The last book by Margaret Atwood that I read was ORYX AND CRAKE and I found it a bit dark, complex and often difficult to follow. So, I approached OLDThe last book by Margaret Atwood that I read was ORYX AND CRAKE and I found it a bit dark, complex and often difficult to follow. So, I approached OLD BABES IN THE WOOD with some trepidation. However, I'm preparing to read A HANDMAID'S TALE after years of putting that off and felt that this collection of short stories would give me a good overview of Atwood's unique voice and style - - and better prepare me to tackle its' well-noted disturbing and prophetic subject matter. I was surprised to find this set of tales so accessible and easy to follow. The most notable feature of OLD BABES IN THE WOOD is how anecdotal this is. So many of these stories read like snapshots (although very engaging snapshots) and capture scenes or memories rather than establish a major conflict and resolution. At many points I felt that I was reading a fascinating memoir. Many of these stories gave me the impression of being especially personal to Atwood. Also, I often felt that I was sitting across the table or in cozy living room chairs with a departed loved one as they shared recollections of their life via personal experiences. Seven of the stories feature married couple Tig and Nell at various stages of their lives, capturing moments in time and various memories that have stayed with them - - their parents, friends who are veterans of WWII, wartime encounters, diaries, letters, etc - - - and usually dealing with loss of one kind or another. "Widows" and "Old Babes In The Woods" read like Atwood is narrating them. Other stories that made an impression on me were "My Evil Mother" (witchcraft), "The Dead Interview" (a fictional conversation between Atwood and George Orwell, "Freeforall" (futuristic STD pandemic post survival mode), and "Metempsychosis: rOm The Journey of the Soul" (a snail is reincarnated as a female bank teller).
This is a very good debut novel, worth a look. However, if readers base their decision on all the genre categories and comparisons that have been ascrThis is a very good debut novel, worth a look. However, if readers base their decision on all the genre categories and comparisons that have been ascribed to this book then they may likely end up disappointed. My best recommendation would be to pick it up, read 50 pages or more and then decide if you want to continue.
THE OTHER BLACK GIRL is unique in that it fits into a lot of those genre categories, albeit very loosely. It has been called thriller, horror, science-fiction, drama, and compared quite often to the DEVIL WEARS PRADA and GET OUT films. Those comparisons and categories aren't necessarily wrong; they are just misleading. It's a little bit of all of that, but mostly about office politics, white privilege, black identity, and racism within the book publishing business.
The category description that drew the book to my attention was "thriller". I suppose it is if you are a very patient reader, willing to work through many character establishment and non-thrilling scenes to get there. I expect more from a book labeled "thriller". I want my attention to be riveted in the early stages of the novel, and build on the suspense and my anxiety for the characters from there.
While the threat is hinted at in an opening flashback scene, it does not resurface until approximately 25% into the story and then it's a mild or alleged threat, not fully established. The true danger/conflict is only revealed in the concluding chapter, and by then many readers will have figured it out. I did, about mid-way through the novel. Once I was about 80% finished and things hadn't progressed much, I guessed at the only possible ending (I wasn't wrong). However, I was not disappointed how THE OTHER BLACK GIRL ended. It helps to make the author's points.
The reason I kept reading this and decided to finish was the skillful way that Zakiya Dalila Harris throughly detailed the characters and their anxieties and inner conflicts, especially those of main character Nella. Even though I am as far removed from a professional black female working woman as possible, I was able to understand and empathize completely with Nella's concerns. The various scenes and settings into which Harris places Nella seemed both authentic and probable.
The story has much to say about the black experience working in the NYC business world. Harris draws upon her own experiences as a former employee of a book publisher. The novel is jammed full of instances of office politics, white privilege, racism and feelings of isolation.
I do not know if this was another theme that Harris wanted to touch on, but I viewed the power struggles and compromises made by aspiring female black employees as a metaphor for the effects of gentrification upon many urban neighborhoods. While the neighborhood is aesthetically improved through construction, new housing and new business development - - - the soul of the unique community and the ethnic and cultural traditions are displaced. Likewise, by biting their tongues and compromising within the business world, black females enhance their salaries and positions while sacrificing the essence of their souls.
I'd recommend giving this book a chance. Try to be objective and forget about those genre comparisons until you have your own personal feel for what's being offered....more
No need for me to add to the numerous reviews praising this very worthy novel. It won the Goodreads best novel for 2017 among other awards and deserveNo need for me to add to the numerous reviews praising this very worthy novel. It won the Goodreads best novel for 2017 among other awards and deserves them all. Celest Ng really gets to the heart and soul of all her characters and lets you into their world and their mindsets. Masterfully done. This one will stay with you for a long time. Worthy of re-reading, which I plan to do. I actually listened to the entire novel on a trip back and forth from Pennsylvania to Indiana back in August but forgot that I had it saved on Goodreads. I'm correcting that error of omission now. Next to-do will be to pick up a print copy of this....more
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