Books Read - Week in Review - 3/4/2017

AT the MOVIES

Lion is one of those movies that would be difficult for viewers not to be moved by in some way.  I found the beginning especially sad.  Based on a true story of Saroo Brierley, who was separated from his family at the age of five. The movie begins with his tragic separation and later his quest to find his real family over a period of 25plus years. The young boy part was played by Sunny Pawer, who was just incredible as was the adult role played by Dev Patel.  Nicole Kidman plays his adoptive Aussie mother (she was excellent as well). (Must See)

BOOKS READ (this week)

Behind Closed Doors; BA Paris
St Martins Press - (eGalley) 2016
Audio (library) - Macmillan (Narrator Georgia Maguire - very good)

(My Thoughts) - Who hasn't met what seems to be that perfect couple, they have money, looks and class. Jack is a successful lawyer and Grace a stay at home wife, gardener and protector of her disable sister.  The couple seems to love to entertain but it's not easy to get Grace away from Jack, to get to know her better, in fact it's impossible. Although still newlyweds, Jack has taken total control over Grace and she doesn't get to leave the shuttered, gated house with tall shrubbery that Jack has purchased for her.  Unless she is with him, she is a prisoner in her own home, no cell phone or means of communication unless Jack is in earshot.  Jack is seriously disturbed and as the plot unfolds things take a very bizarre and sadistic turn.  The audio book was well done but disturbing to listen to at times. This debut, psychological thriller will disturb some readers but, I found it difficult to put down. (4/5 stars)





Everything Happens Today; Jesse Browner
Europa Editions - 2011
(Print edition - my shelves)


(My Thoughts) - Wes is the lovable, seventeen year old protagonist of this novel. He attends the prestigious Dalton school in Manhattan.  Wes is there on scholarship and lives in a run down house in Greenwich Village with he terminally ill mother, a father who brings his girlfriend home, and his younger sister Nora, who he is very protective of. As the novel begins we learn that Wes has lost his virginity to the wrong girl and is sure he has ruined his life. In addition he has a major assignment on War and Peace due on Monday and he wants to cook a special meal in hopes of having all of his family together and happy.

What a delightful read and protagonist you'll root for. The entire novel takes place in a single day and since Wes is a literary lover, the novel has loads of literary references, some serving as metaphors for the things he is dealing with. There's some touching scenes when he spends time caring for and talking with his ailing mother which really moved me. I loved Wes and think this novel will stay with me for a while.  (4.5/5 stars)

Agnes; Peter Stamm
Other Press - 2016 - translated from the German)
(review copy)

(My Thoughts) - I read this novella in a few hours but, it took me a while to sort through my thoughts.  We learn immediately that the title character, Agnes, has been "killed by a story".  Our unnamed narrator, meets Agnes in the Chicago Public Library.  The narrator is a failed writer who has been trying to write a book about locomotives. He is cold, aloof and unlikable, but, from the time he sees Agnes, he is attracted to her. Agnes is working on a research project and suffers from an anxiety disorder and seems obsessed with death. Before long the two begin a relationship. Since the narrator (first person) is cool and unexpressive, Agnes asks him to write a story about her so she knows what he thinks of her. Each has different memories of what has occurred in their relationship and he, in turn, writes how he sees her life playing out. The ending is somewhat vague, and left open to interpretation IMO, but, for me that was okay as I really liked this odd little offering -- lots of interesting excerpts to ponder. Somewhat haunting; very different (4/5 stars)

What I'm Reading 
(listening to now)

First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies; Kate Anderson Brower
Harper Audio - 2017 (Read by Karen White - very good)

Have a Great Weekend All!