Hi there. I hope those in the States are having a very lovely Memorial Day weekend. In Canada we had our long weekend last weekend so we are beyond that now, ha. The weather has turned gorgeous here, and I’m madly planting my tomato plants, and my husband and I are bike riding into the countryside. It’s been a quick and welcome change.
But I had a busy past week so I didn’t get to see as much of PW’s U.S. Book Show as I wanted to, though I heard the interview with author Anthony Doerr about his new novel “Cloud Cuckoo Land,” which is coming out in September. It sounds pretty wild as it apparently follows three separate storylines in different eras: from the past, present, and future. I hope I won’t be lost by it. I did like his last novel “All the Light We Cannot See,” so I plan to check it out once it’s available.
Other than that I’m holding off on putting together a June Preview post as I ran out of time this past week — summer must be here! — but I’ll leave you instead with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
The Elephant of Belfast by S. Kirk Walsh / Counterpoint Press / 2021
This moving debut novel, which is based on a true story about a female zookeeper in Northern Ireland during WWII, captured me hook, line, and sinker. And like much good historical fiction it opened up a world little known to me and taught me a bit in the process.
When the story opens in 1940, the protagonist Hettie Quinn, age 20, is down at the docks helping the zoo director and others to off-load a three-year-old Asian elephant coming off a ship and to guide her to the Belfast Zoo. Lately Hettie’s life has been full of sorrow ever since her sister Anna died in childbirth a few months ago. Her father has also flown the coop, and a sad pall has settled over the house where she lives with her mother. Her one outlet is the zoo where she works and wants to become a full-time zookeeper … hopefully to the captivating new elephant Violet. In time she’s given the chance when the male zookeepers go off to fight in the war.
Hettie and Violet come to form an endearing bond and caring for the elephant gives Hettie a new sense of purpose, helping to heal some of the sadness over the loss of her sister. Though there’s worrisome talk in town about whether the Germans will bomb Belfast, or if they will be spared. Along the way, Hettie gets mixed up in the attention of three boys, namely Ferris, another zookeeper who’s her friend from her school days; and Samuel Greene, the butcher’s son who’s a ladies man and is training to become a cop; and also Liam, her brother-in-law who’s the father to her niece Maeve and involved with the IRA. Uh-oh.
How it plays out with them is all quite intriguing, especially when tragedy strikes and the German bombs being to fall on Belfast on the evening of Easter 1941. Hettie runs to the zoo to check on Violet and there they get set on a path that will end up changing their lives. You’ll want to read on to find out what happens to them as the city becomes thrown into carnage and ruins. It’s a story that brings vividly to life the horrifying bombing effects and what people there went through. I guess I didn’t realize beforehand that the Luftwaffe bombed that far north and west, but tragically they did with devastating results.
There’s some sad, unsettling parts to the story but also some very moving parts amid the chaos. I can’t say too much else, or I’ll give it away. But as a total animal lover, I particularly liked how the story captured the goodness and the bond with Violet the elephant, who is wonderfully portrayed in the novel. It also in many respects shined a light on the resilience of those — like Hettie — who under such dire circumstances withstand and rise to the occasion. The characters are all well-drawn as are the setting and the era. I’m sure the novel will end up on my list of favorite debuts of 2021 … as the story hit the mark quite indelibly.
Stay tuned here next week for an interesting Q&A with the author!!
The Truants by Kate Weinberg / G.P. Putnam’s Sons / 320 pages / 2020
Many of us love a good (sort of) creepy school campus-set story, right? Isn’t that why Donna Tartt’s novel “The Secret History” was so popular? Well if you do, then you might want to toss this novel onto your stack. It’s probably less creepy than Tartt’s but still unsettling.
Weinberg’s debut novel is a slow-burn of a coming-of-age kind of story that has a couple twists toward the end. British girl Jess Walker narrates the story, looking back on what traumatic thing happened during her college days six years ago. She went to university in East Anglia and there signs up for a class by professor Lorna Clay who becomes her mentor and someone she idolizes for her mind and her book called “The Truants” about creative types who’ve succeeded by breaking the rules. Jess signs up for Lorna’s lit class on Agatha Christie in which Lorna mentions the circumstances surrounding Christie’s mysterious disappearance for 11 days in 1926 after finding out about her husband’s affair. (Hmm note to self: be on the look out for clues in this novel.)
In time Jess becomes friends on campus with Georgie, Nick, and a South African journalist named Alec who’s on a fellowship. The good looking Georgie and Alec pair up, and then Jess and Nick … and you get to know them all quite well … but love triangles emerge that threaten their friendships … as well as Jess’s obsessive friendship outside of class with her enigmatic professor Lorna Clay, who eventually reveals her past with one of them.
You have to hold on for quite awhile to find out about all the betrayals and tragic consequences in this novel … but how it affects Jess feels quite palpable even many years later. It’s a college-age story with quite a bite … as one in their group ends up dead and you yearn to find out how and why. I listened to the audiobook version and it held me for many miles of walking and a week or two of listening. I’ll be curious to see what the author puts out next.
That’s all for now. The good news is: the outdoor tennis and golf Covid restrictions are lifting here this coming week, and hair salons and a few other things are going to open again. What a relief. What about you — how have you been and have you read these novels, and if so, what did you think?
Glad you and the hub were able to enjoy a nice weekend bike ride. Our weather was horrible all weekend and sadly, spoiled our plans. The Elephant of Belfast is one I have on hold at the library. I hope it is not too sad as a big animal lover. The Truants sounds excellent as well and, I didn’t realize that Doerr had a new book coming, so thanks. All is back to normal in our state and although we are vaccinated we are still being a little cautious. Have a good week Susan.
Hey Diane: sorry to hear about your weather there — we had that during our long weekend too, ugh. I’m glad you are going to try the Belfast story — there’s only one rough, unsettling animal part/section in the book — but if you can hold on, it’ll perk up much. Other parts I think make it worth it.
The Truants is full of relationships and it’s quite a weaved web, but it held my interest. It sounds like your State back East has done one of the best jobs opening against Covid … and getting everyone vaccinated. Congrats. Hope your weather turns better this week.
That top photo is just gorgeous; how wonderful to have lovely bike riding weather.
The Elephant of Belfast reminds me of a children’s book that I used to read to my students when we studied WWII: Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya. The illustrations are stunning and I cried every time I read it aloud.
Thanks Helen. Yeah I just took that photo yesterday. It was a gorgeous day near the foothills. I’m glad you told me about Faithful Elephants … I do not know that story and will see if my library has it. It sounds very good. Enjoy your week.
Glad you were able to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather… beautiful photo! It’s been picture perfect here, too, but our NYC daughters have been very disappointed by the cold and rain. I hadn’t heard about either of these books, but they both sound good!
Hi JoAnn thanks, yeah it was great getting out this past weekend on the bikes. It was bleak a week earlier … but luckily this week is All Sun! Tell your daughters to hang on for better weather. I think you’d like these reads … perhaps especially the Belfast one as it’s historical fiction that’s interesting and not dense. Have a great week.
Glad you can get out to bike across the countryside and that it’s warm enough to get those tomato plants in! I got mine in a couple of weeks ago but the weather turned a bit cold the week after. But it’s starting to heat up here so I’m hoping it’ll thrive!
Those books look good. I’ll have to add them to my list. I hope you enjoy your week!
Thanks Heather. It’s exciting to have summer-like weather now. I have much gardening & planting still to do. We’ll have to compare notes on tomatoes! Have a great week.
I’m excited to hear about the new Doerr book, which I did not know about. I thoroughly enjoyed his previous book.
It’s great to be able to be out and about again, isn’t it? Even though most days I don’t get much further than my own yard, the outdoors are always a great mood booster.
I agree Dorothy. The fact that we can get out into our gardens is a real booster to me. And I know your garden is amazing. I have much left to do but that makes it all the more fun. Doerr’s new upcoming novel looks to have a lot of new elements to it … we will see. Have a great week.
The elephant book. I quickly skimmed because I cannot take any sadness when it comes to animals and my eye quickly popped over “butcher” and I had to look away. I am a big baby in that regard.
Yay for getting outside and for better weather. We hit Palm Springs for the long weekend. It was hot, 101 but not as hot as it normally is. I was dying by the pool without shade. My daughter actually sent me inside for awhile because my face got so red! Not burned, just hot. I was having a good time though. All the lovely retired people were so chatty and friendly. Not much reading though. Every time I picked my Kindle up someone struck up a conversation. It was really quite nice.
Tonight, graduation for the girl.
Hi Ti. I hope the graduation night was a lot of fun. Wow end of her early years. She’s college bound now! I’m glad you got out to Palm Springs … that’s Fun. I imagine it is sizzling about now. I like going there in the winter. So nice. But it’s nice to get away, right?
The Elephant novel had one unsettling animal part but it didn’t deter me from liking the book. I’m also really sensitive when it comes to that. I thought it was realistic in a time of war … but didn’t dwell … and the ending wasn’t a downer, more uplifting.
I’m glad to hear that things are calming down there and that restrictions are lifting. This experience has been a trial in patience, but I am hopeful that things are safer now.
Both The Truants and The Elephant of Belfast sound like fresh stories. I am especially drawn to The Elephant of Belfast, I think.
I’m sorry you didn’t get to see more of the U.S. Book Show. I’ve been able to attend BookExpo twice, and both times I had the time of my life. It’s more fun than Disneyworld for me, but I wasn’t sure what a virtual experience would be like.
Hi Deb, thanks, yeah all of the Covid restrictions here will likely be lifted by the end of June. Right now all the outside stuff seems back On! It has been a trial in patience for sure.
I think you’d like the Belfast novel. I found it very interesting & enjoyable.
The Book Show was pretty good — even virtually … and the good thing is I can still watch some of the talks whenever I want to. Of course, it would be more fun if the Book Show could be in person next year. I like visiting all the booths etc. Enjoy your week.
I’m also eagerly awaiting Cloud Cuckoo Land. It sounds a bit like Cloud Atlas. Those multi time frame books are hard to craft, but I’m hoping Doerr will be as successful as Mitchell.
Thanks for the introduction to two debuts! I loved the Secret History, but more for its sense of place than the mystery.
What a divine place to bike! I just got out my bike too. After our long winters, we northern dwellers do enjoy this time of year.
Hi Sarah: good to hear from you. Yeah the biking is good here. I hope you are enjoying your biking there. These debuts were enjoyable. And the Doerr novel should make a splash … we will see. I hope to stop by your site soon and see what’s up there. Cheers.
The Truants sounds just as good!
Thanks Mareli. The Truants is quite an intriguing read … many relationships to sort through!
I’m glad you’re getting warmer weather! We arrived in Riverside today and are camping overnight at Rancho Jurupa County Park. We’ve been here before and it’s a nice place to stay before heading down to San Diego. I think it was around 80 when we arrived, but there’s a gentle breeze, so it’s not bad!
Anthony Doerr’s new book sounds very odd. I loved All the Light We Cannot See, but I’m not sure about this new one. I’ll wait for your review. 🙂
Ha! Lesley: Riverside. That’s almost Redlands. We take the 91 to go to the beach. I hope you liked the Park … don’t think I’ve been there. You’re not too far from S.D. now … hope you have a blast once you get there.
I guess I’m not too sure about the Doerr’s upcoming book either … I will likely wait to hear a bit more. Multiple storylines often throw me. We’ll see. Have fun.
I haven’t read either of these, so am intrigued.
Glad to hear restrictions are easing up there. Things are opening up in MI, but travel (airports, planes) are still full mask even if you have proof of vaccination. Makes me disinclined to fly anywhere.
Hi Catherine, yeah we’re booked for our 2nd vaccine shot in the next week or so. I can see where traveling would still be iffy. I think you might like both of these novels … and there’s many relationships to sort thru in The Truants. A college-age story too! Cheers.
Both of those books sound really good.
I love the photo at the top of your post – what gorgeous scenery!
Thanks Rachel. The scenery where we bike outside of town is really a pretty area, so we love going there. These two novels were pleasant surprises to me. Cheers.