Still Life with Bread Crumbs is the latest novel by Anna Quindlen, and perhaps her best.
It is the story of Rebecca Winter, an aging photographer from NYC, famous in her younger days, but now short of money and living alone in a run down cottage in the country. She is lonely and a bit lost when we meet her, but this is a story of redemption and second chances.
What could have been an ordinary, even forgettable story is made memorable by Quindlen's wonderful writing, spare prose and humor. I loved this book, and didn't want it to end.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Songs of Willow Frost
Songs of Willow Frost is the new novel by Jamie Ford, author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The novel is set in Seattle's Chinatown, during the 1920's and 30's.
It is the Story of Liu Song, whose stage name is Willow, and her son William Eng. William is growing up in Seattle's Sacred Heart Orphanage along with many other children whose parents have died, or left them there because they cannot take care of them any more.
I enjoy Ford's novels because they are filled with historical facts and rich with details. Yet I was not quite as moved by this novel as by Hotel. I loved the character of William, but didn't connect as well with Willow.
However, this novel has much in common with Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and if you enjoyed that book, you will surely enjoy this one as well.
It is the Story of Liu Song, whose stage name is Willow, and her son William Eng. William is growing up in Seattle's Sacred Heart Orphanage along with many other children whose parents have died, or left them there because they cannot take care of them any more.
I enjoy Ford's novels because they are filled with historical facts and rich with details. Yet I was not quite as moved by this novel as by Hotel. I loved the character of William, but didn't connect as well with Willow.
However, this novel has much in common with Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and if you enjoyed that book, you will surely enjoy this one as well.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Ghana Must Go
Ghana Must Go is the debut novel by Taiye Selasi. This is an extraordinary novel. It is the story of Kweku Sai, a surgeon from Ghana, and his family that he left years ago when he felt he had failed them.
Sai's ex-wife and four kids all come together in Ghana when their father dies of a sudden heart attack; his death marking a new beginning for his family.
Selasi is more of a poet than a novelist, in the sense that each word written here matters. There is nothing superfluous, only the richly detailed descriptions of the inner lives of each member of the Sai clan. Selasi weaves them all together into this unforgettable novel.
One of the best debuts I've read in years.
Sai's ex-wife and four kids all come together in Ghana when their father dies of a sudden heart attack; his death marking a new beginning for his family.
Selasi is more of a poet than a novelist, in the sense that each word written here matters. There is nothing superfluous, only the richly detailed descriptions of the inner lives of each member of the Sai clan. Selasi weaves them all together into this unforgettable novel.
One of the best debuts I've read in years.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
The Supreme Macaroni Company
The Supreme Macaroni Company is the latest by Adriana Trigiana.
I usually enjoy her books, but this one I found more fluff than substance. None of the characters seemed very real to me, they didn't draw me in this time and I never really cared much about them. It seemed like she wanted to finish this series in a hurry and just expected her fans to hang in there with her. This book was very disappointing.
If you're new to Trigiani, try The Shoemaker's Wife, a much better written and more engaging novel.
I usually enjoy her books, but this one I found more fluff than substance. None of the characters seemed very real to me, they didn't draw me in this time and I never really cared much about them. It seemed like she wanted to finish this series in a hurry and just expected her fans to hang in there with her. This book was very disappointing.
If you're new to Trigiani, try The Shoemaker's Wife, a much better written and more engaging novel.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Life After Life
Life After Life by Jill McCorkle, has the same name and came out around the same time as the novel by Kate Atkinson, but these two novels have nothing else in common.
McCorkle writes from the point of view of many different characters living in or around a retirement home in the South. From 12 year old Abby to 85 year old Sadie, McCorkle writes in each of their voices.
The novel works for the most part and paints an interesting picture, yet I was left wanting more. I didn't feel any of the charachters were developed fully enough. There was a lot of heartache, some happy moments, and an unexpected ending that pretty much ruined the book for me.
I think McCorkle is a great writer, but this was not my favorite of her novels.
McCorkle writes from the point of view of many different characters living in or around a retirement home in the South. From 12 year old Abby to 85 year old Sadie, McCorkle writes in each of their voices.
The novel works for the most part and paints an interesting picture, yet I was left wanting more. I didn't feel any of the charachters were developed fully enough. There was a lot of heartache, some happy moments, and an unexpected ending that pretty much ruined the book for me.
I think McCorkle is a great writer, but this was not my favorite of her novels.
Friday, February 14, 2014
The Golem and The Jinni
The Golem and the Jinni is the debut novel by Helene Wecker. I loved this book. It's an example of really great story telling, which I don't find often enough in current fiction.
Set in 1899 in New York City, two mysterious creatures come to life and discover each other living among the cities immigrant populations. The writing and the details were so wonderful, I felt transported to that time and place. I fully bought into the story, caring deeply for the human and non-human characters alike.
Historic fiction, mixed with a little mythology and magic. A great read.
Set in 1899 in New York City, two mysterious creatures come to life and discover each other living among the cities immigrant populations. The writing and the details were so wonderful, I felt transported to that time and place. I fully bought into the story, caring deeply for the human and non-human characters alike.
Historic fiction, mixed with a little mythology and magic. A great read.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Life After Life
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is one of the most original novels I have ever read. The protagonist, Ursula Todd is born in England on a snowy February day in 1910. She dies many times, including once at childbirth, and yet is always reborn, though she has only the faintest memories of these other lives.
The story culminates during WWII and the Blitz. In an incredible feat of storytelling, Atkinson interweaves Ursula's many seperate lives into one cohesive story. She shows the many different paths a life can take based chance, choice, or perhaps fate.
It took me a while to get into this novel, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. A worthwhile read.
The story culminates during WWII and the Blitz. In an incredible feat of storytelling, Atkinson interweaves Ursula's many seperate lives into one cohesive story. She shows the many different paths a life can take based chance, choice, or perhaps fate.
It took me a while to get into this novel, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. A worthwhile read.
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