As stated in status updates, Brian Doyle's gift of storytelling is magical in ways I never thought possible. His ability to see the world from a placeAs stated in status updates, Brian Doyle's gift of storytelling is magical in ways I never thought possible. His ability to see the world from a place of wonder, love, community and family is unrivaled. My journey began with reading "Mink River" which was magnificent. "The Plover" was equal yet different. With this book he uses a ground breaking approach to coming of age stories of both a boy and animal simultaneously. Due to his lyrical narratives and perspectives, reviewing is a difficult task.
We're taken to an Oregon forest 'hamlet' called Zigzag midway up Mt. Hood near the Zigzag river. Dave is 14, his sister Maria is 5 going on 30. His mother works in the laundry at the local lodge; his Dad the school janitor. They love both children dearly and things being as they are, make every effort to provide for them.
As we are introduced to the community we learn of animals that inhabit the area; among them a mother pine marten who's recently given birth to four, of which one the author has named Martin. Similar to Dave, as Martin matures he finds wonder in wildlife and 'animals' be they four or two-legged types.
Dave is both curious and industrious and visits the store/cafe owned by Miss Moss often. Wanting to contribute to his family's income, his well thought out employment proposal is quickly accepted and put to work at once. Since customers are locals and tourists, the store's offerings are diverse; among them wildlife pelts supplied by Dickie Douglas, aka Mr. Douglas a local trapper whose elderly horse is named Edwin. Dave is enamored by his stories of trapping and life which broaden his perspectives while maturing.
Maria is obsessed with mapping things be they geographical, anatomical or otherwise. Dave's best friend is Moon, an introverted geek whose affluent parents constantly travel. Other community members include his Mom's friend Emma Jackson Beaton; Mr and Mrs Robinson, the Unlabeled Woman who's helped by Mrs. Simmons, Dave's school teacher Mr. Shapiro, Louis a legendary elk, Dave's cross country running coach, Maria's pet Cassin finch and the legend of Joel Palmer, a path maker from yesteryear.
A story of relationships, change and challenges, Doyle uses a variety of points of view be they animal, human or otherwise. His stories defy genre categorization, are immersive, evocative and in some cases, life altering. This is a 'magical mystery tour', where the journey is engaging; the characters are luminescent and filled with surprise and story.
Brian's approach is that everything and every one IS a story. So we must ask ourselves, what would life be without them? You'll need an open mind and appreciation for creative storytelling that can often pose life altering questions. Simply know that his approach, narratives and views are unlike others but in a very, very good way :)...more
Yet another masterful work of literary fiction, Brian Doyle takes the reader on a Pacific journey on 'The Plover' along with its owner, DecRating: 5++
Yet another masterful work of literary fiction, Brian Doyle takes the reader on a Pacific journey on 'The Plover' along with its owner, Declan O'Donnell, a character from Mink River. Having fallen in love with Doyle's creativity, lyrical narrative and blend of quirky characters and plot, this story is equal in all respects.
As mentioned in the "Mink" review, it takes an appreciation for non-traditional creative storytelling, blends of 'fantasy' and reality along with themes of love, family, redemption and adventure. For example, "..Maybe the ocean thinks. How do we know? Maybe the ocean licks its islands every night like mothers lick their cubs. This could be. Maybe it chants their names in its many languages in the morning and makes them rise again toward the sun.."
The story begins when Declan grows frustrated with his family, loads the 20' boat with supplies and heads out into the largest ocean in the world to 'find himself'. Passion for the ocean's wonder along with comfort being alone Declan finds solace until an unexpected encounter with a rogue vessel named "Tanets". The Eastern European trawler is owned by Enrique, a demanding, angry soul. He lost his pilot, 'Something Somethingivic' during a storm. When he anchors off an island, Piko an old friend of Declan's becomes the replacement much to his dislike.
Having survived the vicious storm, Declan finds safe harbor on a Pacific island where he learns of Piko and Pipa's kidnapping. Angered, he hunts down the Tanet and manages to capture his old friend and daughter offering them safety aboard the Plover which delights him to no end. An oceanographer, devoted father and friend Piko is eager to make it back to Mahala in the South Pacific where he can continue with emotional healing, research and return to his friends. Pipa was traumatized from an accident with her mother Elly, is paralyzed from the waist down and 'chirps' like a bird since they're drawn to her. The love between father and daughter is the sort dreams are made from. Enrique is the take no prisoners type and is eager to settle the score. This sets up what would normally be the protagonist/antagonist theme, but we must remember the author is anything but traditional.
Told with the same lyrical narrative used with "Mink", the additional cast includes Taromauri, a native Pacific island woman who's joi de vivre is unrivaled; Danilo, a former crew member of the Tanets; the minister of fisheries; a talking sea gull along with some stow away terns. As one might imagine, the journey is an adventure unlike others.
Immersive, unique and unusual, the author's creativity, style and approach are nothing short of magnificent. An outlier, he's part of a special group of authors I enjoy that include Percival Everett, Matthew Quick, James McBride and Richard Powers who like Doyle, are unique, creative and defy genre.
If you seek a break from mystery, horror, crime or romance I URGE you to delve into the mind of Brian Doyle, who we lost in 2017 due to brain cancer. Regardless, you won't find another author with his style, approach or skill, rest assured....more
Walt Mosley's remarkable storytelling skill is second to character development that few if any can touch. This being the fifth installment of Leonid MWalt Mosley's remarkable storytelling skill is second to character development that few if any can touch. This being the fifth installment of Leonid McGill mysteries, its equal if not better to his others. If unfamiliar with the author, his career took off when he wrote Devil in a Blue Dress the first Easy Rawlins mystery which became a best seller and was adapted to a film with Denzel Washington. Since then he's created other detective series such as this.
Leonid T. McGill could never be called a typical P.I., father or business person nor is the family he stems from either. A stocky black guy in his 50's, with professional boxing skills and a way with the ladies, he runs a successful firm in NY and recently began training his teenage son Twill to join him. His estranged father Clarence associates with the world of socialism and gave Russian names to his children which eventually caused the death of his wife, and for that, he was never forgiven. Due to Lee's business which often involves women, his wife Katrina attempts suicide and is currently in a nearby sanitarium visited regularly by her husband and son.
Locating missing people is the bread and butter of PI firms, and when Hiram Stent hires McGill to locate his estranged cousin Celia who has become heir to millions, it opens the mouth of a labyrinth after an office break-in and the murder of Stent. Meanwhile Twill has gone undercover with his girlfriend Fortune into a huge underground crime organization headed by "Jones" a dangerous figure who employs thousands of 'children' for theft, drugs, prostitution and murder. In order to keep them in line, tracking capsules are inserted along with listening devices. While the NYPD is aware of them, they've yet to pin down Jones.
Similar to most PI's, Leonid has a specialized team for security, 'information' and hacking government resources. Among them Hush, a former convict and Gordy, his best friend and owner of a successful boxing gym, though there are others he accesses on occasion. As Leonid begins the hunt for Celia, the string of dominoes leads him on an ever zigzagging path that takes him to an erudite billionaire woman in Boston. They cut a rather unusual deal that sends Leonid on the hunt for a stolen biblical manuscript stating the woman he seeks is the culprit.
McGill is a 'take no prisoners' type and paid the price with NYPD Capt Kiteridge, he playfully refers to as "Kit". The story meanders between Leonid's missing person cases, interactions with a Marella, a sexual playmate on the run with an expensive engagement ring, his longtime relationship with Aura while doing his best not to be murdered or beaten. When Hush finds a way 'into' Jones' system, McGill cuts a deal with Kit to alleviate NYPD pressure to reveal his sources and more.
Needless to say, the complexity of plot and characters along with an extremely well paced story makes for an engaging experience. And like all great mysteries, every chapter heightens suspense. While crime isn't my primary genre, I plan to read the other McGill episodes since he's one of the more unique characters I've encountered....more
James McBride is gifted; not only as a storyteller but as a human being. His ability to pluck at our heart strings, inspRating: 6 stars/Pulitzer level
James McBride is gifted; not only as a storyteller but as a human being. His ability to pluck at our heart strings, inspire and engage with unique yet relatable characters, premise and plot are akin to the most heralded authors in publishing. With this remarkable work, he leaves the reader breathless and in awe along with a sense of hope and possibility.
In my humble opinion, there are few authors that possess these traits, though Toni Morrison, Hemingway and Steinbeck come to mind. This is such a magnificent story it belongs on the short list for a Pulitzer. After finishing it last night, I sat and contemplated for a while thinking of the themes of redemption, love, community, family and humanity. To say it had a evocative impact is a vast understatement.
When a crew of construction workers in 1972 were digging a foundation in Pottstown, PA and discovered a skeleton in an area known as Chicken Hill, its story goes back to the 1930's. This area was a melting pot of immigrants that included Jews, Italians, Polish and others with an area 'designated' for 'coloreds'. Being a black author, McBride is well acquainted with the difficulties people of color faced and illuminates it throughout the narrative.
Its here that Chona Ludlow runs the Heaven and Earth Grocery store that caters to the neighborhood's quirky population assisted by her Romanian husband, Moshe, owner of the area's ONLY integrated dance hall. The Jewish couple's golden hearts and ability to see all as equals puts them in the crosshairs of white Christian America; among them a local doctor and 'discrete' member of the Klan. When word gets out the state is hunting for a young deaf black child nicknamed "Dodo" who Nate Timblin and his wife Addie harbor, the reader is immersed into the struggles the neighborhood residents cope with in an effort to protect what is rightfully theirs. McBride has created one of the most unique cast of characters imaginable, each with back stories that intertwine. Whether psychic, plumber or owner of the local jook joint, they make for a memorable story.
Given the countless elements of the narrative that highlight the heart felt sense of community and how they unite, I feel it important NOT to share plot points, characters and specifics, aka spoilers. This is a book that must be experienced if you appreciate the art of storytelling. If you've yet to read Deacon King Kong or The Good Lord Bird I'd suggest you add these as well.
While writing is an art form and individual tastes vary, hope, love and community are the basis for life itself. Do yourselves a favor and move this to the top of your list. Blessings
12/21/23 update. Just saw it took FIRST PLACE in the Best Books of 2023 on Amazon! And in my opinion it should be short listed for a Pulitzer too!...more
It's always cause for celebration when we stumble across a story that's unique, mysterious and engaging. A person of color, Brendan Slocum Rating: 5++
It's always cause for celebration when we stumble across a story that's unique, mysterious and engaging. A person of color, Brendan Slocum was born and educated in North Carolina where he's both played and worked in music education for over 20 years.
We're first introduced to Frederick Delaney, a composer from the 1920's known for his unique, multi-faceted music. Founder of Delaney Publishing, his music merged jazz, opera, rag time and classics. But the pinnacle of his career took form of a tribute to the 5 rings on the Olympic flag titled "The Triumph of the Americas" which astounded critics and enthusiasts. His success as composer and publisher yielded millions and a result, the Delaney Foundation was created for the purpose of fostering music education and to preserve his legacy.
Moving back to the present, we meet Bernard 'Bern' Hendricks, PhD, a black musicologist who's renown for his lifelong commitment to Delaney's compositions. Out of the blue, Bern is contacted by Mallory Delaney, executive director of the foundation who requests his assistance on an important, time sensitive project. Hendricks is flown to the NY offices on the foundation's private jet and is given a tour prior to the conference with Mallory and her colleague. He's told they discovered the original version of RED, one of the most important 'rings' in the "Triumph of the Americas" and seek his expertise to transcribe it for an upcoming performance. Excited, Bern takes a leave of absence from his teaching position and moves to NY to begin. While studying the weathered original, he can't help but notice strange doodling and notations in the borders. In need of a tech wiz and researcher, he contacts Eboni Washington, a long time friend for assistance. Eboni is headstrong and brilliant as well as a remarkable researcher. Of all doodles, the continual repetition of a 'JoR' symbol becomes the question mark in need of an answer.
It turns out that Delaney encountered Josephine Reed, aka JoR, a young black 'bag lady' in the streets of NY as he left a popular jazz haunt. With segregation rampant, he decides to sneak her into his studio apartment where he witnesses a startling music genius. Born with the gift of perfect pitch, Josephine 'hears' music from everyday sounds and writes tunes using odd notations and symbols. Enthralled by her sweet disposition and magical talent, Freddy enhances her melodies with lyrics which they play together as entertainment.
Fred had been hired by Ditmars & Ross, a music publisher, to play tunes at NY retail venues and sell sheet music to those interested. Long hours, low pay and repetitive gigs, Fred grew weary. Seeking change he took several of the tunes he'd collaborated on and sold them to Ditmars as his own. In a move to keep Josephine happy, he convinces Ditmars to break society's rules and hire a black girl for filing. With her spirits high and receiving a small paycheck, Freddy pushed her to write more.
During the deep dive into JoR, Bern and Eboni travel to her birthplace in North Carolina to meet her family. While learning of her history, they're lead to a battered trunk filled with unpublished compositions and sheets of doodles. Like an onion, as they peel each leaf, discovery of facts and circumstances about Frederick Delaney raise suspicions in need of corroboration. It's here that the 'sticky wicket' surfaces when Bern and Eboni find out the foundation is on to their discovery. Rather than spoil the plot, suffice it to say its mind boggling.
Driven by themes of greed, segregation, redemption and truth, the story appeals to our humanity. As the end nears, Slocum shows prowess at mystery genre through addition of an unexpected twist. Without doubt, one of the best books I've read and HIGHLY recommended....more
Nora has the ability to engage a reader through sincere, often humorous and evocative narratives which is evident in her screen writing as well. I've Nora has the ability to engage a reader through sincere, often humorous and evocative narratives which is evident in her screen writing as well. I've always felt that an author that has the ability to 'speak' to the reader as if they're a longtime friend, or relative makes for a great experience.
Filled with short anecdotes and stories from her life, Nora takes us on a journey unlike most. Born to alcoholic screenwriter parents, her relationships with her 3 sisters, aging, former husbands, editors, directors and friends yield a fun experience and more. She leads off with "I Remember Nothing" a short story about how easily we forget the obvious. From there she speaks to the reader about being a journalist, going to the movies, 20 things people tend to be surprised about, teflon, chicken soup and more.
One of her trademarks is the inclusion of recipes since she's passionate about food and cooking. I noticed this in the best selling book, "Heartburn" which in actuality is the story about her marriage to Carl Bernstein, short that it was. Toward the end she includes a couple of two page anecdotes about what she will and won't miss when she's gone.
As some may know, we lost Nora to Leukemia some years ago and its obvious she saw the end coming. For those who appreciate authors of grace, skill and character, reading any of her books is a delight. And its for this reason, I plan to read everything she's written. Clearly one of the most engaging, loving and authentic people in the publishing industry. I miss you Nora!...more
I've been a fan of Nora for many years and enjoyed the Meryl Streep/Jack Nicholson adaptation, ancient that it is.
Rachel is NY-based cook book authorI've been a fan of Nora for many years and enjoyed the Meryl Streep/Jack Nicholson adaptation, ancient that it is.
Rachel is NY-based cook book author and TV personality who's married to Mark, a Washington DC journalist. Her first marriage to Charlie was a bit of a disaster and when meeting Mark, he came across as the 'knight on a white horse". After months of commuting to DC, his marriage proposal was accepted and in a matter of no time, their home began endless renovations. Not long after Sam was born and Mark's sudden absence drew concern; being the insecure type, Rachel grew suspicious. While doing a balancing act between her work and parenting, she learns through the grapevine that Mark is screwing Thelma, a woman she was aware of and disliked. Angered, she packed up, grabbed the baby and headed home to her father in NY, a former celebrity and ill equipped adviser. Rachel is the classic indecisive, guilt ridden sort who relies on analysis, but its opinions of others she embraces.. Her endless pontifications are both sad and hilarious; I just wish I could remember them all.
As the plot plays out stories of travel with their best friends, dinner parties and gossip are mixed with Rachel's recipes of which most are borrowed or stolen. This adds a fun element and if the reader enjoys cooking, a bonus!
Simple in nature, this is a story of relationships, cheating husbands and marriage told through the eyes of a neurotic, insecure yet hilarious character. Truth be told, if I included the countless quotes of hilarity, the review would be as long as the book!
Since Nora is both a film director and screen writer, the book reads like a movie script minus scene headings, camera direction and notes. For those unfamiliar, she's known best for directing/writing "When Harry met Sally", "You've Got Mail, "Julie and Julia" and countless others. She has the ability to make light of humanity in the midst of crisis, a skill only a select few excel with.
Some chapters make you laugh, others wonder while some will cause anger. It requires an appreciation for NY style humor, recipes and understanding the highs and lows of matrimony. Terrific from the first page to the last...more
I'll be honest in saying its difficult to put into words Percival Everett's unique qualities. Its rare to uncover an author whose storytelling spans mI'll be honest in saying its difficult to put into words Percival Everett's unique qualities. Its rare to uncover an author whose storytelling spans multiple genre using unique perspectives and character names that could be game show material!
Here he shows an ability to tell short form stories based in the rural West. The fact that he's a distinguished USC English professor as well as an author has the reader wonder where his knowledge of rural life emanates. Having read many of his books, these short stories comes as a surprise since Wounded seems to have been the only Western themed plot. In each of the stories, knowledge of animal husbandry, riding, Indian folklore and more are displayed which made me scratch my head muttering, 'how the heck does he know this stuff'?
Everett uses the title as metaphor comparing short stories to novels. Some are less than 10 pages, others a bit more yet all are equally entertaining. Regardless, I found every story enjoyable, interesting and engaging. With this book he maintains genre with every tale while his novels span humor, mystery, crime and in the case of I Am Not Sidney Poitier comic fantasy!
The fact he's written fiction, poetry, children's literature and was born in GA, his familiarity of horses, riding, ranching and Indian reservations has me assume he's had a cowboy fantasy throughout life. OR, perhaps his Southern CA neighbors are former Western movie stars. Whatever the case, if you enjoy short stories that are evocative, unique and based in the West, you'll certainly enjoy this book...more
"A Jack of All Genre, and Master of all..and then some" is about the ONLY way to describe Percival Everett
This being the eighth bookRating: 6.77 stars
"A Jack of All Genre, and Master of all..and then some" is about the ONLY way to describe Percival Everett
This being the eighth book I feel I've earned the right to state he's incredible. Authors that engage readers using carefully thought out characters and plots that break genre takes skill. Add to that uncanny sense of pacing and humor, encyclopedic knowledge and ability to switch POV's in an instant, he truly stands alone. And being black, all his others used race lightly; but with "The Trees" he's gone full steam ahead (N-word included)
We begin in Money, MS with a gory murder of a local white man along side a dead black man gripping what appears to be the victim's testicles. A redneck sheriff and his deputy are stumped; when word gets out a couple of black MBI agents arrive to investigate. Being the deep south, this becomes the first hypocrisy of many.
It's important to understand that Professor Everett isn't a mystery author; in fact, he refuses to stick with any genre making him unique, to say the least. The ONLY common denominator are unique character names, insights, plots themes and engagement. And for that I'm deeply grateful.
Written in third person POV, chapters are at most 5 pages, with the majority under 3 using concise, yet evocative language. This could be termed 'page turner' but using the term does the book injustice.
Driven by a 'get even for ancient lynchings theme', he adds tongue in cheek humor and copy cat murders across the country that triggers interest from government law enforcement and the national press. As one would imagine the racial nature causes a MS Klan group to resurface who decide on a cross burning to no avail. Stranger still, the dead black man from the first murder disappears from the M.E. office and reappears at the scene of other murders. But Everett doesn't stop there..no, no, no. As momentum grows, he adds Asians to the mix which spurns interest from the White House.
I'm not a fan of spoilers or going into detail about story since it ruins the experience for readers. What I will add is a surprise that comes toward the end during a session in the Oval office. Put simply this is an outstanding, well conceived, masterfully laid out story from one of the best 'under the radar' authors in publishing. For the countless number of mystery fans in my network, you've yet to read anything like this!...more
The words 'magnificent, triumph, extraordinary and ground breaking' come to mind when describing this engaging, offbeat story of a fictionalRating: 10
The words 'magnificent, triumph, extraordinary and ground breaking' come to mind when describing this engaging, offbeat story of a fictional small town in Oregon. And there's a reason we see an image of a crow named Moses on its cover. To wit, "..Human people, says Moses think that stories have beginnings, middles and ends, but we crow people know that stories just wander on and on and change form and are reborn again and again. That is who they are. Stories are not words, you know. Words are just clothes that people drape over stories. When crows tell stories, stories tell us, do you know what I mean?..."
The Mink River flows through the town of Neawanaka; to the west lies the Pacific, a salt marsh to the north, national forest to the south and in the distant east, a range of 'very high' mountains. It's not big or terribly small and home to Irish, American and Native Indians.
Beyond the lumber mill and other businesses sits the Department of Public Works run by Billy, aka Worried Man and Cedar who are not only colleagues but the best of friends. Worried Man's daughter is No Horses; her son Daniel is the apple of Billy's eye.
Some 40 years ago Worried Man and Maple Head were fishing on the river and happened upon a floating body. Once on shore, Maple Head (Billy's wife) revived the man who we now know as Cedar.
Maple Head teaches school, and among the students are the O'Donnell boys whose mother Grace and brother Declan own a fishing boat. Owen is Maple Head's husband and runs Auto & Other Repair, the 'other' being the mainstay of the business. His pet crow Moses was discovered as a chick by the Nun who taught him to speak while raising him. The crow's vocabulary rivals the most educated, his knowledge of the Universe, uncanny. Owen's son Daniel helps out when not in school since he loves the the endless collection of tools, oddities, bike chains and his father as well. One of the great elements is 'storytelling within the story' via regular encounters between Daniel and his grandfather whose stories are woven into the 'fabric'.
In addition to these characters, we have The Man Who Beats his son, Michael's wife Sarah and his daughters and others whose lives eventually merge toward the end. Highlights include halibuts the size of doors, Old Man O'Donnell shooting his cows, Daniel crashing his bicycle and nearly losing his legs, the doctor who cares for him while smoking cigarettes named after Bible characters, 'the man with 12 days to live' and so much more.
The reader must appreciate the beauty of character, plot and story world in order to partake of the journey. This is literary fiction at its best and an author who's been compared to Dylan Thomas which is quite the compliment. His language is rich and lush and equal to the landscape he describes.
Brian's lyrical narrative is symphonic; its five part format like a play. Within each part are numbered sections whose quote-less dialog act as scenes. Doyle uses what might be called a non-linear approach incorporating themes of love, redemption, family and community which act as the glue. I would add that since the majority of my GR friends read mystery exclusively, Doyle tosses in a bit toward the end with a rather unique outcome.
In my humble opinion this book is one of the most unique, compelling and creative I've encountered. Its appeal will be to those who appreciate ground breaking narrative, quirky characters and lyrical phrasing unlike any you've witnessed. When I closed the book the first word that came to mind was "Wow!"...more
The story opens with "...I am the ill-starred fruit of a hysterical pregnancy, and surprisingly odd though I might be, I am not hystericaRating: 5.779
The story opens with "...I am the ill-starred fruit of a hysterical pregnancy, and surprisingly odd though I might be, I am not hysterical myself. I'm rather calm in fact; some might say waveless. I am tall and dark and look for the world like Mr. Sidney Poitier, something my poor disturbed and now deceased mother could not have known when I was born..." As I read this I reflected on a comic version of a Twilight Zone episode since what follows is about as far as you can get from reality.
Living in his mother's womb for 24 months, birthed by a drunken doctor, one can only imagine what lies ahead. Not long after his birth his mother, Porsche Poitier, invests her savings in the Turner Broadcasting System and becomes filthy rich. Concerned he might be confused with the actor, she names her child 'Not Sidney', the first mistake of many.
"What's your name?" a kid would ask. "Not Sidney" he would say. "Okay, then what is it?"
Having recently read "The Echo Chamber" by John Boyne, a hilarious poke at today's society, Percival Everett ups the game with this outrageous, insane yet extremely funny story. It takes an unusual, creative mind to come up with a plot like this, no less deliver it in ways unfathomable. To say Everett is a genius might be a bit strong, but his ability to shift genre while manufacturing remarkable characters and plot is a talent few authors possess.
Being a major shareholders in his company, Ted Turner learns of Porsche Poitier's death and knowing her son would inherit the wealth, moves him to one of his homes in Atlanta where he's cared for and educated. Going to school with a name such as his presented problems which resulted in regular beatings as they laughed. As Not Sidney matured, he found himself bored with high school and eventually dropped out. An ill advised move, Ted suggests he go to college but being a dropout posed problems. Advised money has advantages in situations like this, the theme plays out through the story. As frustration in Atlanta grows, Not Sidney decides its time to leave and head for the West coast.
The journey that follows is far from predictable, which makes the story all the more enjoyable. Similar to his others, the author inserts himself as a character using both his name and position as a professor. This becomes an opportunity to poke fun at higher education since Professor Everett teaches the philosophy of nonsense. Not Sidney bonds with Professor Everett who becomes friend, mentor and incompetent adviser. Reflecting on the dialog between them, its reminiscent of a Marx Brothers movie, Everett playing the part of Groucho.
When he agrees to a Thanksgiving with his light skinned girlfriend Maggie, he's shocked that her parents are racist. Stymied, Not Sidney decides to drive to Los Angeles and during the drive breaks down in Alabama. Here Everett takes on the racist topic using among other things, tongue-in-cheek humor. As with the rest of the characters in the story, Not Sidney encounters South Dakota nuns, a confused sheriff, and all sorts of other nut balls causing laugh out loud humor in the process.
In the realm of comedy, rating this book at 5, 6 or 100 stars fails to do it justice. It's by far the funniest, most creative book I've read and a tribute to Percival's talent. A breath of fresh air, a story like this is rare and well worth the time reading. Since the book isn't due back at the library, I plan to read it again..and again..and again. Laughter is Joy, and Joy is what reading is about. Do yourselves a favor and add it!...more
I became a fan after reading Silver Linings Playbook, which like this is filled with dysfunctional characters. BartholLove surfaces in curious places
I became a fan after reading Silver Linings Playbook, which like this is filled with dysfunctional characters. Bartholomew loses his mother to cancer after spending his life by her side without ever knowing his father. Since her favorite actor was Richard Gere, the story is told in letters he writes to him, which is not only dysfunctional but funny! Quick's humor becomes laugh out loud when we meet Max at a grief counseling group. His favorite word being f**k, he grieves over Alice his cat. Rather than spoil the story, it's engaging, heart warming and quirky and definitely lives up to its title. A great choice for all those who appreciate the value of love and how it turns up when least expected....more
A story of what it is to be human, and the bewilderment of life
Richard Powers brings us into the lives of Theo Byrne, a professor and research astrobA story of what it is to be human, and the bewilderment of life
Richard Powers brings us into the lives of Theo Byrne, a professor and research astrobiologist soon after the loss of his loving wife. Grieving, he reflects on the impact she made on his life and their son, due to her advocacy for slowing the extinction of animals, and compassion for all humanity. And while Theo suffers, his 7 year old son Robin grows unruly, difficult and angered. Like most forward thinking scientists, he reaches out to a colleague who's been developing a ground breaking behavior technology. Passing the evaluation tests easily, and knowing the approach was game-like, Robin becomes part of the field trial.
Over the course of the story the reader learns of life's inner and outer Universes which surprise, challenge and delight. As I reflect on the book's impact, the only word to describe it is bewildered. Powers touches our hearts and minds by reminding us of our humanity, importance of love and all living things, as well as how society fails to see the relevance.
Written in short, poignant chapters using italics for Robin's dialog, its thought provoking, inspirational, evocative, and enlightening in ways never imagined. Having read thousands of books over the course of life, this one left me breathless and in a state of bewilderment. Rest assured, if you decide to read it, it could do the same for you....more
As I sit contemplating the impact of this book, I grow teary eyed from joy. Jon Cohen has created The most remarkable story imaginable!
6 Star rating!
As I sit contemplating the impact of this book, I grow teary eyed from joy. Jon Cohen has created a masterpiece by weaving a story within a story about a small group of people in the Endless mountains of Pennsylvania. Not only are the characters memorable, they embody the beauty of life, love and forgiveness.
Harry Crane's life falls to the depths due to the sudden death of his wife. His first mistake is taking unnecessary blame for the accident. A lifelong lover of trees and the forest, the discovery of an unusual tree house seems like the perfect place to grieve. What unfolds is a fairytale like journey of redemption due to the impact a little girl and her mother have on his life.
Midway through, we're left to choose an antagonist: A) Harry's big brother; B) a friend of the girl's mother or, C) a local realtor; the reality comes as a surprise. Spurned by the girl's 'magical book', Harry commits to a unique action he prays will heal the faultless wrong he'd done. Going from forest ranger to 'Susquehanna Santa' was the furthest thing from his plan.
As readers we all know the importance of books and how some can be life changing. Such is the case when the elderly librarian's cherished story passes from her to the girl and to Harry. Theories are one thing; reality will often be quite another.
In a word, this is a rare, unique and extraordinary story that's well written, paced to perfection and engaging at deep levels. Highly recommended regardless of your favorite genre; Harry's Trees stands alone....more
A philosophical dance told through the eyes of an actor
With two Oscar nominations for screenplays and likewise for his acting, it's obvious this was A philosophical dance told through the eyes of an actor
With two Oscar nominations for screenplays and likewise for his acting, it's obvious this was one of Ethan's more personal stories. Having been delighted by his performance in The Good Lord Bird, and learning of his writing accolades, I was compelled to read this story. Like himself, the protagonist is a movie star struggling with marriage to a rock queen while he begins rehearsals for "Henry IV", his first Shakespeare play on Broadway. Several cast members serve as metaphor while they share insights about life and relationships with script dialog that magnifies its importance. Driven by themes of redemption and forgiveness, Shakespeare quotes act as a cipher while the father, cast members and friends impart wisdom. Told through the POV of the movie star, the reader is immersed into worlds unknown, unless you happen to work in Hollywood. Paced well, he engages the reader from the start and as the story plays out, deepens. Toward the end, the protagonist is witness to other's stories and life philosophies that shed light on how he might handle his personal dilemma. We don't often have the chance to get 'inside the mind' of a celebrity, and its far different from what we assume. Hawke's talent rivals the best, so those that appreciate engaging storytelling would do well to add this to their list!...more
As with The River We Remember: A Novel, this is another book that touches the heart strings by merging elements of The Odyssey, Wizard of Oz with a daAs with The River We Remember: A Novel, this is another book that touches the heart strings by merging elements of The Odyssey, Wizard of Oz with a dash of Tom Sawyer. Krueger's combination of spirit, family and adventure with coming of age makes it a story unlike any.
The first lines of the Epilogue read, "...There is a river that runs through time and the universe, vast and explicable, a flow of spirit that is all existence, and every molecule of our being is part of it. But what is God but the whole of that river?.." A quote from another chapter reads, "Open yourself to every possibility for there is nothing your heart can imagine that is not so"..its not often we witness narratives as profound, uplifting and engaging as this.
Set in 1932, and told through the eyes of orphan Odie O'Banion, Krueger weaves a tale of injustice, redemption and love that's Pulitzer worthy. When Odie's parents pass, he's taken with his older brother Albert to the Lincoln Indian Training School, on the banks of the Gilead River. Run by Thelma Brickman, who Odie aptly nicknames 'Black Witch', he and Albert are the only white kids and pay the price repeatedly. Odie makes friends with Mose, an Indian boy whose tongue was cut out when white folks murdered his parents. Over time, Odie learns to sign with Mose who enjoys his his harmonica playing and signing discussions to no end.
While only 12, Odie stands his ground when accused of wrong doing by Mrs. Brickman who has him beaten and thrown into isolation on a regular basis. Worse yet, Lincoln School students are required to do manual labor as if criminals doing prison time. The Black Witch embraces hatred while pocketing revenue gained from child labor.
Knowing about the labor practices the school kids are tasked with, and needing help at her farm, Mrs. Frost requests the help of Odie, Albert and Mose. Unlike the Witch, she's loving, caring and understanding and treats them as if they were her own. As the boys help with the farm, they meet her daughter Emmy who looks up to Odie as if he were her brother. What's most unusual about Emmy are the futuristic visions she has during epileptic fits; and most if not all are accurate. Albert is gifted with a natural ability to fix things and while working on a tractor, spots a canoe. During a ferocious storm, a tornado wipes out the Frost farm and kills the owner. The boys use this as impetus to plot an escape to St. Louis where Aunt Julia lives, the canoe an ideal vehicle to get there.
Once they begin their journey, the story becomes an odyssey. Some stops along the river yield trouble, others enlightenment and joy. During one such stop they notice a religious crusade tent and upon entering are stunned how Sister Eve heals those who are suffering. A deeply spiritual, loving woman, Sister Eve is taken by Odie's harmonica playing and offers him a spot in the band. Like all good negotiators, Odie insists she hire Albert and takes care of Emmy. As Sister Eve experiences Emmy's post-fit visions, she believes she's a gift from God. Coincidences are frequent during the journey, their purpose driven by spirit. When Odie finally makes it to St. Louis, he uncovers facts about his identity and family he'd never known.
Immersive, tantalizing and filled with darkness and light, this is on par with classics. Highly recommended if you enjoy masterful storytelling that's spiritual, uplifting and engaging....more
Since this the fourth time I've read this, the previous reviews do justice. That said, I will add that there are so many great fairytale characters usSince this the fourth time I've read this, the previous reviews do justice. That said, I will add that there are so many great fairytale characters used as metaphor, it's without doubt one Backman's best! If you haven't read it, take a journey you'll never regret!
The following is a revised review having finished the second reading today.
Chabon won the Pulitzer for "Kavalier and Klay" and Wonder Boys is at the The following is a revised review having finished the second reading today.
Chabon won the Pulitzer for "Kavalier and Klay" and Wonder Boys is at the same level. The story of Grady Tripp, a pot smoking English professor at a small university, we're taken on a journey to the annual Word Fest program, a celebration of writing, authors, agents and publishers. Characters are complex and filled with surprises especially the quirky young student who manages to kill the Chancellor's dog and make off with her husband's prized possession. Tripp's close friend and editor Crabtree does little to help either. Filled with hijinx, emotional trauma and laugh out loud humor, Chabon broke the mold with this one! Having seen the Michael Douglas, Robert Downey film many times, the adaption does justice to the book though like most, its been 'rearranged'. For those who enjoy stories about writers, publishers and wacky people, make sure to add this to your list. Rest assured, you will NOT be sorry!...more
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