It's Simply Beautiful

I just finished Paula, written by Isabel Allende, and translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden (1995). This book has just about everything. The main story is about not the death of, but the dying of Ms Allende's adult daughter. During the daughter's hospitalization, the mother (who was already a successful and famous writer) began writing her family history for the daughter to read when she awakens from her coma. Much of the story takes place in Chile, Venezuela or other South American countries. There's quite a bit of well-told history, as well as romance, betrayal, superstition, spirituality, hope and despair. It's a beautifully written book. If you haven't read it, you're missing a wonderful story of the love between a mother and daughter.

A Relationship

But not, as you might guess, between a man and a woman. This relationship is between a woman and a coyote. It's a true story, and it's wonderful! The book is The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton (2008). In it, she tells the story of moving to a small town in Wyoming, and being given a tiny coyote pup. Not only is Ms Stockton an excellent writer, she's also a photographer, and the book is filled with pictures of the animal and of the Wyoming countryside. I enjoyed every image and every word of it.

Ah yes, it's Barbara again....

If you've read any of my previous posts, you know that I have undying admiration for Barbara Kingsolver. Well, I just re-read The Poisonwood Bible (1998), and am absolutely awed by this woman's talent. I strongly urge you to read it if you haven't, or to re-read it for pure pleasure. As a slight refresher, here's just a hint of it. The story is that of a family who is moved to a tiny village in Africa as the choice of the father who is a preacher turned missionary. There are five voices in the book: the mother, the eldest daughter, the tomboy twin, the handicapped twin (another girl), and the youngest girl, who is about five.
Each time any one of the characters tell a segment of the story, it is told perfectly in that person's voice. The females get older, but the essence of each remains the same.
There's a lot of heartbreak in the story, but only because this magnificent writer makes us care so much.

A Favorite Author

Anna Quindlen is such a good writer. I always enjoy her books, and this last one borrowed from Marilyn, is no exception. The book is Rise and Shine (2006). In it, she tells a story of two sisters, orphaned at an early age, who each went on to be successful in her chosen field, but always remained fiercely loyal to each other. The eldest is a celebrity TV personality and lives that horrible life of always being in the spotlight. The younger woman runs a center for helping women and children escape from poverty and abuse. They are modern women, funny, and frank, and outspoken --- sometimes to their detriment. It's a good story and well-told, with some truely loveable characters.

About as good as it gets

I enjoyed reading every word in the third one of the books loaned by Marilyn.
The book is Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan, self-published in 1991, then picked up by HarperCollins. In it, she, an American woman, tells the true story of visiting Australia and being invited to go on a walkabout with the Aborigines. She had been working with half-caste, suicidal adults in a major city on one side of Australia when she was invited to come to the coast on the other side of the continent to meet with a group of true Aborigines. She was expecting to simply address them; instead, she was invited to shed her clothing, put on a robe, and go walkabout with them. Wearing high heels, yet! The shoes quickly fell apart, and her bare feet finally toughened up. They walked across Australia in approximately three months, with no water and no food. She learned to eat unusual things, and that water can be found if you know where to look. The most treasured part of the experience was the spiritual growth and understanding of these persons who call themselves "The real people"
How much did I like this book? Enough that I instantly went to Amazon.com and bought my own copy.

And the next...

What a change from the previous book! This one was Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (2002). The book is a memoir, but it's hard for me to believe that people could actually behave as they are said to have done. Everyone in the book is nuts! The least nuts is the kid who is telling the story, but some of his screws could probably use a little tightening as well. He has horrible parents (one is certifiable, the other an icicle), and as if they're not bad enough, he is placed in the custody of a psychiatrist who should have been locked in a padded cell.
I was uncomfortable in reading details of the first homosexual encounter, and didn't enjoy reading about the psychiatrist's delight in displaying his bowel movements. Nonetheless, It's a good book, and well written. We just don't have to believe it.

The first of Marilyn's books

My friend, Marilyn, is an avid reader, as I am. We pass books and recommendations back and forth frequently. Since I haven't posted anything on this blog for a while, I thought I'd report on each of the four books I chose from her library the last time I visited her home. These were not recommendations from her, just what I chose on my own.
The first one I tried was The Shack by Wm. Paul Young (2007). I had read some of the promotional blurbs about the book, and knew it was about a man whom God had invited to meet Him in a shack. I also knew the book had been #1 on the NYT Bestseller list, so I expected a good read. Boy, was I disappointed! I couldn't even read it.
I read maybe 50 pages carefully, then knew I couldn't stand much more. It was poorly written, and really what my generation calls "corny". I skimmed far enough ahead to arrive at the meeting of the man and the author's depiction of God. Suffice it to say I was not impressed.
Don't waste your money, and don't even borrow it. It stinks.