Hi. How is everyone doing? I think it’s been about a month now that lockdown life started. It was the week around St. Patrick’s Day that things really began shutting down quickly. My husband and I have adjusted fairly well — sheltering in place — and luckily he still has his job and is able to work from home. My part-time work officiating provincial and national tennis tournaments has been wiped out, but the organization is still meeting online once a week to see where we go from here. It’s hard to imagine how many nonprofits and small businesses are going to be able to survive the pandemic … and not without much financial help I think. I hear that some areas are thinking about “opening up” the economy and easing restrictions soon … but will it work … or is it too soon? What do you think for your area?
At least the weather here looks to be improving. (The photo above was taken on Easter, April 12, so we have less snow now.) And our first spring temps should hit this coming week with a forecast reaching the lows 60s, which means we’ll see a lot of snowmelt ponds and muddy conditions outside. But I look forward to seeing my yard … and getting back out there, prepping the garden and cleaning it up from last fall. Can’t wait for spring here! Meanwhile I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler / Knopf (first edition) / 368 pages / 2016
Synopsis: It’s a coming-of-age novel about 22-year-old Tess who’s newly arrived in New York City and lands a job as a server at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. There, she learns her way … thanks to the staff friends she meets, experiencing a lot about life in the City, punishing work, food and wine, friendships, love, and drugs.
My Thoughts: Oh yes, what’s it like to be a young adult — inquisitive, working hard to earn a living, wild, free, and self-destructive again. This was a backlist read for me as Danler’s next book — a memoir called “Stray” is due out May 19 and I wanted to read this one first. I’m not sure why I didn’t read the novel when it came out in 2016. Perhaps it was because I’m not really a foodie or a restaurant connoisseur … which this one has quite a bit of … and it didn’t call out to me at the time, but it should have. Whoa. The staff friends Tess meets at the restaurant: Ariel, Sasha, and Will, not to mention Scott, Nick, Simone and Jake teach her the ways of the world, about upscale food and wine, life in the City, and the after-partying of late night restaurant work. It gradually gets pretty dark, bone-tired, and wasted: so beware, but ohh the writing!
I like coming-of-age tales and this one is a doozy … it’s a little like Jay McInerney’s “Bright Lights, Big City” mixed with Salinger’s sad Holden Caulfield and Donna Tartt’s hazy drug days in “The Goldfinch” … tossed into a salad bowl. That’s almost all you need to know … but okay, it’s also got a love triangle too that Tess gets herself involved in and keeps you guessing a bit till the end. Tess falls hard for the bartender Jake! And has trouble reigning herself in … when trouble is on the wall … but that makes it all the more hard to put down.
So yeah it’s a novel more than just about restaurant life and food — but from that setting you get a lot of atmosphere, various staff personalities, and the allure of great tastes. Tess’s restaurant mentor Simone — wise and world-traveled — is quite a beguiling character who plays a major role in testing and teaching Tess throughout. She’s hard to miss or forget in this … and Jake is well Jake — he’s alluring, a bit mysterious … and a bad boy too.
I noticed that a few criticisms of “Sweetbitter” on Goodreads said that it felt whiny and pretentious in places, but I didn’t notice that too much. It seemed pretty real to me from the author’s restaurant days in NYC, which she’s obviously based the story on. As I read on, I gradually fell into young Tess’s rabbit hole little by little and kept on trying hard to pull her out.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid / Putnam / 307 pages / Dec. 31, 2019
Synopsis: This debut novel, which I listened to as an audiobook, revolves around a 25-year-old black babysitter (Emira), her white privileged employer (Alix), and Kelley, a tall white man who videos an incident that Emira has at a grocery store while babysitting Alix’s daughter Briar late one night, near the novel’s beginning.
My Thoughts: There are various positive things about this novel — don’t get me wrong. The writing is active and moves the story along nicely … delving into a plot surrounding race, privilege and privacy that are worthy, interesting explorations. You also come to know the three main characters fairly well: there’s Alix Chamberlain known for her PR letter writing workshops; her black babysitter Emira, a Temple University grad who has some doubts about still babysitting after college; and Kelley, a capable techie who ends up having links to the two.
There were other things that I didn’t like as much … such as the plot relies on a couple of coincidences that are perhaps a bit hard to believe such as their ties to Kelley and how things spin out of control. Also I wanted a bit more of Emira taking care and playing with Alix’s child Briar, showing Emira’s good, endearing sides … and showing why both busy, rich Alix and Kelley are so drawn and consumed with Emira. I wasn’t as drawn to her personality as they were and wanted her to step up more and say things directly, though I felt she probably did care and like taking care of the kids.
To me all three, weren’t really that likable … though Alix does indeed come out the worst. Though I liked how the author tried making them nuanced characters (both flawed and capable) at least at first … who revolve around a situation and life that explores subtle (and not so subtle) acts of racism. It’s a theme that reminds me slightly of some of Thrity Umrigar’s novels if you’ve read them.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read these novels — and if so what did you think? And more importantly, how are you doing?
Thanks for the Canadian update. I find myself having a hard time trying to imagine the future these days. So I am mostly reading, trying to get some exercise, and getting along fine with my husband.
Both of the books sound interesting. Sweetbitter makes me think of one of my nieces by the way you describe it. Her husband is in the restaurant business as a chef. They just celebrated their third anniversary so they made it through the coming of age part!
That’s good Judy. Coming of age is one hurdle. Glad you are both well there and able to distract yourself with a routine of reading & exercise. How are the flowers there? Have a good week.
Our state is one that’s talking about reopening soon and I’m afraid it will make things go from bad to worse. I know many small businesses won’t make it especially since a good bit of the money intended for small businesses went to large ones. (Don’t get me started on that, though.)
I thought Such a Fun Age was okay – the coincidence with the boyfriend was too much for me. Sweetbitter sounds good.
Yeah Kathy I think we probably had the same reaction to Such a Fun Age. I’m worried about places opening too soon. And it’s sad to see all the small businesses struggling to keep afloat. Ugh. I wish your business well & will cross my fingers.
Sweetbitter looks really good. We had a day or two of snow here in Cleveland this week and it’s just melting today. Stay well.
Hi Stacy, that’s a pretty late snowfall there. Sweetbitter must have hit me at the right time …. not sure if it’d be great for everyone but I enjoyed my time with it.
I’ve heard good things about Sweetbitter but to look at Goodreads you wouldn’t know it! We got some snow in our neck of the woods but it didn’t last long and temps are starting to rise. Our state wants to reopen things softly starting May 1st but I don’t know if it’s a good idea… I hope you have a safe and healthy week!
Thanks Heather — yeah opening by May 1st might be tough. Better to get the testing & equipment all in place first. I really enjoyed Sweetbitter but it might not be for everyone … you know it has some young, self-destructive parts to it. Hope you & your family stays well.
I haven’t felt the lockdown that hard because my mom has worked throughout and I give her rides to and from work. Otherwise, it’s pretty strange out there, though eerily similar to a few dystopian movies I have seen… How does Hollywood keep getting it right?! Are today’s problems a failure of imagination? I’m OK with restrictions thus far. Not OK with limits on purchases of items at stores; I lived with those restrictions half my life. Sweetbitter would be my pick of the two. Did you know there is a series adaptation based on the novel on Starz? I have watched both seasons and it’s totally addictive; one of my top favorite shows on TV.
Hey Carmen! Yeah I think we’re living the dystopian book script right now. Your mother must be an essential worker — does she work for the city, a hospital, or with a private biz? What a trooper! Glad you both are all right there. I guess I had read that Sweetbitter was made into a TV series but I don’t know about Starz and have never seen the series. But I’m glad to hear you think it’s good & addictive. Excellent. Stay well.
My mother is a janitor at a university and they were deemed “essential”; the college is accommodating workers from the health sector that have been exposed or on their way to recovering.
Starz is a premium channel. You can get the app on Apple and Google. I’m not sure if Netflix has it, if you still have Netflix, but you can check. That’s the same channel where the series Outlander is being shown.
That’s great your mother is helping during this; she’s a real trooper & hope she stays well. Hmm we recently got Netflix back (just during the pandemic) so I will check for Starz. thanks for letting me know!
I am glad to hear that you are doing OK. I may have mentioned the before, but though I am working from home, I am working so many hours that I have not noticed the shelter in place reality that much. I am thinking that I will have about another two weeks of this.
Sweetbitter sounds interesting to me. Back in the 1980s I was young and worked a lot of late night restaurant shifts. There wad also a lot of late night after work partying with lots of colorful characters involved.
Hi Brian: yeah some workers like you are swamped with work right now. My husband says he’s working more too. I guess it’s a blessing to be able to work & help others at this time. I hope there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
If you once worked a lot of late shifts in restaurants, then I think you might relate & like Sweetbitter …. it’s got the whole lifestyle in there … wow it’s pretty tough. Cheers.
You’ve reviewed two books that I, frankly, had not heard of but each sounds like it has an interesting concept. I’m happy to hear that you are coping well with sheltering in place. Same here. We are fortunate to have a daughter who lives about 30 minutes away from us and she is doing basically all of the shopping for us – those things that we can’t order to have delivered. It’s very strange but workable.
Hi Dorothy : good to hear too you’re doing well. That’s nice about your daughter being fairly close by & helping. I’m glad it’s working out. I noticed your roses are magnificent in your recent post. It’s nice you get to spend time in your garden. I am getting close to that!
We are retired, so we don’t know what the fallout of this illness will be for us. I am sad when I talk to my former co-workers at my primary school who are trying hard to help these little children learn to read and write and do math, all over the Internet. It cannot be easy teaching online to first graders.
I’m reading, but it is not very satisfying. I find myself starting and bailing on lots of books. I have read a lot, but (and I never thought I would say this) there is so much more to life than reading. I miss that part of life.
Sweetbitter sounds like an excellent look at a young adult in the restaurant industry. I remember being shocked while reading Anthony Bourdain’s first book. It’s a crazy life, I think.
There’s all kinds of talk about opening back up our state. I have to hope that the people who are making decisions about our world are making them thoughtfully and that they are considering all our citizens. I just finished The Splendid and the Vile. I feel great respect for Winston Churchill during the time of the Blitz. He was a magnificent leader.
Hi Deb, thanks for all your great feedback. I seem to be on your same wavelength and agree with you. I think we really could use great leaders right now but they seem to be in short supply. I worry about opening up too soon and endangering more people’s lives. I admire all the teachers & doctors trying to do their jobs in very difficult circumstances. I have not read the Bourdain book but I’m sure I would be *shocked* by it too. Hope your week ahead is good & you both stay healthy.
We see some of the beaches in north FL opening, but our county and city(island) seem to be more strict about maintaining social distancing rules. The county and city beaches remain closed, though private and resident access points are open.
I tried reading Sweetbitter shortly after it was published, but it fell into the category of wrong book, wrong time for me. I may try it again at some point. Haven’t been tempted by Such a Fun Age yet. Right now I’m enjoying Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver.
Hi JoAnn: good to hear from you and how Sanibel is doing. I’m glad it’s been strict & cautious there. Hope your household & daughters are hanging in there. I’m glad you are liking the Kingsolver book. I have not read it yet … but hope to get to it still. I can see where Sweetbitter might not be for everyone or might come at the wrong time. Hope your week is safe & healthy!
I’ve been tempted by Sweetbitter since it came out, but just haven’t read it yet. I probably will eventually – I know our library has a copy.
I’ve seen lots of people reading Such A Fun Age lately, but I didn’t know what it was about. Does it take place in the present or the past?
Spring is sneaking up on us here. We’ve had a lot of sunny days lately, which helps to keep the spirits up!
Hi Naomi, glad your spring days have been nice there recently. This coming week should be great weather here in Alberta — so everyone is excited. But we need to stay careful too. Such a Fun Age is pretty contemporary story … she talks about one of the characters (Alix) trying to get involved in something with the Clinton campaign. So it’s fairly current. It won’t make my best of list …. but I’m glad that I know what people are talking about with this book now. Cheers.
I’ve heard a few good things about Such a Fun Age but most reviews were lukewarm. I’m not feeling very inclined to read it yet. We’ve had a couple of cold weeks after some warm weeks, so our evening walks were hit by that.
Our governor is talking about opening up the economy but very slowly. It was very good news to hear. He has been doing a good job so far so I’m sure it will be very slow and cautious. I’m personally not sure we are ready though – we’ve had a spike of cases over the past one week and it doesn’t look like we are slowing down.
Yeah Athira … it seems it’s going to be quite a balancing act between stopping the virus and opening the economy. Perhaps if everyone had & wore the right gear … that would help. It seems it will take more time … to get over the peak. Stay safe out there!
I DNF’d Sweetbitter .. too pretentious for me, and I was ambivalent in regards to Such A Fun Age. In both cases I think it was due to a cultural gap.
In our neck of the woods (Australia) , the curve is flattening, there is talk about relaxing some restrictions in another two weeks but of concern is how Covid will interact with our flu season as we move into winter.
Wishing you a great reading week and good health
Thanks Shelleyrae. I wonder how the different seasons will affect the virus etc. Mentally I’m definitely ready for warmer temps here … after 6 months of snow. Perhaps winter will help there at least in decreasing wildfires etc. I’m glad the curve there is flattening. Some parts of Canada are also seeing less cases recently. We can only hope. Stay well.
I really liked Sweetbitter. I think you capture its essence pretty accurately.
Such a Fun Age. Alix was a piece of work. And yes, the coincidences. Provides a lot to discuss though.
Some of the counties that neighbor us have opened up which is going to cause all sorts of issues.
I continue to unfollow/unfriend people on social media because of their idiotic comments about this pandemic. I need brightness and light and goodness during this time. Don’t we all?
yeah Ti some of the talk about the pandemic hasn’t been helpful or those who aren’t following the guidelines or restrictions. Wouldn’t counties need reliable testing to open up areas? Just thinking aloud here. Glad you & your family are staying well. You seemed to have the same reaction to me as these two books … glad to hear your feedback. Good luck with your work …. under these trying times.