Books Reviews — July-December 2024
The Lost Daughter
by Elena Ferrante
Recommended by a friend, I wanted to like this story. It’s hard to say why I didn’t. Perhaps it was too real. And showed the uglier side of human nature. Throughout the telling of one woman’s holiday at the beach, conflict develops with other vacationers and the choices she makes, although explained, left me feeling disappointment and unease. I suppose it was somewhat of a relief to read about a character that was so flawed and where things within, as well as outside of, her control go wrong.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
by Katherine Boo
I almost didn’t read this book. The story starts off with a violent event, set in an unimaginable setting, a slum in Mumbai. But I did read it and I’m glad I did. Only when I got to the end did I learn it was a true story. This narrative non-fiction tale follows the residents of a neighborhood of makeshift huts, scraping together the most desperate existence. Life is made worse by ethnic differences, fighting over resources, police and political corruption that is so bad it’s hard to believe let alone imagine. The author spend four years living in India, interviewing and following the people in the slums, so she could get the entire story and do justice to the realities of living where everything is against you.
Stone Creek
by Kate Brandes
I ended up at a local book reading by accident. The author was Kate who lives nearby and who’s kids go to school with mine. I loved hearing about her process of writing and publishing this, her second book. The story is about a young girl who grows up with a father who is an eco-terrorist and always on the run. One day he disappears leaving her completely on her own, but she ends up putting down roots in a small town, something she always wanted. Many years later, her father resurfaces and everything is turned upside-down. I thoroughly enjoyed Stone Creek and recommend it.
The Chrysanthemums
by John Steinbeck
This little gem crossed my path and it was excellent. I mean, of course it was. It’s Steinbeck. Story stories rarely get their due. They are usually read in high school English classes. But I think they should be read more regularly. The Chrysanthemums is about a woman, feeling prideful, and vulnerable, falls for the tricks of a traveling salesman. Carefully chosen words, almost poem-like, contribute to the mood and tension that leaves the reader feeling uneasy and sad, empathetic and critical. So good.
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
by Ann Patchett
I’ve been a big Ann Patchett fan forever, but this was the first I’ve read of her non-fiction. I enjoyed learning about her background, how she got her start writing (by writing non-fiction articles for magazines), and how she approaches the craft. I learned a lot about her personally, like how she tried to get hired by the LAPD. At times it felt like having the curtain pulled away, but ultimately I loved this collection of story stories and recommend it, especially to anyone who dreams of becoming a writer.
Eventide
by Kent Haruf
Of course I loved this, as it follows the first in the trilogy, Plainsong. Although Plainsong is a hard act to follow. As soon as I turned to the first page, I had that feeling of seeing old friends. I can’t remember a writer who had drawn such lovable characters that you are so happy to be reunited. Haruf’s writing achieves such careful use of words, only the amount needed to describe a scene or a character perfectly. I leaves the with a tangible feeling of time and place, invested in the characters and how they will not only survive, but help others to do the same.
