This novel deals with the lifelong effects of childhood abuse – both physical and emotional. The main character is Danny, who we meet in adulthood as This novel deals with the lifelong effects of childhood abuse – both physical and emotional. The main character is Danny, who we meet in adulthood as a successful advertising executive. As the novel progresses, we learn several things about Danny, including the fact that his father was highly and frequently physically abusive to his mother (who never fought back and always stayed with her husband) and (albeit slightly less frequently) to Danny. We also learn that Danny grew up in Queens and married a woman (Sally) who offered everything from a stable, loving family to access to influence and jobs. But Danny fell into a passionate affair with a very beautiful but very needy woman named Joanna. Joanna’s father had left her for his “other” family of which she had no knowledge – leaving her with just the sense of total abandonment. Both main characters are deeply wounded, but each also puts on a very strong, successful and capable outward persona. They are living – and lost - in a masquerade. The story is mostly told from Danny’s and Joanna’s alternating POVs. Once Danny slides deeply into his relationship with Joanna and neglects his wife and young son, the reader has a sense that Sally will find out and come back with a vengeance. This is the case, but the way in which it all evolves and the way the reader is able to watch as Danny’s life disintegrates is nicely done. As Danny’s life goes completely downhill (divorce, child custody issues, etc.) he seeks help from a psychiatrist, and by the end of the novel there is a ray of hope for both Danny and Joanna. This novel is very fast paced, and there were several well-done surprises. I have followed Jill Shtulman on GR for several years, and I have found her frequent reviews to provide excellent analysis and also to be quite useful as I select books. It is such a pleasure to see her publish this novel. I hope this is the first of many! ...more
This wonderful and unique story of a couple held my attention. At one level, this is the story of a relationship and marriage. The reader meets Jack aThis wonderful and unique story of a couple held my attention. At one level, this is the story of a relationship and marriage. The reader meets Jack and Elizabeth when they have each moved to an “artsy” neighborhood in Chicago. We watch as their relationship grows and as they marry and have a son. Jack is an artist and professor, while Elizabeth is a social scientist and runs a company called “Wellness”. The novel goes very deeply into their emotional lives, which, of course, are complicated and highly affected by their childhoods. We learn that Jack and Elizabeth grew up in emotionally challenging (to say the least) households, however, Jack grew up on the Kansas prairie while Elizabeth grew up with ill-begotten wealth in New England. We watch their resulting adult angst in detail. However, this novel is more than just a story about two rather damaged people (aren’t we all?!) in a relationship. It is also a well-researched tome about many aspects of our society. Hill explains about the effect of Facebook algorithms; we watch as Jack follows a trendy whole-life fitness program; we get a detailed understanding of the real estate market and the Kansas prairie; we learn about this origination of sweet condensed milk; and there are many other fascinating fact/stories. I felt that the most important one was Wellness itself (Elizabeth’s company). The entire business is based upon the effect of placebos and how many people mentally programmed to make them work – i.e. believe that they work. Of course, when the “patients” discover the truth, things go awry. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which was not only a well done tale of a relationship, but also a textbook and commentary on a number of facets of our modern lives. ...more
This is the third novel in Russo’s wonderful trilogy set in North Bath, a small town in upstate New York, and it lived up to my expectations. (I wouldThis is the third novel in Russo’s wonderful trilogy set in North Bath, a small town in upstate New York, and it lived up to my expectations. (I would suggest reading the other two first, and this review will assume that the reader has done just that.) Sully, the main character in the two preceding novels, has died, but his family and friends live on - - and there is still plenty going on in North Bath!!. As in the previous novels, we see a wide range of small-town people, from restaurant owners, to tow truck drivers to cops. But more importantly, Russo shows us how they relate to themselves, each other and their small- town environment. One of the main characters in this novel is Sully’s son, Peter, who has returned to town for only a short time - - but may be finding worth in the hometown he so sought to leave. Other “returned” characters play a large part as well, including Charice’s brother, Jerome, and Peter’s long rejected son, Thomas. Life as described by Russo is so reflective of the mundane (lots of time in breakfast spots, diners and bars) as well as the constant human struggle to figure out life. Russo takes on some current issues such as race and police brutality, both of which he handles well and integrates perfectly into the storyline. I think that Russo handles small town life with an unbeatable combination of seriousness and humor. I hope we hear more from Russo soon....more
This beautifully written, quiet, novel dove deep into the lives and minds of the characters. It takes place on the fifth day of three consecutive ApriThis beautifully written, quiet, novel dove deep into the lives and minds of the characters. It takes place on the fifth day of three consecutive Aprils - before, during and after the pandemic. However, this is not a typical pandemic novel. This novel is about human beings, their daily lives, loves, aspirations and family relationships. The characters include a 40 year old man (Dan), who wants to recreate his music career; his unhappy wife (Isabel), who finds satisfaction in neither her marriage nor her job; Isabel’s brother (Robbie – and my favorite character), who is somewhat adrift in life; and Dan and Isabel’s two children who the reader watches grow mentally and emotionally. There is also a fictional character, Wolfe, who has a whole life completely created by Robbie on the internet. Michael Cunningham’s ability to reach into the minds and hearts of each of his sad characters with his wonderful writing is amazing. ...more
Wow – Barbara Kingsolver can write – about troubled human beings and about time and place! This novel (which is a modern rewrite of David Copperfield)Wow – Barbara Kingsolver can write – about troubled human beings and about time and place! This novel (which is a modern rewrite of David Copperfield) tells the story of a boy/young man born into poverty and addiction in Appalachia. We watch as those who love him fail him, we see him be let down many times as he is dragged through the child protective/foster care system. We watch as people who do care for him are unable to actually help him. We see Demon become a football star and then succumb to drugs as a result of an injury. Yet Demon perseveres – through lost family, lost loves, lost friendships and terrible caregivers. I don’t think I can adequately capture the power with which Barbara Kingsolver has portrayed the strength and weakness of the human spirit through her character Demon – she is masterful. She is also masterful in her description of the small Appalachian town which is Demon’s home. She perfectly and fully creates many wonderful characters and in-depth scenes and scenery. This is a sad story, but there is much humor as well. Demon is often able to see and comment on the humorous side of an otherwise terrible situation. Be warned that this is a long and sad book (with a good ending, I thought), but it is worth it to experience Demon and his life....more
I have loved Ann Patchett’s masterful writing and storytelling for years (beginning with Bel Canto), but in this beautiful novel, I believe she has reI have loved Ann Patchett’s masterful writing and storytelling for years (beginning with Bel Canto), but in this beautiful novel, I believe she has reached an even higher level in her work. The narrative begins during the pandemic, which has resulted in the main character’s (Lara’s) three grown daughters returning to their home, which is a cherry farm in Michigan. The three young women ask their mother (Lara) to relate the story of her time as an actress and, particularly, to tell them about her relationship with a man (Duke), who became a famous actor. The novel then follows two storylines. The present-day storyline revolves around the mother’s storytelling, the daughters’ receipt of the story, and the intense, difficult work of harvesting the cherry crop. The second story line revolves around Lara’s acting career and her relationship with Duke. As expected, Ann Patchett can tell a great story! However, for me, the wonders of the novel arise from the writing, the characters and the setting. The depth and completeness with which Ann Patchett creates and describes her characters is outstanding. She wonderfully portrays the heart and aspirations of Lara as a 20 year old, who loves acting and falls in love with an actor, as she does of Lara as a 50 year old, who is dealing with adult children and their lives as she relates the story of her 20’s to her daughters (to whom she tells most, but not quite all, of the story). The mother/daughter relationship is portrayed with all its complexities and love (including the age old question of “how much do we really tell our children about ourselves?”). Duke is also a very well drawn character. He is beautiful, arrogant, loving, unfaithful and confused – we see him for all his beauty and his warts. Another very important theme was land and love of land. The cherry orchard was a true force and common thread for the family. They loved it, even when it overworked them - - so true for anyone who has had a “relationship” with a parcel of land. A great deal of the story revolved around acting. Ann Patchett wove the play Our Town intricately into the story. Lara played Emily (the character in Our Town), and Emily/Lara is really her own character in the novel. So creative! For those who have read the novel, you will understand that while reading it, I was also consuming an abundance of Rainier cherries (“sweets” in the novel). Like the cherry season, all good novels come to an end too soon. I can’t wait for the next work from Ann Patchett. ...more
This novel is set in a New England boarding school which the main character (Bodie) attended and to which she has returned to give a mini-mester coursThis novel is set in a New England boarding school which the main character (Bodie) attended and to which she has returned to give a mini-mester course in podcasting (she has become a notable podcaster). Her return and her students bring back into focus the murder of one of her high school roommates – a murder for which she believes the wrong man was convicted. The author does a wonderful job of describing high school life and creates many very different and believable high school characters. (If you don’t remember, there are a lot of hormones floating around and a lot of bullying and teasing.) I didn’t go to boarding school, but I think she captures that environment well. However, much of the book – in fact the core of it – is related to exposing the murderer, and I am just not that into murder mysteries. I do appreciate that she touched on a number of current subjects, such as “me too” and the power of social media – I just couldn’t get deeply involved in the murder and courtroom parts. ...more
I love anything and everything this author writes! This short story deals primarily with father – son relationships (but includes some great Catholic I love anything and everything this author writes! This short story deals primarily with father – son relationships (but includes some great Catholic school scenes too). I can’t wait for Mercury Pictures Presents!...more
Edited: This is a novel about the United States - then (1800"s) and now. I enjoyed the story lines and the characters in the two time periods, and I fEdited: This is a novel about the United States - then (1800"s) and now. I enjoyed the story lines and the characters in the two time periods, and I felt that Jonathan Evison did a good job portraying the historical and physical settings. This book is not extremely deep or complex, but it paints an entertaining and tragic picture of the development of the western United States (immigrants from Ireland and China, slaves, Native Americans and the importance of the railroad) as well as a cross section of Americans today (a railroad worker on the day of his retirement, a Native American woman looking for her future, a teenage Black basketball player and his mother, an Asian American professional wife/mother and her family). The "today" characters are all descendants of the 1800's characters. It was a "good read"....more
4.5 stars. This novel is about an early woman aviator as well as the actress who plays her in a film many years later. However it is about much, much 4.5 stars. This novel is about an early woman aviator as well as the actress who plays her in a film many years later. However it is about much, much more. It is about abandonment, growing up hard, sibling relationships, romantic relationships (including harmful ones and unrequited ones), flying, treatment of women in the early and mid 1900's, being part of Hollywood in our time, fear, war and death. I'm sure there are more......! The writing is very nice. I liked the benefits and comparisons provided by the two time lines, although I know a number of comments stated that they thought the current timeline story was unnecessary. I know it is a long novel - that did not bother me. I started reading and couldn't put it down. As I said to someone else, this novel won't depress you overload you with heaviness - it is just a good story well told....more
What a beautiful, heartbreaking story of a young Afghan woman (really only a 10 year old child) who experiences Afghanastan pre-turmoil, during a blooWhat a beautiful, heartbreaking story of a young Afghan woman (really only a 10 year old child) who experiences Afghanastan pre-turmoil, during a bloody political coup and through a harrowing escape from the country. This is also the story of the irrevocable psychological scars left on the woman as she assumes a new identity and life in the US - but can never escape her past. The story was hard to read at times, because it seems a child's life just shouldn't be that hard. The writing was wonderful, and I was captivated by this very scarred woman from the beginning. In the end there was the beginning of reconciliation and emotional freedom. I really don't feel like I am doing this novel justice - I was highly moved by it and I recommended it heartily....more
This is a very well done novel that covers many subjects. It is story of a Ukrainian family, including its incredibly difficult time in Russia during This is a very well done novel that covers many subjects. It is story of a Ukrainian family, including its incredibly difficult time in Russia during WWII (because the father was an important engineer). It is a story of the lure and difficulties of pursuing an acting career in the US. But more importantly it is the story of families - particularly relationships between grandmothers and granddaughters which are extremely well portrayed (in two different generations and from both perspectives (grandmother and grandchild)). The familial relationships also include an excellent view into a present day marriage. But shining through it all is the theme of motherhood. We see a young mother (the aspiring actress) who is not at all sure that motherhood is a good idea for her. I'm sure there are some mothers who always loved their tiny babies unconditionally and never doubted their own choices in becoming mothers - but most of the women I know had plenty of doubts and stress. We watch as the young mother in the novel goes through stages of resentment, sleep deprivation and body frustration - until at the end "something unbelievable" happens and all the stress of having a baby diminishes and turns into the pure, unequivocal unmatched love we as mothers have for our children. This novel was also hilarious - I truly did laugh out loud a number of times. My negative comment would be that the young actress probably didn't need to use the "F" word so often in all its many forms (you know, adjective, adverb, noun, etc) - but that did not deter me from really enjoying this book. ...more
What a well done novel! The plot covers two timelines. One tells the story of an American family living in Thailand during the early 70's, and the othWhat a well done novel! The plot covers two timelines. One tells the story of an American family living in Thailand during the early 70's, and the other is the story of the family in present day USA. There are many wonderful scenes, revelations and human interactions in each setting. However, this novel is really about families: parents and their strengths and weaknesses (which we don't always understand until we are older); siblings and the pull and tug between them; living a life separate from your family; and the incredible strength of familial love, even with all its ups and downs. Ms. Schwarz writes beautifully. She uses the setting in Thailand particularly well- - but it was the familial relationships that make the book what it is. This was a novel that pulled me in and kept me there, waiting to see what happened next to the characters I came to care about. It has been a while since I read such a pleasurable book. ...more
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