in Persian history. Anita Amirrezvani was long-listed for the Orange Prize for this book, and it’s not surprising why. It’s a story that will stick with you for a long time. (
)- Location:home
- Mood: happy
Skeletons at the Feast By Chris Bohjalian
Completed May 12, 2008
Many books have explored the exodus of Europeans and Jews who fled the approaching German army during World War II. In Skeletons at the Feast, Chris Bohjalian examined another type of evacuation – this time of a Prussian family trying to stay steps ahead of the vengeful Soviet army.
Loosely based on a diary of young Prussian girl, the story followed Anna, her mother (Mutti), her young brother, Theo, and Callum, a Scottish POW who was assigned to Anna’s estate in Prussia. Together, they migrated on foot during the harsh winter to the safety of western Germany. Intermingled with Anna’s story were also the narratives of Uri, a young Jewish man who disguised himself as a German soldier to escape concentration camps, and Cecile, a French Jewish woman who was imprisoned at a German “work camp.” All of these stories showed the atrocities of war on civilians and how they endured the hardships of fatigue, hunger, severe weather and artillery fire.
In the depiction of Cecile and her fellow female prisoners, Bohjalian spared no details. It was downright graphic. So too were the scenes that depicted the bitterness of the Soviet army as they invaded Germany. These scenes were hard to read and not for the faint of heart. I often wonder how these things happened within recent history, and then I remember that genocide still goes on – just in a different place to different people. And that’s why I think it’s important to read books such as Skeletons at the Feast, even though it can be hard to do so.
Skeletons at the Feast had a pedestrian approach to a hard subject matter. There was no deep symbolism or foreshadowing in this book – just words and lines strung together to tell a story. However, I often found that Bohjalian employed the “tell, not show” type of narrative, and the different character viewpoints were, at first, unparalleled and hard to follow. Nonetheless, the book was a page turner – one I would recommended to readers who enjoy books set during World War II or the Holocaust. (
)- Location:home
- Mood: tired
The Handmaid's Tale
By Margaret Atwood
Completed May 4, 2008
It's been almost a week since I completed The Handmaid's Tale, and I am woefully behind in writing my review. To be honest, I am not feeling well and tired from helping my father recover from his shoulder surgery - things that will all pass. However, this wonderful book would have left me at a loss for words even if I was at 100 percent.
So, I will keep my review very short but hopefully poignant to those of you who have read this book or plan to read it. The Handmaid's Tale is worth every minute. And if you're like me, it won't take many minutes to complete this book because it will suck you in. I devoured it like a piece of chocolate cake. It was complex, frightening, suspenseful and intelligent. For sure, it is among my favorite novels of all time.
Perhaps when my personal life straightens out, I will come back to this post and write a review worthy of The Handmaid's Tale. But for now, I shall simply say: run, don't walk, to get this book. ( )
- Location:home
- Mood:
sick
Jamestown
By Matthew Sharpe
Completed May 2, 2008
Jamestown by Matthew Sharpe is a post-annihilated view of America, set against the historic backdrop of the early Jamestown settlement. In this story, John Rolfe, John Smith and company voyaged to Virginia from Manhattan, searching for more fuel and resources for their New York-based company. When they arrived in Jamestown, they met great resistance from the natives, but as in history, the young Pocahontas became the link between these two cultures.
The story was written with each chapter told from a different character’s viewpoint, which helped move the story along. By far, my favorite character was Pocahontas. She emerged as a funny, vulnerable and believable 19-year-old girl. As brutal as her male counterparts, Pocahontas preferred diplomacy and was fascinated by her northern visitors. And yes, like history, there was a romance, but I won’t reveal which John she fell for.
Reviewers of Jamestown loved the satirical nature of this book and raved about the brilliant execution of dark humor and political commentary. Furthermore, Jamestown was listed as a 2007 Best Book by Publisher’s Weekly. For me, however, I didn’t get it. It was like a conversation with a dark but witty guest at a party whose allusions and nuisances went over my head. I don’t fault Matthew Sharpe for my inadequacies, though. His writing style was easy and humorous, his characterization was spot on and I am sure other readers would enjoy this book.
If you enjoy the darkest of humor and the most satirical of political and environmental commentaries, then you may want to try Jamestown. ( )
- Location:home
- Mood: content
Marley and MeBy John Grogan
Completed April 26, 2008
I think everyone knows this tale of a man, his family and their dog, Marley. This book chronicles the Grogans and life with their mischievous Marley, who behind the chewed shoes and hyperactivity, was a beloved member of the family until his death at age 13.
John Grogan did a good job showing how animals become a part of your life - and indeed your family. For many families, pets are their only "babies" while others mix children with animals with room in their hearts for all. As a member of the latter, I could not imagine life without my pets. If you feel this way too, then Marley and Me is the book for you.
Personally, I found many parts of this book to be boring. I also found many of the adults' (aka the masters') decisions to be questionable. Marley was depicted as a knucklehead, but I think he was way smarter than his owners, totally wrapping them around his paw. Perhaps that was the point of it all.
Moreover, I think you have to be a dog owner to fully appreciate this story. If you are, then check out this cute book about a cute dog. For cat owners like me, this book may remind you why you chose a life with whiskers, purrs and kitty litter. =) (
) - Location:home
- Mood: bored
“Well, let me think,” I said. “Would the fact that the servant I brought to the marriage has borne him a son, and that this creature is allowed to run loose in the house like a wild animal, would that be, in your view, sufficient cause for a wife to despise her husband?”
He shrugged. “Mrs. Gaudet, there are many such cases. This cannot be unknown to you.”
“That is precisely my grievance,” I explained. “That it is common.” (page 38)
What is property? Is it a tangible thing you own? Or could it be something else – a spirit, a soul, a sense of freedom? In her Orange Prize-winning novel, Property, Valerie Martin explored the essence of property, ownership and freedom, using slavery and antebellum marriage to examine these themes.
Manon Gaudet is a young wife in a loveless marriage to a bankrupt, cruel planter in 1828 Louisiana. As a wedding gift, Manon’s aunt gave her a young slave, Sarah, to accompany Manon to her new plantation home. Because of conventional marriage customs and rights of slavery, both women, in essence, become property to the same man. Sarah soon bore a son to Manon’s husband while Manon never reproduced. As time progressed, Manon’s hatred for her husband only equaled her disdain for her slave. She secretly wished for her husband’s death to free her from this entrapment.
Several things struck me as compelling in this book. First, Martin portrayed a historic look into the slave-holding South. It was not a time of wine and roses; times were harsh, the slavery system was immoral, and white and black Southerners lived in fear of each other. Each page of Property stayed true to these details.
Secondly, the relationship between Manon and Sarah was far from a sisterly one. While they were bound together by the same problem – ownership by the same man – they did not seek comfort from each other against their common plight. Furthermore, they did not see each other as rivals because they did not yearn for the man’s attention. Instead, they hated each other – perhaps because each was a reminder of the life in which each woman was forced to live.
Intelligent, engaging, historical and rivoting - Property kept me at the edge of my seat, and I completed this book in two sittings. Admittedly, if you put a hoop skirt on the main character, it usually captures my attention. However, this book provided so much more than hoop skirts – it was a gritty story about the power and destruction of when one human tries to control another. This is a must-read for readers who enjoy antebellum Southern fiction, women’s studies and stories about slavery. I will certainly be looking for more books by this gifted storyteller. (