Alexander McCall Smith's books keep finding their way into my hands, so I read them. Tea Time for the Tradtionally Built is the latest in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series (at least I think it is-there are so many I can't keep up.)
What's not to love about Precious Ramotswe, the protagonist of these books? Set in Botswana, and full of insight and good-hearted advice, it is a rare joy to read McCall Smith's simple, unhurried and often humorous dialogue.
If you haven't discovered these books yet, you should. Its a treat to slow down and have a cup of tea with one so wise and compassionate as Mma Ramotswe.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Redemption in Indigo
Redemption in Indigo by Barbadian writer Karen Lord is a rare and wonderful find! The story is based in part on a Senegalese folktale, but it comes wholly alive through the brilliant writing and imagination of Karen Lord.
We meet Paama, an ordinary woman who is led on an extraordinary journey that attracts the attention of spirits called djombi, especially one in particular, the Indigo Lord. There are many other tricksters and lesser spirits throughout the book, and the line between the human world and the spirit world is often blurred.
This novel is witty, tender-hearted and thought provoking. The writing is sensational, and I only hope to be able to read more from Karen Lord in the future. Actually, what I'd really love to do is sit down with her for a cup of tea, because she seems like someone I would like to get to know!
A highly recommended read.
We meet Paama, an ordinary woman who is led on an extraordinary journey that attracts the attention of spirits called djombi, especially one in particular, the Indigo Lord. There are many other tricksters and lesser spirits throughout the book, and the line between the human world and the spirit world is often blurred.
This novel is witty, tender-hearted and thought provoking. The writing is sensational, and I only hope to be able to read more from Karen Lord in the future. Actually, what I'd really love to do is sit down with her for a cup of tea, because she seems like someone I would like to get to know!
A highly recommended read.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage
I have just finished reading Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage by Hazel Rowley. This is quite an extraordinary book! If you thought you knew everything there is to know about the Roosevelts, you should read this book.
Rowley goes in depth into their relationship that lasted 4 decades, until Franklin's death. She brings to life all the people that made up their community of acquaintances, companions, family, friends, lovers?, dedicated staff members, etc. The Roosevelts were never alone and thrived on community. Here it is all brought to life through letters, anectdotes, articles from the time, and more, from the turn of the century through WWII.
The research and insight is extensive, and we are given a picture of 2 of the most fascinating people of the 20th century and the legacy that they left us. Neither could have been what they were without the other. For all their faults, they stayed together until the end, and even though it was a truly unconventional marriage-especially at the time, there was a deep love between them that never got lost.
Sadly to say, Rowley died shortly after this book was published. This is a great loss, and all the more reason to read her final work.
Rowley goes in depth into their relationship that lasted 4 decades, until Franklin's death. She brings to life all the people that made up their community of acquaintances, companions, family, friends, lovers?, dedicated staff members, etc. The Roosevelts were never alone and thrived on community. Here it is all brought to life through letters, anectdotes, articles from the time, and more, from the turn of the century through WWII.
The research and insight is extensive, and we are given a picture of 2 of the most fascinating people of the 20th century and the legacy that they left us. Neither could have been what they were without the other. For all their faults, they stayed together until the end, and even though it was a truly unconventional marriage-especially at the time, there was a deep love between them that never got lost.
Sadly to say, Rowley died shortly after this book was published. This is a great loss, and all the more reason to read her final work.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
29: A Novel
29 by Adena Halpern is a sort of silly, lighthearted read, about a 75 year old grandmother who wishes she could be 29 again for a day and gets her wish.
It's not the best writing, but it's light fun summer reading, with lots of insights about aging.
It's not the best writing, but it's light fun summer reading, with lots of insights about aging.
Monday, June 13, 2011
In the Lap of the Gods
In the Lap of the Gods by Li Miao Lovett is a book set in the Yangtze River Valley in China, as an old way of life for villagers there ends, and modernization takes over. Many poor peasants loose their homes as a dam rises on the Yangtze and the river floods their villages. They are promised money from the government to move to higher ground, but this never comes, and their farming way of life is lost.
The central charcater in this novel is Lui, a widower who finds a baby girl, who has been abandoned by the side of the river, and adopts her as his own. His life is not without struggles and this is often a very sad story. However, there is a strong bond between father and daughter and he perseveres through hard times to make a life for the two of them.
I found Miao Lovett's writing lovely and lyrical. The novel gave me insight into a subject I know very little about. A truly enjoyable and enlightening read.
The central charcater in this novel is Lui, a widower who finds a baby girl, who has been abandoned by the side of the river, and adopts her as his own. His life is not without struggles and this is often a very sad story. However, there is a strong bond between father and daughter and he perseveres through hard times to make a life for the two of them.
I found Miao Lovett's writing lovely and lyrical. The novel gave me insight into a subject I know very little about. A truly enjoyable and enlightening read.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Elegies for the Brokenhearted
I loved Christie Hodgen's new novel Elegies for the Brokenhearted. I wasn't sure I would. Why would I want to read 5 pieces about people who I know were each going to die? It sounded a bit too depressing for my mood. And indeed there are many dark moments in this book, but Hodgen's writing is a revelation. She is the kind of writer I always hope to find, one that makes me want to go back and read all her earlier works.
Our protagonist, Mary Murphy takes us on a journey through her broken life, broken town, broken family and broken friends, yet somehow we end up feeling redeemed. Hodgen's writing is so compelling and so full of wit, she finds the humanity in each of these characters who have so deeply touched Mary.
This is not a book I will soon forget. Highly recommended.
Our protagonist, Mary Murphy takes us on a journey through her broken life, broken town, broken family and broken friends, yet somehow we end up feeling redeemed. Hodgen's writing is so compelling and so full of wit, she finds the humanity in each of these characters who have so deeply touched Mary.
This is not a book I will soon forget. Highly recommended.
Monday, June 6, 2011
All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost
As I sit down to finally write about Lan Samantha Chang's novel All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost, I am thinking that all really is forgotten.
This is the story of a very prestigious writing school and it's enigmatic teacher of poetry and her students. We follow the lives of 2 students in particular, Roman and Bernard. Although Roman gains success and fame from his writing, Bernard lives in poverty until his death, working for decades on a single poem. None of the characters were particularly memorable and there wasn't much to the story.
However, at moments, Chang's writing was so beautiful it reminded me almost of Marilyn Robinson, who she mentions in the book. But only for the briefest of moments. There is a haunting quality that remains with me after reading this novel, more than any of the details. For that alone, I liked it.
This is the story of a very prestigious writing school and it's enigmatic teacher of poetry and her students. We follow the lives of 2 students in particular, Roman and Bernard. Although Roman gains success and fame from his writing, Bernard lives in poverty until his death, working for decades on a single poem. None of the characters were particularly memorable and there wasn't much to the story.
However, at moments, Chang's writing was so beautiful it reminded me almost of Marilyn Robinson, who she mentions in the book. But only for the briefest of moments. There is a haunting quality that remains with me after reading this novel, more than any of the details. For that alone, I liked it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Butterfly's Daughter
The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe is a beautiful story of self dicovery. Luz Avila follows the path of the monarch butterflies South from her home in Milwaukee to the butterfly sanctuary in Michoacan, Mexico near her grandmother's hometown, bringing her grandmother home at last, and discovering herself along the way.
This is a story of Luz and all the wonderful women she meets along the way-some of them very unexpected. It speaks of the magic of travel and of opening oneself up to the kindness of strangers, of trusting in oneself and following your heart. It is filled with folklore from Mexico as well as wonderful facts about the butterflies themselves.
I loved this novel and look forward to reading more by Monroe.
This is a story of Luz and all the wonderful women she meets along the way-some of them very unexpected. It speaks of the magic of travel and of opening oneself up to the kindness of strangers, of trusting in oneself and following your heart. It is filled with folklore from Mexico as well as wonderful facts about the butterflies themselves.
I loved this novel and look forward to reading more by Monroe.
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