What are You Reading / Reviews - Jan 2016

[James]

Magda Szabó, The Door [1987] 262 pages

This was the reading for a group on Goodreads. I had never read any contemporary Hungarian literature (or any Hungarian literature at all, for that matter.) This psychological novel was about the relationship between two women, the first person narrator, a writer, and her housekeeper, Emerence.

At first, it seems to be about Emerence, an unusual person with mysterious secrets and a lot of idiosyncracies. As I read, I realized that it was more like Henry James' early novel, Roderick Hudson, which is ostensibly an analysis of Roderick but actually an analysis of the narrator; in this novel as well, we learn about the psychology of the narrator by what she understands -- and more importantly, doesn't understand -- about Emerence. However, this is also not the whole story; the novel is really about the deeper, unconscious dynamics of their relationship.

Szabó, to judge both by the novel and by the short biography at the beginning of the book, was a Christian and to some extent a dissident, and there is very little explicit politics in the novel, but I think she has, perhaps without intending it, written a very Marxist book: the underlying theme is the alienation caused by the separation of intellectual and physical labor, a contradiction which became more rather than less acute in the Stalinist states like postwar Hungary. Emerence, having been denied an education by the poverty of her family, comes to find her basis of self-esteem in physical labor, taking an extreme anti-intellectual position; but obviously at some deeper level she feels the loss, and has a need to validate herself by excercising an emotional power over the intellectuals she works for. The narrator is an intellectual, but as so often in an anti-intellectual society she feels a subconscious guilt that she is different from the majority, perhaps not as authentic as those who are not intellectuals, or even that she is actually incompetent, unable to do the normal things in life. Emerence senses this and manipulates her through this guilt. At times, the narrator realizes that she is being manipulated, but she represses the knowledge and rationalizes Emerence's behavior in ways that makes Emerence seem right and herself always wrong. She says that Emerence loved her, and it is probably true, but it was a manipulative, conditional love that was doled out on condition that she become emotionally dependent on Emerence. Her husband, also an intellectual, and apparently poor health, plays very little role in the novel. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the one seemingly reasonable character is the police Lieutenant Colonel, whose position involves both intellectual and physical labor; this is the only hint of a synthesis between the two opposed characters.

I don't want to suggest that this is the only thing the book is about; it is actually very complex and deals with various psychological and ethical issues, such as personal dignity and independence. I am glad the group chose this book because otherwise I would probably never have come across it.

[Book Concierge]

Beverly wrote: " by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor
4 stars.

I just recently became aware of the podcasts called Welcome to Night Vale. I listened to the pilot podcast and f..."

Not sure this book is for me .. but I love your review!

[Linda C]

The Secret of Platform 13 - Eva Ibbotson (5 stars) 1/31/16 publ 1994 [231]

Under Platform 13 in the London railway station is a door between the world above and a fantasy Island inhabited by both human and magical creatures. Every 9 years for 9 days the door opens and people can pass between. The King and Queen of the Island are human but believe in all the magical creatures. They have a 3 month old son at the time of the opening. His 3 nurses being nostalgic about their old home above decide to visit for a few hours and take the baby along. But due to unfortunate circumstances the child is kidnapped and they can't find him before the door closes. The Kingdom is in sorrow and then 9 years later when the door opens again a rescue party is sent to find the Prince. The party is an old wizard, a garden fairy, a one-eyed giant, and a child hag. Their misadventures and the approaching deadline form the basis of the rest of the story. Great children's fantasy.

[Book Concierge]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
Audiobook read by Eric Idle
3***

Who doesn’t already know the story of the Golden Tickets hidden in select candy bars, and the tour of the Wonka Chocolate Factory? Me, that’s who. Or at least not before I read this book. Yes, my secret is out; I’ve been living under a rock for the last 50 years.

I never read Dahl as a child, and never saw the movie - or should I say movieS, plural, since I’ve now become aware there was more than one film adaptation. Anyway, I can now safely come out from under my rock and join the world.

I like how Dahl gives us a glimpse of bad behavior and consequences, balanced by the quiet, unassuming Charlie and his devoted family. I loved the Oompa-Loopmas and their clever songs. I liked that good behavior was rewarded – big time! – in the end.

I did think the adults and children who behaved badly were pretty over-the-top, and I never connected to Willy Wonka nor understood the reasons behind his ultimate decision. But, this is a children’s book and I can see the great appeal that this kind of “fairy tale” holds for children.

Eric Idle does a marvelous job of narrating the audio book. All his skill as a voice artist is put to good use creating unique characters. I’d give him 4 stars for his narration. Of course, if you listen you’ll miss the delightful illustrations; I’m glad I had a text copy handy to enjoy those.

[Book Concierge]

The Love Queen of the Amazon – Cecile Pineda
4***

I can’t begin to describe the plot so will quote this from the Kirkus Review: In Malyerba – like Macondo, a mythic town that ``progress had yet to visit'' – a house is taken over by bees, a woman is crystallized into honey, a mummy-like mother-in-law floats toward Heaven, and protagonist Ana Magdalena is expelled from convent school for stripping naked while saving a classmate from drowning.

This is a wonderful send-up of magical realism, with a decidedly feminist bent. I laughed out loud at the ridiculous antics and over-the-top descriptions. Pineda is a wonderful writer, with beautiful phrasing, interesting characters, deliciously wicked scenes of passion, and a perfect sense of timing. I was engaged and pulled into the story from page one, and when I finished, I wanted to start from the beginning and read it again.

[Book Concierge]

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