It's been a hot summer here on the prairies - perfect for getting things done early in the day and spending guilt-free afternoons reading. For my last half dozen books, I've purposefully chosen some lighter reading. There's some historical fiction, a little bit of romance, some food for thought, and a whole lot of soul-searching. I hope you find something here for you as summer wears on.
In the order they were read:
How To Read A Book - In Portland, Maine, 22 year old Violet Powell has just been released from prison after driving while impaired resulting in the death of a woman. Harriet Larson is a retired teacher who runs the prison book club. Frank Daigle is a retired machinist and the husband of the woman whom Violet killed. Each of the main characters is facing huge transitions in life, not the least of which is loneliness, doubt, and wondering where they fit in given their new reality. Violet has been disowned by her family, Harriet misses her career and is facing an empty nest, and Frank has to adapt to life without his wife. It’s all about different kinds of loss and decisions and guilt. Sometimes in our grief we look for love and belonging in the wrong places, and sometimes we find it when we don’t expect it. The story moves between prison, a book store and, in a unique twist, a laboratory that studies the intelligence of parrots. There are lots of metaphors and words of wisdom that make you think about life (about YOUR life) and the times you’ve made mistakes and sought forgiveness - or the times you had to forgive someone else - and the times you had to start over. I especially liked Monica Wood’s portrayal of Violet as an ex-prisoner (not all prisoners are hardened cons) and the adjustments she faces when she’s released. Monica Wood talks about the “meanwhile”, what’s happening while the rest of the story is taking place and the fact we can decide what is our ‘story’ and what is our ‘meanwhile’. And she reminds us that we are not all that different, regardless of our circumstances. This book is packed with optimism and emotion and feeling and life lessons. It's an easy, fast, and eloquent read. Rating: 4/5
A Great Country - A Great Country portrays an immigrant family’s journey to assimilate into American culture. Ashok and Priya Shah came to America 20 years ago from India, settling in southern California, and now have three children, Deepa, Mya, and Ajay, all born in America. Ashok and Priya have done everything they thought was correct to be the perfect immigrant family – be ambitious, work hard, be financially independent, move up to a 'posh' neighbourhood, and raise their children with stringent rules. The story follows the family during a two-week period after 12 year old Ajay is arrested under questionable circumstances. During this time, the family learns much about themselves and about American society - where they belong in all ways, politically and socially. Ashok and Priya are forced to look at all they thought was correct. This book touches on many themes and issues, the foremost being the struggle of immigrants to fit into American society. When the chips are down, are immigrants really treated as equals? And do immigrants from different countries face the same issues? Is American culture really that much different from cultures where class is a main determinant of future life? This is huge food for thought, along with issues of racial profiling, the temptation to bend our values to ‘fit in’, how traditional values might help or actually hinder assimilation, the struggle of people whose behaviour is ‘different’, the potential clash between immigrant parents and their American born children, the strength (or lack) of support amongst immigrant groups, and the decisions we make to hold up the status quo or to protect our children. Although A Great Country might be somewhat simplistic in addressing some very serious issues and maybe came together a little too quickly and too nicely in the end, it is an easy, fast read that is worthwhile and compelling and encourages some introspection into our society and how we treat others – and that is always important. And while you linger a moment with the title, maybe think about the discussion questions at the end. Rating: 4/5
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcyle and Flying Club - Sometimes you just need a book that tells a sweet story but you also learn a lot in the process. It's 1919 and World War I has just ended. Protagonist Constance is no longer needed at her employment managing the wealthy Mercer estate and is sent for the summer to the grand and pretentious Meredith Hotel in the British seaside town of Hazelbourne-on-Sea to be a companion for the convalescing and elderly Mrs. Fog, Lady Mercer’s mother. Constance soon meets up with Poppy, one of the extravagant Wirrel family, and her sullen (but attractive) brother Harris who was injured in the war. Poppy defies all rules and conventions of the time, dressing in trousers, driving a motorcycle, and being the founder of the Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle Club, soon to also become a ladies flying club. Constance is drawn into Poppy’s group of fearless, interesting and energetic women including Tilly and Iris who are forging their own way in a man’s world. She also meets the pompous Morris family, twin sisters and their brother, for whom appearances are everything. Constance becomes aware of how the upper crust of society lives with an apparent different set of rules and standards and expectations than the working classes. Helen Simonson packs a lot of history into the story without lecturing: the role of women in World War I when they were an important asset to keep the home country running smoothly but how fast their skills were forgotten when the men returned from war; the expectations for appropriate behaviour for a woman in 1919; the men who fought and were killed or returned injured and who had to re-establish themselves; the large gap between the social classes; and the racial prejudices of the time. It is all told in delightful old-fashioned, formal writing. Of, course there is some romance thrown in. Constance is an endearing protagonist who is able to walk that fine line between many worlds and expectations, and you feel you come to know the other characters well – whether you like them is another issue. The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club provides diversion and a history lesson about British life after World War I. It might not be exciting, but it’s charming and held my interest. Rating: 4.5/5
The Inheritance - The Inheritance takes place between March of 2018 and May of 2019 and is told from the perspectives of the two main characters, Arden and her mother Virginia. The preface opens with Virginia lying on the floor, badly injured and sinking into unconsciousness. We then meet Arden who is grieving the sudden death of her husband a year ago and is overwhelmed by the new responsibility of widowhood - raising three children, making all the decisions, and salvaging their desperate financial situation. She and the children live in a Tudor-style historic house in Toronto that is badly in need of repair. The story comes into full swing when Arden is approached by an estate lawyer in New York who wishes to reopen a decades-old inheritance case. We learn that Virginia had lost a petition years ago for Arden to acquire a substantial fortune from her biological father’s estate. With new legal practices and scientific testing, the lawyer believes Arden now has a chance to win a petition for what is rightfully her’s. Through the ensuing months of legal battles (and Virginia’s recuperation from her injuries), we come to learn more about Arden, Virginia, and Arden’s older sister Tate. Many old hurts resurface, some secrets are revealed, and a lot of soul-searching is done. There are several themes to this book, some that might be difficult to some readers. There is loss and starting over. There is greed and materialism. There are tense family dynamics and parental/child conflict. There is elder abuse and sexual violence and self-abuse. But the over-riding message is one of finding strength and value within yourself, whatever your circumstances, and finding satisfaction in the present. It's an easy read with a lot of insight which did seem to be presented rather suddenly and in a ‘teachy’ way towards the end of the book. And be forewarned, there is vulgarity and some graphic scenes of violence and sexual behaviour. You might not like the main characters all that much but, you know, they didn’t like themselves much, either, which is part of the story. Rating: 3.5/5
You Are Here - If you are looking for a summer read with a bit of humour and a bit of romantic tension amidst the beautiful British countryside, this book might be for you. Marnie lives by herself in London. At almost 40 years old, she has found herself isolated and lonely as a divorced, working-from-home copy editor whose friends have all married and moved on from their fun days and close friendships. Michael is a 42 year old geography teacher in York who also finds himself divorced and even lonelier and sadder than Marnie. He takes long walks to forget about his life and to keep himself occupied. Marnie and Michael have a mutual friend, Cleo, who suggests they and a couple of other friends join together on an epic British hike, the Coast to Coast walk in the Lake District of northern Britain. Naturally, she has plans for relationships for both Marnie and Michael - just not with each other. Of course, the story line is predictable right from the start but the real ‘story’ is in the process of these two damaged people getting to know each other during several days of slogging up and down hills in rain that never seems to end and staying in any manor of small accommodations in the remote British countryside. The story is told in short, alternating chapters from Marnie’s and Michael’s viewpoints, often different viewpoints about the same situation. Dialogue is often short and clipped. In the course of the walk, and amidst foibles and misunderstandings and poor decisions, their personal stories (and personal insights) are revealed. The writing is descriptive with lots of interesting metaphors and adjectives. David Nicholls lets the story unravel over time, and the wisdom that is imparted is in the story itself and not in a ‘teachy’ way. I’m not sure the dialogue between Marnie and Michael is all that realistic, and be forewarned, there is some blunt sexual language. This story might be especially appealing to the 40 year old who is hurting after a breakup and who feels ‘stuck’ and lonely. I thought it nicely portrayed the fears and apprehensions and suspicions of starting over. Rating: 3.5/5
Last House - Last House artfully balances historical fiction with family saga. The author ties together all the generations from the 1950’s to now, like a review of major world events such as the death of Martin Luthar King and the Vietnam War and the fight for equality in all areas. The story begins in 1953 in the third person with young American lawyer Nick Taylor enroute to Iran to negotiate the resumption of the production of oil after a “thorny political impasse”. Right away, we are given a hint of the many themes to come such as inequality, corporate greed, corruption, democracy versus dictatorship, women’s roles, family relationships, and the societal changes that come with each generation. Nick is married to Bet. They and their two small children, Katherine and Harry, live in idyllic Mapleton, Connecticutt. Nick has risen from a humble, religious background to provide his family with an enviable lifestyle. Bet’s family was well-established and successful, and her intention to pursue a doctorate in American literature was set aside, of course, when she married Nick and started a family. While Nick traverses the world to ensure ongoing oil production which he views as a sign of progress, Bet is left to look after the children and try to find some meaning in her life. After Nick is promoted for his good work, he and Bet purchase an idyllic country home/sanctuary, Last House, in Vermont. The middle part of the book is told in the first person view of daughter Katherine. It’s 1968, and Katherine strays as far away as possible from her traditional, privileged family and joins a revolutionary newspaper in New York, the Leaflet, as a columnist and reporter. This draws her into contact with all manner of anti-establishment persons and protests. But the movement becomes more radical, and Katherine (and, in turn, all of her family) have to examine their viewpoints and consequences. The story takes us all the way to 2026 as yet another generation has to find it’s way. There’s some romance, some tragedy, and some surprises along the way. This book nicely portrays how the ideals (and fears) of each generation are influenced by the previous generation. It’s worthy of some serious contemplation and evaluation of how we come to think and act as we do - with many cautions to consider the consequences. Each generation will have it’s conflict and it’s fears, and each generation will think it is ‘right’ – the issues are just different (or maybe not so much? ) – and, somehow, society finds it’s way. It's a good read. Rating 4.5/5
In my order of preference: 1) The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club 2) Last House 3) How To Read A Book 4) A Great Country 5) The Inheritance and 6) You Are Here
That's it for my last half dozen. I hope you found something to your liking. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
"Think before you speak. Read before you think." - Fran Lebowitz
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