7 Nov

Unmentionables

Posted by alicemcnamara in Historical Fiction. Tagged: , , .

Author Laurie Lowenstein

Author Laurie Lowenstein

Unmentionables is the first published novel by author Laurie Lowenstein. The publisher has placed it in the historical fiction category. I’m not so sure about that; I think it’s more “fiction” than”historical”. But that’s a minor point.

As the novel opens, we meet Marian Elliot Adams, a speaker on the “Chautauqua” circuit, who is traveling the midwest to promote sensible dress for women; specifically she is a proponent of women discarding heavy, constricting, undergarments in order to fully participate in a more robust, healthful life. In the small town of Emporia (Illinois? The first clue is that one of the characters is the President of the Western Illinois Savings and Loan, but it was a bit confusing at first to figure out where the action was taking place), Mrs. Elliot Adams’ message is not well received by all. The year is 1917, but Emporia seems stuck in the nineteenth century.

Leaving the stage after her speech, Marian falls and hurts her ankle. So she is forced to linger in Emporia. While there, she interacts with numerous townspeople and, just as they are affected by her and her modern ways, Marian is affected by them.

Marian becomes friendly with Deuce Garland, the publisher of Emporia’s newspaper. She also meets Deuce’s step-daughter Helen, who is working at the newspaper following her high school graduation. Marian encourages Helen to follow her dream of moving to Chicago. Marian also encourages Deuce to print controversial stories and editorials that displease his wealthy father-in-law, who is the real owner of the newspaper.

When Marian completes her summer speaking circuit, she  volunteers for a Red Cross relief effort in rural France. She and Deuce continue to develop their relationship via mail. Meanwhile, Helen is struggling to find her place in Chicago.

Generally, I enjoyed this novel. However, the action was a bit disjointed. While it seemed necessary for Marian and Deuce’s relationship that they be separated, the choice of Marian going off to France was odd. It seemed as if there were three main centers of action-Chicago, Emporia, and France. It was difficult to tell when different events were occurring; then all of a sudden it seemed an entire year had passed. But it was a quick and engaging read nonetheless. Once again, many thanks to LibraryThing and its Early Reviewer program for sending this book to me.

In USA:

Softcover edition-to be published-Kaylie Jones/Akashic Books-January 2014

Unmentionables

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5 Oct

Gravity

Posted by alicemcnamara in Movie. Tagged: , , , , , .

Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone

Sandra Bullock as
Dr. Ryan Stone

First of all-this movie had received a tremendous amount of pre-opening publicity. And for me, the main effect was that I didn’t think I could deal with sitting through a feature length film with someone in a space suit the whole time. For all the other claustrophobia sufferers out there-don’t worry; I managed to deal with it, you probably can too!

George Clooney is Matt Kowalski, the Commander of the mission that includes Bullock’s Ryan Stone as a doctor on her first space mission. While on an extra-vehicular repair mission, their craft is bombarded by debris from a Russian satellite. Their spacecraft is destroyed, and Kowalski and Stone are the sole survivors. Due to the debris field, all communication with Houston is severed. Their only hope of returning to Earth is either a rescue mission (not likely considering the only oxygen they have is what is in their personal supply) or getting to the nearby Chinese space station.

This movie has great visuals. The views of Earth from 600 km are spectacular. The action sequences (mainly space disasters) are frightening.

It’s hard to imagine in this day and age that a movie would only have two characters, plus the disembodied voice of Ed Harris at Mission Control in Houston. But Gravity really does capture and keep your attention. Everything that I have read about Gravity indicates that it is scientifically accurate. I also read that the astronauts were filmed separately on a “green screen”, and did not actually interact. And yet the dialogue is quite real seeming.

Due to the above mentioned claustrophobia issues, as well as timing, I was happy not to see Gravity in 3-D.But I sure it would be really spectacular for those who can stand it.

I think Gravity is a really good movie, and probably important to see if you want to get in on those Monday morning water cooler conversations.

23 Sep

The Illusion of Separateness

Posted by alicemcnamara in Fiction.

Simon Van Booy

Simon Van Booy

This elegant and moving novel by British author Simon Van Booy should be on everyone’s short list of must-reads. It tells the story of  five people in different times and places. They move through their lives unaware of their connection to the other characters. The connections between them become apparent as the novel unfolds. Of course the final piece of this puzzle becomes apparent only at the end.

The characters are complex and original. The settings in which we meet them are portrayed vividly and realistically.

The novel bounces between France in 1944, New York and Los Angeles in the present, rural France in 1968, and England in 1981. You would think that this would result in a disjointed mish-mash, but it never does. The story flows smoothly and evenly, with much emotion simmering below the surface.

The Illusion of Separateness is short and powerful. And I will be re-reading it tonight!

In USA:

Published in hardcover-Harper-2013
Softcover edition-HarperCollins-2013

The Illusion of Separateness: A Novel

18 Sep

Noah’s Rainy Day

Posted by alicemcnamara in Fiction. Tagged: , , , , .

Author Sandra Brannan

Author Sandra Brannan

Noah’s Rainy Day is the fourth book in Sandra Brannan’s series featuring Liv Bergen, now an FBI Special Agent. Liv has recently completed her FBI training in Quantico, Virginia, and is newly returned to the Denver area. Liv is staying with the family of her sister, Frances, while she searches for an apartment large enough to accommodate her and Beulah, The FBI bloodhound that she works with. Noah is Liv’s twelve year old nephew. He is afflicted with a severe form of cerebral palsy. He is nearly blind, and can barely move independently. Noah, however, is smart, observant, and wants to be a spy like his hero, his Auntie Liv.

Liv and Beulah are summoned to Denver International Airport on Christmas Eve to work on their first case together. A five year old boy, Max, has disappeared from the airport during a layover on his New York to Los Angeles flight. His parents are divorcing and his wealthy father has sent him to spend Christmas with his mother in LA. Mr. Bennett has paid an airline employee to escort little Max to his destination. When Max doesn’t deplane in LA, his waiting mother becomes hysterical, and the search is on.

Noah’s Rainy Day is interesting, fact-paced and, overall, a good read. And even though I haven’t read the previous three Liv Bergen books, it was simple enough to get up to speed on the characters and the story line.

The only nit I have to pick will probably sound familiar to readers of this blog. Liv is a smart, strong, independent woman. She and her colleagues are working round the clock to help solve the mystery of Max’s disappearance. And yet-Liv has time to wonder about the new cologne one of her male co-workers is wearing. She is convinced that is was given to him by a female co-worker, and she is jealous. And he is not even the colleague that she is interested in. What gives?

On the other hand, it’s great to have a character with a severe disability take center stage in a novel. Although Noah’s body is crippled, his mind is active and inquisitive. He shows tremendous empathy for the missing Max, and his assistance is crucial bringing Max home.

So-overall, I give Noah’s Rainy Day a thumbs up. Once again, many thinks to the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for sending me this book. I look forward to reading Brannan’s earlier novels featuring Liv Bergen.

In USA:

Softcover edition-Greenleaf Book Group Press-2013

Noah’s Rainy Day

7 Sep

Book Catch Up

Posted by alicemcnamara in Biography, Fiction.

Portrait of a Spy: A Gabriel Allon story by Daniel Silva. One of the better books in this series about the former Israeli agent Gabriel Allon. Interesting characters, fast-paced drama. Fun to read.

Cartwheel: A LibraryThing Early Reviewer selection by Jennifer Dubois. This is inspired by the Amanda Knox story. A young woman is arrested for murder while studying abroad. It is interesting from the start. The central question, of course, is whether Lily Hayes did in fact murder her roommate. Lily’s case is not helped by her odd behavior. Or is the problem that her behavior is misinterpreted due to language and cultural barriers? It’s hard to discuss this too thoroughly without giving alot away. But there remain interesting ambiguities in the story and this is a worthwhile read.

The River of Doubt: Candice Millard’s portrait of Theodore Roosevelt’s expedition into the South American interior. After TR’s defeat in the 1912 Presidential campaign, he embarked on an epic trip to South America. This book depicts Roosevelt’s reason for making this trip, as well as the egos involved in the trip and the serious blunders that occurred along the way. Like many well-written expedition tales, even though the reader knows how the story ends, it is still an interesting and gripping drama.

I think I read a few other books since I last blogged, but none of them are memorable enough to write about. So now I’m all caught up!

7 Sep

Movie Catch Up

Posted by alicemcnamara in Movie.

I’ve spent the summer running from here to there and there to here. I’ve been a houseguest, I’ve had houseguests, and have not had much time to blog. So I’m having a quick catch-up session, and will shortly be up to date.

Three movies:

Fruitvale Station: Not for the faint of heart. This gripping docu-drama tells the sad story of Oscar Grant, the 22 year old man who was killed by a police officer on the  platform of the Fruitvale BART station. The movie recounts the final day of Oscar’s life, with flashbacks to his past. Quite graphic.

Blue Jasmine: The latest Woody Allen movie. Although there are amusing moments, this is definitely not a comedy. Alec Baldwin plays a Bernard Madoff like character, with Cate Blanchett as his wife.They are living the high life at the expense of everyone who’s ever invested with him. Cate’s character (Jasmine) moves to San Francisco to start her life over. There, she invents her own story in an attempt to have a fabulous new life.

Planes: Sort of like Cars, but with planes. The star is Dusty, a cropduster who enters an around the world race. Fine for the younger set, with a bit of potential scariness while Dusty flies through a severe storm. It is nowhere near as well done as Cars, and lacks the fine soundtrack.

14 Aug

The Woman Upstairs

Posted by alicemcnamara in Fiction. Tagged: , , , .

Claire Messud

Claire Messud

The Woman Upstairs is Claire Messud’s novel about a single woman, Nora Eldridge who, in her own mind, typifies the literary trope of “the woman upstairs”. Nora is a third grade teacher in Boston. She lives alone, and has a very narrow social circle. Nora has spent years helping her father care for her dying mother, and now helps out her elderly father.

Nora fancies herself an artist, although she has little to show for her pretensions. Her major work is a miniature version of Emily Dickinson’s bedroom. She obsesses over each detail. She also plans dioramas of the rooms of other women artists, including Andy Warhol’s muse, Edie Sedgwick.

As a new school year begins, Nora meets the Shahid family. Reza is her pupil. His father, Skandar has come to Cambridge to spend a year as a visiting professor at Harvard. Reza’s mother, Sirena, is an artist who reluctantly accompanies her husband from Paris, where she has been preparing for a show. To continue her work in Boston, Sirena rents a studio and asks Nora to share the space. Nora of course agrees.

And she agrees because she is a doormat, and because she has fallen in love with the entire Shahid family. The way she responds to each of them individually is creepy, particularly Reza. Nora moons a bit too much over the eight year old’s eyes. Yuck! Of course the family takes advantage of her. Nora helps Sirena with her art, while neglecting her own. She also babysits for Reza while his parents pursue the active social life available to university professors.

Of course this odd relationship will take its toll on the characters, particularly on Nora. In a way, Nora is much like the main character in the previous book I reviewed, Rockaway. She wants to be an artist, but is unable to commit to the lifestyle. She uses others as her excuse not to create. She is emotionally stunted and, altogether, a very unpleasant person.

Nora has so few redeeming qualities it was difficult to read this book. She is not at all interesting. She stalks the Shahid family, but they don’t even mind because they are so happy to use her in any way to make their lives easier. What a bunch of losers! I say pass on this book.

In USA:

Published in hardcover-Knopf-2013
Softcover edition-to be published-Vintage-February 2014

The Woman Upstairs

6 Aug

Songs of Willow Frost

Posted by alicemcnamara in Fiction. Tagged: , , , .

Songs of Willow Frost is the second novel by Jamie Ford, the (justly) acclaimed author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Like his previous work, this novel explores a dark time in American history. This is the story of a 12-year-old Chinese boy who lives in a Seattle orphanage in 1934.  While conditions at Sacred Heart Orphanage are harsh, William Eng and the other orphans are relatively lucky. Outside the walls of Sacred Heart, the Great Depression rages. Dispossessed families live in a nearby Hooverville. There are bread lines, and children work to support their families by shining shoes and selling newspapers. William and the other orphans have a roof over their heads, 3 meals a day, and regular schooling.

Many of the children at Sacred Heart are not, technically, orphans. Their families, unable to care for them, have left them at the orphanage, with a vague promise to one day return. The annual outing celebrating the collective birthday of the boys of Sacred Heart includes a visit to a local movie theater. On the screen, William sees the actress Willow Frost.  He is convinced that Willow is his mother. The last time William saw his beloved ah-ma he was six years old and she lay dying in a bathtub in their small apartment in a seedy Seattle hotel. Liu Song was brought to a hospital, and William to Sacred Heart.

William sees from a flyer that Willow is appearing in a revue that will soon be coming to Seattle. He is determined to escape the orphanage and find Willow.

Songs of Willow Frost is an excellent novel. The characters are realistic and believable. The plot moves along at a good pace, despite the use of flashbacks. It took me a long time to read this book, but only because it was so sad that I could only read a little at a time. Jamie Ford has avoided the “sophomore curse” of so many second novels. I highly recommend this book. Many thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for sending this along to me.

In USA:

Author Jamie Ford

Author Jamie Ford

Hardcover-to be published-Ballanatine Books- September 2013

Songs of Willow Frost: A Novel

8 Jul

Rockaway

Posted by alicemcnamara in Fiction. Tagged: , , , .

Tara Ison

Tara Ison

LaJolla

LaJolla

Rockaway

Rockaway

Rockaway is the very new novel by Tara Ison. I had not heard of her or any of her books before, and was pleased that my book club made this our next selection. We actually chose it from Oprah Magazine’s “Best Books of Summer” feature. And this book is about a summer-specifically the summer of 2001 which the protagonist, an artist named Sarah, spends in a borrowed house in Rockaway, Queens.

Sarah has been an unsuccessful artist. At 35, she works in an art supply store in her hometown of LaJolla, California. She lives in a dreary apartment, and spends much of her time caring for her not-so-elderly parents. A local gallery owner offers Sarah the possibility of a show based on some old paintings of hers. But the gallery owner wishes to exhibit only current works by the more mature Sarah. With the help of a childhood friend, Sarah relocates temporarily to Rockaway for inspiration and time alone to paint.

At first, this scenario strains credibility. I’ve been to LaJolla, and I’ve been to Rockaway. If I were an artist, I couldn’t imagine a more inspiring landscape/seascape than LaJolla.(see photos above-take your pick!) But it soon becomes clear that Sarah’s need is more than inspiring scenery. She needs to break free of her needy, depressed parents and follow her own vision. This is not easy for her, as she is immature, unfocused, self-centered and has a serious, unacknowledged drinking problem.

Sarah is judgmental, and really unable to connect meaningfully with other people. Sarah procrastinates, makes excuses for her lack of productivity, and consoles herself with alcohol. Not a pretty picture.It’s tough to empathize with Sarah, until we learn more about her family background, and how childhood events have shaped her adult life.

Rockaway is a quick and easy read, but definitely has more depth than the usual summer beach book.

In USA:

Published in softcover-Soft Skull Press-2013

Rockaway: A Novel

6 Jul

Imperfect Harmony

Posted by alicemcnamara in Memoir. Tagged: , , , .

Author Stacy Horn

Author Stacy Horn

Imperfect Harmony is Stacy Horn‘s memoir about singing in an amateur choir. The choir has added depth and meaning to Horn’s life. But this book is much more than that. It is also a brief history of choral singing. Horn touches on the lives of the composers of great choral music, and much of that is fascinating. There are also very interesting passages on the research which has shown the benefits that music, and singing in particular, has for people.

Horn sings with The Choral Society, which is associated with Grace Church in New York City. The Choral Society is one of the premiere amateur musical groups in the city. As part of her well-documented research for this book, Horn has interviews fellow choir members, as well as the choir director and the associate director. All have a unique perspective on choral singing and on The Choral Society.

Grace Church is an old, established Episcopal congregation. Most interesting to me in this book is Horn’s exploration of the dichotomy between her non-belief and the inspiration she receives from performing some of the most religious choral works written.

I really enjoyed reading Imperfect Harmony. As an amateur musician myself, I feel that Horn did a masterful job in explaining how being part of a musical group can enhance one’s own life. I play in a community band, and every year I look forward to that first e-mail with our rehearsal and performance schedule.

Many thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for sending me this book!

In USA:

Published in softcover-Algonquin Books-2013

Imperfect Harmony: Finding Happiness Singing with Others

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