Sarah Honenberger's Blog - Posts Tagged "dysfunctional-families"
I may be particularly tuned in lately to teenage boys after my own novel CATCHER, CAUGHT but Emma Rathbone's PATTERNS OF PAPER MONSTERS evokes the world of juvey in an accessible and realistic story about 17 year-old Jacob who's tendency to violence stems from his anger at the world and his mother's boyfriend. The 'kids' in this book are so real and the adults who want to help so fairly portrayed despite the disrespect Jacob has for them, it will appeal to adult and teenage readers. And Rathbone works magic with words, amazing descriptions of buildings "the cartilage" and people "once they've reached the end of whatever personal disppointment corridor they've started on, a secret shoved way down deep into the butt pocket of the universe. . ." WOW. The Patterns of Paper Monsters
While I write for a living, and read as part of that, I read for pleasure too, as I have since I was a small child. So pleased to see that Marilynne Robinson has a new book of essays about just that. WHEN I WAS A CHILD I READ BOOKS. Can't wait to bury myself in her uniquely intense celebration of the story and words. I digress. This winter I retreated once again to Florida, a turquoise house in old Bradenton this year and three tiny Yorkies with more personality than any character in a Twilight book. NIGHTWOODS started me off, a backwoods look at running away and being confronted with what you feared despite your best efforts. After her sister's murder, Frazier's hermit is the only relative for the neice and nephew who don't talk for the things they've witnessed, and then the murderer tracks them down and chases them into the woods. Another strong woman, but none of the historical richness of his other books, worth reading.
And then by chance, thanks to the Kindle recommendations, I found Laura Grodstein's A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY. A powerful, tight story of a father and son, the weight of friendship, and the speed with which a family can fall apart. Like DeLillo in THE BODY ARTIST, the scenes between husband and wife are so real you think you're living them. For writers, Grodstein sets out a perfect example of how to build narrative tension in literary fiction. If only Frazier would write more quickly. And where is Paul Harding's next book?
And then by chance, thanks to the Kindle recommendations, I found Laura Grodstein's A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY. A powerful, tight story of a father and son, the weight of friendship, and the speed with which a family can fall apart. Like DeLillo in THE BODY ARTIST, the scenes between husband and wife are so real you think you're living them. For writers, Grodstein sets out a perfect example of how to build narrative tension in literary fiction. If only Frazier would write more quickly. And where is Paul Harding's next book?
