6/5 BORDER HACKER- Levi Vonk-Would never have read this were Levi not Bali’s son-in-law. I think it is a very important book about the disaster of our immigration policy, the profound suffering of the people entrapped at/near/approaching U.S. borders; a story of almost incomprehensible corruption. The writer’s obsession with his main character became a bit too obsessive for me, I started worrying about him (and his wife—always a problem with contemporary ‘non-fiction’ and actually knowing something of the writer’s life) and—for me--that diluted the power of Levi’s story. 4 of 5 “stars.
6/28 THE INVENTION OF WINGS-Sue Monk Kidd - This wonderful novel was based on real life people and some actual events. The chapters alternated between the voice of an enslaved girl (& then woman) and the daughter of the family that owned her in Charleston SC. The white woman became a famous abolitionist and suffragette. Which is giving part of the plot away. It was an engrossing read. 4.2
7/6 PACHINKO-Min Jin Lee-This fairly long book, following 4 generations of Koreans held my attention and also taught me a lot about that terribly beleaguered country and the trauma of their displacement. I became attached to most of the characters and to the landscapes of their lost country. A few ups, but mostly downs.4
7/12 CLOUD CUCKOO LAND-Anthony Doerr- I did not expect to love this 620 page book, especially knowing that it bounced around time periods, with some of the book being placed in the future—never my favorite. It was engrossing and, while different (but related with child/children in company of older adults) from ALL THE LIGHT YOU CANNOT SEE, I found it more artful. It was suspenseful, thoughtful and important. 5
7/17 HORSE-Geraldine Brooks -While not the best of her books—and I do love most of them—this was the book for horse lovers, science and research nerds, and Civil War buffs. Also, a very good book opening a window on slavery. Brooks did her research and also created some characters and a horse that will stay with me. 4
7/26 CASA ROSSA- Francesca Marciano - Sure am giving a lot of 4s, but this was such an interesting story set in Italy and like the ** book, harking back (just a bit) to Italy’s amnesia concerning who the country stood with in WWII, but more to the 1970’d ‘terrorists’ and, yet also a family saga, covering 3 generations of women. The portrayal of Rome and of the South of Italy both so good and compelling. 4
8/10 THE PIANO TUNER-Daniel Mason-Oh no, another 4! (Looks like I need to demote GONER). This very detailed story set in mid/late 19th century during the British colonization of Burma is filled with fascinating details. Political undertones, amazing descriptions of a most exotic culture and the flowers, dances, butterflies, birds of a foreign land. Passion and more than I would ever think to want to know about how to tune a precious piano. 4
8/21 THE PAPER PALACE-Miranda C. Heller- A most engrossing story, well-constructed, swinging between one day and the entire life of the narrator. Unforgettable characters, and a profound sense of place. The Cape, a settlement of long time family friends with ‘summer places’’ encircling a kettle pond of the purest water, water fowl, snapping turtles;, forest separating them from dunes and sea. Right and mostly wrong choices, the conundrum of family. 4.4
9/30 HARLEM SHUFFLE -Colson Whithed- A good read, not really my type, though—some crime noir/mystery. Yet an excellent peek into Black Americans’ climb into the middle class and, I have to assume, an insightful portrayal of post war Harlem. 4
10/9 HALF OF THE YELLOW SUN - *Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie-- Wonderful characters, heartbreaking story of basically the formation and then defeat/dissolution of Biafra. A sensory story, as well as an important one. I learned so much. The writer had a firm grip on the chronological progression and choice of character portrayal. 4.6
10/15 PROPERTIES OF THIRST - Marianne Wiggins - This just published novel got such a high review from the much-respected reader, Nancyne of Fringe, that I rushed out and bought the hardback. And was deeply disappointed. I have loved the novels of Marianne Wiggins and hoped for this book, completed 5 years after her devastating stroke. The characters were not believable. The setting was excellent but the two central ‘issues:’ water theft by the City of L. A. and the interment of the Japanese seemed diluted. 3.5
11/7 LESS IS LOST-Andrew Sean Greer- I so loved LESS that, when I heard a sequel had just been published, I rushed to get the hardback. I don’t, as a rule, care for sequels, but it was so nice to meet Less again, such an endearing feckless character. LESS and LESS IS LOST might both be characterized as ‘road trip novels, though the first was an international road trip and the 2nd the American Deep South. Lots of laugh out loud sections is this second book too. Like the first, interesting commentary on writers & maybe on writing. 4.3
11/27 RANDOM FAMILY - Adrian N. LeBlanc- I was half way through this book before I realized it wasn’t a novel, but a non-fiction piece about “Love, Drugs, Trouble. And Coming of Age in The Bronx.” But really a powerful story about the smothering trap of poverty. Heart breaking. The first book of a brilliant scholar who spent 11 years researching/being with her characters. Her quote: “The hardships of these young people and their families are not unusual in their neighborhoods. Neither are their gifts.” 4.3
12/26 - DEMON COPPERHEAD -Barbara Kingsolver -Almost didn’t give this 5, because there is some not very subtle (but very needed ) propaganda in this novel, set not far from here. Demon’s voice is wonderful, his insights so very quotable. It’s been a long time since I read David Copperfield (the skeleton of this narrative just as Hamlet is the skeleton of EDGAR SAWTELL), but imagine Dickens writing in a drug epidemic. I think this is Kingsolver’s most important book. The writing is really good, but the story and characters and compassion will stay with you forever. 5