CRL Book Reviews

Faith

2012-02-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

Faith by Jennifer Haigh
Harper Collins 2011

Having been brought up Catholic and having brought up two teenage sons during the years that the scandal in the church was just coming to light, I was interested in reading a story from the point of view of a family member of an accused priest. In Jennifer Haigh’s Faith we have Father Arthur Breen, a model priest, son, brother, ultimate rule-follower who is accused of molesting a young boy whose family he’s been helping out. His half-sister Sheila narrates the story as events unfold. During Holy Week in 2002, Art is summoned to the headquarters of the Boston Archdiocese, told he’s been accused of something inappropriate, not given the name of the accuser, and told that he’s to immediately vacate Church premises, move to an apartment they’ve rented for him, and placed on leave. He is stunned by the allegation, but true to form, obeys his orders. Because much of what happens in our childhood affects us later in life, it’s important to learn about Art’s past. Probably the most life-altering occurrence was his father walking out of his life forever when Art was just a baby. This one, irresponsible and thoughtless act left young Art with no father figure to look up to, other than a family friend who happened to be a priest. When Art was in his teens his mother married Ted McGann, a man who viewed Art as being in the way. Always knowing he wanted to join the priesthood, Art joined the seminary as soon as he was of age, was ordained, and “served without incident” in a number of parishes throughout the archdiocese until these accusations. Art grew up having intimacy issues and being confused about his own sexuality.

When he is accused, some of his family members believe in his innocence while others were on the fence. At first Sheila is certain Art could not possibly have committed such an act, while her brother Mike seems to believe the charges right from the start. Although Art insists he did not commit the crime for which he is accused, he does not appear to be defending himself, and this leads Sheila to wonder why.

Jennifer Haigh weaves a thoughtful, thought provoking human story about what happens when you wrong someone. Its familiar Boston area setting makes it feel as though you’re reading about your own neighborhood. And as you read this tragic story, it makes you wonder if perhaps some of the clergymen accused were actually innocent, but settled their cases to make them go away.

- Elaine

Woman in Black

2012-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Vintage (reprint) 2012

Dreary rainy days are perhaps the best for this 1983 ghost tale from English author Susan Hill. Cold, damp days will either give you the feeling you are safe from the marsh and the sea frets in your cozy, well-lit house, or for those with a darker turning or a more Victorian style house, that you are in Eel Marsh House itself. The Woman in Black is different from other ghost stories as the protagonist, a young solicitor from London, never doubts that the strange noises and ghostly apparition of the woman in black are part of a haunting. It is the ending that gets you, even though it may not surprise you. That and the fact that the woman in black is truly menacing. She has a decidedly evil aura about her.

The book is certainly scary enough. Not as frightening as the new movie starring Daniel Radcliffe makes it out to be though. There is no blood or gore. It’s that slow kind of creepy. Well-written with a well developed protagonist and a brooding atmosphere, this is a treat to read. It is quick and small; something to take your mind from whatever weighty tomb you happened to be stuck in the middle of or as an interlude before you start the next modern romance/tragedy your book club delved up.

If you liked The Thirteenth Tale, Her Fearful Symmetry or The Haunting of Hill House, if you are a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, or if you simply can’t stand seeing a movie without reading the book first, then this is for you.

The Gift of Rain

2012-01-25T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng
Published 2008 by Weinstein Books

This has to be one of my favorite books of the past year. It is an inspirational saga that has you mesmerized by its mystic messages regarding life and vivid imagery of a time and place so foreign, you can't help but be captivated. The slow initial pace of the story may put you off as it did me initially. The effort to stick with it is richly rewarded with an exciting tale of bravery in the face of the Japanese occupation during World War II. Mixing Chinese culture, British colonial imperialism, all within a pre-war Malaysia, you are truly transported to a world and time violently swept away forever.

While The Gift of Rain is a war novel, the very human consequences of this tale are front and center as they pull you in deeper and deeper to the consequences of choices made and paths chosen. The protagonist is a 16 year old boy of mixed race. His English and Chinese lineage offer us a view into these divergent class conscious cultures in a turbulent corner of the still emerging 20th century world. The young man's mentor, a Japanese diplomat and martial arts teacher, offers both desperately needed solace and respect along with a deep pain as Malay and the Panang Island are pulled toward war. Difficult choices with horrendous outcomes are the result.

The analogy to the world of Summerset Maugham has been made with the exception of being, "Tan Twan Eng looks upon (human nature) with compassion." - Cleveland Plain Dealer. The lushness of the tropical island of Penang coupled with and artist's eye for beauty and harmony are perfectly juxtapositioned against the brutality of war. Eng, within the 432 pages of this book, forces us into a deeper understanding of the personal journeys of these characters while offering heavy doses of physical and spiritual beauty. Despite the tragedy we are at times uplifted and inspired. Tragically, the Japanese military and a horrific war sweep away all that has come before it.

The Gift of Rain is a uniquely meditative and adventurous read. It transcends the large stage set by world events The story is beautifully told by someone with an insiders appreciation for all the subtleties of the human condition, despite a very brutal war.

-Marlon

For You Mother, Finally

2012-01-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

For You Mother, Finally by Ruth Reichl

published in 2010 by Penguin

I’ll openly admit to being such a fan of former Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl, that if she wrote those arduous Privacy Statements you receive through the mail, I would read every single word. Her style is friendly and readable, and her descriptions are right on. But that’s not the reason why I love For You Mother, Finally. After reading Tender to the Bone, where Ruth describes in detail her unusual and less than fabulous childhood, and then Comfort Me With Apples which continues with her foray into the world of food, I had a certain vision of Ruth’s non-sympathetic and offbeat and kind of misfit mother. That’s because it’s the picture Ruth paints for you. All that changes with For You Mother, Finally.

Through Finally, the reader, along with Ruth, discovers amazing things about her mother. Through old letters and diaries Ruth had left unopened in her basement for years, we discover what her made her mother happy, her childhood aspirations, how she attempted to conform to society’s expectations of a wife and a mother, and how it was akin to fitting a round peg in a square hole. This short but powerful book is an eye-opener for those of us fortunate enough to be working mothers, and makes us realize that there was a time when the only expectation of you is that you keep house and tend to your children and your man.

I highly recommend this book that will only take an hour or so to read. To get the most impact from the story, I recommend treating yourself to Ruth Reichl’s Tender to the Bone first.

One last thought: This book would be great for a book group with mixed ages of women to get everyone’s views.

[review by ES]

Fall of Giants

2012-01-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

Fall Of Giants by Ken Follett
Published by Dutton in 2010

Given that my preferred genre is historical fiction and that one of my favorite historical epics of all times, Pillars of the Earth was written by Ken Follett, I expected to love this book as well.
Fall of Giants covers a dramatically changing historical landscape. It includes World War I, a burgeoning class warfare, the errosion of the aristocratic class and the birth of the Russian Revolution. This 985 page book unfolds with the threat of war, follows the course of that war through to its conclusion. We are reminded of how the Allies dealt with Germany at the end of World War I, setting up for the rise of
Hitler and the second World War. Written as the first installment of a trilogy, it follows American, English, German Russian and Welsh characters. The second book will begin with World War II and pick up where
these characters have left off. The next book is expected later this year.

The book reads in many ways as a collection of personal accounts during the turn of the century and the early 1900's. With fictionalized characters fleshing out the human element of these events it still felt like reading an Introduction to Western Civilization review course. With a large cast of colorful characters and the need to cover each nation's perspective on the unfolding events, only a cursory review of these complicated times was attempted. While sticking with his successful formula of juicy romances, personal conflicts and dramatic world events, Follett seemed at times to gloss over or speed through many events. I always looked forward to picking up the book each time, wondering what would become of each of the characters. It's true to say that they were sufficiently interesting for me to feel invested in their eventual fates. Overall, I did feel somewhat let down by the cursory treatment of these characters and seemed too aware of their role of plot advancement.

Despite it's size and massive historic scope, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, particularly of this time period. My largest criticisms are reserved for the over ambitious coverage of events and the relatively short shrift given to the lives of the main characters. Ultimately, Fall of Giants, is fiction. As a work of fiction, I felt Mr. Follett could have struck a better balance in creating interesting characters
with greater detail while still keeping the historical plot line advancing.

My next review will be on The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. Weinstein Books, 2008. I don't know if CRL has this book but I plan on donating my copy.

Marlon

An Invisible Thread

2012-01-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

"An Invisible Thread" by Laura Schroff
Published Novemeber 2011 by Howard Books

A good story. Uplifting which seems such a rare thing these days. Readable, and by that I mean somewhat simple. When I read memoirs I always feel the protagonist is whining. I know this isn’t a fair statement. They are writing about their lives and if they didn’t have things to whine about, it wouldn’t be much of a story. I understand why Laura compared Maurice’s life to her own but the harsh reality of Maurice’s made her complaints (serious though they were) seem frivolous. I almost think in this case it would have been better to keep hers out of it, or briefer, and instead break the story line up with statistics and facts, really focus in on what life was like for a kid like Maurice.

What I liked about “An Invisible Thread” was that it was honest, and that made the story precious. Only once did Laurie step into Maurice’s world and she continually questioned the good she was doing, if any at all. She weighed options and spoke with him about what it meant to live this double life. He did have to break away from her for a few years to figure out how to stand on his own. All that made the story seem real and true and simple. You don’t have to venture onto the streets on New York to help someone, you don’t have to visit the welfare apartments, you simply have to care and give a person the chance to do something different, to see the world as other people see it. Of course, you do also need a very special kid like Maurice. Wise and unafraid. And the idea of an “invisible thread” that connects people is beautiful. This story does almost make you believe it can be true.

This is a quick read. Worth it for a glimpse of something good, even with the whining. After reading so many tales of abuse and neglect and simply frightening stuff, it is so refreshing to read a story about people doing good, about people trying and being rewarded for their efforts.

The Dovekeepers

2011-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

"The Dovekeepers" by Alice Hoffman
Published 2011 by Scribner

I was excited to read this book. I expected to like it. And I did.

It's inevitable that the comparisons to Diamant's "The Red Tent" are going to come up. I am guilty of using it when I recommend "The Dovekeepers" to others. It's true, if you enjoyed "The Red Tent" you will most likely enjoy this. Strong female characters, ancient Israel and a bit of magic work well in both books. But I think I liked Hoffman's better.

Hoffman's characters are more exciting. The trials they suffer through, the strength they demonstrate, the self doubt, the bonding between them, literally makes them come alive. These are characters that are going to stay with you. And I enjoyed the way Hoffman dealt with the women's feminine mystic. She describes magic and spells, incantations and tokens but between the lines she lets you see how it was the women's faith that made the magic work. Someone who is a complete non-believer in magic or witchcraft, or who simply dislikes books of that ilk, can still read this book. It is essentially the story of the women's faith not only in their God but in themselves and each other.

OK, Hoffman may not be the greatest writer out there. I've read criticisms of the book that I have to agree with. Her metaphors can seem a bit trite at times. But if you aren't a literary critic and you are willing to "go with the flow", I guarantee you'll be entertained. Personally, that means alot to me. I do read for pleasure.

I would also suggest picking up this book sooner rather than later. Some of the enjoyment comes from finding out the history it's based on and the longer you wait to pick this one up, the more talk you are going to hear about it. Good and bad.

2011-11-30T12:20:00.000-08:00

"The Soldier's Wife" by Margaret Leroy
published 2011 by Hyperion

I wanted to like this book.
I did appreciate the story and enjoyed Leroy's wonderful descriptions of Guernsey, but the characters were poor. I never felt the anguish that they must of experienced being trapped on Guernsey under German rule while the war moved on around them. From her very first decision not to leave on the boat, I questioned the protagonist's motivations. She even enters into the romance without any credible prompt to do so. First she makes the sudden decision not to leave the island thereby risking her and her daughters safety, she enters into a forbidden relationship without sincere concern for the family's safety, she harbors a prisoner without thought for anyone's safety (including her lover), and at the end she seemly gives it all up for nothing. Her daughters, who should be rebelling or at least questioning seem content to eat turnip bread and go to school. Her lover seems oblivious to the ramifications of the affair, for himself, his wife or the protagonist and her family.

For a story ripe for conflict at every angle, the author seems to shy away from it... [spoiler alert!]

The boat she did not take doesn't go down. What would she have felt if it did?
The friends and family in London during the bombing don't die. We never even get a hint of them. What if letter would have gotten through?
The girls at the dance and dating German soldiers are never abused by their lovers or the townspeople. What if a girl was ostracized?
The boys who plan rebellion never seem to actually do much and when one is caught, he goes to prison and returns home safely. What if the boy had been killed?
The grandmother never says anything against the Germans directly. What if she confronted one of the soldiers living next door?
The protagonist carries on an illicit affair in her own bedroom and never gets caught!
The protagonist harbors a prisoner in her home which is searched by the Germans, which the prisoner runs from, but she is never accused!
Her husband cheats on her, she never confronts him.
Her lover cheats on his wife and she never confronts him. What if he reconciled with his wife when he returned home for a visit?
She sees prisoners being beaten but abides by her lovers request to not speak of it. What if she had a break down?
There is a food shortage but yet no one complains of hunger. What if the youngest child resorts to stealing?
The youngest girl's best friend is a trouble maker, yet they never get in trouble. What if he convinced her to steal from her German neighbors?
Winter comes and yet the author continues to harp about the beauty of Guernsey and mentions only some stormy seas and cold winds.
The protagonist regrets dumping her lover and then misses him at the airfield. What if she caught up with him, he still had to leave and THEN he dies?
And seriously, a baby? Who didn't see that coming? Her daughters, the townspeople, everyone, I guess - as we never learn about their reaction!

I still might recommend this book to some folks who want a simple romance but I can't promote it as a great piece of literature. I would suggest reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak and "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer instead.

2011-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

"The Last Werewolf" by Glen Duncan
published 2011 by Canongate Books

What a great ride. I’ve heard other reviewers use this phrase when talking about a book but until “The Last Werewolf” by Glen Duncan I’ve never had reason to myself. Now I will say it - what a ride. You open the book, read the opening sentence, climb aboard and you’re off. It’s a crazy, sexy, often bloody ride, filled with scotch and second hand smoke, but worth every page. A lot of the scenery is what you’d expect - the London fog, furtive figures in the dark, vampires, eccentric old men, blood and The Curse - but done in such a way that it was as if you were traveling through a country new to you. The vampires for example came, played their part more or less as you expected, but Duncan didn’t get bogged down in their details. He added a twist, gave them their place in the plot then he drove on, leaving them behind as part of that scenery. The question of God comes up, is answered in the only way it seems a werewolf, and maybe any of us can, and still he drives on. The bad guys (and girl) have guns, money, and expensive villas. They plan and manipulate yet are always subject to the whims of supernatural creatures. Duncan even managed to combine an old world love story with a modern decadent one.

He throws the question of morality into the readers face again and again. Which has always been the thing I loved about monster tales. Morality. Frankenstein, it was never his fault who he was, you could never truly blame him for his anger and his rage. Stoker’s Dracula, so alone in the world. Even zombies (shout out here to AMC’s “The Walking Dead”). They certainly didn’t want to be brain eating monsters. They had been people, loved ones. The Fly, Invisible Man, Hulk - none of them chose to be monsters. But once they were, they had to decide how and if they would go on. In Jake Marlow’s case, You live.

“The Last Werewolf” is well written. Arching, literary sentences that swirl around the characters and the action, conjuring up the feelings of debauchery, murder, Hunger, lust, love and fear. Jake Marlow is a character you won’t soon forget. Nor are Harley or Cloquet. Not all are perfect. Tullulah probably rings the most false to me. Her part was so fast and furious it was hard to believe in her. Though her words at the end do redeem the author somewhat. Ellis and Grainer, almost too typical bad guys for me. And the ending? Well, as the road flew by I imagined several destinations, none of which I was sure I wanted to go to. The ride had to end, however. I could wish for someplace else but can’t fault Duncan for where he chose to exit.

A Northern Light

2011-11-17T10:50:00.001-08:00

"A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly
published 2004 by Harcourt

Here's another book that surprised me. Surprised me because I had never heard of it, and it's a great book. I like to think I at least hear about the good ones even if I don't get to read them all. Looking at the reviews now however, I wonder if I missed it because it is labled as a Young Adult title. Not that that is where Clift Rodgers shelves it. Nor where a lot of other libraries shelve it. This is one of those rare books who's protaganist is young therefore technically it's considered a YA, but who's story is so developed and well written that it should be with the more acclaimed Adult literature (think "Book Theif" by Zusak).

It's probably better than most of the adult fiction out there.

This is a character driven plot and for anyone who likes that, you won't find much better. Every character has a story, a tick, a secret, something that makes them unique and memorable. Pair that with a story line literally straight from the headlines and you have a great novel. If you missed this one, now is the time to go back and find it.

Breakfast with Buddha

2011-11-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

"Breakfast with Buddha" by Roland Merullo
published 2007 by Algonquin Books

Enlightening. I have to say it. Somehow Merullo managed to create a fictional character who embodies a plethera of true mystical and religious beliefs. And he wrote a novel that didn't shock me or frighten me or depress me at the end!

In this book, the protagonist is tricked by his sister into taking a holy man on a cross country trip. What makes this trip memorable isn't just the religious growth of the protagonist through conversation, meditation, and the occasional yoga pose, but the true-to-life side trips that the pair embark upon. A culinary oasis in the middle of Dutch Pennsylvia, an artchitectural tour of Chicago, a speedo-clad dip in a family-friendly lake, etc. All touched upon with a subtle and sincere dose of humor.

Merullo asks the reader to look at their own beliefs, to think about what is truly important in life, but he never gets preachy. This isn't a guide for the path to enlightenment. It isn't a handbook to Buddhism. It is simply the story of one's man's journey and how keeping an open mind made all the difference.