In case you are one of the few who has not yet read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein please join the majority. This is a wonderful story narrated by a dog with the goal of becoming human in his next incarnation. Enzo is named after a famous Formula One driver, and learns much of what he knows about life from watching television with his owner Denny. Yes, racing is a major theme of this book, but not what you might think. In The Art of Racing in the Rain racing is a metaphor for life and Enzo is our instructor.
The book begins with Enzo near the end of his life. Enzo recounts the story of his family: Denny, his wife Eve, and their daughter Zoe. Denny tries to balance his love of racing cars with his love for his family. He faces a choice he just cannot bring himself to make. He wants to be a full-time race car driver, but must work for his friends at a car repair shop in order to earn enough money to support his family. The story gets very dark for Denny and it seems all is lost for him. However, events eventually turn in the right direction with some excellent assistance from Enzo. I don't want to say much more about the story without giving it all away. You need to read it for yourself. One of Enzo's favorite quotes, "Your car goes where your eyes go," will come to have a very special meaning for you.
Garth Stein has crafted a great story from the point of view of a dog. I was fortunate to see him give a presentation about his book at our local library a couple of weeks ago. He is a wonderful speaker as well as a great writer. It was standing room only. He told us his agent refused to handle the book because it was narrated by a dog. Garth Stein fired his agent, found another one, and the rest is history.
So take my advice, even if you are not a dog lover, read this book. You will love it.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Page 13: Game Change
Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin takes you inside the campaigns of the 2008 major presidential candidates. This is my first non-fiction book to blog about and my impression is that it reads as well as most fiction books.
The authors take you behind the scenes of the campaigns of the major candidates from before the Iowa Caucuses all the way to the election in November. This book is a well written and researched account of what was happening that most of the public knew nothing about. It includes the inside scoop on some of the candidates and their wives in full bore yelling and screaming matches laced with profanity. Gee, they are not saints! John McCain liked to meet with supporters in his hotel room in a dress shirt and boxers. He also dropped the F-bomb the way most of us say hell and damn. It was alleged that Bill Clinton was having an affair in Chappaqua while Hillary was running for President. I guess Bill is just Bill. There is a lot more and I think it would be better for you to read it yourself, especially the stuff about Sarah Palin.
This is also a very good account of the people managing the campaigns; including their successes, failures, and downright screwups. Some managed to survive the entire campaign, some were fired, and most of them were on the receiving end of a lot of criticism from their respective candidates. The animosity between the Obama and Clinton campaigns is enhanced by new insights into what was really happening at various stages of the campaign. John Edwards does not come off well in this book and neither does his wife. The same may be said for Rudi and Judy.
Since there was so much interest in the 2008 campaign, I can't imagine anyone who followed it closely not wanting to read this book. There are revelations that will make you laugh, some that will make you shake your head in disbelief, and others that will disappoint you. After all, even presidential candidates have feet of clay.
The authors take you behind the scenes of the campaigns of the major candidates from before the Iowa Caucuses all the way to the election in November. This book is a well written and researched account of what was happening that most of the public knew nothing about. It includes the inside scoop on some of the candidates and their wives in full bore yelling and screaming matches laced with profanity. Gee, they are not saints! John McCain liked to meet with supporters in his hotel room in a dress shirt and boxers. He also dropped the F-bomb the way most of us say hell and damn. It was alleged that Bill Clinton was having an affair in Chappaqua while Hillary was running for President. I guess Bill is just Bill. There is a lot more and I think it would be better for you to read it yourself, especially the stuff about Sarah Palin.
This is also a very good account of the people managing the campaigns; including their successes, failures, and downright screwups. Some managed to survive the entire campaign, some were fired, and most of them were on the receiving end of a lot of criticism from their respective candidates. The animosity between the Obama and Clinton campaigns is enhanced by new insights into what was really happening at various stages of the campaign. John Edwards does not come off well in this book and neither does his wife. The same may be said for Rudi and Judy.
Since there was so much interest in the 2008 campaign, I can't imagine anyone who followed it closely not wanting to read this book. There are revelations that will make you laugh, some that will make you shake your head in disbelief, and others that will disappoint you. After all, even presidential candidates have feet of clay.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Page 12: Mistress of the Art of Death
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin is a well-crafted mystery set in twelfth-century Cambridge England. Four children have been murdered and the Catholic citizens blame the Jews. In order to save the Jews from the usual mob they are placed under the protection of King Henry II. Yes, this is the same King Henry who ordered the murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, and was whipped by monks as punishment.
King Henry asks his cousin, the King of Sicily, to send him one of the best medical experts in his kingdom. He wanted a "master of the art of death" which would be the equivalent of a medical examiner in our time. The doctor chosen to travel to England is one of the best medical students at the University of Salerno, but is a woman. The King of Sicily decided to send the King of England a "mistress of the art of death." Her name is Adelia and she faces many challenges in a country as backward and superstitious as twelfth century England.
Adelia is befriended by Sir Rowley Picot, one of the King's tax collectors. Sir Rowley plays a key role in the novel. Her investigation covers a great deal of ground, uses extant technology, and involves all levels of society including the clergy. The author's descriptions of the period are excellent and very informative. Sometimes I think I learn more about medieval England from well-researched novels than from history books I have read.
Adelia eventually solves the mystery of the murders, but what a trip along the way. The plot is fast-moving, the characters compelling, and the ending a real shocker. I don't want to say any more about the book without giving away too many of the details. If you think you would like a good mystery set in medieval England, read this book. Even if you don't, read it anyway. You will be glad you did.
As usual, here is some praise for the book:
"The bold, brilliant heroine of Mistress of the Art of Death is the medieval answer to Kay Scarpetta and the CSI detectives. This is a compelling, unique, and vibrant page-turner." Karen Harper, bestselling author of the Elizabeth I mystery series.
"CSI meets The Canterbury Tales. Franklin hits commercial paydirt with this criminal investigation drama set in twelfth-century England. A potentially winning formula, delivered with panache." Kirkus Reviews.
King Henry asks his cousin, the King of Sicily, to send him one of the best medical experts in his kingdom. He wanted a "master of the art of death" which would be the equivalent of a medical examiner in our time. The doctor chosen to travel to England is one of the best medical students at the University of Salerno, but is a woman. The King of Sicily decided to send the King of England a "mistress of the art of death." Her name is Adelia and she faces many challenges in a country as backward and superstitious as twelfth century England.
Adelia is befriended by Sir Rowley Picot, one of the King's tax collectors. Sir Rowley plays a key role in the novel. Her investigation covers a great deal of ground, uses extant technology, and involves all levels of society including the clergy. The author's descriptions of the period are excellent and very informative. Sometimes I think I learn more about medieval England from well-researched novels than from history books I have read.
Adelia eventually solves the mystery of the murders, but what a trip along the way. The plot is fast-moving, the characters compelling, and the ending a real shocker. I don't want to say any more about the book without giving away too many of the details. If you think you would like a good mystery set in medieval England, read this book. Even if you don't, read it anyway. You will be glad you did.
As usual, here is some praise for the book:
"The bold, brilliant heroine of Mistress of the Art of Death is the medieval answer to Kay Scarpetta and the CSI detectives. This is a compelling, unique, and vibrant page-turner." Karen Harper, bestselling author of the Elizabeth I mystery series.
"CSI meets The Canterbury Tales. Franklin hits commercial paydirt with this criminal investigation drama set in twelfth-century England. A potentially winning formula, delivered with panache." Kirkus Reviews.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Page 11: The Concubine's Daughter
China has been in the news recently for many reasons. It is the holder of much of our debt, most of our products are manufactured in China, the Chinese Government (according to many in the tech industry) recently "hacked" into Google files looking for information on dissidents, and is in the process of becoming the economic engine of the Far East. Anyone who has studied the history of China will not be surprised by any of this.
China was one of the earliest civilizations in the world co-existing with Egypt and Babylon. The Chinese referred to themselves as the "Middle Kingdom" which confirmed their world centrist view. They were ethnocentric and thought of themselves as the most civilized people on the face of the earth. For many hundreds and thousands of years they were probably right. When Marco Polo made his journeys to China in the 13th Century from Venice, he found an extraordinary civilization. This was the beginning of the spice trade, importing of silk, and many other items never seen before in Europe. When Portuguese sailors tried to find a water route to the Far East, this eventually led to the discovery of the Americas by Columbus and others. Many subsequent explorers found their way to China by water. In fact, the "China Trade" made many New England families very wealthy. The Chinese viewed all of them as barbarians.
This Chinese government's foreign policy has not changed that much in spite of the years of Empire and Communism. Yes, they are eager to trade with the West, but are still centrist in their world view. In The Concubine's Daughter, Pai Kit Fai gives us a story that begins in the early part of the 20th Century and ends on the eve of the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. The main characters of the book are three generations of Chinese women (grandmother, daughter, granddaughter) whose interactions with their own people and foreigners is presented against a backdrop of Chinese culture. If you are unfamiliar with Chinese culture or want to learn more than you currently know, this is an excellent book. The bonus is the story itself.
The three women in the story, Pai-Ling, Li-Xia, and Siu-Sing all face the historical reality of the treatment of women in China. Fathers wanted only sons. Of course, if there were no daughters, there would be no sons. Daughters were considered so unwanted they were ofter killed immediately after birth. Those that did survive were treated like slaves. They were the personal property of their father or husband and could be beaten, mistreated, and sold like slaves.
Pai-Ling, Li-Xia, and Siu-Sing all try to break the centuries old traditions and practices regarding women in China. This book is about their courage in fighting the system, managing to survive setbacks, and using their intelligence to become more than any woman could ever hope for in China. The terrible prejudice and hatred they suffer from their own people is a large part of this story.
The author uses water as a major theme. The Pearl River Delta, Macao, Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Shanghai are all included as locations. In addition, the interior of China plays an important role as well. These rural and urban landscapes provide colorful and rich background for this book.
If you have any interest in the lives of women living in the male-dominated, centuries old culture of China in the early 20th Century, you should read this book.
China was one of the earliest civilizations in the world co-existing with Egypt and Babylon. The Chinese referred to themselves as the "Middle Kingdom" which confirmed their world centrist view. They were ethnocentric and thought of themselves as the most civilized people on the face of the earth. For many hundreds and thousands of years they were probably right. When Marco Polo made his journeys to China in the 13th Century from Venice, he found an extraordinary civilization. This was the beginning of the spice trade, importing of silk, and many other items never seen before in Europe. When Portuguese sailors tried to find a water route to the Far East, this eventually led to the discovery of the Americas by Columbus and others. Many subsequent explorers found their way to China by water. In fact, the "China Trade" made many New England families very wealthy. The Chinese viewed all of them as barbarians.
This Chinese government's foreign policy has not changed that much in spite of the years of Empire and Communism. Yes, they are eager to trade with the West, but are still centrist in their world view. In The Concubine's Daughter, Pai Kit Fai gives us a story that begins in the early part of the 20th Century and ends on the eve of the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. The main characters of the book are three generations of Chinese women (grandmother, daughter, granddaughter) whose interactions with their own people and foreigners is presented against a backdrop of Chinese culture. If you are unfamiliar with Chinese culture or want to learn more than you currently know, this is an excellent book. The bonus is the story itself.
The three women in the story, Pai-Ling, Li-Xia, and Siu-Sing all face the historical reality of the treatment of women in China. Fathers wanted only sons. Of course, if there were no daughters, there would be no sons. Daughters were considered so unwanted they were ofter killed immediately after birth. Those that did survive were treated like slaves. They were the personal property of their father or husband and could be beaten, mistreated, and sold like slaves.
Pai-Ling, Li-Xia, and Siu-Sing all try to break the centuries old traditions and practices regarding women in China. This book is about their courage in fighting the system, managing to survive setbacks, and using their intelligence to become more than any woman could ever hope for in China. The terrible prejudice and hatred they suffer from their own people is a large part of this story.
The author uses water as a major theme. The Pearl River Delta, Macao, Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Shanghai are all included as locations. In addition, the interior of China plays an important role as well. These rural and urban landscapes provide colorful and rich background for this book.
If you have any interest in the lives of women living in the male-dominated, centuries old culture of China in the early 20th Century, you should read this book.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Page 10: The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, the best selling novel of 2002, has been made into a movie. I don't know what I was doing in 2002, but I somehow missed this book. My wife recently suggested I should read The Lovely Bones. She reads more books that I, and often suggests I need to read such and such a book.
This is an unusual story that grabs you from the first few pages and does not let go until you finish. The basic story is about fourteen year old Susie Salmon who was raped and murdered in a corn field while taking a shortcut home from school. Yes, the book begins with a terrible tragedy, but the story of the aftermath is the true essence of this novel. The effect on her family, friends, neighbors, and community is beyond sorrow and grief.
Susie goes to a part of heaven that appears to be made especially for her, and continues to watch events on Earth as they unfold in the aftermath of her murder. This is not a religious novel in the sense that God is the main character in heaven, although it is certainly implied. Susies's heaven is magical, comfortable, and fluid. It keeps changing as she comes to terms with her death, and people she knew (those who died of course) find her there.
Let me give you a couple of examples of praise for this book.
"Savagely beautiful....A strange and compelling novel." (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Mesmerizing....The Lovely Bones takes the stuff of neighborhood tragedy and turns it into literature." (New York times Book Review)
"Don't start The Lovely Bones unless you can finish it. The book begins with more horror than you could imagine, but closes with more beauty than you could hope for." (Christian Science Monitor)
In summary, I thought this was a wonderful book. Alice Sebold has given us a rare gift.
This is an unusual story that grabs you from the first few pages and does not let go until you finish. The basic story is about fourteen year old Susie Salmon who was raped and murdered in a corn field while taking a shortcut home from school. Yes, the book begins with a terrible tragedy, but the story of the aftermath is the true essence of this novel. The effect on her family, friends, neighbors, and community is beyond sorrow and grief.
Susie goes to a part of heaven that appears to be made especially for her, and continues to watch events on Earth as they unfold in the aftermath of her murder. This is not a religious novel in the sense that God is the main character in heaven, although it is certainly implied. Susies's heaven is magical, comfortable, and fluid. It keeps changing as she comes to terms with her death, and people she knew (those who died of course) find her there.
Let me give you a couple of examples of praise for this book.
"Savagely beautiful....A strange and compelling novel." (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Mesmerizing....The Lovely Bones takes the stuff of neighborhood tragedy and turns it into literature." (New York times Book Review)
"Don't start The Lovely Bones unless you can finish it. The book begins with more horror than you could imagine, but closes with more beauty than you could hope for." (Christian Science Monitor)
In summary, I thought this was a wonderful book. Alice Sebold has given us a rare gift.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Page 9: Under the Dome by Stephen King
I finally finished Under the Dome by Stephen King. I read it on my Kindle so I wouldn't have to hold a heavy hardcover book. This is a very long book in the tradition of The Stand, and well worth reading. It has a large cast of characters, and explores the depths of evil in a small town in Maine.
The plot--this is the short version--centers on a small community in Maine that finds itself suddenly encased in a huge dome. Several people discover the dome in a most unfortunate way. Some crash into it in their vehicles. A pilot and his student fly into the dome in their small plane and are killed. Hundreds of birds die when they fly into the dome. The dome (the edges are invisible at first) turns out to extend more than 100 feet below ground and as high as about 40,000 feet.
The main 'bad guy' in the book is the town's second selectman who has been building a power base for years, and sees the dome as an opportunity to consolidate his power without any influence from the outside. He is opposed by the owner of the local paper, a cook (an Iraq veteran) at the only restaurant in town, a physician's assistant at the local hospital, and a few other good people.
The second selectman appears to have modeled himself after such notable historical figures as Hitler and Stalin. He is dumb like a fox, and hides behind his fundamentalist religious beliefs. He continues a long trend in human history that finds individuals and groups using God to justify greed, murder and lust for power.
The terror instigated by the second selectman escalates throughout the book. It begins with adding more police (thugs), starting a riot at the local food market, murdering several individuals who get in his way, and burning down the local newspaper. This guy is a real piece of work. Throw in the government trying to get rid of the dome, offshore bank accounts, a huge meth lab, a church with way too much money, and you have a mix that takes you on a roller coaster ride to an amazing finish.
Steven King is very good at showing us the dark side of human nature, and this book is no exception. In fact, I think it is one of his best in this genre. The ending is typical Stephen King with a light at the end of the tunnel. I won't say any more. Read the book to find out what happens to the people in the town trapped under the dome.
The plot--this is the short version--centers on a small community in Maine that finds itself suddenly encased in a huge dome. Several people discover the dome in a most unfortunate way. Some crash into it in their vehicles. A pilot and his student fly into the dome in their small plane and are killed. Hundreds of birds die when they fly into the dome. The dome (the edges are invisible at first) turns out to extend more than 100 feet below ground and as high as about 40,000 feet.
The main 'bad guy' in the book is the town's second selectman who has been building a power base for years, and sees the dome as an opportunity to consolidate his power without any influence from the outside. He is opposed by the owner of the local paper, a cook (an Iraq veteran) at the only restaurant in town, a physician's assistant at the local hospital, and a few other good people.
The second selectman appears to have modeled himself after such notable historical figures as Hitler and Stalin. He is dumb like a fox, and hides behind his fundamentalist religious beliefs. He continues a long trend in human history that finds individuals and groups using God to justify greed, murder and lust for power.
The terror instigated by the second selectman escalates throughout the book. It begins with adding more police (thugs), starting a riot at the local food market, murdering several individuals who get in his way, and burning down the local newspaper. This guy is a real piece of work. Throw in the government trying to get rid of the dome, offshore bank accounts, a huge meth lab, a church with way too much money, and you have a mix that takes you on a roller coaster ride to an amazing finish.
Steven King is very good at showing us the dark side of human nature, and this book is no exception. In fact, I think it is one of his best in this genre. The ending is typical Stephen King with a light at the end of the tunnel. I won't say any more. Read the book to find out what happens to the people in the town trapped under the dome.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Page 8: Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, is one of those books that makes it to the New York Times Bestseller List because it deserves to be there, but you may not pick up and read unless one of your friends recommends it, or you become curious enough to read it after finding it in a bookstore. This book was first published in 2006, and, I must admit, I missed it. Boy, am I glad I found it!
The main character, Jacob Jankowski, is in his early nineties and living in a nursing home as the book begins. The story unfolds as a circus comes to town and sets up near the nursing home. The patients are all excited about attending, but they must have a relative or close friend be their chaperone in order to be allowed to go. Jacob has children, but none of them will be there to take him.
The story then flashes back to the time Jacob was at Cornell studying Veterinary Medicine. It continues with his leaving the university just before graduation due to a family emergency. Soon after he ends up joining the circus. The plot moves quickly from that point on. You soon discover things about a circus you always suspected as well as others you would never have imagined.
The circus people are portrayed as they were during the era of the 1930's. The bosses, roustabouts, performers, clowns, animals and all the rest are there; the good and the bad. This is a wonderful story that will amaze you, have you crying, laughing, and doing your best to determine the outcome without success. You will never view elephants, or the circus, again as most of us have our entire lives.
Praise for Water for Elephants from the Chicago Tribune is as follows: "So compelling, so detailed and vivid, that I couldn't bear to be torn away from it for a single minute."
Praise from The Washington Post: "You'll get lost in the tatty glamour of Gruen's meticulously researched world, from spangled equestrian pageantry and the sleazy side show to an ill-fated night at a Chicago speak-easy."
Hopefully, this will encourage you to try this book. If you do, let me know how you liked it.
The main character, Jacob Jankowski, is in his early nineties and living in a nursing home as the book begins. The story unfolds as a circus comes to town and sets up near the nursing home. The patients are all excited about attending, but they must have a relative or close friend be their chaperone in order to be allowed to go. Jacob has children, but none of them will be there to take him.
The story then flashes back to the time Jacob was at Cornell studying Veterinary Medicine. It continues with his leaving the university just before graduation due to a family emergency. Soon after he ends up joining the circus. The plot moves quickly from that point on. You soon discover things about a circus you always suspected as well as others you would never have imagined.
The circus people are portrayed as they were during the era of the 1930's. The bosses, roustabouts, performers, clowns, animals and all the rest are there; the good and the bad. This is a wonderful story that will amaze you, have you crying, laughing, and doing your best to determine the outcome without success. You will never view elephants, or the circus, again as most of us have our entire lives.
Praise for Water for Elephants from the Chicago Tribune is as follows: "So compelling, so detailed and vivid, that I couldn't bear to be torn away from it for a single minute."
Praise from The Washington Post: "You'll get lost in the tatty glamour of Gruen's meticulously researched world, from spangled equestrian pageantry and the sleazy side show to an ill-fated night at a Chicago speak-easy."
Hopefully, this will encourage you to try this book. If you do, let me know how you liked it.
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