Old Book Reviews

Run by Ann Patchett / Oct 2010

A family of two adopted brothers and their father, who has great hopes for the future of his sons, are suddenly confronted with their biological mother when she pushes one of the sons out of the way of an approaching car. From that point on, the family is in turmoil. The third brother (the ´biological´ son’ unexpectedly returns home from his wanderings. The woman has a young daughter, who is very sensitive and has great athletic skills, and she impresses, and connects, everybody.

One paragraph really stuck with me, where the father remembers his wife who had passed away years earlier…

That was one of the many things Doyle had found so admirable in his wife: her ability to look at their children and see them at every age. She managed to hang on to every bit of love she had ever felt for them, while Doyle could only see the person they were at that exact moment in time.

A very distinctive observation, I think, and it stayed in my mind for the rest of the book.

The part of the story where one of the three brothers leaves the house with the girl is very impresive. How they interact together both at his place of work and at the sports venue where she goes for a run, were the highlight of the book for me.

September 2010 – Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay

Russian Winter is the story of Nina, a former Prima Donna at the Russian ballet, who has fled from Russia and now lives in the United States. She has had a tough life in Stalinist Russia, and after some dramatic events she leaves the country, and also the love of her life, Viktor.

The novel revolves around the origin of the jewelry that Nina has now offered to an auction house. She has decided to close a chapter in her life by selling them, but why is she doing this? How did she get this jewelry? Who gave the jewelry to her and what was the occasion? The unravelling of the answers to these questions allows the reader to learn all about Nina’s fascinating life.

The story starts with Nina being visited by the lady from the auction house, Drew, who herself is curious about the story of the jewelry. After this

intriguing first setting the story switches back to Moscow, where Nina, at age nine, and her friend Vera are auditioning for a ballet school. The novel continues going back and forth in this way, where the reader learns more about Nina’s past life, and at the same time learning more about the present day situation and what the auction sets in motion for Drew. The auction also sets something in motion for the man Grigori who tries to get in touch with Drew and Nina regarding the sale of the precious stones, because he knows more about  the origin of the jewels…

This novel was such a joy to read. Both the present day story and the Russian story were very well written, and I wanted to know more about both these story lines. I loved the descriptions of Nina’s ballet life, the hardship she endured, and also the descriptions of the tough lives many characters ha

d in Stalinist Russia. The poverty and the secrecy were almost tangible.

The details of the day she meets Viktor, and is swept off her feet by him, are simply wonderful. The author is able to describe it in a way that makes you feel just the same as Nina. These first moments with Viktor are a highlight in her life.

The other developments, regarding the secretive mother of Viktor, who is determined to get her to leave,  and also the feelings of suspicion for her friend Polina who might be a spy, and of suspicion for Viktor, who has been alone with her friend Vera, all make for fascinating storylines. There is not a dull chapter in this book, not even a dull paragraph: the pages are filled with great fiction!

July 2010 – A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore 

 

Having never read anything by Lorrie Moore before, A Gate at the Stairs was a wonderful surprise! It has been a long time since I was so pleasantly surprised by an author.

 

Right from the beginning of the novel, I was charmed by the character of Tassie, with her quick wit and her unique responses to other people and situations.

The storyline is enriched by memories of her childhood, by funny references to other situations, making every page an absolute joy to read.

 

The story is as follows: Tassie is looking for work as a babysitter, and is hired by Sarah and Edward as a nanny, who are about to adopt a baby. Tassie is at the same time also following courses at university, and meets Reynaldo, whom she starts visiting more often. The adoption is causing a lot of friction for Sarah and Edward, in their own relationship, but also with their surroundings. Tassie visits her family at the farm where she grew up, and finds out her brother is joining the army. There is turmoil in her personal life, in her family and in the family where she works. All in all, Tassie has to deal with quite a lot.

 

Because of Tassie’s unique way of dealing with things, the story just pulls you in, and I was unable to put the book down. Both the funny, light situations and the emotional, tougher situations are well written, and the cocktail of the many events and situations make this book a joy to read.

 

I am very motivated to try another one of Lorrie Moore’s books and have already selected a second book by Lorrie Moore: Anagrams.

 

Other titles by Lorrie Moore:

 

A Gate at the Stairs 9780307739421
Anagrams 9780307277282

Birds of America: Stories 9780307474964

The Collected Stories of Lorrie Moore 9780571239368

Like Life 9780375719165

Self-Help 9780307277299

Who Will Run the Frog Hospital 9781400033829

 

 

April 2010

Predator – Patricia Cornwell 

I like the Scarpetta  character, but in this book again, the last bit of the book tends to speed up, names come at you from all directions, and you get a bit lost in all the characters. But a good read, nonetheless.

Wishful Drinking – Carrie Fisher  

Biography, focussing on part of Carrie Fishers life. Not a whole lot to read, unfortunately, it’s a small size hardback, with some pictures in between also. Novella size. Some funny lines, but definitely not her best book. A new title is due out in June 2010.

April 2010

Body of Evidence – Patricia Cornwell  

A Scarpetta novel, 3/4 is just fine, just what you want/expect, but then it starts getting complicated and it’s hard to keep up with the twists and turns. Slightly disappointing therefore.

April 2010

Rise and Shine – Anna Quindlen                   

Synopsis:
Bridget who works in social welfare,  has a famous sister, Meghan, who presents a tv show. There could not be more contrast. Meghan has fame, fortune, a husband Evan and a wonderful son Leo. Bridget is in her early forties, she has a boyfriend about twenty years her senior, and is face to face with a lot of tragedy in her work. Meghan, when interviewing a prominent figure, lets out a Forbidden Word just after the interview ends, but before she is off the air. She is in big trouble, and is put on leave immediately. At the same time, she and her husband decide to call it quits, and she flies off to a desert island to hide from the press. Her sister is standing on the sideline, watching things fall apart. She takes in her nephew Leo, and he becomes a driver for her welfare project. When Bridey discovers she is pregnant, and Leo gets shot in a bad neighborhood, their worlds are changing even more dramatically.

This is the first novel by Anna Quindlen that I have read, and it is no dissapointment!  With a wonderful, colorful storyline, not conventional in any way, and a pleasant main character to guide you through the novel, it is an excellent read. A diverse cast of characters, Bridget and her colleague Tequila and boyfriend policeman Irving, and on the other hand Meghan and her wealthy surroundings, her millionaire admirer and her down-to-earth life at the getaway island all bring something interesting to the book.