Some of the titles outlined in this posting have recently been released. A batch of titles were written several years ago and although I’ve encountered some of these books when they were first published, I have, for one reason or another, revisited them. This posting also shines a light on the rich writing of Irish author Claire Keegan who’s writing I have come to greatly admire.
THE CHILDREN’S BACH by Helen Garner (1984/2023)
Helen Garner is a literary institution in. Australia, and this novel, written 2o years ago, is an example of what one critic calls a ‘jewel’ in the crown of her novel writing (ie. The Spare Room, Monkey Grip, The Hous of Grief). The setting is Melbourne in the early 1980’s and tells the story of what appears to be a happily married domesticated couple, Dexter and Athena Fox. he appearance of a friend from Dexter’s past disupts the domesticated routines of the couple, luring them into a bohemian world that challenges Athena to wonder whether life holds more for her. Garner is a sharp observer of human frailty, digging into the darkness that hides inside of us. I rather enjoyed the book but alas, am not motivated to read other Helen Garner titles.
THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier (1974) / YA+
“They tell you to do your thing but they don’t mean it. They don’t want you to do your thing, not unless it happens to be their thing, too.” (p. 248)
Trinity boys school is conducting a fund-raiser to sell chocolates and Jerry Renault is the only student who refuses to take part in this school-wide initiative, even though it means defying the challenge of a secret school society called The Vigils. The Vigils lead by the abusive, manipulating Archie is the foundation for what one character claims is “something rotten in the school. More than rotten.. Evil.” A poster that hangs in Renault’s locker asks: Do I dare disturb the universe? and this question serves as the moral compass of Jerry’s stance. Top (opening sentence: “They murdered him'” to bottom (“Someday, Archie you’ll get yours” ) Archie is probably one of the most evil characters in literature whos behaviour is beyond bullying as he tortures others with his words and actions (as is Brother Leon, the domineering teacher who leads the project. This story grew from an incident with his teenage son, Peter, who came home from school one day with boxes of chocolates to sell and announcing that he didn’t want to do.The Chocolate War is an astonishing read, albeit an absolutely chilling chilling read. Devastating! I will be seeking out the sequel, Beyond the Chocolate War.
I know I’ve read this book many years ago, but in honour of its 50th year of publication, I decided to read this novel – one of the top ten banned books in classrooms throughout North America. In one Florida Middle school, teachers endured abusive harassment and death threats because of the stand they took. Criticism for the book centred on the anti-authority worldview, a gutsy violent ending, and yes, the inclusion of masturbation. “Too complicated. Too many characters. A downbeat ending, which teenagers in the 1970’s would find difficult to accept. Too violent. Not quite an adult novel, too sophisticated to be a juvenile novel. Too unbelievable.” (Introduction by Robert Cormier, 1997, edition) At that time, Corman sent a message, “I have been at a loss for words. The ironic thing is that words are my business, and thw words in my books have been the cause of so much trouble” (in the New York Times, Sunday June 2, 2024, p. 32). . Throughout his life, Robert Cormier put forth mighty efforts combatting attempts to ban The Chocolate War. Like many authors do today.
In the edition that I read a short essay is included by author Patty Campbell, the author of the biography of Robert Cormier who she calls the ‘grand master of young adult fiction.” (e.g., I Am the Cheese, After the First Death, Fade, The Bumblebee Flies Away, The Rag and Bone Shop). The following is an excerpt from her piece entitled ‘Who is this Robert Cormier, anyway?”
“His writing is unique in its richness and power, as le looks unflinchingly at tyranny and the abuse of authority, at treachery and betrayal, at guilt and forgiveness, love and hate, and the corruption of innocence His novels are brilliant and complex structures full of intricate wordplay and subtle thought, although at first reading they seem to quite direct and simple. Because, most of all, the works of Robert Cormier are good stories, full of suspense and surprise and dramatic action as his characters struggle – sometimes unsuccessfully – to find an appropriate response to the existence of evil.”
THE NOTEBOOK by Nicholas Sparks (1996)
Whodda thunk that I’d be re-reading this hugely popular love story but I decided to prepare myself for the Broadway musical version of this novel. I rather enjoyed reading this passionate love story of Noah and Allie from their first meeting, to their passionate reunion a decade after they first met and their enduring love as seniors. It is a touching story”that aims to tackle teh full sweep of life, from our first love to our last goodbyes. ” (Nicholas Sparks) The Notebook a model example of a romance stgory that has captured the hearts of millions of readers – and moviegoers!!!
THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS: True stories of the Magic of Reading by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann (editors) (2024)
Shout out to Olga Stevenson, school librarian who guided me into bringing books into the classroom when I first began teaching, To Marion Seary and Judy Sarick at The Children’s Book Store who ignited my children’s literature collection, John Harvey and Leonard McHardy of the Theatrebooks who helped shape my professional work, Maria Martella at Tinlids, a book friend, a dear friend. and Wendy Mason, Bookseller extraordinaire who loves talking about books.
James Patterson and Matt Eversmann have edited this collection of mini-essays (3-6 pages) from booksellers and librarians from across the United States and Canada. Each voice is passionate about the job they have, whether they own an independent bookstore, work in for a book company, in a local or school library. Most authors share how they came to be committed to being in the book world, sharing stories of their reading lives, their education that lead them into working with books, their connections with authors, their effort in hosting events, their views of book banning, and their insights into the BUSINESS of books. Most entertaining are anecdotes of how they bring book and reader together (‘Could you please bring me a Bible?’ / “All she wants to read are graphic novels, the mother complains. ‘She’s not reading, you know, real books.’I’m looking for book. I don’t know the title, but the cover is blue…it’s long about 900 pages.’ / Especially engaging (to me) is how many ignite a love of reading with young people. These people love books and book lovers will share in the joy and insights of each and every contributor to this collection.
“I had no idea how much this job meant acting as an unofficial therapist for customers….”I love interacting with customers. Just being a small part of their lives and knowing that I have given them the gift of books means the world to me.” (Charlene Stoyles, Indigo Book chain, Newfoundland, p. 311)
“Books have deep connections… there’s nothing better than recommending books that can have a meaningful and positive impact on someone’s life.” ((Janice Turbeville, Barnes and Noble, Seattle p. 320)
“Books can make anything happen.” (Roxanne Coady, Madison, Connecticut, p. 170)
“No matter the stereotypes about librarians, most of us go into this field because we like to help people. That’s what we’re here for. We’re not doing it for the money or the glory.”(Sharon Perry Martin, Library director, Texas).
“I am excited every day that I go to the bookstore. This is the truth.” (Judy Blume, Books & Books, Key West, p. 22)
“Kids who , to hang out at bookstores are pretty special.” (Elaine Petrocelli, Book Passage, San Francisco. p. 137)
“I love it when people walk through the front door, stop and take a deep breath. ‘It smells so good in here.” (Dodie Ownes, librarian, Denver, Colorado, p. 156)
“to be a bookseller, you have to be a detective.” (Jamie LaBarge, Kansas, p. 202)
TABLE FOR TWO by Amor Towles (2024)
Amor Towles is the author of the bestselling novels A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility. His latest release is somewhat of a. curiosity in that it includes a collection of 6 short stories (set in New York around the year 2000) and also features a novella (set in Los Angeles in the late 1930’s. The short stories that appear in the first part of the book are each about 40 pages and I was quickly drawn to each of the characters and their problems (e.g., Russian emigrant arrives in New York at the turn of the century (‘The Line”); a young author makes a living forging signatures of dead authors “The Ballad of Timothy Touchet”; a woman spies on her stepfather only to discover that he has not having an affair but has a secret hobby which gives him pleasure (“I Will Survive”). I particularly enjoyed reading “The Bootlegger” the story of an elderly man who illegally tape records classical concerts at Carnegie Hall, until his bootlegging is discovered. Evelyn Ross is the central to the novella Eve in Hollywood. In approximately 200 pages, Towles paints a captivating portrait of a criminal act (someone has taken naughty pictures of movie starlets). This story is told from a different points of view (a retired detective, a used-to be actor, a popular actress (Olivia di Havilland) and Eve who has left New York City to build a future for herself in California. Amor Towles cleverly (and humour paints a noirish tale of movie sets, bungalows, and dive bars, that reads like a black and white movie from decades ago come to life. Alfred Hitchcock would have fun with this one. I had fun reading Tables for Two.
WILD HOUSES by Colin Barrett (2024)
Although I haven’t read short story collections (Young Skins, Homesickness)by celebrated Irish author Colin Barrett I was intrigued by the glowing back cover reviews for this ‘”strange and beautiful’ novel that brings to live an entire world” (Sally Rooney) that is a “taught, brooding thunderstorm of a novel.” (Ronan Hession). The novel is set in rural Ireland. The town of Ballina is preparing for a weekend of celebration. In the opening chapter, we meet reclusive Dev whose life is interrupted when cousins Gabe and Sketch Ferdia dump a beaten up the teenage Doll demanding that Dev will provide a hideout for the kidnapped teenager. Doll is the brother of drug- dealing Cillian English. We are soon introduced to Nicky, the seventeen year-old boyfriend of Doll English and when she can’t shake the feeling that something bad has happened to Doll, she is on a mission to save him. Drugs and violence and chaos and are the ingredients for a wild dark adventure about ‘crimesof desperation, dreams abandoned, and small town secrets that won’t stay buried”. I agree with author Roddy Doyle who writes that this book is ‘wild, funny and chilling” The title refers to the “untamed, not domesticated, specifically in an unbroken line of undomesticated animals”. Wild Houses reads like a film and will likely find its way on the big screen in the near future.
Excerpt (of expert Colin Barrett’s craftsmanship
Doll was lost and she needed to find him but the countryside wasn’t giving her antying; the countryside was holding its tongue and steadfastly averting its gaze as she travelled towards the unending low horizon and the indistinct serrations of the distant mountain ranges, the wide-open fileds flipping like the row of blank pages at the end of a book after the story was over.” (p. 186)
SHOUT OUT
LONG ISLAND by Colm Toibin (2024)
Irish author, Colm Toibin wrote the novel Brooklyn, published in 2009, where we first meet Eilis Lacey a young Irish girl who emigrates to New York hoping to find a new life for herself. At first, she is very homesick, but she soon comes to make friends and settles in to her being a clerk at a classy department store. She falls in love with a handsome Italian plumber named Tony and they decide to secretly get married. The death of Eilis’s sister has her to return to Ireland where once again she falls in love with a man named Jim. She keeps the secret of her marriage to herself and in the end abruptly returns to Brooklyn. The movie version of this story stars the beautiful Saiorse Ronan who gives a terrific performance. A great love story indeed. Pass the Kleenex.
In the recent publication of the novel Long Island, a sequel to Brooklyn, twenty years have passed in Eilis’s life. She is a mother to teenagers Larry and and although she seems to be rather settled into her marriage to Tony and accepts the the community of Italian in-laws who live in neighbouring houses. We learn right away that Tony has impregnated another woman and her husband threatens to leave the child on Tony’s doorstep when it is born. Eilis will have nothing to do with this and so she returns to Enniscorthy to stay with her mother who will be celebrating her 80th birthday. She is reunited with Jim and lo and behold they once again fall in love and keep this a secret. Jim has another secret. He is engaged to Nancy, a widow, who was once a good friend to Eilis. Will Jim cancel his engagement to Nancy. Will Eilis stay in Ireland? Will Jim follow Eilis if she returns to Long Island. A great love story indeed and Toibin adeptly puts readers inside the hearts and minds of each character. I’d say we become part of the community and partake in visits to the fish and chip restaurant, visits Jim’s pub, visits to the seaside, being a guest at wedding, and secret ventures down dark streets and hotel rooms. I loved this book because of Toibin’s brilliant narrative and authentic dialogue invites us to care about the characters. The reading was quick paced (especially the last 50 pages). It is not essential to have read Brooklyn beforehand but those who venture into Long Island will have an unforgettable read about marriage, family, loyalty, betrayal, secrecy living inside a story of leaving behind and moving forward. More Eilis, please. A five star read.
SPOTLIGHT ON CLAIRE KEEGAN
Claire Keegans prize-winning short stories have been translated into forty languages. She has been praised for being one of the ‘greatest fiction writers in the world’ (George Saunders) whose “beautifully crafter stories are like chilling adult versions of fairy tales” (Sunday Telegraph). Her two recent publications (Small Things Like These (2022); So Late in the Day (2023) were listed as top favourite reads by Dr. Larry Recommends. Digging into some of her earlier writing was a rewarding experience indeed. What a talent!
THE FORESTER’S DAUGHTER (2007 / 2019)
This short story was originally published in 2007 in the collection Walk the Blue Fields and was subsequently released in 2019 as a single edition of Faber Stories. In this story we meet the farming family of hard-working Victor Deegan whose story can be encapsulated with ‘three teenagers, the milking and the mortgage’. A rescue dog that the farmer gifts to his daughter plays an important part in the narrative revealing some truths about Victor Deegan’s character. It is also a story of a rather loveless marriage. When neighbours gather together in the Deegan household, Martha entertains them with stories, one of which unravels long-buried family secrets.
FOSTER (2010 / 2022) (novella)
It is summer. A father takes his young daughter to live with distant relatives on a farm in rural Ireland. How will the man and his wife develop a bond with the girl, day by day? Will the Kinsellas offer the girl affection and warmth she has not felt at herhome? When summer ends, will the girl return to her home, and leave behind the care and comfort and love she experienced on the farm? Foster is a jewel of a novella (92 pages), a beautiful example of Claire Keegan’s talent for painting clear picture of place, time and character with each sentence at the same time as igniting strong emotions in the reader. Told in the first person of a nine-year oldl, Foster is a heartbreaking story of childhood, of loss, kindness and human connections. A shorter version of this story was first published in the New Yorker. Foster was made into an exquisite Irish-language film entitled The Quiet Girl.
TWO SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS: ANTARCTICA (1999) / WALK THE BLUE FIELDS (2007)
How do you read short story collections? For the most part, I choose to read stories in chronological order as presented, but sometimes I skip over to read the ‘shorter’ stories first. Occasionally, the title of a short story intrigues me. With a dozen or so pieces in a collection, there are some that are enjoyed more than others. Some might leave me bewildered. But when encountering a masterful author, like Claire Keegan, I have faith that I will find some to touch the heart. some that will cook up goosebumps and some that provide an ‘oh, wow!” response.
The stories in these two books provide evidence of Keegan’s mastery of creating flawed characters, the ability to convey vivid imagery and the strength that provides a master class of narration. Antarctica was her first published anthology and the stories within provide evidence of the intellectual and emotional power that a good story can offer. The lead story “Antarctica is the story of a happily married woman who plans a weekend in order to fuflfill a curiosity about what it would be like to be with another man. Devastating. (note: this story was re-published in Keegan’s So Late in the Day (2023). Three other stories I found to be rather chilling in the way relationships unfold: The story of a long-suffering wife and her sexist husband (“Men and Women”); The story of a two sisters who have lead different lives wth different values (“Sisters”) and the final story of two grieving parents who mourn the disappearance and horror of their daughter gone missing (“Passport Soup”). And which of these titles from Walk the Blue Fields might entice you to read, even though they suggest a dark layer of exposition: “Close to the Water’s Edge”; “The Long and Painful Death”; “Surrender’? Read them all, says I.
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE (2021)
I recently finished (and loved) Claire Keegan’s recent publication entitled So Late in the Day (2023) and decided to re-read Small Things Like These to confirm to myself that she is a masterful Irish writer. In an Irish town, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant is kept busy during the weeks leading up to Christmas. He dutifully makes his deliveries and strives to make ends meet to keep his dutiful wife, Eileen, and his five daughters as comfortable as he can afford. It is a story of community. It is a story of the past memories rising up to haunt the hardworking man. Filtered throughout the narrative, is the history of a small community controlled by the Church. In a note on the text, the author gives a short history of the Magdalen laundries where many girls and young women lost their babies. Some lost their lives. Brilliantly, Small Things Like These encapsulates the history of Catholic institutions through the story of one young girl who was locked up in the coal room. I read that this story was going to be made into a movie starring Cillian (Oppenheimer) and I’m sure I will re-read this novella (110 pages) once again. Keegan’s writing is precise in the telling, description and straight=to the-heart capturing of emotions. I now plan on reading other Keegan rather short but mighty titles (e.g. Antarctica, Walk The Blue Fields, Foster, The Forester’s Daughter).
Excerpt
“… he found himlef asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what ws there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror?” (p. 108)
SO LATE IN THE DAY (Three stories*) (2023)
This is a slim volume of three short stories by Irish Writer, Claire Keegan who whose writing, breathtaking in its clarity and poignancy, wakes up the heart. So Late in the Day is the story a lonely Irish civil servant who almost married a woman that he might have been happy with – but it’s a good thing he didn’t. A writer arrives in the retreat for a two-week writing residency, but the appearance – and disturbance – of a German academic interrupts – and yet, inspires – her writing in a story entitled A Long and Painful Death. In Antarctica, a woman experiences lust (and danger) when she leaves her family for a weekend to seek out the adventure of sleeping with another man. *This book is subtitled “Stories of men and women” and each tale does indeed depict the dynamics and longing and betrayal of relationships between a man and woman.