The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta
Synopsis: High School Sex Education teacher Ruth
Ramsey finds herself in the crosshairs of her community’s conservative
evangelicals after making a flip remark during a class. She also crosses paths
with one of them on a personal level, Tim, her daughter’s soccer coach who is
also a recovering addict.
My thoughts: This is an example of taking a current
issue and creating a narrative around it. The reviews I read, and I probably
would have to agree, is that it was a bit on the nose, and not surprisingly in
this day and age, lacked the voice reason between to the opposite points of
view. I guess being raised Lutheran, I thought the Christian side was handled
with a heavy hand. I think a book with the goals of this one needed something
to balance the discussion, and the character of Tim just doesn’t live up to
that.
The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters
Synopsis: Egyptologist Amelia Peabody and her family
find themselves stranded in the desert while trying to rescue a wealthy heir in
search of his long-lost relatives.
My thoughts: I know this genre has a huge following,
but the combination of this being a diary and the voice being Victorian just
made this a stagnant and at times irritating read. Just felt to me like this
book (published in 1992) and its ilk just haven’t aged well. The diary aspect
removes any suspense (well, of course they make it, since she’ writing about
it), and the time-period voice feels condescending.
Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
Synopsis: This is humorous story follows fifth grader
Felix Funicello, a distant cousin of Annette Funicello, as he navigates the
holiday season.
My thoughts: The tone of this is completely different
from the other Lamb novel I read, which was dark. I think this is a lesson in
how to tell a story and not let the writing get in the way. The style is direct,
and the voice is spot on for the subject matter.
I’ve also read by Wally Lamb: She’s Come Undone
The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons
Synopsis: Nineteen-Year-old Elise Landau flees from
Vienna in 1938 to England, trading a life as the daughter of an opera singer
and writer to that of a parlor maid. The backbone is the early stages of the
WWII and the secondary theme is the transition away from the traditional
English social system.
My thoughts: This hits many of the beats of a WWII
era narrative, and does it well. While a love story ensues, there is some
misdirection, and the overall story is the reconnecting of Elise with her
sister, the lone remaining member of her family to survive the Nazi occupation
of Austria.
The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts
Synopsis: An ensemble cast of characters come together
around the sleepy Oklahoma diner known as “The Honk and Holler Opening Soon.” The
heart of the story is the budding relationship between the diner’s owner Caney
Paxton and the mysterious newcomer Vena Takes Horse.
My thoughts: I enjoy this sort of slice of life, set
piece stories where literary themes and aspirations are put to the litmus test
of ordinary people living ordinary lives. Some of the language and treatment of
minorities might be a bit outdated in this era, but it also lends to the
realism of the narrative.
The Killing Tree by Rachel Keener
Synopsis: Recent graduate Mercy Heron falls in love
with the wrong boy and finds out how influential her domineering grandfather is
in their small Appalachian community.
My thoughts: While I liked this book, and it didn’t
hesitate to swim in the symbolism pool for long periods. Symbolism isn’t my
strength as a writer or a reader.
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