I hope everyone is having a great weekend … and not getting too close at the beach or the barbeques :-). We had a very rainy past week here so we could use some fresh air and Vitamin D from the sun … though at least the leaves on the trees are out, see Stella modeling at left. And it should be sunnier tomorrow for a bike ride outing and next week too.
Meanwhile have you been contemplating Biden’s shortlist picks for VP? (I’m watching too much news, right?) Here are the possible candidates: Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), Sen.Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Rep. Val Demings (Florida), Stacey Abrams (Georgia), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.). Do you have a favorite of these, or who are you picking as the VP choice? It’s all under wraps for the moment, but vetting is being done night and day as we speak.
As for this week I think I’ll check out some of the BookExpo Online event happening May 26-29. Perhaps they’ll have some good virtual chats. And I hope they’ll be recorded because who knows if I can make it at the times they have listed. And it just so happens that it’s almost June — can you believe it — and that means that Summer Reading is on the way and Summer Reading lists too, so perhaps start jotting down titles you’d like to get to while enjoying your summer months. It’s such a great time of year … we need to stay positive amid these trying times, right? And for now, I’ll leave you with a few reviews of what I finished lately.
The End of October by Lawrence Wright / Knopf / 400 pages / 2020
Why I Picked It Up: Whoa who reads a pandemic novel during a pandemic? I guess I was curious to pick it up to find out how similar it is to what’s currently going on now … and for sure some things in it are eerily on target about the disease, the contagion, and the political response. Apparently author Lawrence Wright began writing the novel in 2017 and finished it before our current situation got underway. Though it’s crazy timing, right?
Synopsis: It’s about a hemorrhagic fever outbreak at a camp in Indonesia, where epidemiologist Dr. Henry Parsons travels to investigate a group who’ve died. Soon he learns that an infected man is headed to Mecca to join millions at the annual Hajj. From there, despite a massive quarantine lockdown, the disease spreads becoming a global pandemic that unleashes havoc on the world, which Dr. Parsons and others try to race to slow and stop … while his family in Atlanta awaits his return.
My Thoughts: If you’re looking for a fast page-turner, this one doesn’t seem to get really going quickly until after 200 or 250 pages. The first part is filled with background info about diseases, terrorist plots, characters, and this and that. If you’re not into learning a bit, or wading into the mire of pandemics, it might lose your interest a bit … but I held on and found it interesting info to what we’re undergoing now.
Though at first it seems Dr. Henry Parsons, the main protagonist, working on behalf of the World Health Organization, makes a couple of dubious moves that might be a bit hard to fathom: such as letting his driver into the infected Indonesian site … and getting trapped, working for months on the opposite side of the world away from his wife Jill and their two kids, whose lives in Atlanta play out as they await his return, trying to cope as things begin to deteriorate.
Ohh shouldn’t Dr. Parsons have found a military flight back? Good grief, there’s some real terror to the story as the virus spreads around the globe and deaths begin to mount. Whoa this is a tale that becomes much darker than what we are experiencing now. It’s rough and turns bleak. Hopefully our world won’t become like this … even if the next wave of the virus heads in our direction. It’s all the more reason to remain vigilant to staying safe and following the rules … despite what some might tell you.
Another protagonist in the book Tildy, a director at Homeland Security, isn’t as fleshed out as the main story, yet her side plot is equally as scary in its imminent threat of an all out war with Russia and how it plays out. Good grief, western democracies begin to collapse and the alternative is: chaos and the worst side of human nature … it’s not exactly a pretty picture.
Apparently director Ridley Scott had suggested the book idea to author Lawrence Wright after reading Cormac McCarthy’s 2006 novel “The Road,” from which he wondered how its unrevealed apocalypse came about … giving Wright the impetus to research and write this scenario. It seemed to me Wright’s research for the book was pretty extensive and his plot prescient, I just wish some of his storytelling and character fulfillment could’ve been a bit better. A few of them felt hung out to dry. Still I’m glad I read it, but it likely won’t be for everyone.
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa / Pantheon / English translation 2019
Synopsis: It’s about an unnamed female novelist who lives on an island (perhaps off of Japan) where an authoritarian government makes everyday objects (such as bells, ribbons, perfumes, harmonicas) one-by-one disappear, not only physically but also in the minds and memories of the islanders. The government has its Memory Police enforce these object disappearings and arrest the few islanders who are able to retain these items and not forget them. The Memory Police patrols the town, taking away suspects and trying to find potential safe houses.
The narrative alternates between the female novelist’s life — her friendship with an Old Man living on a boat and how she comes to hide her male editor called R (who has memory recall) in her house — as well as the novel she’s writing that tells the story of a typist who becomes imprisoned by her teacher.
My Thoughts: I listened to this novel as an audiobook … and though it’s simply told, there’s a lot about it which makes it meditative and unsettling. It’s a bit of an unusual dystopian story that comes off being fairly credible … at least to a certain degree… you come to believe it is happening to these people on the island, which makes it all the more alarming.
Apparently the book was originally published in Japan in 1994 but just came out in English in 2019, since it was deemed relatable to authoritarian times. I liked how the book’s theme played with memory and the novelist’s creative process … and how I came to care about the safety of the woman, the Old Man, and the editor R, who lives and hides in a cell underneath her floorboards.
Apparently one of the author’s favorite books is “The Diary of Anne Frank” and you can tell with R’s small hiding place and the interaction with the two hiding him. It’s also telling how as such daily things are taken away, the characters begin to dissipate physically and mentally over time. Hmm there’s much food for thought in this unique Japanese novel.
Heft by Liz Moore / 354 pages / W.W. Norton / 2012
Synopsis: This 2012 novel has dual narratives that eventually connect: between a retired 550-pound professor living in a Brooklyn brownstone named Arthur Opp … and a 17-year-old high school boy named Kel Keller in Yonkers who has hopes of becoming a pro baseball player and cares for his mother Charlene Turner who has lupus.
Charlene was once a college student of Arthur Opp’s and they were friends and pen pals for years after but then lost touch …. until a call many years later by Charlene to Arthur to tutor her son sets things in motion. To prepare for this, Arthur hires a cleaning lady named Yolanda … who opens up his closed world ever so slightly.
My Thoughts: Oh this is a story about three lonely, pained people. My goodness “the despair of loneliness” is a main theme of the story. I was really drawn into the audiobook … especially by Arthur’s voice at the beginning and how his life unfolded … to such a point that he hasn’t left his home to go outside in 10 years. His heft and loneliness have folded in on themselves, making Arthur basically a recluse to the world. And Kel’s upbringing has been sad as well. He’s not sure of his father and his mother is sick and he’s on his own a lot. Baseball has been his one hope … and perhaps connecting with Arthur since he once knew his mother.
I liked Arthur’s narrated chapters a bit more than the boy Kel’s but the backstories of both characters pulled me in — as well as how the narratives came together. The author is an excellent storyteller … and propels you along despite it being quite a drawn out character kind of (saddish) story. I won’t forget the inimitable Arthur Opp anytime soon.
This is my third novel by Liz Moore and my favorite of hers is still “Long Bright River” … but this one did not disappoint. Although the author makes the novel end a bit abruptly before you’re ready for the story about Arthur and Kel to conclude. The future outcome is left a bit to one’s own imagination, which will either make you dreamy, or upset it was left like that. By then, I wanted to know more!
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read any of these — and if so, what did you think? Cheers for now.
Biden’s VP pick is particularly important this year. Hopefully he will pick the person who will give him the greatest chance of winning.
The End of October sounds very good. I tend to like plague books. I read Station Eleven during the pandemic so I understand the appeal of reading something like that at a time like this.
Hey Brian: yeah I think I’ve probably had my fill for awhile with pandemic novels. We read enough about it in the daily news, right? But I learned a bit so it was worth it. And the VP pick is indeed very important. Let’s hope it’s the right one.
I just started reading The End of October this morning and I’m finding the early part with all that background information quite fascinating. I’m interested to see where it will take me, but the whole thing does seem strangely prescient. The other two books you reviewed sound interesting. I haven’t read either but perhaps I’ll get to them later.
Hi Dorothy: Oh good … so glad you are reading Wright’s book now. I’ll see what you think. It’s quite dark by the end … so perhaps I wish some things in it hadn’t happened. hmm. But the disease info in it is pretty good. We will compare notes!
I do have a favorite potential VP candidate to run with Biden, but I’m keeping that to myself for now. I will say, that I care the most about the ability of whoever the candidate is to pull in more voters. The most important thing is for him to get elected. I trust Biden to surround himself with competent people.
You have an eclectic group of books this week. I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of the first two, but each sounds interesting. Though I’m not sure I could do a pandemic book right now. Can you imagine how many of those will be published in the next few years?
Hi Susie: yeah there will likely be a flood of pandemic novels in the years ahead but I think I’m done for awhile. This one was close enough to what’s been going on in reality, so I got a full picture. And I totally understand keeping one’s VP candidate to oneself … I’m a bit impressed by all of them and agree that we need the pick to pull in the most voters etc. whether that be due to the area of the country they are in … or the strength of the candidate … hmm. still pondering variables …. Enjoy your week ahead.
I’m looking forward to summer reading season. I don’t usually make a list but this time I’m hoping to join a challenge and spend more time reading. We’ll see how that goes.
I totally forgot about BookExpo. It’s been ages since I last followed it. Thanks for the reminder – I’ll try to see what I can join.
Hi Athira … yeah I’m hoping to catch a little of BookExpo if possible. We’ll see if it’s any good. Summer reading season is usually nice … I enjoy making lists but don’t always stick to them. Good luck with your challenge … that’s a good idea.
Since Texas has opened up, our small town’s numbers of active cases have climbed rapidly. I get frustrated with the responses of my fellow Texans to the requests to social distance and to wear masks. I plan to stay away from people as much as I possibly can.
I hope to participate in BookExpo this week, too. I think I need to do just like I do for a regular conference and map out my plans.
I am on the waiting list for the Lawrence Wright book. I don’t think I’ve read any of his fiction. Typically I prefer nonfiction writers to write nonfiction, and fiction writers to stick to fiction. But I will give it a try.
I also found Memory Police at the library, but this one is on Overdrive. A long waiting list for it. It says it was on the Booker longlist for 2020. Interesting, since it was originally published so long ago.
Hi Deb, I’m pleased the Memory Police novel is getting attention even so many years after it originally came out. I think the author is quite talented and I’d like to read more of her works. And you’re right: Lawrence Wright is definitely more of a nonfiction writer but he’s not terrible at fiction writing, hmm see what you think. Who knows how much BookExpo I will get to … but I’ll try for it. I think it’s a good idea to avoid public spots still … and keep social distancing. It works!
I read and discussed Lawrence Wright’s book God Save Texas with our afternoon book group. Quite the discussion it was. I especially liked the Texas history that he included. I do like a good pandemic book, but I’m trying to decide if I want to read one right now. Ha! Hope you have a good weekend!
Thanks Kay, I hope your Memorial weekend has been good. I’d be interested in Wright’s book on Texas … I went to college in west Texas long ago and enjoyed the state then. So his thoughts on the history & such would interest me. He’s a great researcher no doubt! His nonfiction I think is better. But it’s okay to take a break on pandemic reads … we can only take so much.
I don’t discuss politics on-line, anywhere but of course I have been thinking about your question.
Did Lawrence Wright ever write fiction before? I am the kind of person who would read about pandemics during a pandemic. I do trust his research.
I will be reading The Memory Police!
Your reviews are all so well done this month. I enjoyed reading them even more than usual!
Note: if I had not seen your Twitter post I would not have known about this one. For some reason I have not gotten an email notification for your last two blog posts. I will use Twitter for now but thought you should know.
Hey thanks Judy for letting me know. I’ve been having difficulties with my email notification system so I’m still trying to fix that. So apologies while I try to get it back. Hmm, crazy eh? And I totally understand keeping political picks private. I like a few of these candidates so far / just want to win. Yes too I think this is Lawrence Wright’s first try at fiction, which I should’ve mentioned … he’s the award-winning nonfiction writer, he did a pretty good job with this debut. And I’m glad you’ll be checking out The Memory Police … what an interesting sharp author Yoko Ogawa seems. I must read her backlist! take care.
We have been having a ton of rain and rain storms here in South Florida. I would welcome some sun! I guess a book like The End of October is somewhat intriguing while we go through the unknown. Hope everyone is safe and well. Have a great week.
Thanks Judee, hope you’re staying well too. I could use some South Florida about now. The End of October has some interesting information in it about pandemics etc. … but the story by the end gets quite dark. I’ll have to find some happy reading now. Cheers.
The Memory Police sounds great and I own a copy. I read Heft a long time ago but really enjoyed the writing. I am thoroughly enjoying King’s new book If It Bleeds. OMG, I am savoring every word.
Biden’s picks. None of them do it for me. Sadly. I really want a big surprise like Michelle Obama! I just don’t see how he will win with those possibilities.
Hi Ti, wow Michelle Obama … that would be wild if she got in and a big boost. But I figure she doesn’t want it. hmm. She did her 8 years, I gather. Though I think it’d be great if she changed her mind, ha. I look forward to your review of the King book … I haven’t heard much about it. I think you’d like The Memory Police … it’s a first person kind of narrative and a dystopian story.
Glad to hear you got out to Palm Springs, nice!
Hi — Glad summer is coming for you, at last. I read Wright’s The Looming Tower long ago and it was exhaustingly researched, although riveting. Even longer ago, in the 90s, I read The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett and that book has really stayed with me. It’s a big book (subject + length) and explains how outbreaks occur and the battles against them. It’s not my typical reading material but I thought it was fascinating. I’m sure Wright had trouble putting aside all the research in which he usually immerses himself. He probably thought he was writing science fiction and then this happened.
I’m interested in hearing what you will put on your summer reading list!
Hi — yeah it might seem at first that Wright has trouble pulling back from all the research and making it a compelling story … but I think he does fairly well … considering he’s primarily a nonfiction author. Many in the field it seems knew such a threat from a disease could or would likely happen so he took from that. It’s interesting to compare the details of his story with today’s. Luckily they diverge along the way, but have some similarities too.
I wonder if I will make public my summer reading list — perhaps I should. I sort of like to grab wherever my mood takes me.
I would love Stacey Abrams, though I know she doesn’t have a lot of experience but she’s one of my faves. I voted for Warren in the primaries so I’d also be happy with her and Kamala Harris is great too!
Memory Police has been on my radar. I should pick it up. Dystopia and sci-fi are very intertwined. I think you’d like sci-fi overall. Pick up Octavia Butler for sure. I read her Earthseed series which is one of my favorites and Kindred.
I’ve had The Looming Tower and Wright’s book on Scientology on my list as well. I didn’t know he wrote fiction too! I think this would be up my ally. I’ll have to get a hold of it this summer. Yay!h
Hi Heather: this is Lawrence Wright’s debut for fiction and it turns pretty well. I’ve always wanted to read The Looming Tower … but never went beyond more than the first couple chapters. I liked the TV series with Jeff Daniels of it, see it if you can!
I will try out Octavia Butler this summer! Thanks for your nudge to do so.
The VP choices all seem pretty good to me. I sort of like Val Demings for some reason – perhaps she seems tough to withstand the onslaught and speaks well. But your guess on who it will be is as good as mine! take care.
American politics, oh boy! I don’t want Warren, even though I love her, because we need her in the Senate. Her seat could be lost if she leaves. And, again for selfish reasons, not Whitmer, because there are a serious amount of nutjobs here in Michigan and if they take over I’m finished.
Such interesting books! I’m especially glad to hear your thoughts on The End of October. It was a dicey choice for me because I had to ditch another apocalyptic novel and anything slow moving is not going to work. I’ll keep it unread for now! Same thing for Heft. I really loved Long Bright River, but something depressing about loneliness? Not a good idea for me.
As you can tell my reading is hit or miss these days. Instead, I’m binging on ESPN’s The Last Dance about Micheal Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. It’s riveting.
Yeah Catherine: I can totally understand about book choices … we need good stories and/or attention grabbers right now. Anything less could well go by the wayside! The Last Dance is something I really want to watch … but not sure my hub, a Canadian, cares about the NBA etc. so I might have to sneak watch it sometime. I remember all the Bulls’ / & Jordan’s championships so I’m well familiar with those times & games — so it would be really interesting to see the backstory etc. riveting I’m sure! As for VP …. could he be leaning towards Val Demings? hmm. a former Police chief? Who knows … yet. but I like her.
I am late to see this post, but I have also been thinking about the VP choice. I like Harris, but worry that being a candidate and saying negative things about Biden will hurt. Val Demmings and Keisha Bottoms both seem like good choices.
Hi Helen: thanks for your input. I wonder when Biden will announce? I’m not sure about Harris but would get behind her … I also like Val Demings quite a bit. Let’s cross our fingers for a great ticket.