Kindred by Octavia Butler
A time travel novel that reveals the horrors of slavery and the effects of living in constant fear and uncertainty. Dana, a black woman living in 1976, is suddenly tugged back in time to the early 1800s, where she rescues a young white boy named Rufus, who is destined to become Dana’s ancestor (and who is not the world’s greatest human being, to put it lightly). Repeatedly, Dana is called back in time whenever Rufus faces danger, and she can return to her life in the 1970s only when her own life is in danger. Dana’s husband Kevin, who is white, also travels back in time with her on one of her journeys, and the couple find themselves carrying out a strange and terrible façade of acting as slave and master. We know from the very beginning that Dana survives, but only after she suffers a severe injury. Nevertheless, there were several points in this book when I feared for her well-being. Butler (1947-2006) was a fabulous writer who fully deserved that MacArthur genius grant— and she was someone we lost too soon.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Driving Around with a Poodle
Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
I remembered loving this book when I first read it years ago, and I’ve just recently listened to it on audiobook – and it’s reminded me why I adored the book in the first place. Steinbeck’s tone is perfection: wryly funny, observant, non-judgmental. Several times I found myself just smiling as I listened. In fall 1960, Steinbeck began his journey in New England, driving his truck camper (which he dubbed Rocinante) and accompanied by his poodle Charley. His aim was to rediscover America and its people, while remaining anonymous himself. As he drove west, Steinbeck met ordinary, interesting people and talked with them – and mainly, listened to them. I was interested to hear that before the 1960 election, people seemed disengaged from politics and reluctant to express an opinion. (I thought that only happened after Watergate!) He talks with waitresses, a roving actor, a ranch hand, a cab driver, some very wealthy folks, and many others. Steinbeck deviates from his non-judgmental tone when he reaches the South and witnesses the horrifying spectacle of white women jeering a very young African-American girl as she enters her school. This is the scene I recalled most vividly from my first reading of the book; it’s unforgettably horrid. Overall, this book is a fascinating snapshot of America; it’s also my favorite book by Steinbeck.
I remembered loving this book when I first read it years ago, and I’ve just recently listened to it on audiobook – and it’s reminded me why I adored the book in the first place. Steinbeck’s tone is perfection: wryly funny, observant, non-judgmental. Several times I found myself just smiling as I listened. In fall 1960, Steinbeck began his journey in New England, driving his truck camper (which he dubbed Rocinante) and accompanied by his poodle Charley. His aim was to rediscover America and its people, while remaining anonymous himself. As he drove west, Steinbeck met ordinary, interesting people and talked with them – and mainly, listened to them. I was interested to hear that before the 1960 election, people seemed disengaged from politics and reluctant to express an opinion. (I thought that only happened after Watergate!) He talks with waitresses, a roving actor, a ranch hand, a cab driver, some very wealthy folks, and many others. Steinbeck deviates from his non-judgmental tone when he reaches the South and witnesses the horrifying spectacle of white women jeering a very young African-American girl as she enters her school. This is the scene I recalled most vividly from my first reading of the book; it’s unforgettably horrid. Overall, this book is a fascinating snapshot of America; it’s also my favorite book by Steinbeck.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
It was a dark and stormy night...
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
I chose this book for our book club to read, because it was one of those books I’ve long felt like I should have read. And I’m happy to report: I picked a winner! There’s a reason this one has stood the test of time. (Or— maybe I’ve just realized I’m a fan of the gothic novel?!) From the famous first sentence of the book (“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”), the reader knows that the narrator and her husband have been cast out of the garden… but the reasons are not yet clear. The narrator, a naïve young woman whose name we never learn (except that she becomes Mrs. de Winter), makes some shocking choices in the face of some appalling circumstances. (Good for discussion, people!) Her new husband, Maxim, is mysterious and brooding. Their housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is straight from the devil himself. Mrs. Danvers still mourns the death of Rebecca, Maxim de Winter’s first wife— a woman who, by all accounts, was darn near perfect. Rebecca was beautiful, she rode horses and sailed with abandon, she threw remarkable parties, and she could decorate a house with the best of them. And then she died in a tragic sailing accident. In Rebecca’s shadow, our narrator feels inferior and unwanted because she has realized that her husband is still in love with his first wife. Then, halfway through the story, everything is turned upside down. The final sentence of one of the chapters made my eyes go wide with surprise. (I love it when this happens.) Wow. Good story.
I chose this book for our book club to read, because it was one of those books I’ve long felt like I should have read. And I’m happy to report: I picked a winner! There’s a reason this one has stood the test of time. (Or— maybe I’ve just realized I’m a fan of the gothic novel?!) From the famous first sentence of the book (“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”), the reader knows that the narrator and her husband have been cast out of the garden… but the reasons are not yet clear. The narrator, a naïve young woman whose name we never learn (except that she becomes Mrs. de Winter), makes some shocking choices in the face of some appalling circumstances. (Good for discussion, people!) Her new husband, Maxim, is mysterious and brooding. Their housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is straight from the devil himself. Mrs. Danvers still mourns the death of Rebecca, Maxim de Winter’s first wife— a woman who, by all accounts, was darn near perfect. Rebecca was beautiful, she rode horses and sailed with abandon, she threw remarkable parties, and she could decorate a house with the best of them. And then she died in a tragic sailing accident. In Rebecca’s shadow, our narrator feels inferior and unwanted because she has realized that her husband is still in love with his first wife. Then, halfway through the story, everything is turned upside down. The final sentence of one of the chapters made my eyes go wide with surprise. (I love it when this happens.) Wow. Good story.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The Second Convention
Fraternity: A Journey in Search of Five Presidents by Bob Greene
In honor of the Republican National Convention this week – a book about five recent former Presidents, four of whom are Republicans. Journalist Bob Greene decided to visit and interview each of the then-living former Presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush 41. He describes the surreal experience of meeting a former President – how the face and voice are very familiar, but the person himself is larger than life. The moments and observations that have stuck with me:
Nixon, decrying the lower-casing of the word “President” by the media; and explaining that he always wore a suit jacket in the office, even when he was alone. A man who never let anyone, even his best friend, get close to him, but who – ironically – was exposed to the entire world.
Carter, whose innate wariness causes there always to be a staffer in the room along with him and an interviewer – but who also comes across as a man who humbles himself in his service to others. He spoke of the friendship between himself and Ford, who interestingly is the other member of this exclusive club with whom Carter feels the greatest affinity.
Bush 41, who comes across as a decent man who is relieved to be able to attend a baseball game once again without being subjected to picketing and boo-ing – but who also expressed nostalgia for his years living in the White House.
Ford, who, of all of them, seems the most comfortable in his own skin. His lack of pretension is refreshing. He spoke of the nightly prayer he has said since his high school days; of his lifelong friendships with his high school football teammates, who still call him “Jerry;” of his friendship with JFK when they had Congressional offices across the corridor from one another; and of his service on the Warren Commission, investigating his old friend’s murder. And it’s downright endearing to find that the movie he mentions as a favorite is Mrs. Doubtfire.
Reagan announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis before Greene had the opportunity to interview him. Greene’s description of Nancy Reagan’s standing in for her husband at a ceremony, for the first time of many, is poignant.
A good behind-the-scenes view of life after the White House.
In honor of the Republican National Convention this week – a book about five recent former Presidents, four of whom are Republicans. Journalist Bob Greene decided to visit and interview each of the then-living former Presidents: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush 41. He describes the surreal experience of meeting a former President – how the face and voice are very familiar, but the person himself is larger than life. The moments and observations that have stuck with me:
Nixon, decrying the lower-casing of the word “President” by the media; and explaining that he always wore a suit jacket in the office, even when he was alone. A man who never let anyone, even his best friend, get close to him, but who – ironically – was exposed to the entire world.
Carter, whose innate wariness causes there always to be a staffer in the room along with him and an interviewer – but who also comes across as a man who humbles himself in his service to others. He spoke of the friendship between himself and Ford, who interestingly is the other member of this exclusive club with whom Carter feels the greatest affinity.
Bush 41, who comes across as a decent man who is relieved to be able to attend a baseball game once again without being subjected to picketing and boo-ing – but who also expressed nostalgia for his years living in the White House.
Ford, who, of all of them, seems the most comfortable in his own skin. His lack of pretension is refreshing. He spoke of the nightly prayer he has said since his high school days; of his lifelong friendships with his high school football teammates, who still call him “Jerry;” of his friendship with JFK when they had Congressional offices across the corridor from one another; and of his service on the Warren Commission, investigating his old friend’s murder. And it’s downright endearing to find that the movie he mentions as a favorite is Mrs. Doubtfire.
Reagan announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis before Greene had the opportunity to interview him. Greene’s description of Nancy Reagan’s standing in for her husband at a ceremony, for the first time of many, is poignant.
A good behind-the-scenes view of life after the White House.
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