This coming week is the last week of July — yikes summer is going by quickly. If you live in a northern country there always seems to be a rush to get everything in before summer ends — as it can be a short season. Luckily the sun has been restored recently to these parts and the temps are comfortably in the 70s. On Sunday we will go to the mountains to bicycle from Banff to Lake Louise and back, which should be gorgeous. Photos to come later.
These days I’m in full summer mode, consuming thriller-type fiction. Currently I’m reading Jung Yun’s debut novel “Shelter,” which JoAnn over at Lakeside Musing reminded me about with her enthusiastic review. Miraculously, “Shelter” was no longer on hold at the library and I nabbed a copy. I decided not to know anything about it before opening its pages, which is often a fun way to go about suspense kinds of books. I’m also listening to the audiobook of Michael Koryta’s 2014 novel “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” which takes place in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana and Wyoming not too far from where my brother lives in Bozeman. This one is pretty scary so far. Reviews of both to come later.
Meanwhile I finished Steven Rowley’s debut novel “Lily and the Octopus,” which came out in June. I had put this one on my list after the raves it got on Goodreads about how wonderful a story it is about a man and his aging dachshund. I’m a sucker for good dog stories — being a dog lover myself — and after Emma Cline’s novel “The Girls” I was looking for something a bit heartwarming and humorous. What could go wrong? Sigh, apparently a bit. I guess I just didn’t find that much to the story, or else it didn’t work for me as well as it has for others.
“Lily and the Octopus” is about Ted Flask, a single gay man in L.A. who’s recently ended a six-year relationship with his boyfriend when his beloved 12-year-old dog Lily gets an ominous growth on her head, which sends Ted into a tailspin crisis. Ted perceives Lily’s growth as an octopus attached to her head, trying to hurt her. Seemingly in denial, he comes to share Lily’s “octopus” with the vet, his therapist, and family and friends, while struggling to come to grips with the truth himself.
“Lily and the Octopus” deals with worthy, touching issues that many have gone through. I’ve been in that situation with my own beloved pets. My problem with the novel is that nearly the whole story follows the conceit of the octopus way beyond what you think it should, and the character of Ted seems juvenile to a fault. The story also seemed pretty thin and autobiographical. There were parts that were cute and humorous but not enough to carry the entire book from being just meh to me. How surprising, I thought I’d really like it. Maybe if it had been a memoir, the author Steven Rowley could have dug deeper and reached me more. What I thought after “Lily” was: did Rowley really pull in a nearly seven-figure book deal based on this? Holy smokes, I couldn’t believe it.
Luckily I did thoroughly enjoy the audiobook of Curtis Sittenfeld’s novel “Eligible” (a modern retelling of “Pride and Prejudice”), which came out in April. Sittenfeld’s book was published as part of “The Austen Project,” which pairs six contemporary authors with Jane Austen’s six complete works. I’m no expert or huge Austen buff, and I usually don’t partake in such retellings or the hundreds of spin-offs on “Pride and Prejudice,” but Sittenfeld’s book sounded like good fun. I have a decent memory of P & P, though it’s not like you really need it in order to enjoy “Eligible,” but it just makes it a bit more interesting.
In Sittenfeld’s version the five Bennet daughters regroup at their childhood home in Cincinnati after Mr. Bennet suffers a heart attack. Liz, a magazine writer in her late 30s, and Jane, a yoga instructor coming upon 40, have been living in New York, while their three sisters have been living off their parents at home. Mrs. Bennet of course wants to marry them off to well-to-do men before their biological clocks grind to a halt. Thereby she arranges for the family to attend a Fourth of July barbecue, where the handsome Chip Bingley, a recent contestant on the reality TV dating show Eligible, will be, along with his friend, neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Oh it’s Chip and Jane who pair up, and Liz and Darcy who get off on the wrong foot with each other. You recall how the story goes. It follows P & P pretty closely, but in a much more modern way. For one thing there’s sex described in it and storylines on healthcare, home foreclosure, race, and gay and transgender issues. And don’t be surprised by the swearing, and reality TV aspects in it. The Bennet world has surely changed since Austen first gave life to the characters in 1813. I can’t say for sure whether hard-core Austen aficionados will like or dislike “Eligible.” That is for them to say. I’m sure there will be some of both.
To me, Curtis Sittenfeld’s version is wonderfully entertaining and astute. It’s long (181, short chapters!), but I was right there with it, sucked into the various characters’ lives, especially the main character Liz’s, and laughing along the way. “Eligible” is funny and spoof-laced, but also perceptive and romantic too. It makes for a perfect summer read or audiobook as it’s light and fun. Kudos to Cassandra Campbell for her excellent narration of the various characters on the audio. My only quibble or puzzlement with “Eligible” was perhaps the final chapter, which fizzles a bit dwelling on the unattached and not very likable sister Mary — when, by that time, all we want is more of Liz and Darcy. I guess Sittenfeld just couldn’t resist adding to the final mix a comment on the worthiness of singledom to go with the oddball pairings.
So that’s it for this week. What about you — have you read either novel “Lily and the Octopus” or “Eligible” and if so, what did you think? Or what is your favorite dog novel, or Austen spin-off?
Too bad you didn’t like Lily and the Octopus that much. I have heard, and read, great things about the Austen Project. Dorothy @ The Nature of Things, has read and reviewed a few already.
I tried to think back about how many books I have read featuring dogs and I cannot recall any. Now I may not remember titles, but I have certainly read more than a few books about horses, particularly when I was younger. I have a thing for horses, but I also love dogs.
Thanks Carmen. Yeah I might even read more from the Austen Project — after this one was such a positive read for me. And your comment about horses made me try to think of horse stories I have liked in the past. I recall when I was younger liking My Friend Flicka and especially Black Beauty. hmm. And didn’t Elizabeth Taylor star in National Velvet? I think I remember that a little. But perhaps Seabiscuit was a bigger horse movie. And Secretariat with Diane Lane. Did you like those?
The premise of Lily and the Octopus sounds very good.
With that, I have heard from several sources that it was disappointing. This is suprising considering the buzz that seems to surround it.
Yeah I agree Brian. I was very ready beforehand to be swept up by the novel but then found it wasn’t for me. Maybe it’s reaching a different demographic or reader than I am. I’m not sure I can understand it’s huge popularity. It’s a stumper for sure.
Sometimes I think buzz can kill a book for me. I hear too much about it and my expectations are high. I can’t help but be disappointed.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/07/mo-willems-goes-to-paris.html
Thanks Deb. Yeah I think I did have big expectations for Lily and the Octopus and maybe that contributed to a letdown.
I’m disappointed to hear Lily and the Octopus did not live up to expectations. I, too, am a sucker for a good dog story.
Yeah Molly, we will have to keep looking in search of another good dog story. Thanks for stopping by!
I am a cat lover. Horses are good in stories. Dogs are not my thing. But I did love The Story of Edgar Sawtelle which is all about dogs and has some great dog characters. Of course, when I was a kid I wanted a dog and loved Lassie. But books like the one you read, I don’t usually go for. In fact I DNFed The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Eligible I will read before the summer is over. Interestingly, the latest in the Shakespeare project was also light hearted and hilarious: The Vineger Girl by Anne Tyler is a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. I loved it!
Thanks Judy, I must go back and read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle; somehow that one got by me. I will add it to my list. I’m fond of animals in general. When I was a kid: my family had 2 dogs, 8 cats, & 1 pony. I loved them all. Still to this day I would like more! but as it is I vacuum a lot with one dog. 🙂
Wow, DNF The Art of Racing the Rain — I can see where some wouldn’t like it. The Austen project and the Shakespeare project seem like they’re turning out some fun reads. Good gracious, it’s fun to laugh while partaking in a book.
I very often download something as a result of your recommendations. I have read P and P multiple times and will try to get my hands on Eligible for an upcoming road trip. In preparation for a trip to South America I have just finished reading and thoroughly enjoying two books that would otherwise not have been on my radar. Turn right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams is an interesting yet humorous tale of his journey on foot through the Peruvian jungles while following in the footsteps of Hiram Bingham III the “discoverer” of Machu Picchu.
The second book is by Peter Nichols is a fascinating telling of the second voyage of the ship The Beagle as told from the perspective of the captain Robert FitzRoy with many details about Charles Darwin that were unknown to me. It is very readable and made me stop and wonder at the keen desire to explore the unknown that gripped this generation.
Happy reading.
Thanks Susan. I will have to find out when your South America trip is, fall? Both of those nonfiction books sound wonderful. Gosh they seem good. I’m a sucker for explorer type books, whether they are to the North Pole or to a remote jungle or island, I read a lot of them. I will note these titles, and maybe someday I can get to Machu Picchu, though I have a terrible fear of heights (ugh it’s true), but I do love anthropology & archaeology. I’d like to know more about Charles Darwin too. I haven’t read about his voyage on the Beagle. So thanks for these. Keep me posted as you read others this summer. SW
I’m glad at least one of your post-The Girls novels was good. Hopefully your next novel will be enjoyable and what exactly what you were hoping to accomplish with Lily and the Octopus!
Thanks Michelle! Yeah I needed a little humor or light-heartedness after The Girls — and Eligible really did the trick. Lily was okay but not as great as I had hoped.
I like the premise of Lily and the Octopus–too bad it turned out a bit thin. I was excited about the Austen Project, but the novels I tried left me cold so I wasn’t aware of Eligible. Honestly, P&P has been done to death, and this is from a fan, although a truly funny, modern version is still appealing; but 181 short chapters! Short chapters seems trendy these days, and they do make the reading easy, imo.
Cycling from Banff to Lake Louise sounds wonderful–hope you have a marvelous time, and I’ll be looking for photos 🙂
Hi Jane, you might like Eligible but then if you’re already worn out from P & P tales, you might take a break. The Lily novel unfortunately was a bit disappointing to me although I thought it would be good. The cycling went well last weekend but alas not much in the photo dept. We were on the move. Next time! Thanks for stopping by.
The gold standard for dog novels for this dog person: Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls, 1961. A “children’s novel” that works for all ages. Check the “Background” in the Wikipedia entry for this book–publication has a terrific backstory. A buddy of mine, a hunting dog guy, tells this anecdote: his son’s university rugby team was over for a party, held in the basement den. At some point, the party became and remained absolutely quiet. Jim finally went down to see what the heck was going on. Someone had popped the 1970s movie version into the VHS tape player ( this did not happen last week). All the great big rugby players were silently watching WTRFG, with great big tears rolling down their faces.
(Sorry I missed seeing your comment till just now.) Oh yes, I have read Where the Red Fern Grows in my youth. It’s got to be the saddest dog story of all time. I cried reading it. But I’m glad you mention it: because I have always wanted to read it again — this many decades later. I’m sure it’s the classic it always was, but I want to see how I feel about it now. Little Ann and Old Dan will crush my heart for sure.
I am a big Pride and Prejudice fan so i bet I would Eligible. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Oh yes Anne, I think you will like Eligible. It’s highly entertaining. Enjoy!
I also tend to like those heart-warming dog stories, but it doesn’t hurt to have one I can cross of the list. 🙂
Have you ever read A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron? A heart-warmer and a tear-jerker.
Hi Naomi, sorry I missed seeing your comment. No, I have not read “A Dog’s Purpose” — but now I will definitely put it on my list. Thanks for the tip. I’m a freak for dog stories.