The Lacuna – Barbara Kingsolver.

Sometimes you read a book and think to yourself ” this must have been hard to write.”  This is definitely the case with The Lacuna.  Not content to write novels with strong political undercurrents, rich with descriptive prose of countries and peoples from across the globe, Kingsolver took ten years to write this novel,  using only excerpts from journals and letters written by the main and supporting characters.  A risky move given how easily the idea could have spiralled into schmaltzy love letters and tedious “I had an egg for breakfast” diary entries.

Kingsolver explores the life of a young boy/man Harrison Shepherd.  Shepherd comes from a very poor upbringing, with a mother who marries for money and expects her son to do the same, or at least make something of himself.   Harrison finds himself to be very misunderstood and hence, writes in his journal often to escape, but at other times, to document.
This book is an interesting mix.  It is for the most part a fictional undertaking.  But Kingsolver has chosen to use some very real characters in her book.  Shepherd becomes involved with the artist Diego Rivera and his wife Frieda Kahlo,  cooking for them and in time becoming both their confidantes.  Through his association with the artists, he then becomes involved with the Bolshevik leader Lev Trotsky, who is exiled in Mexico.  This blend of fictional characters, with the non fictional, lends itself such realism, that I actually googled Harrison Shepherd to see if he too was an actual person.  I was sad to discover, he was not.
I must admit, I did at times find this novel difficult to read.  Shepherd writes in an old timey style(it is 1935 after all) and the letters and journal entries sometimes left me hanging for answers to questions that never got answered.  The final half of this tale is set in the United States amidst the grip of the fear of Communism, which also made it difficult for me to relate to, but then Kingsolver has always explored the worlds political dichotomies, and I feel more enlightened for having read it.
The Lacuna is a book that I could only fully appreciate after I had read it.  And whilst I didn’t have a lot of empathy for a lot of the characters (the main one included), the last page of this book had me weeping.
This is a book that will pull you in, even if you think it’s not working for you, and will touch your heart.  I thoroughly recommend it.

A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness.

It seems since the arrival of the Twilight books, all things supernatural have become the genre du jour.  Up until recently, I’ve avoided this trend, mostly because of a lot of the cover art for these witchy/vampire/elfin tomes, leaves me cold, but also because The Witching Hour (published in 1990) by Anne Rice, set an almost touchable benchmark in my opinion.

The Discovery of Witches has all the right elements.  A witch (Diana) who is struggling to come to terms with her witchy powers, meets a brooding and dangerous vampire (Matthew) and together they fight off evil and fall in love.
Yes, I hear you!  It’s all been done before, and to an a certain extent you would be right.  But to be fair, there are just some elements that don’t change when it comes to using witches and vampires and daemons(yes, there are daemons also)as the central characters.  Witches use spells, vampires drink blood, daemons are a bit crazy and feisty( I did not know this!).  It’s what the author does with those elements that determines if a book is going to be a run of the mill supernatural romance or something a little bit special.

Unfortunately, in the case of this novel, the author just doesn’t quite get to the point of being either.  The storyline is interesting, and there are lots of references to sumptuous meals and fabulous wines that work effectively to set the mood for the reader.  Where the book lets the reader down however, is the authors failure to really allow her writing to reach any kind of climax.  We are pulled along through the story, bombarded with facts and relevant discoveries, (some of which I think deserved more pomp and gasps of shock from the characters) almost like the author is creating a list for us to remember, and when I reached the final pages, I realised why the list was so important.  The author is setting us up for the sequel to this novel.  And in all honestly, when it’s published I will read it.  The characters are interesting, and the concepts tantalising enough to get me coming back for more.
It’s a shame however, that storyline hasn’t been given enough time and development to allow it to become a great novel in it’s own right.  As it stands now, The Discovery of Witches feels like a prequel to something bigger and better.
Well, let’s hope so anyway!!!

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

 

 

 

Ok, so its been a long time between posts.  Let’s just agree to pretend that this is not the case, and I shall carry on as if nothing has happened and you can forgive me the same.  Yeah?  Good!

I am inspired to write today, not by a favourite book, but by a specific author.  And what I choose to write, may not show that author in the best light.  I think it’s important however, to stop and think about why we keep going back to the same author, even when their stuff starts to suck ( if it ever was good in the first place!)

Currently I am reading “Sizzling Sixteen” The New Stephanie Plum Novel, by Janet Evanovich. And as you may well guess, it’s number sixteen in the series.  Sixteen?  Yep!  There are fifteen other versions of the book, making this author millions ( It’s a No 1 bestsellers according to the flamey star on the cover! ).  These books are no brainers.  They’re good fun to a point, with a bit of sexual tension and some memorable characters.  So what am I complaining about right?  Well, how long have you got?  I do understand that writing for some writers must be formulaic, but Evanovich borders on obsession.  Every book, (and I have read the last seven so that makes me an expert!!) sees the central character ( the aforementioned Plum) hunt down some badass/kooky/scary/inept clients who have skipped on their court appearances.  Stephanie, with her former “ho” (Evanovich’s words, not mine) side kick Lula, is the worlds most worst bounty hunter.  She lives on her own with her hamster Rex, and has an on off relationship with a cop and a mystery guy (Ranger).  Ranger wants her bad, the cop (Joe Morelli) finds her infuriating but irresistible .  Oh what ‘s a girl to do?????  I’ve got a few suggestions, but now’s probably not the place….

The ensemble cast makes up the most interesting aspect of these books.  Lula, the black, outrageous, food obsessed friend; Grandma Mazur with her high sex drive and penchant for open caskets at funerals; Stephanie’s ever surly father and various sexy, buffed security men, and sleazy bad guys, make up the book’s highlights.  And there are some funny one liners,  some real outrageousness.  But here’s the rub.  If you’ve read what I’ve just written, then you’ve read any and all of this series of books.  Every book is the same.  Every book has someone blowing up/setting fire to/breaking into Stephanie’s flat forcing her to stay with the delicious Ranger, sharing his bed, but only platonically.  Alternatively someone blows up/sets fire to/breaks into her car, allowing for the Range man to sweep in and loan her one of his many company cars (I’ll have the Ferrari please!).  The same can be said for Lula and her never-ending diet craze.  Every book, new diet.  Throw in several opportunities for the main character to be covered in paint or food or feathers or flour and you’ve got yourself a bestseller, times sixteen!

So stop reading you say?  Well, I can’t ( although, this one may be my last.  Maybe.).  I keep waiting for the good stuff.  Will Stephanie ever choose the gorgeous Ranger and allow us to live vicariously through their trysts?  Will she ever get good at her job so that we can all start fantasizing that we might be great bounty hunters one day?  I don’t know.  And I guess, that’s what keeps the money flowing into Ms Evanovich’s pockets.  It’s not really about good writing, but writing that sells.  And this stuff sells.  I wish her well ( in that I don’t wish her any actual harm ) but please don’t get me started on the movie deal…….

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

It does seem at times that  the premise of this book is a little clichéd.  All a woman wants is an unlimited supply of food, a bit of good loving and spiritual relationship with God.  I know that sounds cynical, and I must admit I was very cynical about reading this book for many years.  I’d heard a lot of hype, and honestly if it’s on the bestsellers list I’m generally giving it a wide berth.  So I guess I was a little shame faced to say that when I did finally pick  this book up, it changed my life.

Written in three parts, Gilbert takes us on her own journey, right through the middle of love and love lost.  Of staying and going and staying for all the wrong reasons.  Candidly written, Gilbert does not hold back when describing the torment and confusion surrounding her decision to end her marriage.  She weeps and sobs and rants, all the while seeking some sign from “out there” that she’s on the right path.  Frustrated with her failed relationships and feelings of disconnectedness, Gilbert sets out on a spiritual journey, taking her first to Italy, then onto India, and finally Bali.

I can see that each section of this book, can and will appeal to different people for different reasons.  In Italy Gilbert drools over Italian foods, the Italian language and the Italian boys, all the while beating herself up with her own internal and endless dialogue.  In India the harsh and meagre conditions of an Ashram force the self-confessed control freak Gilbert into months of quiet solitude and introspection.   Moving onto Bali, Gilbert finds love( I don’t think I’m giving too much away when I say that, given the book’s title), as well as friendship and a deeper understanding of her newly acquired spirituality.

At times reading this book was like reading newspaper article;  very dry and very factual.  Personally I prefer beautiful prose that transports and transforms the reading experience, so Gilbert’s technique left me a little cold.  It was on reflection however that I realised  her spiritual journey is the beautiful prose.  Her experiences alone, so saddening and frustrating and uplifting,  have such a visceral effect on the reader, that flowery, superfluous descriptions are unnecessary.

There were however a few things I didn’t like about this book.  For starters, Gilbert writes under the assumption that we already know her history, and in doing so we hear certain tales or references that we are assumed to understand.  For example, out of nowhere we learn that Gilbert knows how to chant in Sanskrit.  Wow!  Big wow as far as I was concerned, but we never hear the why or the how, and so the reference seems a little show offy.  Mind you, it is her book and her story, so who am I to judge?

I also found that she doesn’t do reflection well.  Memories described seemed disjointed and out of the blue at times, particularly those relating to family members.  Again, these references came across with the assumption that we already know certain facts and that she was really only giving us a general reminder.

Having said that, Gilbert is very easy to relate to and allows the reader a very in-depth and bold look at all her foibles and inadequacies, posing the ultimate question  ”What do you want?”

It’s hard to remain objective when reviewing this kind of book, particularly one that has impacted the lives of so many, my own included.  I have read other reviews claiming Gilbert to be a spoilt brat who left her perfectly lovely husband in order to fulfill a self-indulgent whim, bank rolled by her employer.  Maybe, maybe she is.  That’s not really the point though.  The point is, you will take something away from this book, if you’re ready…..

The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

So believe or not, I’m a judge a book by its cover kinda gal.  I’m a sucker for a good dust cover, and the cover of this book called to me.  Also it was reduced from $30.00 to $10.00.  Even better.  I know it has been along time between posts, and that some of you have been waiting eagerly for word on Eat Pray Love, which was next on my list.  To say Eat Pray Love changed my life, would be an understatement, and therefore I have given myself a little cooling off period before attempting to review it. 

Hence today’s review, which focuses on a genre that I was pretty certain I was going to steer clear of for a while.  You know the one.  Small town, quirky characters, luscious descriptions of food and various  cottage industries? Am I regretful?  No I’m not.  This book ticks all the boxes.  There’s something for the history buff.   In fact the flashbacks to the Great Depression were  interesting and very atmospheric.  There is also a fair amount of Scandinavian referencing going on – lots of talk of strudel and christmas traditions.  There’s a bit of romance, heartbreak, sibling rivalry, and a fair amount of interfering old ladies.  It tracks the history of the Bergstrom family through the eyes of the elderly Sylvia ( who has returned to the family home and opened a quilting retreat as a money spinner ), the last of her family, coming to terms with her own life choices and the path she has taken.

 This is a fairly harmless attempt at a Christmas themed book. I didn’t love it, but then I didn’t hate it, which is always refreshing.  My only real complaint is the author’s naming of the main characters, Sylvia and Sarah…geez, too confusing and I spent a lot of time having to stop and check who was whom .  The same can be said for the male characters, a bunch of Richards’ and James’s and Andrews’.

This book does well as a stand-alone novel.  Having not read any of the  other ‘Elm Creek Quilts’ novels I had no difficulty following the storyline.  You may find some of the quilting descriptions a little yawn inducing, if quilting is not your thing ( and it’s not mine ).

Probably great for fans, or people who likes really nice dust covers.

Next up, the much-anticipated Eat Pray Love…..I swear I am going to do it!

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

So the little sticker on the front of this book says “The Australian Woman’s Weekly Great Read.”  This should have been my first clue.  The second, should have been the fact that I kept putting this book down and wandering off.  Compelled only to return, as a means of finishing this story, so I could then post this review.  In essence, there is nothing wrong with this tale.  The writing is impressive, and the storyline solid.  It just didn’t grab me.  I kept telling myself…”wait until the first 100 pages before you judge.”  This pushed out to “give it till halfway through..it might pick up.”  With the book market flooded with introspective tales of small county life, it seems authors of this genre are really required to provide us with more than stories of high teas and scones and duck shoots.  Essentially that is what this author has done.  A charming tale, exposing the seedy underbelly..blah blah blah…

 I recently heard this tale compared to the works of Alexander Macall Smith (we might leave my thoughts on this author for another day I think) and it suddenly made sense to me why I felt underwhelmed, and nonplussed by this story.  It’s an easy read, and there are elements of other great tales here.  Scenes reminiscent of  “Rosewater and Sodabread”by Marsha Mehran, with lovely descriptions of Indian foods and fragrant teas were the highlight for me.  However, more controversial elements felt underplayed, and conveniently slotted into the plot to add depth.

 I wanted to love this tale.  I wanted to love Major Pettigrew, and his old fart attitude to life.  I wanted to love his love, his family, his little cottage in a small English hamlet.  I wanted to disappear into this tale, touched by its charm and imagery.  And in the final quarter of this tale, where all the action happens I was, but it was all a little bit too late for me.  I wanted to feel something for the characters long before the end.  Instead, we are faced with elderly characters who seem to spend their time sniping and insulting each other in that old-fashioned way that only people from a certain era can get away with.  I know that is a realistic view of retired life for some folks, but it just left me wandering if that’s what I had to look forward to……

 This is a tale, that deals with death, and possessions, with feeling dis-empowered by age.  All great elements, and as a debut novel, it presses all the right buttons.  However, if your time is precious, and you’re looking for tale that impacts you in some way…then this may not be the tale for you.  It wasn’t for me.

 Pushing on to “Eat, Pray Love” this week.  Enlightenment here I come(I hope…)

I love, love, love, love, love it!

As I trudge through the jumbled words of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (I’m reserving judgement until I’ve read the first 200 pages at least) I thought it might be nice to revisit one of my most treasured reads.

Barbara Kingsolver(whom I recently saw in an interview on YouTube, and was most charming, and a little eccentric and whose struggles with her writing made me love her even more) is one of my favourite authors ever.  She writes with an incredible connection to nature, cleverly and beautifully weaving her tale and characters into their surrounds.   This is most evident in “The Poisonwood Bible.”

  Set in 1959, in post colonial Africa, this tale follows the journey of the family of an evangelical minister, determined to bring the word of God to Africa.  Told through the eyes of the ministers wife and daughters, Kingsolver dedicates  sub-chapters to each of the family members.  At times it reminded me of the movie “The Mosquito Coast”   with the father giving little consideration as to how his family will cope, shipping them off to a foreign land completely ill prepared. Each of the characters is a gem, whether you end up liking them or not, and their determination to thrive in the harshest of environments, is a real tribute to the human spirit.  With writing so visceral, you can’t help but feel like one of the characters in this book, wondering what, if given the choice, would you pack in your suitcase to take to Africa? 

 There are true moments of frustration and hatred in this tale.  And moments of the truest sadness.   Disaster lies ahead, you can just feel it, but there are so many elements that could bring it, that when it finally does strike, the reader is devastated. 

This is an epic tale, that explores family dynamics, as well as the elements of God and politics. This book in my opinion, has been the inspiration for many novels since its publication (eg: The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam, and The Behaviour of Moths), however, Kingsolver is the Queen of this genre.  Not a light read in any sense, this book is an incredible piece of writing, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.  You don’t need to be interested in Africa or religion, to appreciate all the elements of this tale.  It is a piece that will make you think, and reflect on your own life and your own choices.

“Second Chance” by Jane Green

This book really was about second chances.  This author’s second chance to win me over.  Thankfully this tale is written a sight better than her previous “The Beach House” which for interests sake hit the top of the New York Times best sellers list.  There is no accounting for an entire country’s taste, but lets not go there.

The premise for this tale, is the reunion of a group of school chums, brought together through the untimely death of their mutual friend, Tom. The characters are all someone you might know(perhaps even yourself at times) and this makes it a very easy read.  Essentially a beach read,  Second Chance offers a voyeuristic insight into the lives of british thirtysomethings.    Not a challenging read on any account, this tale reminded me at times of “The Big Chill” and at other times, the British series “Cold Feet.”  It is a story of couples, marriage, divorce, regret.  All the essentials.

I wouldn’t say it lacked heart, because at times I wanted to smash some of the secondary characters right in their bastard faces, however a lot of the plot is stereotypical  “chick lit.” 

  No surprises here, nasty or otherwise.

Second Chance by Jane Green…if you’re a fan, go nuts!

Speaking of going nuts…I am…waiting for Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.  May be making an urgent jaunt to the nearest book seller.  Until then “read until your eyes bleed.”

Reads in Waiting.

A book list as a grown up, is nothing like your highschool reading list. Wondering through the aisles of books…sniffing the pages, rubbing the covers(what do you mean “you don’t do that?”) I revel in the freedom to choose my own reads.  I contemplate and fuss, wondering which stories to dedicate some of my precious time to.

  This blog seems to have taken on a life of it’s own (even though I sense that at times I’m really just talking to myself here),and so it seems appropriate to give those of you who do come hear and listen to me spruik my many words of wisdom,  the book list for coming weeks.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

I chose this book based on the blurb, and got my husband to order it for me from Fishpond ( but honestly now…weeks later I can’t even remember what it’s supposed to be about).  It’s still making its way across the pond(from New Zealand) on what could possibly be a slow boat from China.  In a Australia the front cover is an illustration of a tea-pot.  I’m thinking this tale maybe of the same genre as all those “knitting/quilting groups in a small town village” kinda things.  In saying that, I hope it’s a little gem.

Second on my list is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I saw her on Oprah a few years ago, and thought “I don’t know if eating, praying and loving your way around the world is the kind of book premise I’m into”.  However, I recently saw the movie trailer for it starring Julia Roberts, and that’s what finally tipped me over the edge.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ probably not going to see the movie, however I do want to be able to say (with nose in the air) that I have read the book.

And number three (I really can only think three books ahead) is “Her Fearful Symmetry” by Audrey Niffenegger.  Recommended( but not really recommended) by my friend Janine, I am finally going to take the plunge.  What’s the drama you might ask?  Well unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will know that Audrey Niffenegger wrote “The Time Travellers Wife”.  Read several years ago (long before it was a movie I might add) this tale took my breath away, and broke my heart.  Usually I’m a mental re-reader, but “TTTW” killed me, and I’ve been too scared to go there again.  So it has been with much trepidation that I have awaited Ms Niffenegger’s next book.  All I am saying, is that I better love it, although I fear I may be headed for disappointment….

I would love to hear any book suggestions you might have, as well as the books you love the most and why?

The Gathering by Anne Enright.

Some books leave you in a puddle.  A melted puddle like defrosted ice cream.  This was me, in the middle of Target, reading the first two pages of this book.  In fact, I almost wept, as I tucked this morsel under my arm.

Touted as Irish literature, I must start by saying, you don’t need to be from Ireland to relate to this books themes. The  common threads of sex and drinking and family(themes that  bind us all regardless of geographical location)hold this book together.  Told through the eyes of Veronica, we journey through the sad event of her brother Liam’s passing. “The Gathering” mentioned, is the families dysfunctional coming together to farewell their fallen son and brother. 

 Now Veronica is a messed up chick.  As messed up as any of us I guess, and her struggles and neurosis are easy to identify with. The story line itself, is nothing we haven’t read before, but Anne Enright’s writing style is delicious, and incredibly honest.  Her childhood written and remembered through hazy memories and half remembered occurences.

As a reader, it takes you to places you’ve already been yourself (and are sometimes reluctant to return to) but her nostalgia tinged with sarcasm and repulsion is well worth the angst.  

This a story where not a lot happens.  It’s Veronicas skewed view of her life, and the lives of her loved ones.  There are no pirates or vampires.  It is a tale of self-reflection, and at times I marvelled at Enright’s brutal honesty.  It is the mark of a great author that allows the reader to believe that the tale is autobiographical.  There is such navel gazing on Veronica’s part, that I couldn’t help believing that Enright was Veronica and vice versa.

Writing in the first person, Veronica’s tales and memories jump around a fair bit, and I must admit that the poetry of her writing had my mind wandering at times. There were definite moments when I thought “What the frikk is she talking about?”    But in saying that, every page is a gem.

There is a fair amount of sex talk in this book, however I found it less offensive and irrelevant than Coelho’s “Veronika“.  Perhaps it’s less disturbing when it’s not a grey bearded old bloke talking about a young womans sexual discovery as it is the woman talking about it herself

I loved the process of reading this book, but loved it less on reflection.  It seemed to me, as we approach “the gathering”, Veronicas world seems to speed up, and in the end, I felt like I’d been spat out the other side of a twister, dishevelled and confused.

There is a darkness in her prose, but a cheeky sense of humour that goes along with it.  It is dark introspective narrative, that wont please everyone with lots of talking and very little action  But if you’re the kind of person who prefers their journey to be inward as opposed to over sea and desert, then I highly suggest “The Gathering” make its way into your basket next time you’re at Target.

Next up is Second Chance by Jane Green.  I’m expecting to be underwhelmed by this effort, as I was awfully non plussed with “The Beach House”  Sigh…..