Hello. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! I’m relegated in life to being a dog mom, but I admire all the hard work and support that human moms give, especially my own mother who lives far away in California. I’m sad not to be there with her on this occasion, but I had this bouquet delivered to her, which I think she is enjoying. I like all the colors and its feeling of spring. It makes me happy, especially during these pandemic times.
In fact, we are experiencing more severe Covid restrictions here, many public places are closed again, and even outdoor tennis and golf have been regulated. Now in order to play these sports, we must be from the same household. Ugh, it’s going to be at least three weeks of this, or more. So we hang on … again. At least bike riding and gardening are still allowed. I send my thoughts to India, which is really struggling now with Covid; let’s hope the country can overcome its dire situation. Meanwhile I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce / Dial Press/ 368 pages / 2020
This is a novel I read for my book group that wanted something “uplifting” to read and discuss. Rachel Joyce is known for her feel-good stories … and I think this is about my third novel I’ve read of hers over the years. They’re often sweet, rousing stories that usually entail a quirky or very lonely character who unpreparedly takes a journey of some sort and discovers friends and a lot about themselves and the world in the process.
This novel is about two quirky ladies circa 1950 — one is a former teacher, spinster Margery Benson and the other is her assistant, talkative Enid Pretty who Margery hires at the last minute to go with her. They embark on a journey to New Caledonia in the South Pacific to find a particular gold flecked beetle, not yet documented. The two women are opposites, who while facing many obstacles to their island expedition, become close friends. Enid has always wanted a baby … and Margery has always hoped to find the gold beetle. They are the yin to each other’s yang so to speak, often in a humorous way. But because of their backstories that begin to get revealed … things with Enid are not exactly what they seem, and they appear to have some people after them, including a deranged WWII POW and a prim society type on the island who has a feeling that something must be amiss with these two riffraffs.
I think my favorite part of the novel was not exactly all the shenanigans that go on and the obstacles the two ladies face, but more the part about New Caledonia and their trek on the mountain in the north of the Island to find the beetle, which are quite visual. I was enticed by the island and jungle in the story and how the two ladies come to appreciate it. I wanted them to settle up and make things right with all so they could stay at their endearing rundown bungalow at the base of the mountain.
But the ending sort of gets crazy and didn’t exactly do, or resolve it, for me. Still it’s a quick, fun read about women who being held back by society and at work in the 1950s — finally instead of accepting it — just go out and do the adventurous things they’ve always dreamed about doing in order to fulfill their lives, which is an admirable theme. In a way perhaps, it might be a little reminiscent of the free spirit of Thelma and Louise. Ha.
Dear Ann by Bobbie Ann Mason / Harper Books / 352 pages / 2020
In the 1980s, I remember reading and liking author Bobbie Ann Mason’s novel “In Country,” which must have made an impact on me when I was younger … about the Vietnam War and a veteran who has PTSD. There was even a 1989 movie of it starring Bruce Willis and Emily Lloyd. Though I’m sort of foggy about it now, I’ve thought pretty fondly of Bobbie Ann Mason’s writing since then. But I haven’t picked up another of her books until I saw the audiobook of this novel, which she put out when she was 80.
Dear Ann is a story about a woman looking back on her life and wondering what might have been if she had gone to Stanford for graduate school in literature in the 1960s instead of Harpur College in Upstate NY. She imagines a whole storyline of what her life might have been like in California at the center of all the cultural changes, delving into the atmosphere of the 1960s amid the antiwar protests, hallucinogenic drugs, summer of love, and music and literature.
The woman, Ann from Kentucky, narrates about her life during her Stanford years so convincingly with her friends, her literature studies and profs, and her relationship with her college boyfriend Jimmy … that after a while I was a bit confused whether Ann indeed goes to California and if Jimmy is there. But Ann tells us early on which direction she takes (so I promise I’m not ruining the book) and by the end it becomes more clear.
One thing I liked is its love story between Ann and Jimmy, who is quite the character … and seems to be really struggling with his idealism during those days. He has a bad trip on a drug and is bothered that the poor are bearing most of the brunt of being drafted to Vietnam, which causes him a dilemma. There’s quite a bit to think about with this novel and you’ll want to stay tuned to see what happens to Ann and Jimmy. With a tinge of sadness, it lends perspective to life’s paths and loves that could’ve been taken and the paths that were taken instead. The homage to the 1960s surely comes through with details about the music, events, and thoughts of the era.
It’s a bit weird because early on I almost quit on the novel as I wasn’t sure where it was going, or what it was doing, and I was getting impatient, but I’m glad I stuck with it and took my time. In the end, I was rewarded by going back in time with author Bobbie Ann Mason and her characters. Surely she knew the 1960s, and perhaps the idealism squashed back then. Sometime I hope to check out her 1999 memoir “Clear Springs,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these novels or authors before, and if so what did you think? Have a great week.
Happy 4 paws Mother Day to you!! I have six fur babies and I still feel like a mommy. Well kind of.
Miss Benson’s Beetle was one of my top ten favorite reads for last year. I loved that book and I use it so often in link up posts.
Hope you will have a good week and lots of lovely sun shining days to you!
Thanks Mareli. I couldn’t make it without my fur baby and I’m sure you feel the same with yours. The Beetle book was good fun, glad you liked it. We will see what my book group thinks on Thursday. It’s been raining a lot here … but we finally might see the sun this week! Cheers.
What a lovely bouquet for your mother. And happy Mother’s Day to you. Mothers of furbabies definitely qualify.
Miss Benson’s Beetle intrigues me. I’m adding it to my reading list. I have not read anything by this author. I know I have read some of Bobbie Ann Mason’s work, but it was decades ago and I’m struggling to remember what it was. Dear Ann might be another to add.
BTW, what is it with all the book covers that show the backs of people? It seems to have become almost a cliche for designers of book covers to show the backs of two people, walking away or sitting contemplating. The subject of the book doesn’t seem to matter. (Yes, these are the sorts of things that I spend my time wondering about!)
Thanks Dorothy. I’m glad furbaby mothers qualify. You might like the Beetle novel, not sure if it’s her best but it seems a bit typical of her tales. And I’m glad you mention about the book covers … I hadn’t really thought about it before … now that you point it out, I will look for more … What does it mean — showing just the backs? That they don’t want to show faces — as that gives too much away? Or doesn’t leave it to the imagination? Or what? hmm. I will ponder this. Enjoy your week.
I really enjoyed Miss Benson’s Beetle and I think connecting it to Thelma and Louise is a fair one. It came along at the right time for me and I really had fun reading it. I agree that the descriptions of their adventure in New Caledonia are the best parts.
Hi Helen, oh great I wasn’t sure about my Thelma & Louise part but I’m glad you agree enough. I’m glad too that you had read & liked the novel right before I picked it up for book club here. I hadn’t known much about New Caledonia so that part really drew me to it … when they trekked the mountain. The island seems pretty fascinating out there in the South Pacific … Have a great week.
The flowers are beautiful.
I’m so sorry that things are closing down for you there. It has been so important to me to get outdoors during all of this. I hope that you are able to do some of that.
I loved how bold Miss Benson was; I loved seeing her bravely defying the conventions of the day to seek out the beetle. So many people go through their lives without trying to get their heart’s desire, and it would have been easy for her to continue to work as a teacher where she was a terrible fit.
The sixties are one of my favorite time frames, so I immediately went to my library website and put in a request for Dear Ann. It’s interesting to me that she wrote this novel at eighty. I have always wanted to write a novel, so it’s hopeful to think I still have a little more time.
Deb, you can still write your novel. Plenty of time, and we’re never too old for it. Bobbie Ann Mason’s writing is quite interested in exploring the ’60s & Vietnam.
I’m glad you mention what you loved about the Beetle novel … it helps me think about it for my book group meeting this week. I read it awhile back. Miss Benson does defy convention of the times & followed her passion, which was nice!
Between the rainy weather and the new Covid restrictions here … it’s quite bleak here at the moment … let’s hope this passes soon. Thx for your encouragement. Cheers.
Lovely flowers for your mom (love the yellow roses in the mix.) So sorry COVID is still going strong in Canada, hopefully, that will change as more are vaccinated.
I liked Miss Benson’s Beetle, and, I was happy to see her pursue her dream after such a sad start in life and the incident at school. I didn’t think the PTSD character was needed though. I’ve never read anything by Bobbie Ann Mason but, I think I would like her books based on the time periods and my age – growing up when the Beatles debuted on the Ed Sullivan show — yep, I’m that old.
Hope you gave your 4-legged kid extra hugs yesterday – and everyday. I love our 4-legged kids as much as my 2-legged kids LOL
Ha good to know Diane that 4 legged ones are just as dear. For me too!
Glad you liked the Beetle novel … I thought it was all right / it’s a bit out of my wheel house reading but it was rousing. You grew up with much great music! I still listen to a lot of ’60s & ’70s music. Bobbie Ann Mason surely explores that era. Western Canada needs to ramp up with the vaccines … a lot of restrictions here but little else. Sigh. I’ve had #1 shot but it might be a long while before shot #2. More later, have a great week.
Beautiful flowers for your mom! How is your fur baby doing? Hope Stella’s rehab is underway and helping.
My mother enjoyed Miss Benson, but I’ve not read it. I did enjoy Harold Fry… not sure why I haven’t picked up her other books.
I’m not familiar with Bobbie Ann Mason, but am curious now.
Sure hope Covid rates begin to decline in your area soon. Very sorry you have to go through another round of restrictions. All restrictions have been lifted in FL, but most businesses are still requiring masks to enter. We’ve made the choice to only eat outdoors at restaurants… most have added back the indoor tables they took away for social distancing and some no longer require servers to wear masks. Sigh.
Hi JoAnn: yeah we are trying to stay patient here with more restrictions … after 1.5 years of this it is difficult. The vaccine supply & distribution are not as big as the States … which can be frustrating when things are opening up down there. Still we plug on! I will cope by gardening. And I hope you can stay safe in restaurants etc. It feels weird without a mask, eh?
I’ll probably add an update next week about Stella, who has her bandage taken off today – still rehab ahead, argh. So we will see. Have a great week.
When I read the epilogue of Benson’s Beetle I screamed out loud and scared the pup. It wasn’t the resolution I necessarily wanted but it was something. Did you read it?
Wow. So the restrictions are increasing by you. We have dropped into another tier, the least restrictive one. So far, so good. California is doing well with vaccines. I think they said 75% of Ca is vaccinated but the rest of the country will not reach herd immunity levels. Also, India. All those bodies washed ashore, over 100. My VP has family in India and although our campus is to begin re-population in phases beginning in June (too early if you ask me), he said to be cautiously optimistic because what his family is telling him in India won’t bode well for the rest of the world. I think they shut the country down too late.
In other news, I posted my wishful thinking list, summer reading plans on the blog today. I think my summer will be occupied with moving between the two kids but I shall give it a go.
Hi Ti, I’ll stop by to see what your summer books will be; it’s exciting to have a list! It’s been awhile but I’m sure I read the epilogue of the Beetle novel … I agree it wasn’t the ending I was hoping for either. And doesn’t Enid pass? Gosh my memory!
It seems the States are really opening back up now … but we are in the strictest restrictions for the next few weeks, Ugh! I’m glad California is doing well. India looks dire. I hope the vaccines get spread to other countries …
Enjoy your week.
What a lovely bouquet!! I’ll bet your mom loved receiving it and that it’s still providing her joy throughout the week. My daughter sent me a gorgeous arrangement and it’s still pretty, although most of the lilacs are finished.
I’m so sorry that the pandemic isn’t under better control in Canada! It must be terribly frustrating. We are finally beginning to see a significant drop in the numbers in Oregon and our county is beginning to open up, which is good for tourism, but still makes me a little anxious. My heart is breaking for the citizens of India. What an awful situation.
I’ve only read one book by Rachel Joyce (Harold Fry), which I thought was good but not great. Maybe a little too sentimental for my taste.
I remember hearing about Bobbie Ann Mason’s book (In Country) many years ago, but never did read it. I might have seen the movie, but if I did, I don’t remember a thing about it. This new book sounds promising.
I hope you have a good weekend and that you’ve seen the last of wintery weather. I just went outside to get the mail and it feels like December! Overcast, breezy and damp. I think it might be 50 degrees. Sigh. I’m sure summer will eventually arrive. Probably when we’re in Escondido, sweltering in our RV. 🙂
Hi Lesley, we are about to reach 70 degrees this weekend! Wow it’s gone from snow last weekend straight into summer. We are enjoying the warmth & have been working in the yard. Glad you got some flowers for Mom’s Day. I think my Mom is still liking hers. I got major points for the bouquet apparently. Big success. The Rachel Joyce books are a bit sentimental which is not my thing, but my book group wanted something not depressing which is sometimes tough to find. I hope you have a great weekend too. I will follow your RV trips vicariously.
Beautiful flowers you sent to your mother! I hope the restrictions and the covid numbers lift soon. Gardening is great right now. With this beautiful weather!
I just got my son an appointment for his covid jab next week! I hope you have a lovely weekend and that your week went well.
Thanks Heather. Good to hear your son can now have his vaccine! It seems so positive that young people are getting protected now. The restrictions here are still terrible … but we are hopeful about June? We did a lot of gardening today and the weather is close to 70 degrees! Enjoy it where you are ….
The flowers are gorgeous! I hope that the restrictions relax again soon if they haven’t already. I haven’t read either of those books but they both sound good.
Thanks Rachel, the flowers seemed to be a real hit with my mom. We’re hoping later this week the restrictions will be lifted here … but we’re still waiting. It’s been our third wave of Covid restrictions …. and the natives are getting restless. Cheers.