Persuasion
Jane Austen
236 pages

I often find it difficult to review great classic literature -- what can I say that hasn't already been said? And so it is with Persuasion, one of Jane Austen's later works. This novel tells the story of Anne Elliot, an unmarried woman in her late 20s. Several years before, she was persuaded to break off a relationship with Captain Wentworth, and they went their separate ways. She now plays second fiddle to her sisters: Elizabeth, the eldest, has assumed the "lady of the house" role opposite their widowed father. Mary, the youngest, is happily married with young children. Anne moves between both worlds -- navigating the simple country pleasures of Mary's life, and tolerating her father's insufferable vanity and social climbing. Although it seems Anne is often taken advantage of, Austen makes it clear that she is the stronger character in all of her relationships.

The story progresses, in typical Austen fashion, on a course that eventually brings Captain Wentworth back into Anne's life. Yet the couple are constrained by the conventions of the day, which make it nearly impossible for two people to express feelings to one another. Much time is spent watching, and second-guessing, the actions and motives of others. How frustrating this must have been! Austen is masterful in describing the tiny movements and expressions that carry so much meaning. As Anne and the Captain slowly dance around each other, Austen uses Anne's family to serve up some delightful satire of society and vanity.

To date I have read all but one of Austen's six published novels, and consider Persuasion my favorite.  ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge: Jane Austen was born December 16, 1775.

The Conservationist
Nadine Gordimer
267 pages

The Conservationist is an in-depth character study of Mehring, a South African businessman-cum-farmer. His success in industry provided the means to buy a 400-acre farm, which serves primarily as a tax write-off. In his quest for material success, Mehring has lost his wife and a mistress. His teenage son attends school some distance away, and has become increasingly independent -- estranged, perhaps -- from his father. Mehring mistakenly views interaction with the black laborers on his farm as a meaningful relationship. In reality, the South African class structure ensures their relationship remains distant.

I found Mehring to be a fairly despicable and pathetic character, which I believe was Gordimer's intent. He is a philanderer, at one point fondling a young lady he'd never met for the better part of a long-haul flight. Yech. And while at times he seems to appreciate the natural beauty of his farm, he has no one to share it with him. His time spent at the farm is empty, a way to pass the weekend or to hide from social obligations.

This was a difficult book to read because the main character was so unlikeable, and it revolved much more around character than plot. However, Gordimer writes some pretty amazing, descriptive prose that brought the South African scenery to life. Despite my rather lukewarm reaction to this particular novel, I will definitely be reading more of her work. ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge:  Nadine Gordimer was born November 20, 1923.

The Idea of Perfection
Kate Grenville
400 pages

The Idea of Perfection takes place in the Australian town of Karakarook, NSW, population 1374. Harley Savage, a middle-aged textile artist, travels from Sydney to create a heritage museum. Douglas Cheeseman, an engineer, is sent to demolish an old bridge. From this initial setup I expected intense conflict and community uprising, but that turned out to be secondary to the story of human foibles and relationships. Both Douglas and Harley are unmarried; he is divorced and she is a widow. Both are lonely, but they resist forming relationships with others. Douglas remains on the fringe of the local work crew. Harley feels awkward with others, and stubbornly resists a stray dog's repeated attentions. Both draw gradually to one another.

In fact, the entire book moves in a very gradual manner. Grenville oh-so-slowly reveals details that build a complete picture of the main characters and the town's citizens. At the beginning of the book, Douglas is looking out of an upstairs hotel room window. Only later, after learning he suffers from vertigo, does it become clear that just looking out the window was an accomplishment. Details of Harley's childhood and married life are droppped like a trail of breadcrumbs. Slowly the reader sees these two, their physical imperfections, and their inherent inner goodness. In contrast, Grenville introduces local housewife Felicity Porcelline, who is portrayed -- again, gradually -- as someone obsessed with her appearance, the cleanliness of her home, and her son's academic performance. She appears perfect on the outside, but inside she leads a self-centered, deceptive life.

This book had a surprisingly strong impact on me. I loved the slow reveal of the characters, and their ultimate depth. And while the book moved quickly, Grenville suggests plot in the same way she does her characters. There were many times in this novel where she made a subtle point that connected several other events in a way that literally left me wide-eyed, astonished, and saying "OH ... !!" out loud. The Idea of Perfection is sure to be one of my top reads of 2008. ( )

Purple Hibiscus

Paula
Isabel Allende
330 pages


At the age of 28 Isabel Allende's daughter, Paula, was stricken by porphyria and lapsed into a coma. Paula was written at her bedside as a way to work through emotions and unfinished business. Allende re-tells the tragic story of Paula's illness and treatment, while simultaneously recounting her life story.

I cannot begin to imagine the strain of caring for someone with a long-term illness. Allende approached the situation with fierce devotion and drive, doing everything within her power to help Paula. She rallied other family members even during the darkest times, and turned to her writing for emotional release.

Isabel Allende is one of my favorite authors, so I found it quite interesting to learn about her childhood, the family members who inspired her writing, and her escape from Chile's political unrest. In turn, she inspired me as a feminist, a mother, and a deeply spiritual woman. ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge: Isabel Allende was born August 2, 1942.

Out Stealing Horses

Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie
552 pages


Saleem Sinai was born at midnight on August 15, 1947, just as India attained independence. At the age of 10, he becomes aware that all children born in the historic first hour of independence are endowed with special gifts: It was as though -- if you will permit me one moment of fancy in what will otherwise be, I promise, the most sober account I can manage -- as though history, arriving at a point of the highest significance and promise, had chosen to sow, in that instant, the seeds of a future which would genuinely differ from anything the world had seen up to that time. (p. 234) Saleem's story plays out in accordance with a prophesy delivered to his mother shortly before his birth. His story is a metaphor for India. And, over the course of this book, the journeys and fates of Midnight's Children parallel India's growing pains.

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. At first, I found Rushdie's prose a bit wordy, and I'm not a big fan of magical realism. But once the secret of Midnight's Chidren was revealed, I was hooked and found this book hard to put down. I was also intrigued because Rushdie himself was born in 1947; to what extent did political and economic events shape him? How much of his story is embodied in Midnight's Children?

This book is on the shortlist for this year's "Best of Booker" award, having already been recognized as the "Booker of Bookers" on the 25th anniversary of the prize. It's a a noteworthy book and one I'm glad to say I've read. ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge: Salman Rushdie was born June 19, 1947.

 

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
Barbara Kingsolver
352 pages


This was one of the most inspiring books I've read in a long time.  In this memoir, Barbara Kingsolver describes the year that she and her family spent living on locally-grown livestock and produce, much of which they raised and grew on their own farm.  Acknowledging the fast-paced and urban nature of modern American society, Kingsolver noted, "Most people of my grandparents' generation had an intuitive sense of agricultural basics: when various fruits and vegetables come into season, which ones keep through the winter, how to preserve the others." (p. 9)  Yet today, most of our food is shipped over long distances and often from other countries, in order to be available to American consumers year-round.  All this transportation requires fuel -- a waste and yes, a danger, given the threat of climate change.

This book is organized chronologically through the family's "year of eating locally," beginning in April with the first asparagus and the arrival of laying hens.  In addition to their own food production, Kingsolver describes experiences with local food on a family vacation, as well as on a trip to Italy with her husband.  Her husband and older daughter contribute essays, recipes, and sidebar topics that enrich the book and provide resources for the reader to conduct their own research on the subject.

I came to this book already interested in gardening, and in supporting our local farming community.  I've now identified some initial steps I can take to increase the amount of local food on my own table.  I'm not quite ready to raise (and yes, slaughter) my own livestock, nor am I going to swear off the supermarket altogether.  But I'd like to think my actions will result in a healthier, tastier diet and make a small dent in fossil fuel consumption.  ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge: Barbara Kingsolver was born April 8, 1955.

What is the What
Dave Eggers
475 pages


This is the life story of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan. Separated from his family at the age of 7, Valentino walked across Sudan into Ethiopia with hundreds of boys in similar circumstances. For 14 years, while his country was ravaged by civil war, Valentino lived in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. He was ultimately resettled to the U.S. as part of a relief effort.

Valentino's story is heart-breaking. He witnessed violence, and cruelty at such a young age. His own village was attacked by militia, with villagers brutally murdered. During the walk across Sudan, boys routinely died of malnutrition or other illnesses. Conditions in the refugee camps were appallingly bad. And it shocked me to realize that these refugee camps were not at all temporary; that a conflict can exist for so many years that the camp becomes the only life its inhabitants know.

This was a difficult book in many ways, but extremely well-written. Highly recommended. ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge: Dave Eggers was born March 12, 1970.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Carson McCullers
430 pages 


Set in the American south in the 1930s, this classic novel is an intense character study. Each chapter focuses on one of five characters:

• Mick Kelly, a teenage girl shouldering the burden of caring for younger siblings, and hoping for better things in life
• Biff Brannon, a local restaurant owner, who as a result of his profession observes the comings and goings of the town's white population
• Jake Blount, a loudmouth alcoholic working at a local amusement park frequented by the town's African-American population
• Benedict Copeland, an African-American doctor and passionate advocate for "negro rights"
• Mr. Singer, a deaf man who lives as a boarder in Mick's house

Mick, Biff, Jake, and Dr. Copeland each befriend Mr. Singer independently, and visit him regularly in his rooms. Each in their own way reveals their soul and their dreams.  Singer lip-reads and occasionally comments in writing, but mostly he is a blank canvas.  Each of the five is terribly lonely and isolated, but they find solace in Mr. Singer.  He is, for each person, whoever they want him to be.  Singer himself is fulfilled by periodic visits to a former roommate, another deaf man who has been placed in an institution.

This makes for an intriguing story and it's quite well-written, and yet I found it difficult to read.  Each individual's story is depressing and holds out little hope.  And it may have just been a bad time for me to read something like this.  I can understand its place in the canon of classic literature, and would even recommend it to others.  Just be prepared for it and consider having something more uplifting to read concurrently.  ( )

I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge:  Carson McCullers was born February 19, 1917.

The Boleyn Inheritance
Philippa Gregory
516 pages



The Boleyn Inheritance recounts the lives of King Henry VIII's fourth and fifth wives:  Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard.  The book begins in 1539, when Anne is chosen to be Henry's wife.  Once at court, she is attended by Jane Boleyn as her lady in waiting.  During Anne's brief reign as queen, Katherine is a young lady's maid.  She is no more than 15 years old, and portrayed as self-centered, materialistic, and loose.  Jane is older and wiser, and has the dubious distinction of having given evidence against her husband, George, and her sister-in-law, Anne Boleyn, which led to their execution (Gregory's earlier novel, The Other Boleyn Girl, covers that period in Tudor history).  Throughout the book, Jane is in cahoots with her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, developing schemes to build her family's wealth and status at court.

The story is told from three points of view:  Anne, Jane, and Katherine.  This is an excellent device, which allows for many aspects of the story to be revealed in ways that would be impossible if told by a single narrator.  I most enjoyed Gregory's portrayal of Anne of Cleves.  Anne comes across as the smartest one of the bunch, level-headed and able to forgive the egregious allegations against her.  The descriptions of court life, and Henry VIII's tyrannical rule, make for compelling reading.  While some liberties may have been taken in the interest of storytelling, Gregory includes an author's note at the end of the book, where she acknowledges the aspects of the story based on historical record, and those she had to invent (chief among them, Jane Boleyn's motives in perpetrating evil on the two queens).  This was an enjoyable read, and at some point I'd like to add to my knowledge by reading non-fiction works on Tudor history. 


I read this book for the Celebrate the Author challenge:  Philippa Gregory was born 9 January, 1954.