Thunderclap: A memoir of art and life & sudden death is the story of much more than one man, one artist, who happened to die in the fateful titled ThuThunderclap: A memoir of art and life & sudden death is the story of much more than one man, one artist, who happened to die in the fateful titled Thunderclap in Delft in October of 1654. Carel Fabritius was one of the hundreds who died that day but is actually only one of Laura Cumming’s subjects. Her lens takes in the world of Dutch art, the famous and less famous practitioners, the subjects of the many works she has seen since her childhood, visiting Holland as the child of an artist, knowing museums as a child, seeing art throughout her life.
Cummings does return frequently to Fabritius and to her father to ground her discussion of mortality of the artist vs the possible timelessness of the creations themselves. There are some thoughtful and, for me, eye-opening examinations of specific paintings by Fabritius and Vermeer. Her artistic lens is primarily focused on Fabritius’s A View of Delft.
In part a discussion of Dutch art, part a biography of Fabritius and some other Dutch figures of the 17th century, part a discussion of her family’s early trips to Holland and their impact on her future as well as her father’s, this is also a glimpse into her father’s life as an artist. Cumming combines knowledge of the world of art with a fine writing style to deliver a book that should be read by anyone with an interest in history and/or art.
Thanks to Scribner of Simon & Schuster for providing a copy of this book. This review is my own....more
I have read many of Carol Goodman’s novels over the years and this book has some of her trademarks: a New York state setting; a young professional womI have read many of Carol Goodman’s novels over the years and this book has some of her trademarks: a New York state setting; a young professional woman encountering unexpected, and apparently malignant, forces as she pursues her career; untrustworthy people; and building suspense. In The Stranger Behind You, Goodman adds a dual narrative thread to the story which adds information over time but also increases the complexity of this very detailed novel.
Joan Lurie, writer for a NYC magazine, has written an expose on the sexual harassment/assault history of Cass Osgood, head of NY Globe newspaper. She has spent three years investigating, interviewing, following leads and trails and now is offered a book deal. But someone appears to want Joan to stop.
I found the final third of the book very suspenseful, exciting reading. The lead-up varied for a variety of reasons, perhaps primarily because there was simply so much going on, so many points of view, too much information. While I did ultimately recall what I needed during the denouement, there was a lot there. Not to mention the number of coincidences.
I do enjoy Goodman’s writing and will continue to read her novels. Rating 3.5* rounded to 3.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. ...more
Such an unusual book that lives on many levels as it presents the story of Yoel Blum, an internationally recognized Israeli author, who decides to breSuch an unusual book that lives on many levels as it presents the story of Yoel Blum, an internationally recognized Israeli author, who decides to break the one directive left by his late mother: do not ever travel to the Netherlands. He knows this relates to wartime experiences which he doesn’t remember, but he has always kept the promise. Now, his latest book has been translated into Dutch and he has been invited to speak. And he wants to go. And he and his wife go.
While there, Yoel is challenged on many levels by this nation of interlocking canals and land, a land with a long and historic Jewish history after the diaspora from Spain. More specifically, he is challenged by one small portion of video he glimpses at the Jewish heritage museum, a montage of salvaged clips from family films taken before the Nazi Occupation of World War II. He and Bat-Ami leave Amsterdam with many questions but it is Yoel who will return to search for answers about his family, this city and how it existed during the war, how the many Jews in the city and country existed. And he will write his next book about all of this.
In this novel, we read it all and it flows like the “endless waters” of the title. The flow of the waters in the canals of the city as Yoel walks and walks, crossing so many bridges, to experience all the city sections that were there in the past. The flow of memory, of his own life and what he is learning of Jewish life in Amsterdam over the centuries. The flow of life, which no longer seems linear but follows a course all its own. The flow of a novel, which goes where an artist takes it, or perhaps sometimes where the subject leads it and where the reader follows. This novel within a novel flows in ways I haven’t experienced before, ways I wondered at and ultimately loved.
Finally, I want to end with one quote written near the end about Yoel.
He wants to write this book like Vincent van Gogh painted: to pour the colors generously, knead them with his paintbrush as if he were molding clay, and form the contours of his soul layer upon layer upon layer. He wants, like Vincent, not to be afraid to take a sheet of paper on which he has drawn a city street or a bird’s nest, to turn it over and paint another self- portrait on the other side. Like Vincent, he wants to also work outside, even in the wind and the rain, so that the day will come when within the layers of his portraits, grains of earth and stalks of grass will be found. (p. 308)
Thanks to Atria Books for the opportunity to read this novel in return for an honest review....more
The Bitter Kind is a novelette written from two perspectives, revealing the difficult lives of a man and a woman who have each been injured by their eThe Bitter Kind is a novelette written from two perspectives, revealing the difficult lives of a man and a woman who have each been injured by their early lives . The prose is luminous as we experience each of their lives. Something to be expected from James Claffey and Tara Masih.
to be continued....
A thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Bitter Kind....more
A multigenerational, dual timeline story of Vietnam in the 20th century, The Mountains Sing is a harrowing, while at the same time often poetic story A multigenerational, dual timeline story of Vietnam in the 20th century, The Mountains Sing is a harrowing, while at the same time often poetic story of family finding strength to survive war, political and societal “reforms” that destroyed people and parts of their culture, turning neighbor against neighbor.
It is also the coming of age story of the youngest family member who hears all the family history through stories, develops a love of reading and eventually becomes a poet and writes a book. Perhaps the book I am discussing. There are apparently some autobiographical elements here.
To be continued.....
4*-4.5*
A copy of this book was provided by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill in return for an honest review. A thank you to Rachel....more
I have been a fan of The Rachel Maddow Show for some time and late in 2019 was very glad to read Maddow’s Blowout, an excellent study of the politicalI have been a fan of The Rachel Maddow Show for some time and late in 2019 was very glad to read Maddow’s Blowout, an excellent study of the political and environmental impacts of the international oil industry on us all. When St. Martin’s Press offered an opportunity to read Lisa Rogak’s new biography of Rachel Maddow, I readily accepted.
While I have learned something about Maddow from her show and occasional guest moments on late night shows, most of the personal information offered by Rogak was new. The details of her youth, time in high school, and college years were entirely new as was the information about her commitment to activism. I was an Air America listener back in the day, but my station never got the entire lineup so I don’t know if I ever heard her. The philosophy she brings to her work is interesting, the openness to all if they are honest.
But, and I have a major “but” here, I do have a problem with this book. There are about 35 pages of footnotes after the biography of about 220 pages. BUT there are no primary sources cited. There are many quotes throughout the text but they are taken from magazine, newspaper and various radio and possibly TV interviews and articles. Rogak apparently did not interview Maddow, co-workers, family, friends or foes for this biography. For this reason, I have to take points off. (Addendum: there is no bibliography in my copy but there are many empty pages at the end so the final edition may be different from the ARC I have read in that regard.)
While I found much of interest here, I also wondered whose point of view I was reading. So many articles were used to create this book that at times I really did not feel I had a true read on the accuracy of what was being said about Maddow’s motivation, etc. Everything was at least second hand.
My final thoughts: the book is an interesting read and it does seem to fit the Rachel Maddow I watch on MSNBC but it reads as a celebrity bio not a true biography.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review....more
Dovey Johnson Roundtree, who died at the age of 104 in 2018, lived, witnessed or helped change much of what we know as the area of civil rights in theDovey Johnson Roundtree, who died at the age of 104 in 2018, lived, witnessed or helped change much of what we know as the area of civil rights in the United States during her lifetime. Raised by a strong mother but even stronger grandmother, she was taught her worth as a human being, as a black person and as as a female. Over the course of her life, she encountered more women, and men, who were both champions and role models as she slowly worked toward her goals. Along the way, she helped black women and black people in general attain legal landmarks that had been long promised and never delivered.
The granddaughter of a minister, she was always close to the church no matter what else she was attempting to conquer. With assistance from people in the right places and family support, she attended Spelman College in Atlanta. Her description of earning her keep working as housekeeper and nanny in a white home is chilling. But again she was blessed with unexpected support. After college and a couple of years working as a teacher, Roundtree changed direction; in 1941 she headed for Washington, D.C. to see if there was a place for her in the changing government world, where the president had issued an executive order banning discrimination in defense industry hiring.
What she found, at the behest of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, was an unexpected road forward, Dr. Bethune and Mrs. Roosevelt’s plan/desire to bring women into the armed services. Yes, Roundtree was an important part of that program which is fully discussed in this work. Needless to say it was difficult, painful and took years for full results but Dovey played a major role at the inception of the plan.
After the war came life as a community organizer as she became more and more knowledgeable and certain of her skills. Then she realized that there was another step she needed to take if she were to truly help her people. She must study law, become a lawyer to help so many people who had never found satisfaction when they had been wronged, especially by the white establishment.
Much of the rest of the book deals with her law school experiences and her law practice years, including major verdicts involving landmark rulings in interstate transportation and racial discrimination. And she even found the time and wherewithal to become a minister while still practicing law.
All in all, Dovey Johnson Roundtree seems to have lived more than one life in her 104 years, and lived them fully, without need for apology to anyone, with pride in her accomplishments and her ability to help people, her people. You will feel her voice coming through clearly. Katie McCabe provides a brief afterword on her work with Roundtree. The finished edition will have a forward by Tayari Jones.
I recommend this to anyone interested in biography/memoir and history, especially of the civil rights movement of 20th century United States.
A copy of this book was provided by Algonquin Books in return for an honest review....more
It has been a pleasure to be back in the capable hands of the mother/son duo who comprise Charles Todd. I have been away too long. At this point in InIt has been a pleasure to be back in the capable hands of the mother/son duo who comprise Charles Todd. I have been away too long. At this point in Inspector Ian Rutledge’s story it has been some three years or so since the end of the war and his return to Scotland Yard. Those years have not been easy as he continues to live with the side effects of the shell shock he suffered during trench warfare. And he continues to have Hamish as a constant vocal reminder of his worst wartime memory.
While quotations are not encouraged from ARCs as texts may change prior to publication, there is one that I want to include as it is so much a part of Rutledge and his daily existence.
Shell shock, it was called. Breaking under fire. But Rutledge couldn’t accept that he’d been the lone survivor... He’d sacrificed one to save the many. For Nothing. And when the war was over Hamish came home with Rutledge in the only way possible. Not as a ghost, not as a living man, but as a voice that haunted Rutledge night and day. A reminder of that night. Survivors guilt, Dr. Fleming had called it. Seeing in Hamish MacLeod all the many dead he’d sent into battle... ...and the voice hadn’t faded with the Armistice. Dr. Fleming...had also warned him that it might never stop... (p 25)
In this episode, Rutledge has completed a complicated murder inquiry when he is tasked with re-investigating the murder of an unidentified woman found near one of the standing stones at Avebury in Wiltshire. The original investigating officer is someone Ian knows reasonably well, as well as his superior at the Yard, so the situation has the potential to be awkward. The investigation begins and Rutledge and the reader learn about the town and setting of Avebury, the stones and other early sites in the area. All contribute to the story, the attempt to identify the woman, etc. Why was she killed, and why in Avebury of all places?
As with the books in the series I have read before, this novel is well written, includes psychological insights on many characters, not only Rutledge, has a good sense of history, and well done settings.
I recommend this book highly and, personally, I intend to return and read those few episodes I have neglected, some of which are waiting on my kindle.
I received a copy of A Divided Loyalty through the Goodreads Giveaway program. The review is my own....more
After completing 30% of this book, I found that the book and I are simply not well matched. Jacquira Diaz has quite a story to tell of her childhood aAfter completing 30% of this book, I found that the book and I are simply not well matched. Jacquira Diaz has quite a story to tell of her childhood and young adult life in Puerto Rico and Miami, with an unstable family life, a mentally unstable mother, and her own history of lashing out followed by ultimate success. But for me the story as written was just too disjointed to keep my focus and interest. So I will move on to other books....more
The Electric Hotel is a love letter to an earlier time, not necessarily an easier time, but the early years of film, a time of adventure, excitement, The Electric Hotel is a love letter to an earlier time, not necessarily an easier time, but the early years of film, a time of adventure, excitement, exploration, wild success and horrible failure. Also a time of new techniques, new materials and much thinking on one’s feet. It is also a love letter to the friends, partners and lovers who were part of that glorious, difficult, wondrous time, the people who shared the victories and defeats of the early film era.
The novel centers on Claude Ballard who has been living in the same Los Angeles hotel for some 50 years, a man who never leaves his room without a camera, a man who has been filming life since he met the Lumiere Brothers in Paris in the late 19th century. One day, in 1962, he agrees to meet with a film student who would like to learn about his life. The result is what unspools here before us as a history of film, the world and Claude in both.
From having read Smith’s prior book, The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, I was very aware of his skill in dealing with artistic techniques, matters of lighting, etc. That skill and sensitivity comes to the fore again here. The descriptions of the early forms of film, both how they are created and how they are received by unsuspecting audiences completely new to the phenomenon, are very well done. I felt as if I was in the room, seeing the early images.
The personal side gets equal attention, the friendships, love affairs, hatred, business dealings that become personal. This novel fits the history of film into the world around it. It shows us the early film industry of New Jersey, the overbearing influence of Thomas Edison. There is a world here populated with living, breathing filmmakers, directors, actresses and actors, daring stuntmen, wild animals. And there is introspection, thoughtful consideration of film and life.
In short, this is a book for most readers I know and another success from Dominic Smith. 4.5 rounded to 5
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
Heaven in this story is one of the thrown-together slums of Bangalore, India, a place populated with the lowest ranks of Indian life. There are some fHeaven in this story is one of the thrown-together slums of Bangalore, India, a place populated with the lowest ranks of Indian life. There are some full families, with both parents and children, but more commonly there are women alone or with children and grandchildren. Sometimes primarily female children for they are the less important and less powerful in life. All girls and women enter life here with a mark against them.
When we enter Heaven, we meet a varied group of girls and their families and friends. We see their daily lives and frequent frustrations. The major group issue is the threat to their threadbare homes. The city has been sending bulldozers out to demolish the slums, one by one, in order to build new roads and malls, and Heaven’s turn is coming soon. There is no place for these people to go. And this group of girls has become so close that they become each other’s support. Inspired by the head of their school, several in this group are learning to strive for college, for true jobs, an escape from the slums altogether.
The author has written a novel with realistic, often difficult, aspects of Indian life. Most of what we see are the city problems of the poor, especially those faced by women and cultural and social minorities. But she also provides us with moments of romance, humor and magic as this group of girls discover who they are and what they want. Subramanian taught me while I was reading about Heaven and all of these girls. I wish I could meet Deepa, Padma, Banu, everyone and that we could speak each other’s language. I recommend this book for a look at one part of India and some very strong girls and women.
Thank you to Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill/Workman Publishing for providing an ARC. Thanks in particular to Andrew....more
When I first encountered the thinking cat, Nana, I wondered if this book would actually be for me. I don’t have a cat though I do certainly like otherWhen I first encountered the thinking cat, Nana, I wondered if this book would actually be for me. I don’t have a cat though I do certainly like other people’s pets quite a lot. But Nana is special as is his growing relationship with Satoru, who adopts him after he is injured.
The story is an odyssey, narrated by Nana and Saturo, with added input on Satoru’s early life from an omniscient narrator. In a series of vignettes, Satoru travels within Japan visiting friends, seeking the right future home for Nana. Of course Nana wants no part of this and manages to arrange some interesting problems at each stop. He can be a real troublemaker with other animals when he wants to be. Along the way he also spouts pearls of feline wisdom about other animals and those humans he meets, often eminently quotable. He is one droll cat, and well spoken.
The final third of the book is really quite lovely. As the journey and route become clear there is such a sense of completeness, of a story done well and right. I have always thought cats are smart. Now I wonder if they may have an emotional life we know nothing about. Recommended for cat lover readers.
A copy of this book was provided by Berkeley Publishing through NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
I have a new mystery series to follow now that I’ve read Dervla McTiernan’s first novel, The Ruin. As the author tells us in a note before the novel bI have a new mystery series to follow now that I’ve read Dervla McTiernan’s first novel, The Ruin. As the author tells us in a note before the novel begins,
The title of my book can be read in English, or can be given its Irish meaning. In Irish, Ruin means something hidden, a mystery, or a secret, but the word also has a long history as a term of endearment.
Here, the title seems to assume all of these meanings over the course of its action. There are physical ruins, hidden items and many secrets. And there are many who speak words of endearment...it’s for us to learn the truth of their words.
This novel has a multifaceted plot that pulls the reader and the protagonist, Cormac Reilly in many directions, seeking answers to connections between a 20 year old death and a present day suicide. Reilly, who recently transferred from Dublin to the Garda in Galway, is connected to that 20 year old event. As a young member of the force, he was the responding officer to the reported death of an alcoholic woman who left a neglected girl and boy behind. And now, in the present, there seem to be underlying tensions in the new station where he works, tensions he can’t completely identify and seem more than the usual “roast” of a new colleague from the big city.
The characters are well drawn though motives aren’t clear for all until the end. I had my own theories along the way, some right, some a bit off the mark. This is a very engaging story. The plot is complex with some dependence on coincidence, but not excessive, and it kept me fully involved to the end.
I’m looking forward to the second outing in the series during 2019.
4 to 4.5*
Thank you to Penguin Random House who provided me with a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program....more
This is an excellent collection of small fictions, short fictions. I have come to appreciate this form so much since I was first introduced to it by TThis is an excellent collection of small fictions, short fictions. I have come to appreciate this form so much since I was first introduced to it by Tara Lynn Masih a few years ago. To have the skill to tell a story, convey emotions so fully in such a short space and to have it be complete, complex, a full experience, is amazing.
There are so many stories I enjoyed or was moved by. One of the most powerful was "Don't Walk" by Joy Katz. Initially I was confused and then I was there with the writer, the action and Wow! Harriot West's "Picking Sunflowers for Van Gogh" offered me another way to think of that man's world. In Eugenie Montague's "Breakfast" there is a tired young mother desperate to save face. "The Atheist of Dekalb Street" by Christopher DeWan is one of several works that bring together old and young in unexpected ways. Emily Corwin's "Bildungsroman" is a nervous twist of fairy tale. "Bass Weather" by Michael C. Smith has my favorite line from the book (and one I wish I had thought up): "We had entered the valley of monosyllabic utterances..." (p 144). Last, but not least, I was happy to read a work by Brian Doyle, "My Devils", a story of family, communication and love unspoken. I join so many others in missing him.
This really is a very good collection that I recommend to anyone who enjoys this form and also to those who would like an introduction.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Braddock Avenue Books in return for an honest review....more
Other than occasional stories, this is the first collection of flash or small fiction I have read. And this has been an interesting, exciting, and, inOther than occasional stories, this is the first collection of flash or small fiction I have read. And this has been an interesting, exciting, and, in some ways, educational experience. I'm learning that, as in so many other things in life, I have much more to learn about this story form, but I will not let that inhibit my enthusiastic review of this book.
When I began reading, I had decided to use post it markers to mark those stories I enjoyed. Well, that didn't work as I quickly realized that I would run through my supply of markers. So I broke my book commandment and wrote in the book. Gasp! I am doing that more lately and feel the eyes of my early teachers scowling at me. But at the same time I believe they would be happy I am so invested in reading as an adult.
I found that I enjoyed probably 3/4 of the stories in this book to one degree or another. Some I loved: The Garden Sky stands out in my mind and I will read that many more times. And Pistols at Twenty Paces, that took me back to another place and then left me thinking.
What has amazed me is how much can be said so quickly, so economically. I also found that there were a couple of stories that I found difficult and actually off-putting but also had to respect for the skill of their presentation. Wimbledon was one such for me.
My primary take away from the world of small fictions is that there will be much disagreement about what is good and what is skilled. These all show skill but they all grab people differently. And they have to grab quickly. How they do it will determine who will enjoy the story. So this is an odd form. I invite everyone I know to give it a try. I believe you will laugh, cry, shudder, become angry or possibly disgusted. All good appropriate human emotions. Honestly earned by these stories. I don't know which will be your favorites, though I'd love to compare notes.
I fully intend to check out other works from several of the authors included. There are 55 fictions included, of which I liked 43 to some degree or other. Not bad. Perhaps I am under-rating this book; perhaps a 4.5 is in order. This is where ratings are so difficult.
I heartily recommend this collection and also Butler's recommendation to read the stories a few at a time. That seemed to work well for me.
I was provided with an ARC through the editor in return for an honest review....more
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