I was very sad to read today of the death of writer, Paul Auster. He was a prolific author of novels, memoirs, and screenplays, whose body of work will long be remembered. He is best known for his New York Trilogy.
This novel is an absolute page turner. It encompasses many of the elements of what we think of as compelling historical fiction—context, a crime, a trial, a cover up, a disavowal of the rights of women. In its way, it is also a love story. It's also a tribute to women in history whose lives and achievements are left out of the history books. The protagonist is Martha Ballard, a real midwife and healer who lived and worked in colonial America. The seeds of this story were formed when the author, Ariel Lawhon, discovered her diaries.
This novel is the second in the Hearts of Glass series that I assume will continue. I did not read the first one, The Artist’s Apprentice, but The Artist's Wife easily stood on its own. World War I is beginning, Britain is wholly unprepared for war and what its threat means, and the fabric of Edwardian society is unraveling. The title reflects women's standing. True, the protagonist Alice was married to an artist with whom she apprenticed, but she was the creative force of the duo.
This book is the culmination of a long journey into the subject of race in America. Through micro memoirs, interviews, stories, and commentary, NPR award winning journalist, Michelle Norris offers us a way forward— not necessarily to reach common ground but as a way towards building bridges. Our Hidden Conversations (Simon & Schuster 2024) has … Continue reading The Race Card Project: An Honest Look into Race and Identity in America
It’s January! The time some of us try to make resolutions to do something new. This can sometimes extend to our reading habits. When it comes our reading diet, most of us stay in our narrow comfort zones. We know we like a certain genre and tend to stick to it. I know that’s true for … Continue reading Change of Pace: Novels in Verse
The book’s beginning is somewhat deceiving. As the story opens, we meet an older man, widowed ten years in a semi crisis state. He’s noticing he’s somewhat forgetful. He's a bit panicked because the housekeeper he has relied on since his wife’s death has had a personal emergency and doesn’t know when she’ll be back. A rookie meter reader comes to the house and Baumgartner takes him down the poorly lit basement stairs and has a bad fall and struggles with the injury without help. So starts the story. My impression was that this was a doddering man on his way down.
I am always amazed by what I learn from historical fiction and how it illuminates diverse perspectives and little known events. Given what is going on in the world right now, regardless of your personal viewpoint, fiction and poetry can make us think in a way we can’t get from other sources. Sure, the horrific images shown over and over inform us, but some writers have a way of making us expand our thinking.
The third annual Saratoga Book Festival took place this past weekend. Heartfelt congratulations to the many people who made it happen. Over four days, more than 25 festival events featured big stage interviews, more intimate conversations, and panel discussions. It was hard to choose which events to go to. Many intrigued me. The sessions I attended were varied and I was introduced to some authors I was familiar with and those who were new to me. I want to share with you some of the books and introduce you to some of the writers that were showcased. I plan to read them and hope you'll give them a look.
I read this book quite by accident. Looking for an audio book from the library collection can be challenging if you aren't looking for #18 in a mystery series or self help. Anything remotely interesting is on hold and doesn't help the need for wanting it now! But then, every once in a while, there is a neglected book that turns out to be better than those high up on the best of lists. This may not have a great title but The Collected Regrets of Clover turned out to be a terrific story. Please don't be put off thinking it dark and dreary.
Deadly Depths has all the ingredients of a great read. It has vivid, well-developed characters, twists and turns you might not see coming and great pacing. It is rooted in a dark history that has lived in the shadows.
Reader’s Cafe 