Written 22 Februray 2012
I have read 6 books in five days. Truth be told I had read ¾ of The Historian before I landed in Junin.
Here is what I read:
Gilead By Marilynne Robinson. She wrote also Housekeeping. A mesmerizing writer of faith and theology all within a compelling story. Doesn’t sound great I know, but believe me she can spin a tale, and in this book she writes in the person of a 77 year old man. That’s always so amazing to me when a writer writes in a voice so clearly and it cant possibly relate to their own self.
Parrot and Oliver in America Excellent writing by Peter Carey (The Kelly Gang, Oscar and Lucinda). A funny although at times desperate historical epic. A bit like Tom Jones (Henry Fielding novel not pop singer) or even a funny Dickens story. Vivid characters and detailed and well drawn look at NYC in early 1800’s.
The year we left home by Jean Thompson. Short story collection within a narrative. Well written but yet another depressing look at getting old and parents dying on you.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. A good book for a long vacation. It’s worth the investment of 700 pages but I am definitely over the vampire genre.
A Visit from the the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. Another set of short stories that are connected. I am not sure how satisfying I find this genre although this was well written. I understand why as a writer you would want to write this way. Lots of meat, not so much filler. But as a reader I sometimes want the narrative to flicker through my brain like a movie. Maybe I am lazy but there are times I am not up for a puzzle.
Atlas of Love by Laurie Frankel. Mediocre cliché chick book. I am not sure what attracted me to it. I think the title.
Here is where I read:
