July, 2020 Readings "July is a blind date with summer." (Hal Borland)

Starting off the month with Colson Whitehead's ZONE ONE.

Is there such a thing as a literary zombie novel?

Apparently, there is...

Last week I finished The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. What a great book. There were things I didn't like but the book is so unique and so itself, they don't really matter. South Carolina alone is worth the price of admission.

About to finish revisiting Blood Meridian. I tried this one as audiobook a few years ago. It didn't quite work in the format but it left me intrigued. I have a love-hate relationship with Cormac McCarthy. Fun book though.

It would take a very talented audio narrator to do justice to BLOOD MERIDIAN.

Hope your revisit is rewarding, I loved the book (the first McCarthy I read).

Thanks! Come to think of it I'm pretty sure Blood Meridian was also my first McCarthy.

Yes, the more I read the more I realize how absurd it is to do this as an audiobook.

I'm reading books. I've never heard of Hal Borland nor come across this quote and I want to know what yer man was on about. 'July is a blind date with summer'--what the feck does that mean? July + summer = unexpected or unlikely combination? 'Hello, my name is July and you could have bowled me over with a feather when I found my mother believed that summer and I had something in common'? or that the meeting between the month and the season was cringemakingly awkward because they were only sharing a table in Starbucks because their friends February and autumn put them up to it? or only that Hal was so stoned that he thought this was a cool insight?

Perhaps this will be helpful:

“July is hot afternoons and sultry nights and mornings when it’s joy just to be alive. July is a picnic and a red canoe and a sunburned neck and a softball game and ice tinkling in a tall glass. July is a blind date with summer. ‘‘

Hal Borland (1900-77), American writer and naturalist and long-time resident of Salisbury, Conn., in the foothills of the Berkshires, which he often wrote about.

(Only had space for an abbreviated version of his quote and my apologies to the shade of Hal Borland.)

CliffBurns I adore you with my heart and soul but still that doesn't make it sound even a tiny fraction of a whit better.

Sigh.

I concede.

I'm a right bastard.

Aw, gee, CliffBurns that's a heart-rending post. I'm sorry I called your simile dumb and promise I'll let it go.

Got 4 volumes of The Strand magazine at the beginning of lockdown & have been making my way through them ever since. Surprisingly interesting though not particularly edifying. Just re-read (much of) This Way to the End Times which though patchy has only one absolute stinker: The title of it, 'Guyal of Sfere' should be sufficient warning but if not the beginning certainly is--'Guyal of Sfere had been born one apart from his fellows and early proved a source of vexation for his sire. Normal in outward configuration, there existed within his mind a void which ached for nourishment.' Oh god gag me with a spoon dipped in ipecac.

August is a session with a fwb. Monday is a chance encounter with the ex who cleaned out your joint bank account.

A little espionage for me, Alan Furst's RED GOLD.

So far, so good.

Historically authentic, with excellent characterizations.

My first Furst.

Heh heh.

Virgil Wander – Leif Enger
Audiobook performed by MacLeod Andrews.
4****

The title character, Virgil Wander, is a small-town cinema owner (and town clerk), who survives an accident on a snowy night when his car breaks through a barrier and “flies” off a bridge into frigid Lake Superior. When he awakes in the hospital, he’s told he has some “minor brain injury” and his memory is somewhat affected. Slowly he begins to piece together his personal history, as well as that of the town in which he lives – a former mining town, now struggling along after one hard-luck event after another. He’s helped – or hindered – in his recovery by a cast of interesting people: among them the town beauty Nadine, an old Norwegian who constructs and flies elaborate kites, a young boy after a legendary giant sturgeon, a depressed handyman who never seems to have the tools he needs, and a prodigal son returned to town with big-city connections and plans to revive the town’s economy.

I love character-driven novels and this one perfectly fits the bill. I love Enger’s way with words, the way he paints the landscape and draws his characters who so perfectly fit the scenario he gives us. Enger’s town is small, but the people in it are larger than life. There is a spirituality, or mysticism about Enger’s story-telling that captures my attention as well. In his recovery, Virgil spends a lot of time thinking and reflecting – on life, on the town, on love, on death, on friendship. He feels he is a changed man and refers to his pre-accident self as “the previous tenant.” Virgil seems to be more open now – to possibilities, to enjoying life, to finding love.

There are moments of humor and tenderness, and some evil and tragedy as well. All the elements of any life – the life of a person or of a town. However, the overall feeling is one of hope and resilience and of looking forward to the future, whatever it may bring.

MacLeod Andrews does a marvelous job performing the audio edition. He uses a Minnesota accent that sounds spot on to this Wisconsin resident.

Reading a big, fat sci fi novel, Iain Banks' THE HYDROGEN SONATA.

Part of his "Culture" series and so far pretty fun.

>12 CliffBurns: Iain's last Culture novel. I particularly liked the insectoid Ronte, who express their political ambitions and plan their military strategy and tactics through the medium of interpretive dance.

A Rule Against Murder – Louise Penny
Digital audiobook narrated by Ralph Cosham.
3.5***

Book four in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series, set in and around Three Pines, Quebec. Gamache and his wife are celebrating their wedding anniversary at a luxurious inn, in beautiful natural surroundings, not far from Three Pines. The Finney family is also at the inn – for a family reunion. As the heat and humidity rise, so do emotions, and a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body.

I love Gamache and the deliberate way he goes about investigating cases. He has his work cut out for him in this one. The method of murder seems impossible. The Finney family may be rich and cultured, but they have their secrets and not everyone is cooperative. I thought the reveal was well done, and I had not guessed the murderer beforehand.

Gamache’s own personal life is always a key subplot, and there is some discord to address here as well.

Ralph Cosham does a find job of narrating the audiobook. His resonant voice is wonderful for Gamache, and he does a respectable job of the women and young child, Bean, as well.

#13 Banks's "everything but the kitchen sink" approach to prose can be daunting. So many ideas and vividly realized species and characters. It can be overwhelming...and you sure as shit can't set the book down for a week and hope to pick up where you left off. It requires concentrated reading, devouring big chunks of his books in a few sittings.

Hello! I'm new to the group.

I've just begun Sarah Perry's The Essex Serpent and so far it reads beautifully. A real gift after finishing Murder at the Ashmolean, which I felt was poorly written.

But I'm also in the middle of H.G. Wells' Marriage, where I keep thinking I have to put it down and take notes (I'm a historian), and a Donna Leon mystery, and Ellen Bass's Like a Beggar. I never can read just one work at a time.

#16 Welcome aboard!

#17 thank you! :-)

HYDROGEN SONATA is just about killing me--but I'm in the final stretch run.

Dense and bizarre, prototypical Banks.

Started Matt Ruff's LOVECRAFT COUNTRY.

I've read two other Ruff books and enjoyed them.

After HYDROGEN SONATA, this one will be a cinch.

So the Glanton Gang in Blood Meridian was real? Yikes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Joel_Glanton

More science fiction, this time Max Barry's PROVIDENCE.

After Iain M. Banks, this one is a breeze.

Following a grim first contact, humanity finds itself at war with a species known as "salamanders".

Part military sci fi, part pop thriller--harmless good fun.

Not likely to secure any award nominations but I'll bet it would make a successful transition to the big screen. Likely already optioned.

Just finished Pereira Maintains by AntonioTabucchi. (Which the touchtone has as "Pereira Declares") A novel about art and politics, set in Portugal, in the period just before WWII. I came across it by chance and the name of the author rang a bell. The book isn't too long and the audiobook was read by Derek Jacobi so I decided to give it a chance. There's a little bit of hesitation by the author towards the end but what a beautiful book. And what a book to read in this moment in time. Looooooved it.

Reading Don Winslow's BROKEN.

A gritty crime novel composed of various episodes detailing how violence affects a wide group of people, not merely the immediate victims.

Tough stuff.

Started Emily St. John Mandel's STATION ELEVEN.

I've heard about this book for several years and finally secured a copy.

Appropriate subject matter for the present moment (killer virus), well-written and credible.

We'll see if it holds up to the end.

To the Bright Edge Of the World – Eowyn Ivey
Audiobook narrated by John Glouchevitch, Christine Lakin, & Kiff VandenHeuve.
4.5****

The novel has two stories of exploration and adventure. In 1885, Col Allen Forrester leads an expedition to explore the Wolverine River in Alaska, a trek that has been deemed impossible. His wife, Sophie, remains at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, where she explores the wonders of nature, birds in particular, through her growing expertise in photography.

This is a marvelous adventure story, and an engaging look at personal growth. Both these lead characters experience heartache and difficulties and yet both persevere in reaching their goals despite obstacles, naysayers, and setbacks.

I loved the use of diary entries and letters to tell this bifurcated story. Allen is a strong leader, compassionate but demanding, taking care of his men as best as circumstances and supplies allow, giving clear orders, delegating authority, taking his share of the burden, championing the cause, and always, holding dear to his heart his beloved wife.

Sophie is equally marvelous and tenacious as she pursues an unusual outlet for her intelligence, creativity and curiosity. If the doctor will not lend her a book to further her understanding and knowledge, she’ll steal borrow it! Rather than ask politely, or even forcefully, for help in creating a dark room, she sets out to do it herself.

The book is full of Native Alaskan people’s culture, traditions, and stories. There are several very strong Native characters. I love magical realism and Ivey seamlessly weaves these elements into her story. I particularly like the woman, Nat’aaggi, and her trusty dog, Boyo. She’s cautious, self-reliant, determined, loyal to the group and yet fiercely independent. I loved the scene where Forrester stood up against native tradition and insisted that she ride along his men as a member of his party rather than walk behind as other native women were doing. Her growing relationship with the men was beautifully played out, as each learned to trust and rely upon the other, and their mutual respect blossomed.

The audiobook is wonderfully narrated by three talented voice artists: John Glouchevitch, Christine Lakin and Kiff VandenHeuve. Ms Lakin obviously narrates all of Sophies letters and diary entries. I’m not certain which man narrates which of the other sections, but all do a marvelous job.

I was happy that I also had a text version of the book handy, for it contains maps, drawings and photographs that supplement Ivey’s wonderful prose.

Finished The Best Short Stories of Mark Twain. There were a few really good stories at the beginning but the rest were underwhelming. In the best one a group of congressmen stranded in a snowstorm decide to eat each other.

Also finished The Day of the Locust by Nathaniel West. Only read it because I run into his name every once in a while, and because I remember when the movie with Karen Black came out. (Loved that poster.) It's an odd book. Can't say that I liked the characters or their dynamics but the writing has some really good descriptive passages that are almost hypnotic.

Ayesha At Last– Uzma Jalaluddin
Digital audiobook performed by Rosni Shukla
3.5***

Ayesha Shamsi dreams of being a poet but works as a teacher to pay her debts to her uncle. Her family is loud and boisterous, and Ayehsa is constantly being reminded that her younger cousin, Hafsa, is close to collecting her target hundredth marriage proposal, while she seems destined to never marry. Ayesha is lonely, but doesn’t want an arranged marriage. And then she meets Khalid Mirza, who is smart and handsome, and, also very conservative and judgmental.

I had great fun identifying Elizabeth, Darcy, Lydia, Wickham and Mr Collins in this modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, featuring a Muslim couple in Toronto, Canada. Their missteps, misunderstandings, wrong conclusions, and ultimate relationship flow seamlessly from who they are and how they perceive the world. Both Ayesha and Khalid must make an effort to meet in the middle and communicate openly with one another.

I also enjoyed learning a bit more about Muslim culture and traditions. Jalaluddin shows us characters who are faithful and yet living in the modern world, and she doesn’t shy away from exploring work-place (and societal) bias.

Rosni Shukla does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has the skill as a voice artist to sufficiently differentiate the many characters.