bookshelves: currently-reading
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by Lionel Shriver
This mother describes why she felt she could never relate to her son by chiefly describing his odd and alienating behaviors (he seemed like a "bad seed")...but also she seems willing to shoulder responsibility for this crazy kid. She describes herself as perhaps too cold and removed, yet it seems to me that a lot of the time she made a serious stab at being a good mother. She could be quite a critical woman and she had strong opinions, which quality it seems her son picked up from her. Yet, I found myself having compassion for this woman and I especially liked her intelligence and her willingness not to sugarcoat the truth. She could see through things that were happening in a way that her husband couldn't, but she often swallowed her own feelings and opinions to keep the peace. By the time her son commits the murders, she feels terribly responsible. Now she sees behaviors that were "signs" and wishes she hadn't let them be swept under the rug.
This book is complex; the reader is left to ponder about what could have been done to connect with this kid: I mean, just what is the magic formula for getting it right with raising a child? How much of a child is simply his nature and not something that can be changed, as opposed to, how much can a parent's love and nurture alter the behavior of a child? It will leave you with plenty to think about. I'm glad you will be reading it. I am interested in your "take" on the characters.
By the way, from what I have read, I think the mother in this story has many of the author's own qualities...a kind of restless intelligence that is not completely at peace. She writes that she is "a sucker for ambivalence". She wanted out of her home state of NC, out of her given name of Margaret Ann, out of NY where she went to university at Columbia, and out of the United States. She traveled for years and years in Europe, Asia, and Africa (even worked on a kibbutz in Israel for 6 months) and finally ended in London, while returning to New York regularly. She is married but has no children. She correct all grammar within her hearing and insists on proper pronunciations. She is a little over 50 years old and cycles everywhere. (I found another book my her in the Thrift Shop the other day titled "A Perfectly Good Family". Sounds good!) ]]>
This book packs a wallop. I was impressed with the intelligence of this author; the writing is very good. Her metaphors are off the charts original and descriptive. I found myself frequently having to read passages twice to get the full gist of the powerful writing.
That said, what a story...an intelligent mother is trying to understand why her teenage son went on a murder rampage at his school. She addresses her thoughts and observations to her estranged husband as she recreates their life beginning with Kevin's (the son) birth and her inability to bond with him. She really loves her husband (I couldn't stand him) and describes their life with this growing child. And what a little monster is described...I had to wonder if children like this really do exist.
Mothering is the most difficult and important job a woman can undertake.
This far down the pike, I am still constantly cognizant of my mothering techniques. After reading this book, I am even MORE so.
Also, a movie is being made of this book with Tilda Swindon as Eva, the mother. Not sure when it's coming out.
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by Sarah Dunant
Yay! You are going to love Suora Zuana! You are going to love this book! ]]>
Julia read this book and gave it a high rating. I concur. I am almost halfway through and I am LOVING it...
Yes, this book is terrific! The setting is 1500's Italy...a young girl is placed in a convent against her will and the ensuing tumult created by her unhappiness carries the story. I loved reading about the nuns, their practices, their constant spiritual quest, the convent politics...it was fascinating. This story was full of action and good surprises. I only read small bits at a time near the end because I wanted to stretch it out!
This book gave me some of the same feeling I had while read Bel Canto...a read you want to savor. I intend to check out other books by this author. Five bold stars for this one.
Oh, and I forgot to mention how much 'wisdom' there is in this book. Loved that too. ]]>
by Sarah Dunant
The thing is, though, is that it was a totally different world for women back then in Italy in the 1500's. Many, maybe even most, did not have any other choice but to go where their families put them. And the Catholic church was all-pervasive and all-powerful. This was the time of the Inquisition which was no joke.
We live in a society abounding with so many choices today for women that it's hard to imagine "no choice". I can't wait to see what Serafina has in mind for herself when she escapes the convent... ]]>
Edith
read and liked
Julia's
review of Sacred Hearts: A Novel:
"I was quickly drawn into this page turning story. The year is 1570, in the Italian city of Ferrara, home of the convent of Santa Caterina. It is filled with women who are piously and humbly married to Christ and will remain there until they die. E...more "
"I was quickly drawn into this page turning story. The year is 1570, in the Italian city of Ferrara, home of the convent of Santa Caterina. It is filled with women who are piously and humbly married to Christ and will remain there until they die. E...more "
by Christina Baker Kline
Explores the dynamics between two married couples (New York, career-oriented, 30-something) and the infidelity they have to deal with. This story made me think about why we make the spouse choices that we do...what are the things that factor in? This was a fast two-day read for me; I wanted to reach the resolution. ]]>
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by J.M. Coetzee
After reading "Disgrace", I really looked forward to reading another book by Coetzee. However, this book was slower going...the story did not have much in the way of riveting action...essentially an older man coming to terms with losing a leg as a result of a bicycle accident. The oddest part of the story is a woman who shows up unannounced and unexplained, an Elizabeth Costello, who then persists in insinuating herself into the affairs of his life. This odd character appears to have fallen out of the sky and the reader is never given a good explanation of how she comes to know so much about the injured man. Definitely odd and disconcerting.
I did notice, though, that Coetzee has written a book entitled "Elizabeth Costello"...so evidently he has much more to say through her character. All the oddness acknowledged, I yet find Coetzee's writing style to be interesting. His main male characters seem to be cool aloof characters, a bit haughty and self-removed from others; yet they are capable of showing surprising feeling in certain moments.
I forgot to mention in my comments on "Disgrace" that a movie has been made of that book starring John Malkovich. I look forward to seeing it. ]]>