Novels Now

Where The Love of God Hangs Out
By Amy Bloom
Completed February 1, 2010

For readers unfamiliar with Amy Bloom, her latest selection of short stories, Where The God of Love Hangs Out, would be a good start into this talented writer’s world. Stories in this collection showed the wide range of love - family love, friendship, forbidden affairs and lust. Bloom explores it all, hiding from nothing, exposing her readers to the many types of love that exist in this world.

Several of the stories in this book are interwoven, giving readers a peak into certain characters’ journeys. This is especially true of Lionel and Julias, whose stories comprised a good portion of the collection. Julia was Lionel’s stepmom, and the two shared a love that ranged from motherly to intimate to aloof. Other stories stood alone - short tales that packed a mighty punch - such as the last story (my favorite ) that explored the friendship between a father and his son’s wife.

No matter which story you read, Bloom’s prose will sweep you away. She works magic with every sentence. Her characters are realistic and engaging, and their love for their spouses, lovers, family members or friends represented all types of love. My only word of caution would be to those who don’t like to read about sex: some of the scenes are graphic and could be a turn off to some readers. With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the stories in Where The God of Love Hangs Out - and look forward to reading more stories by Amy Bloom. ( )

Secrets of Eden
By Chris Bohjalian
Completed February 21, 2010

A trademark Chris Bohjalian novel is one of suspense, engaging characters and a plot twist that few could anticipate. This magic formula is once again employed in Bohjalian’s latest book, Secrets of Eden.

Secrets of Eden tells the tragic story of Alice Hayward – an abused wife who was killed by her husband during a fit of rage. We see Alice’s story through the eyes of four narrators – her preacher and former lover, Stephen; the district attorney, Catherine; an angel afficianado, Heather and Alice’s daughter, Katie. This quartet of narrators all present different sides to Alice’s murder and the subsequent suicide of her husband.

As Bohjalian takes you through each person’s journey, he adds layer upon layer of complexity to the story. For instance, Stephen’s section shows a man tormented by the death of his former lover. His section alludes to allegations that maybe Stephen was responsible for Alice’s husband’s death. Then, Catherine’s section reveals how Stephen could be a prime suspect. By the time you get through Heather and Katie’s sections, you are not sure where the good reverand stands. Then, in the end, Bohjalian comes in with a plot twist that many readers do not see coming. The end result – a story that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

The abuse of Alice Hayward was heart-wrenching. Bohjalian shows every aspect of an abusive relationship – from the punches to the belittlement. Physically, emotionally and mentally abused, Alice endured it all – while hiding it from her neighbors. This is a hard subject matter to read but an important one, and I am glad that Bohjalian tackled it in Secrets of Eden.

Fan of Chris Bohjalian should not be disappointed with this book. It’s classic Chris Bohjalian – a great story, difficult subject matter and memorable characters. ( )

The Wives of Henry Oades
By Johanna Moran
Completed February 28, 2010

The Wives of Henry Oades, the debut novel by Johanna Moran, was inspired by a court case from the late 1800’s. Henry Oades was accused of polygamy when his first wife, who he thought was dead, found him in California. By the time the first Mrs. Oades’ arrived, Henry had remarried, and in the eyes of anti-Mormon California, he had broken the law, despite the unusual circumstances.

Drawing from this court case, Moran built a story around Henry, his first wife Margaret and his second wife Nancy. Henry and Margaret were living in New Zealand, and after several months, the native Maori kidnapped Margaret and their four children, and burned down their cottage. A family friend was visiting Margaret at the time of the abduction, and her body was found in the ashes. Henry assumed it was Margaret, and after months of waiting, he lost all hope for finding his children. He set sail for San Francisco and a new life.

Once settled in Berkely, Henry happened upon another house fire – one leaving a pregnant woman, Nancy, widowed and penniless. Henry felt a bond with Nancy and proposed marriage. Nancy agreed, more for the financial security, and settled into Henry’s dairy farm. A few weeks later, Margaret and the three surviving children found their way to Henry’s doorstep.

California was very anti-Mormon during this time, so the Oades’ living arrangements caused enormous public outcry. Slain pets, tainted food, thrown tomatoes, public sneers and court cases all plagued the family as they tried to adjust and figure out what to do.

In a time when divorce was taboo and annulment meant illegitimizing your children, both wives stubbornly refused to leave Henry. The women, unfortunately, did not have a lot of resources without their husband’s support. It was interesting to see how the wives awkwardly tried to fit into the same household – Margaret with her stoicism and Nancy with her emotions. They got it working but not without a lot of bumps in the road.

Highly recommended for readers of historic fiction, The Wives of Henry Oades was a fast, page-turning read full of interesting characters and rich history. I look forward to more books by Johanna Moran. ( )

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders
By Daniyal Mueenuddin
Completed March 14, 2010

Daniyel Mueenuddin’s debut short story collection is certainly worthy of its accolades, including finalist for the National Book Award, Publisher’s Weekly Best Books and New York Times Notable Book of the Year. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders offers its readers a glimpse into modern-day Pakistan through short stories woven with a common thread – the characters’ relationship with the feudal leader, Harouni. While it’s a modern rendition, the antiquity of the Pakistani feudal system provides an important contrast to readers.

Mueenuddin exposes all types of characters – the privileged, the poor; the hard-working, the lazy; the conniving, the honest. It seems apparent from these stories that the poor people are the ones who suffer the most. And this is especially true of the women who slave, cook, fornicate, procreate, do drugs – whatever it takes to climb out of their miserable caste. Sadly, despite their efforts, they end up worse off than before.

The stories within In Other Rooms, Other Wonders show the struggles of position, wealth and gender within Pakistani culture. The poor struggle to get ahead; the rich struggle to maintain their power. Sometimes, there is a power shift. Mostly though, it’s a sad ending for all involved.

Mueenuddin’s style reminds me of Jhumpa Lahiri, and fans of her writing should check out In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. The opportunities to learn more about Pakistan are vast, but equally importantly, the elucidation of characters who transport time and place offer much for the reader to think about. ( )

Every Last One
By Anna Quindlen
Completed March 24, 2010

In her latest book, Every Last One, Anna Quindlen takes her readers to a place where most of us hope to never be. It’s uncomfortable, sad, tragic – but when you’re done with this book, it offers you a chance to reflect on life’s blessings and the tenacity of the human spirit.

Mary Beth Latham was your average American woman – married, mother to three and owner of a landscaping business. Her children were the focal point of her life. The eldest, Ruby, was a recovering anorexic, and one of Mary Beth’s twin sons, Max, was dealing with depression, being in the shadow of his brother, Alex. So engrossed in what was happening, especially with Max, Mary Beth didn’t see the warning signs of a ticking time bomb – until the unthinkable happened. She was forced to deal with a heartbreak none of us would want to endure.

Facing down an unbelievable tragedy, Mary Beth forges on roads unimagined in her previous life. She somehow manages to put one foot in front of the other – but not without stopping, falling and going backwards. As a reader, you want to hug Mary Beth, tell her it’s okay to cry and propel her forward.

Quindlen is a master of holding up an unspeakable thing and making it visible from all angles, forcing her readers to look and acknowledge it. And then she adds fallible characters who are just like us. The whole reading experience is incredibly human.

Every Last One admittedly had a rough beginning with the introduction of many characters – kids, friends, neighbors, relatives– and it took several chapters for this book to hit its pace. Once it did, though, it envelopes the reader, holding you hostage until every last one of the pages leaves its fingerprint on you. That’s the mark of good fiction and a great writer. ( )

The Lotus Eaters
By Tatjana Soli
Completed March 29, 2010

The Vietnam War. The very term means “conflict” in every context. From the battles in the jungle to the peace movement at home, the American involvement in Vietnam was a conflict for many. It’s this part of American history that serves as a backdrop for Tatjana Soli’s debut novel, The Lotus Eaters. Told primarily from the perspective of young Helen Adams, a freelance photographer, the reader learns about the war through Helen’s eyes and lenses.

As a female photographer, Helen was cast aside for more humanitarian assignments, but through her nerve and charm, she managed to attach herself to a company going on patrol. During this patrol, Helen established herself as a combat photographer, capturing images of a Southern Vietnamese captain executing a civilian before trying to turn the gun on Helen. With a near-death experience under her belt, Helen became more fearless and addicted to the adrenaline of war. Her work improved, landing her covers and bylines and more respect from her fellow journalists.

While Helen’s professional life was taking off, she met her match with fellow photojournalist, Sam Darrow, who she would eventually have an affair with. Helen also forged a friendship with Sam’s Vietnamese assistant, Linh. Through Linh, we see the war through a Vietnamese man’s eye – a war without victories.

Soli begins The Lotus Eaters at the end of her story, when Americans were trying to get out of Saigon before the arrival of the North Vietnamese. Soli unveils that Sam was killed, and Helen and Linh were now lovers. Starting with the ending was an unusual move, but Soli’s deft writing style leads the readers through each scene with precision. When the reader catches back up with Helen and Linh in the last chapter, you’ve learned about Helen’s personal journey and how she turns into the woman she becomes.

The Lotus Eaters is a multi-layered story that shows many facets to the Vietnam War – the American soldiers and the Vietnamese people; the journalists and the peace activists; and the opportunists and the deceived. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction, The Lotus Eaters is a tale worth reading and a story never to forget. ( )

Solar
By Ian McEwan
Completed April 4, 2010

Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. These are the seven deadly sins, and Michael Beard, the main character of Ian McEwan’s latest book, Solar, possesses every single one of them.

Michael peaked early in his career as a physicist, winning the Nobel Prize in his twenties. Nearly three decades later, he has five failed marriages, a lackluster career and a growing waistline. As his fifth wife began to end their marriage, it was a wake-up call that Michael was squandering his talents.Through less-than-ethical means, he became inspired to save the world from its energy crisis, creating an artificial photosynthesis process that would forever put his name in the annals of great physicists.

What happens when such deeply flawed characters try to do great things? Many rise to the occasion, learn how to be a better person and cherish all that life has to offer. Others, like Michael, drown in their flaws. Michael was always one step away from total destruction, and it was taking its toll on his health, love life and intellect. By the novel’s end, Michael’s world was imploding, leaving the reader shaking her head and contemplating why Michael did not rise above his vices.

Solar, at its heart, was a satirical novel, full of deeply humorous scenes. For certain, Michael was all human, bumbling through life and entrenched in situations that will make most readers laugh out loud. However, his deep flaws (adultery, framing someone for murder, stealing from another scientist, lying, overeating, drinking too much) make it hard to like Michael. In the end, he got what was coming to him.

Fans of Ian McEwan may be surprised with his latest book. Solar resembles Amsterdam more than Atonement. Like all of McEwan’s books, the writing was superb and the characterization was spot on. The plot did bog down with the scientific tangents (especially if you have a hard time following science), but through Michael’s antics, McEwan lifts you back into the plot – and into the life of the energy crisis’s greatest anti-hero, Michael Beard. ( )

A Separate Country
By Robert Hicks
Completed December 6, 2009

In A Separate Country, Robert Hicks draws upon one of the Confederacy’s most colorful generals, John Bell Hood, to tell a story of love, redemption and life in post-Reconstruction New Orleans.

After the war, John Bell Hood came to New Orleans a shredded man. Physically scarred with a useless arm and missing leg, Hood’s mental state was equally fragmented, regretting his decisions made during the Tennessee campaign that killed so many soldiers. He marries a New Orleans debutante, Anna Maria, and started their life together, which consisted of 11 children, two bankrupt businesses and the threat of yellow fever. In the end, “yellow jack” was the demise for Hood, his wife and their oldest child, Lydia.

While on his deathbed, Hood asked his friend, Eli Griffin, to take his secret manuscript to his former protege, a known murderer named Sebastian Lemerle. Sebastian served with Hood before the Civil War, and Hood felt guilty for transforming Sebastian into a murderer. If Sebastian felt comfortable with this version of Hood’s life - of a man lost, vulnerable and almost cowardly - then Hood knew he could be redeemed for his sins. It was Hood’s wish that his personal memoirs - not his military one - be published. Compounding matters was Eli’s discovery that Anna Marie also wrote a journal. In possession of both memoirs, Eli was determined to preserve this side of the infamous general’s life, even though Eli knew finding Sebastian could jeopardize his life.

Hicks’s depiction of New Orleans brought the sights, smells and sounds of this city to life. Mix in a thieving dwarf, hulk-size priest, Irish prostitute, and piano-playing octoroon, and A Separate Country depicts New Orlean’s rich and historic melting pot. At times, Hicks lumbered over his descriptions, but he never strayed from his cause: bringing a greater understanding to the life of John Bell Hood and the city that he eventually called home. ( )

So Brave, Young and Handsome
By Leif Enger
Completed November 8, 2009

Leif Enger’s So Brave, Young and Handsome, like its predessor Peace Like A River, was one of those thoughtful books – full of interesting characters, beautiful prose, and journeys both physical and emotional. Like a river, the plot flowed steadily – sometimes tumbling forth in a rapid, while other times, still and unbroken. Enger must be a poet at heart.

Monte Becket enjoyed rapid success with his dime-store novel, but after six years, could not pen another book. His family befriended their quiet neighbor, Glendon, who asked Monte to travel west with him to find Glendon’s estranged wife. Not knowing that Glendon was a former outlaw, Monte agreed to go. Within a day of their journey, Glendon’s past came back to haunt him – his presence alerted to a traveling policeman – and Monte must make a choice: help his fugitive friend make peace with his past, or turn around and go home. Striking out from his usual “safe” personality, Monte chose to accompany his friend, trying to stay one step ahead of the law along the way.

While it was Glendon’s quest for redemption, I quickly learned that it was Monte’s quest too: a quest to become a better person, enjoy his literary success and make peace with his writer’s block. Monte’s journey was deeply personal – he was a character I could root for, despite his mistakes.

Along their journey, the gentlemen meet interesting characters and landmarks. Enger drew real-life men all facing decisions that would forever alter their lives. Mix in a Wild West that was becoming less wild, and you have a wonderful juxtaposition of how things were and are.

Beautifully written, So Brave, Young and Handsome would be perfect for a book discussion. Even the title alone could be a 10-minute discussion. Enger’s themes, characters and descriptions made this novel unforgettable and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anyone who looks for these elements in their reading. ( )

Her Fearful Symmetry
By Audrey Niffenegger
Completed October 22, 2009

It’s very hard to write a review of Her Fearful Symmetry - the latest book by Audrey Niffenegger – without giving away spoilers. I usually summarize a book before I offer my opinions, but with this book, I will remain vague about its plot. I don’t want to spoil it for future readers!

In a nutshell, Her Fearful Symmetry was the story of twins, Julia and Valentina, who were bequeathed a London flat by their estranged aunt, Elspeth. The estate came with some strings attached: the girls must live there for one year before selling it, and their parents could not step foot into it. The twins were at a crossroads in their early lives and decided to accept these terms. They moved to London, soon realizing that they have a ghostly roommate – the spirit of their Aunt Elspeth.

The plot moved around from there, and I will leave my summary intentionally open-ended. I can tell you this: the book has many twists and turns (some more believable than others); it’s a fascinating account of the historical Highgate Cemetery in London; and the characterization was outstanding. While Julia and Valentina did not move me, the other characters did. The ghost of Elspeth left me hanging on to every page, curious of her next moves. Her former lover, the tortured Robert, played the perfect lost soul (I really did feel sorry for him). And most fascinating character was Martin – the twins’ OCD neighbor whose battle against his condition offered humor and empathy.

The plot has flaws – one must remember this is a ghost story – but the characters made this book move. I am one of the few readers who disliked The Time Traveler’s Wife, but I am glad it did not taint me from books by Niffenegger. Her Fearful Symmetry offered enough creepiness, family drama, and history to satisfy this reader. If you like these types of stories, then this is the book for you. ( )

The Heretic’s Daughter
By Kathleen Kent
Completed October 16, 2009

There are many dark points in American history, and one of the earliest was the Salem Witch Trials. Kathleen Kent, author of The Heretic’s Daughter, based her debut book on her ancestor, Martha Carrier, who was executed for witchcraft. Kent researched extensively her ancestry and this time period, and the end result was a book that was gripping and heart wrenching.

The story was told from the perspective of Sarah Carrier, Martha’s daughter. Through Sarah’s eyes, we learned about the Puritan lifestyle that formed the backdrop for the witch trials. It’s amazing to look back at the “evidence” now – the obvious shenanigans of young girls who grasped their moment of power, despite the horrid outcomes. Though all of those accused were later cleared of their crimes (often posthumously), Kent’s explanation of how reasonable people were swept up into the hysteria was enlightening.

All of the characters in The Heretic’s Daughter were well developed. Sarah misunderstood the love of her mother, who seemed hard and unaffectionate, until the weeks before her execution, when she realized that Martha’s love for her family was endless. Sarah’s father, Thomas, and her brothers were depicted as stoic yet vulnerable. The Carrier family was a pleasure to read about – complete with their faults, strengths and boundless love for each other.

If you are interested in historical fiction, then I would highly recommend The Heretic’s Daughter to you. I enjoyed this book immensely and gained a deeper appreciation for this tragic time of our history. ( )

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
By Katherine Howe
Completed OCtober 6, 2009

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe examined an alternate view of witchcraft in colonial New England. The story was based on “cunning women,” who used magic, herbs and prayer to heal people. While an interesting premise, this story didn’t fit together as well as it should.

The main character of the book is Connie Goodwin, a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard, who agreed to help her mother with the cleaning of their family home in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Always looking for research ideas, Connie stumbled upon a key and a name – Deliverance Dane – that piqued her interest. Through her research, she discovered that Deliverance was executed during the Salem Witch Trials, but there was no record of her. Additionally, Deliverance had bequeathed a recipe book to her daughter, which could be a valuable primary source for Connie’s dissertation. And so the search for the book began.

I enjoyed Connie’s historical research – her methodology, approach and goals. I too have a graduate degree in history, and Howe accurately described the research process, graduate school and demanding professors. However, I felt most of the novel was predictable, forced and somewhat contrived. I rolled my eyes at the evil mentor (Dan Brown already did that); the coincidental meeting of a handsome preservation expert who became Connie’s love interest; the young heroine alone in a creepy house. Does all of this sound familiar? It should – and Howe didn’t do much to innovate these old themes.

Overall, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane was beneficial because of its historical study of colonial women and witchcraft. It’s a shame that the rest of the story fell flat for me. ( )

In The Kitchen
By Monica Ali
Completed August 23, 2009

In The Kitchen by Monica Ali was like a good-looking, sweet-smelling dessert that held so much promise – until you sunk your teeth into it. Despite its delectable exterior, it turned out to be a book with little taste or appeal.

The recipe was classic. Gabriel Lightfoot was on the brink of culinary success, entering into a business agreement with investors for his own restaurant and involved in a promising relationship with the perfect woman. Then, one night, one of his porters died in the restaurant’s cellar, marking a downward spiral for Gabriel – his life methodically spinning out of control.

As if watching a character deteriorate was not hard enough, it was even harder to read how Gabriel made no attempt to get his life back together. His affair with Lena, a stone-cold wisp of a woman, and his treatment of his dying father did little to add to Gabriel’s plight – or his likeability. Not every character has to be likeable, but at least there should be a purpose in his general “unlikeability,” and I struggled to find that purpose in Gabriel.

I do applaud Ali’s attempts to elucidate the issues of immigration, sex trade and xenophobia in this story, but it was not enough. Her themes were right, but the story wasn’t.

While I had issues with the characterization and the plot, Ali’s writing was superb, and I do plan on reading more by this author. Simply put, In the Kitchen was not the story for me. ( )

Sacred Hearts
By Sarah Dunant
Completed August 15, 2009

The third novel in her Italian Renaissance series, Sarah Dunant transported her readers into the everyday lives of nuns in her latest book, Sacred Hearts. Set in a convent in Northern Italy, Dunant continued her pristine historical writing through strong characters and women’s quests to find freedom during a repressed era.

The story centered on a young novice, Serafina, who entered the convent against her will. During 16th century Italy, the price of dowries was exorbinantly high, and families with more than one daughter often had to choose which one would get married. Serafina’s sister was chosen for marriage, leaving the young woman to become a “bride of Christ,” including a smaller dowry that was given to the convent. Serafina was an accomplished singer and had a lover “on the outside,” and was heartbroken to be confined to a convent.

Serafina disrupted the everyday lives of the convent - ranging in emotions from hysterics to depression - and her advocate was Suora Zuana, the convent’s healer. Suora Zuana took the young novice under her wing, attempting to show her that nuns had more rights inside the convent than outside.

As in her past books, Dunant created unforgettable characters - ones that taught us more about the history than the plot itself. One of the more fascinating characters was the convent’s abbess, Madonna Chiara. The abbess was incredibly savvy, despite her near-lifelong seclusion, and her astute handling of convent politics made her that more interesting. Her adversary was Suora Umiliana - the novice mistress who disagreed with Madonna Chiara’s leadership of the convent. And in the middle was Suora Zuana, whose healing included the body and soul.

While I enjoyed the characters, there were times when the plot of Sacred Hearts dragged, and I became less interested in the “main” story of Serafina and more interested in the political chess game between Madonna Chiara and Suora Umiliana. I wished Dunant made this conflict more central to the story. Sacred Hearts, in my opinion, is the weakest of the three Italian Renaissance stories because of this plot issue. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. It just means its predecessors (The Birth of Venus and In The Company of the Courtesan) had a stronger mixture of characters, plots and historical framework. Lovers of historical fiction, especially of the Italian Renaissance, should find all of Dunant’s books to be compelling and explorative reads. ( )

The Help
By Kathryn Stockett
Completed August 9, 2009

Set in the turbulent Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960’s, The Help was the debut novel by Kathryn Stockett. Many times, when I read a novelist’s debut book, I think: “that’s not a bad start” or “some flaws but a promising career.” Rarely does a debut knock my socks off – but that’s exactly what The Help did.

The Help was narrated by two black maids, Aibileen and Minny, and a young white woman, Skeeter. Through their stories, we learn about what it was like to be black maid to white employers during the time of segregation. For many maids, the experience was humiliating – backbreaking work for little pay, hostile employers and segregated bathrooms, forks and dish towels. Other maids, however, formed warm and loving relationships with their employers, especially with the children they helped raise. This love, however, was always disguised and hidden. It would be deadly for anyone to know to about it.

To me, the hallmark of a good Southern novel are the excellent characters, and The Help was no exception. I grew angry when the maids were mistreated, cheered for them when something good happened to them and admired the bravery of every woman – black and white – who defied the racial norms to make things better in Jackson. You’ll cheer and jeer throughout this novel – but I don’t think anyone could be very disappointed.

Highly recommended, The Help will go down as one my favorite books of 2009 – a must-read for anyone interested in Southern Literature, race and gender relations and just plain good writing. I wait anxiously to see what the future holds for Kathryn Stockett. ( )
 

The Elephant Keeper
By Christopher Nicholson
Completed August 2, 2009

For an animal lover like me, it’s hard to dislike The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. The main character, Tom Page, is a likeable guy, who devoted his life to care for two elephants in late 18th century England. The elephants were all personality – characters that you loved and wanted the best for.

The Elephant Keeper, however, is the perfect example on how interesting characters alone can’t make a good book. The writer must add other ingredients – writing style, plot development and credibility – to the book to make it a story. Unfortunately, these final key elements were lacking in Nicholson’s debut novel.

What frustrated me about The Elephant Keeper was that Nicholson had these elements in the first book of the book. This is the section written by Tom as a “history” of the elephants under his care. Then, the story shifted to the present day, and the whole thing lost its luster. I questioned Tom’s reliability as the narrator, found his conversations with the elephant Jenny to be troubling and was disappointed that the ending tied no loose ends. If only Nicholson could have kept everything as a “history,” I think the story would have fared better.

Where I give Nicholson credit, though, was his depiction of Jenny. Her calm demeanor as an observer of the human race was insightful. Like Rose from Water for Elephants, Jenny had a sense of right and wrong, a wicked sense of humor and love for those who loved her. She was Tom’s faithful companion and the one constant thread throughout the novel.

If you can take The Elephant Keeper at face value – a story about a man and his elephants – than you will enjoy this book. It’s a nice escape into historic England and love between humans and animals. ( )

American Wife
By Curtis Sittenfeld
Completed July 30, 2009

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is, according to the author, 15 percent based on the life of former First Lady Laura Bush. I feel obligated to express that I am not a fan of George W. Bush’s presidency, and the quiet, submissive nature of the First Lady also bothered me. So, with this bias, I approached American Wife with much hesitation.

The story is told from the perspective of Alice Lundgren, a bookish Wisconsin teenager, who later married the boisterous Charlie Blackwell. Alice came off as intelligent, articulate and guilt-ridden throughout most of the story. She was plagued by a car accident from her teenage years, where she killed her love interest on the way to a high school party. Later, she was guilty about stealing her friend’s love interest (Charlie), Charlie’s drinking and drug use, the Blackwell family’s enormous wealth and the thousands of deaths resulting from the war that marked her husband’s administration. Sometimes, Alice acted upon her guilt and tried to make up for these situations; while other times, she kept her mouth shut.

Alice was very human, and her marriage to Charlie was quite realistic – a series of compromises and confrontations that made them a strong couple. Charlie was charismatic but needed the support of others to make decisions. He came across as rude and insulting at times, but when Alice dug her heels in (which was rare), he did concede without issue.

I will not venture to guess how accurately Sittenfeld’s characters depicted their real-life counterparts, but it did make for an interesting story. At times, American Wife was bogged down with too many details, and I wish Sittenfeld spent more time showing Alice as the governor and president’s wife. We learned so much about Alice through her younger years – I almost felt cheated not learning more about her in such public roles.

We will never know what made First Lady Laura Bush tick, but this book, if nothing else, reminds readers that we only see what the media and public relations people want you to see. Sometimes appearances are different than actuality. ( )

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivey
By Reif Larsen
Completed July 2, 2009

It was with great anticipation that I picked up The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet from the library. The synopsis of a 12-year-old science prodigy hopping a train “hobo style” to accept an award from the Smithsonian sounded like the coming of tale that I would adore. Once I had the book, the illustrations and marginalia that graced each page pleasantly surprised me. For certain, this was one of the most aesthetically pleasing books I’ve seen in a while.

Unfortunately, the plot couldn’t keep up with the visual interest of the book. The beginning and middle of the book were fantastic, learning about T.S. and his overanalysis of the world around him. His depictions of his scientist mother, rugged father, sarcastic sister and the innocence of his deceased brother all emanated from the pages. T.S.’s narrative made me smile and laugh in some parts, sigh and reflect in others. He was a little boy with a big brain and heart.

As I reached the last 75 pages, the story became muddied with displaced characters, secret societies and a sense of detachment from the first two-thirds of the book. The daVinvi Code-meets-Alvin and the Chipmunks ending was lost to me – as was T.S.’s humor, wit and childish innocence. I missed my old T.S.

Despite the lackluster ending, I would encourage any visual person to check out this book – if for nothing else but to look at the illustrations and sidebars. They did not detract from the story (in fact, T.S. drew arrows to his sidebars so you knew when to veer off). Like T.S., they were wonderful in every way.

All in all, I am glad I read The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet. This was the debut novel by Reif Larsen, and I hope he continues to mature as a writer. His writing style and characterization are spot-on. Perhaps a T.S. sequel is in order? ( )

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
By David Wroblewski
Completed June 28, 2009

 Suspected murder, family loyalty and tragedy all marked David Wroblewski’s debut book, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Loosely based on Hamlet, this doorstop of a book centered on main character, 14-year-old Edgar, and his suspicions of his father’s death.

Edgar was born mute. While going to school, he assisted his parents at their at-home kennel, where they bred and trained “Sawtelle Dogs” – dogs that were highly intuitive, using their sense of vision to interpret their owners’ commands. One afternoon, Edgar’s father, Gar, fell to the barn floor and died. His death marked the beginning of numerous tragedies for the Sawtelle family.

One rainy evening, Edgar believed that he saw Gar’s ghost. The ghost told Edgar that Gar’s brother, Claude, had poisoned him – that Claude would stop at nothing to get what he wanted (presumably the family business and Edgar’s mother, Trudy, who was now in a relationship with her brother-in-law). Edgar became enraged and vengeful, promising his father’s ghost that he would prove Claude’s guilt. However, before he could, Edgar’s rage forced him off the farm and into the wilderness with three of the Sawtelle dogs.

Wandering through the forest, Edgar learned a lot about survival and had time to think about his situation. He missed his home, mother and loyal dog, Almondine. His decision to go back was a hard one to make, and any reader knowing Hamlet could foresee how this story might end.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle was a long, complex story. I felt Wroblewski’s passion for his masterpiece on every page. With the greatest respect to the author, I wondered where his editor was. So many of the descriptions, plot diversions and character stories were unnecessary to the story. In fact, I bet 200 pages could have been skimmed off the book, leaving a succinct but effective story.

Despite the book’s length, I did enjoy Wroblewski’s writing style, plot and character development and his animation of the dogs. You felt invested in each person or dog that Wroblewski included in his book. My favorite characters were the dogs, Almondine and Essay. Through their actions (and eyes), you could see their loyalty toward their human friends. And with this story’s tragic side, I believed that the dogs had the most common sense of all the characters. They outranked the humans in compassion and spirit.

Patient readers, dog lovers and Shakespearean fans should all give The Story of Edgar Sawtelle a try. It’s a book with many flaws, but the overarching story of love, greed and jealousy made it a worthwhile read. ( )

Shanghai Girls
By Lisa See
Completed May 12, 2009

Shanghai Girls is the latest book by best-selling author, Lisa See. Readers have raved about her Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which I have not read, but I jumped at the opportunity to read See’s latest book. Overall, I was not disappointed.

Pearl and May were young Chinese women living in Shanghai before the Japanese invasion in World War II. They modeled as “beautiful girls” – young ladies who exhibited the modern Chinese woman: young, vibrant, intelligent and happy-go-lucky (with no bound feet!). When their father gambled away their earnings, the girls faced an arranged marriage, which would alleviate their father’s debt. Devastated, Pearl and May faced the reality that they would leave their beloved Shanghai and the modern lifestyle they carved for themselves.

Then, the Japanese invaded Shanghai, and Pearl and May struggled to stay ahead of the “monkey men.” They eventually met their husbands in Los Angeles, living with their husband/strangers and an overbearing father-in-law. From this point of the story, we learned about the treatment of Chinese-Americans before World War II and during the Red Scare. Like many times in American history, politics and fear clouded our country’s decisions, and Pearl and her family fell victim to prejudice.

Shanghai Girls was written only from Pearl’s viewpoint. She began the story as a 20-year-old-woman and ended the story in her forties. Through her eyes, we learned about Chinese traditions, the atrocities of the Japanese invasion of China and the prejudice against the Chinese. The historical information provided in this story was educational and interesting. If you like historical fiction, then Shanghai Girls should pique your interest.

My only complaint about this book was the pace. See dropped the reader into the middle of the story line, where we lived the story with the characters, and then fast-forwarded through other parts (in a “show, not tell” way). The fast-forwarded parts, in my opinion, could have been told differently – or perhaps deleted. If it’s not interesting enough for the story line to give it a full treatment, then maybe it’s not important to include it?

Despite this shortcoming, I recommend Shanghai Girls to readers who enjoy historical fiction, learning about different cultures and women’s history. I look forward to reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan someday soon. ( )