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What are You Reading / Reviews - August 2016
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The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion
By Fannie Flagg
5 ★
Mrs. Sookie Poole of Point Clear, Alabama, has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle. The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Lenore may be a lot of fun for other people, but is, for the most part, an overbearing presence for her daughter. Then one day, quite by accident, Sookie discovers a secret about her mother's past that knocks her for a loop and suddenly calls into question everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future.
Sookie begins a search for answers that takes her to California, the Midwest, and back in time, to the 1940s, when an irrepressible woman named Fritzi takes on the job of running her family's filling station. Soon truck drivers are changing their routes to fill up at the All-Girl Filling Station. Then, Fritzi sees an opportunity for an even more groundbreaking adventure. As Sookie learns about the adventures of the girls at the All-Girl Filling Station, she finds herself with new inspiration for her own life.
Fabulous, fun-filled, spanning decades and generations, and centered on a little-known aspect of America's twentieth-century story, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion is another irresistible novel by the remarkable Fannie Flagg.
My Thoughts
Oh, I so enjoyed this book! Sookie is a great character and although slightly annoying, her mother, Lenore, was great as well. The relationship the 2 have is complex, but endearing. The book is told from Sookie's point of view in 2005 and the Jurdabralinski family starting in Poland in 1909 and moving to Pulaski, Wisconsin the same year. The chapters that followed the Jurdabralinski family were my favorite. They were fun and full of information. The WASPs from World War II are a very interesting group of girls who deserved more than they got. As I read I felt like the story was going too slow, but it did flow well. I'm actually sad that I finished it. I wasn't left with any lingering questions, but I wanted more. More about the Jurdabralinski girls and what happened after the war. Fannie Flagg did her homework and gave the reader a fabulous story about female pilots and what they did for the government during the war. I look forward to reading more by her and it has peaked my interest in the WASPs.
Mod
Once Upon a River
– Bonnie Jo Campbell – 3*** I hardly know what to write about this novel. Very early on I was disturbed by Margo and the adults around her. I wanted to hug her and keep her safe and warm. And then I wanted to shake her till her teeth rattled. And yet … she is a compelling character and I couldn’t just turn away from her. Still, this is no Huckleberry Finn. Twain’s central character had a certain innocence about him, which Margo seems to lack.
Full Review HERE
Mod
Mothers, Tell Your Daughters
– Bonnie Jo Campbell – 2.5** I think it was a mistake to read/listen to Campbell’s novel (Once Upon a River) back-to-back with this collection of short stories. I can take only so much distress, so much sexual tension and acting out, so much of watching women make bad choice after bad choice after even worse choice. There were a few stories that were humorous or touching, but most were distressingly dismal and depressing.
Full Review HERE
The Morning Show Murders by Al Roker
3 stars
This was just OK for me. Someone who's more into an espionage/military kind of background would probably enjoy it more. I get lost in all that kind of detail. Overall, the book is funny in a kind of low-tone way. It felt like the intention was to be kind of hard-boiled with comic overtones. The plot was good and I liked the characters, for the most part, I just kind of got lost in all the twists and turns. Billy Blessing, manages an upscale bistro in Manhattan, as well as hosting a cooking segment on Wake Up America. When an upper management guy dies, the police discover that he was poisoned when he ate a serving of a specialty from Billy's bistro. As attempts are made to solve the mystery of murdered management, more folks start ending up dead and it all appears to be related to a dinner meeting that occurred recently. The individual diners are being taken out one at a time. My favorite bit in the book is when one of the characters makes a slam about the crazy weatherman on the morning show, that was funny!
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
4 stars
I really enjoyed this young adult book. There have been so many books about World War II and the horrible things that happened but this is an unusual take on the subject. Plus, it describes what is called the single greatest tragedy in maritime history and an historic incident that I had never read anything about. The story takes place in the winter of 1945 and involves 4 teenagers--each of which carries their own secret--who are all attempting to board the Wilhelm Gustloff to avoid the approaching Soviet armies and end up crossing one another's paths. Their hope is safety but the war has it's own outcome. When you start the book, it jumps back and forth between the various characters and is a little confusing but if you stick with it, I think you'll be glad that you read it.
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
3 stars
This was definitely an interesting book but I had a difficult time getting into it. In the book's defense, I was on vacation the entire week that I was attempting to read it so didn't get "dedicated" time every day as I usually do. By the time I'd sit down in the evening to read, I'd generally fall asleep. Additionally, the story is presented in 4 sections and there are some time jumps between 3 of them and I found myself wondering what had happened during those undescribed periods of time. However, once I finished the book, it seemed to me that the author just didn't think those missing times were as critical to the story as the segment of time that she was writing about and the reader can certainly infer what basically happened in the intervening periods. The story starts out with 12 year old Sophie Caco is living with her aunt and grandmother in Haiti. Life is not always easy but she has a loving, supportive atmosphere in her home. Her mother, who lives in New York, decides that she wants Sophie to come live with her. Sophie hasn't seen her mother in years and isn't happy but her family convinces her that she belongs to her mother and she should go and be a good daughter. Once Sophie joins her mother in New York, she finally learns the story of her mother's early years and her father. Her mother has been fighting her demons for many years but she is working and has a boyfriend and they establish an uneasy peace until Sophie falls in love. When this happens, her family's Haitian tradition takes over and Sophie is "tested" repeatedly to be sure that she is pure--a procedure that Sophie cannot tolerate. Her reaction to this repeated testing sets the tone for the rest of her life and teaches her that her own daughter will never have to go through the same torture. This is not an easy story to read, in fact overall I found it disturbing but I think it ends on an inspirational note.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 5*****s
This is a YA novel & I LOVED it! It is a very touching story of 10-year-old Ada, and her younger brother, Jamie, who live in the slums of London at the beginning of WWII. Ada was born with a clubfoot and her mother chose not to have it fixed when Ada was born. Now she won't let Ada leave their apartment for any reason because she is so ashamed of her. So Ada has not gone to school, she hasn't even seen grass! But she's smart. And when her brother comes home from school talking about many of the children of London being evacuated to the English countryside for safety, Ada figures out a way for them to leave their horrible mother and the London slums. But will they like it there, and if they do, can they figure out a way to stay? And therein lies the beginning of what becomes a very touching and exciting story. It is recommended for Grades 4-6, but I really liked it and highly recommend it for all ages!
The ReaderThe Reader by Bernhard Schlink
3 stars
The audio I listened to was read by Campbell Scott who did a great job. This was a fairly quick listen on just 4 discs. The premise of the story was interesting. A 15 year old boy, Michael Berg, becomes ill on his way from school and is helped by a woman, Anna, considerably older than himself. They soon become lovers in spite of their age difference. They continue to spend considerable amounts of time together and she asks him to read to her, which he does. Eventually the relationship ends when Anna disappears. Some years later, when Michael is studying law, he comes across Anna again when she is on trial for war crimes while she was a Nazi guard. For reasons that he cannot at first determine, she does not make any attempt to defend herself. By the time he realizes her reasons for remaining silent, it is too late to help. Interesting and well written, but a sad tale.
Beverly wrote: "Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
3 stars
This was definitely an interesting book but I had a difficult time getting into it. In the book's defense, I ..."
Have you read her story collection Krik? Krak!? It is also divided between Haiti and NYC, and I liked it.
David Cairns,
Berlioz, volume one: The Making of an Artist, 1803-1832
[2nd ed., 1999] 647 pagesThe first volume of Cairns' two volume biography of Hector Berlioz, this covers his childhood at La Cote Andres, his student days in Paris, the composition of his early works through the Symphonie fantastique, and his stay in Italy as winner of the Prix de Rome. It ends on the eve of his first concert after his return to Paris.
Although I have read Berlioz' own Memoires, this goes into far more detail and gives comprehensible reasons for actions that in the Memoires just seemed bizarre Romantic postures. Cairns was also interesting in that he emphasized the classical influences on Berlioz' music rather than just the Romanticism.
I am simultaneously reading a biography of Berlioz' somewhat older contemporary and fellow Dauphinois Henri Beyle (Stendhal) and the comparison is interesting (the Stendhal biography by Josephson does not mention Berlioz, but this book mentions Stendhal frequently.) Both men were born in the vicinity of Grenoble and "escaped" to Paris; both were materialists and atheists at odds with their more conservative families; both were strongly influenced by the Revolution and the Napoleonic era (although Berlioz was of course too young to have experienced the one directly or participated in the other, unlike Stendhal); both spent periods of "exile" in the Papal States (Stendhal was an Italophile, while Berlioz' impressions were mostly negative); both had a love-hate relationship with Pars; both were hampered in their artistic careers by the bureaucracies of the Restoration and the bourgeois monarchy; and both spent most of their lives "in love", mostly unsuccessfully.
I hope to read the second volume in the next few months.
No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige
3 stars
Although this was a quick, easy read and for the most part a quirky return to the land of Oz, I was really disappointed. I have heard so much hype about the series and I like this follow up kind of story and was really excited. This is the prequel to Dorothy Must Die and I'm willing to try that one before I give up completely but I have to admit that now I'm a little suspicious. In this tale, Dorothy is quickly approaching her 16th birthday. The charm of returning to Kansas, her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry and the endless choirs has worn off and she'd really like to go back to the Emerald City and all the friends she made there. Her birthday party turns out to be, in her estimation, a complete disaster (I have to say that Dorothy is a bit snarky throughout) but through some strange occurrence she ends up with a new pair of "shoes" and Dorothy plus her aunt and uncle are whisked off to Oz. Turns out that what she thought was only a matter of months in Kansas has been years in Oz. A statue has been erected in her honor in Munchkin land and the folks there are amazed that she has come back. The Scarecrow is no longer the king of Oz, having been replaced by Princess Ozma, a direct descendant of the founder of Oz. Also, it seems like Glinda the Good is in some kind of trouble. We can only hope that the heroic Dorothy can once again save the kingdom. OK but I'm hoping that Dorothy Must Die will be better!!!
Mod
The Island of Dr Moreau
– H.G. Wells – 4**** “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” I cannot think of a more succinct way to describe the basic theme of this book. And yet, it is so much more – a strong, philosophical and ethical argument both for and against vivisection and experimentation. A moral tale of one man’s descent as a result of his ego, and how he is able to draw others into his twisted way of thinking.
Full Review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: " The Island of Dr Moreau
– H.G. Wells – 4****
“It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” I cannot think of a more succinct way to describe the basic theme..."
One of my favorite H.G. Wells novels. They made a horrible movie version.
John Steinbeck,
Sweet Thursday
[1954] 203 pagesAfter reading Cannery Row for an online discussion group, from which I learned about this sequel, I decided to read it. It was written and set ten years after that novel; it deals with Doc and the boys from the Palace Flophouse after World War II. There have been changes, including some new characters. Lee Chong has been replaced by a Mexican, Joseph and Mary (one person), and a new girl Suzy at the Bear Flag becomes with Doc the major character. The novel is more traditionally structured than Cannery Row, with essentially a single narrative plot-- a sentimental love story. It's not as good as the earlier novel, but is well-written and entertaining.
August is a Wicked Month by Edna O'Brien
1 star
August is a Wicked Month just made my August reading it depressing. This book just had no redeeming qualities, in my opinion. I didn't like Ellen and thought she was extremely selfish. She decides to go away for a vacation by herself while her husband and son go for a fishing trip. She also decides that she is open to any sexual encounters that may arise. Then, when she's on her own and having various dalliances, she's not really happy about it. I just felt like this was a self-absorbed woman who didn't know what she wanted and then the entire book ends on a disastrous note. I wasn't even convinced that her response to the tragedy was appropriate. I'm glad I read it to tick it off my list but the only thing I really appreciated was that karma bit her in the ass.
Mod
I've never seen a movie version .. but I can imagine the horrible effects.
Book Concierge wrote: "James wrote: "One of my favorite H.G. Wells novels. They made a horrible movie version. ..."I've never seen a movie version .. but I can imagine the horrible effects."
Actually what was horrible was that they gave it the Hollywood treatment -- gave Dr. Moreau a daughter and turned it into a romance. Not every movie needs to be a love story.
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Books mentioned in this topic
August Is a Wicked Month (other topics)The Island of Dr. Moreau (other topics)
The Island of Dr. Moreau (other topics)
No Place Like Oz (other topics)
Breath, Eyes, Memory (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Cara Black (other topics)Louise Penny (other topics)
Alexander McCall Smith (other topics)
Peter Lerangis (other topics)
Having read two of Steinbeck's shorter novels this week, I borrowed this collection of criticism from the library. It's in the Twentieth Century Views series; these essays from the forties, fifties, and sixties are rather dated. I seldom read criticism of modern fiction, and for good reason -- they almost never give me any additional insight to the books (film criticism is occasionally more worthwhile.) This collection contains an Introduction and twelve other essays.
It begins and ends with general assessments of his work, which are very patronizing; essentially they ask the question why "middlebrow" readers still consider Steinbeck serious literature after academic critics have ruled that he's out of favor. They explain that he was so naive that he thought America had economic classes, when everyone knows that Americans are all middle-class (one author grants that California, exceptionally, may have had classes up to the time he was writing); that he didn't understand that humans are inherently evil due to original sin; and most damning of all, that he was not obscure enough to be worth academic criticism.
in between, there are ten essays on individual works; these are of uneven quality. The essay on Arthurian elements in Tortilla Flat was worthwhile. The most interesting of the essays was a comparison of The Gapes of Wrath with the movie version directed by John Ford and approved by Steinbeck. In the book, the episode of the Federal cmp comes near the middle, and the Joas are forced out by the local vigilantes, thus showing the ineffectiveness of the New Deal measures; in the movie, this is moved to the end to give a "happy ending" and suggest that Roosevlt actually solved the problems of the migrant workers. The movie also made changes to exclude all criticism of organized religion or the police, and as much of the politics as possible, focusing on the theme of family solidarity.
Fortunately, these essays are too old to have post-modernist jargon, but a couple of the essays do try to shoehorn the novels into the literary theories of the time they were written.