Currently Reading

Reading: My Two Polish Grandfathers, by Witold Rybczynski.
Listening to: Blasphemy, by Douglas Preston.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Review: Woodsburner

Pipkin, John. Woodsburner. (New York: Doubleday, 2009)

We all learned about Henry David Thoreau in high school English. His writings (Walden, Civil Disobedience) introduced us to a man with the courage of his convictions, devoted to a simple life in a natural environment, free from the tyranny of powerful government. It may come as a surprise to learn that his neighbors in Concord viewed the young Thoreau as something of an idler, or in his own words in this novel, a wastrel.

First-time novelist John Pipkin draws on an obscure incident in Thoreau's life and uses it as the foundation for a panoramic view of the intellectual, civic, and social environment of mid-18th century New England. In the rain-deprived spring of 1844, Thoreau set fire to the parched woods near Concord. The conflagration destroyed nearly 300 acres of forest and came close to reaching the city.

In addition to the intelligent but vacillating Thoreau, the author introduces us to a number of other well-drawn characters. Eliot is an aspiring playwright, who makes his living running a bookstore paid for by his wealthy father-in-law. Caleb is a fire-and-brimstone preacher who wants to build a new church on the outskirts of Concord. Oddmund is a hardworking and taciturn Norwegian immigrant in love with his employer's wife.

Pipkin's descriptions of the raging fire are dramatic and realistic at the same time. His skillful writing places the reader squarely in the midst of the men desperately fighting to save their property. At the same time, he deftly explores the inner musings of his characters, making them into living, breathing people.

I strongly recommend this novel to readers who appreciate literature and history. What a remarkable debut novel!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Review: That Old Cape Magic

Russo, Richard. That Old Cape Magic. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009)

Marriages and weddings provide the dramatic backdrop for the latest novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo. Fifty-five year old Jack Griffin watches as his thirty-year marriage to Joy quietly unravels. At the same time, he finds himself obsessed with remembering the eccentric and ultimately unsuccessful marriage of his late parents. The story opens with Griffin and Joy arriving separately at the wedding of a friend on Cape Cod, where they had honeymooned. Their daughter announces her engagement there, with her wedding to take place a year hence, in Maine.

In the course of that year, Griffin and Joy separate, Griffin's mother dies, and Griffin carries the ashes of both parents in the trunk of his car, unable to bring himself to dispose of them. Meanwhile, he reminisces about his childhood visits to the Cape with his parents, and he recollects scenes of his life with them. His "conversations" with them, even though they are dead, are more real to him than what happens around him.

Russo paints hilarious portraits of Griffin's Ivy League-educated parents who spend their careers teaching in a large state university in Indiana. Their devotion to Cape Cod and their competitive marriage provide plenty of opportunities for comedy and irony. The wedding of Griffin's daughter is another laugh-out-loud episode in this novel.

Set against the humor, though, is Russo's serious examination of what holds a marriage together and his illustration of how easy it is -- through lack of communication or pride -- to let go of a union built by two loving people over many years.

This book is more reminiscent of Russo's Straight Man than of his novels of middle class life set in New England and New York, like Empire Falls. It is also considerably briefer than many of his books, but it is funny, meaningful, and satisfying. Highly recommended.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Lackawanna County Library System Hosts Junior Battle of the Books

Teams of readers from all over Lackawanna County will compete in the Junior Battle of the Books on Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 at the Moscow Borough Building, next door to the North Pocono Public Library. The event is for kids in Grades 4 through 6.

I've spent the last week catching up on my reading for this age group, since I'm going to be one of the judges. I've read four great books, selected by the LCLS youth services librarians.

The first book I read was Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This very popular book is the first in a series that features Greg, who records his experiences and thoughts about sixth grade. His stories about popularity, friendship, and family are both funny and true.

Next, I read Scat. In this book, Nick and his friend Marta find themselves swept up in a mystery that includes an endangered species, a wildfire, and their biology teacher. The book is written by Carl Hiaasen, best known for his mysteries for grownups.

I'm almost finished with The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis. Ten-year-old Kenny Watson and his family live in Flint, Michigan. They head south to visit his grandmother in Birmingham, Alabama, during one of the most frightening times in the Civil Rights movement.

I have one more book to read before Thursday. It's called Chasing Vermeer, and it was written by Blue Balliett. It's another mystery, this time about the disappearance of a famous painting.

So far, all the books I've read have been really good and very interesting. The librarians did a great job of picking books that are appealing, fun to read, and full of good information. If you're in Grades 4 to 6, or if you know someone who is, I recommend that you read these books. They are all available at the Lackawanna County Library System library closest to you.