Book Review -- Nothing to Envy

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book source:  Personal copy

Genre:  Non-fiction

Objectionable material: detailed accounts of death by starvation

I’m voting for Pres. Obama in November.

What does that have to do with a book review?

Not much really, other than after reading Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, I’m grateful that I can vote. For anybody. Period.

Author Demick’s narrative follows the lives of six North Koreans over the span of approximately 15 years – we learn of their education, families, their lives under a totalitarian government, and ultimately, the famine, that claimed nearly 3 million lives (from 1994-1998).

This was a bleak book, but profoundly necessary to read. There is nothing redeeming about living in North Korea. It sucks. But I was amazed that in spite of the deprivation, families were still families who raised children and still wanted the best for them.

Also – the women. I am in awe of North Korean women. In the depths of the famine they were responsible for not only working (nearly 89% of all women “worked”) but they were also responsible for obtaining fuel, food and water (which was nonexistent).

Finally – as we learn the fate of these six individuals (all who defected out of North Korea, which is why we know their story), it’s painful to read how difficult it was to adjust to a free society.

This was great book to read during an election year – because regardless of what side you align yourself with – we are so enormously blessed to live in this country.

I think I’ll go buy some bread now.

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Daphne du Maurier -- in her own words

I've really struggled with my thoughts after finishing Dame du Maurier's The House on the Strand the other day.  

While I was at work at the library, I found this on the shelf -- Enchanted Cornwall, a Pictorial Memoir, published a year or so after she died.  In this lovely collection of pictures and book excerpts, du Maurier shares with us the secrets and mysteries of Cornwall -- and how it influenced nearly all of her writing. 

But most specifically, it helped me understand the genesis of The House on the Strand...which for me, was such a strange novel.  Had I read her thoughts first, I might have had a better impression of it.

I knew Strand was an homage to her estate, Kilmarth -- but I learned the following:

I moved to Kilmarth in June 1969...I would visit the empty house and walk around the rooms in a daze, trying to picture the sort of people who had lived in the house before.  I found a lot of dusty bottles in a room in the basement, bottles containing curious things like embryos.  My predecessor had been a scientist, Professor Singer, I began to imagine what he got up to in this old house...

So, her character, Mangnus Lane, the crazy professor with his basement lab filled with bottles and potions, was actually based on a previous tenant of Kilmarth.

Additionally, the time travel story line began here:

I discovered that the house dates back to the 14th century...and that in 1327 one Roger Kylmerth (featured prominently in Strand) owned it and that the foundations of his house are beneath me now...

She adds:

So it was that I found the storyline for The House on the Strand.  It would be set in both the present and past...the hero Dick Young would travel back in time, in this case the 14th century world of Roger Kylmerth, and he would do this not by dreaming...but by means of a drug prepared by his friend, Mangus Lane, in the laboratory full of curious exhibits that I found in the basement.

With regards to Dick's "addiction" to the time travel potion:

...I did wonder...whether people would be put off when they heard it was about a time drug.  Fortunately they weren't and if noting else my use of the drug is a clue to the time of its writing.  The late '60s was the ear of LSD.  Aspects of Dick's altered state of consciousness are certainly similar to the LSD experience, and as a result, people have asked me whether I tried LSD...the answer is that I did not.

I found this personal narrative fascinating...and again, had I known this before I started this book, I would have had a far greater appreciation for the maturation of the storyline.

Certainly in the future, I plan to read all of the excerpts featured in Enchanted Cornwall prior to reading her novels for her fascinating insight.

Book Review -- The House on the Strand

The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier

My enjoyment rating: 2 of 5 stars

Book source:  personal copy

Genre: Classic fiction

Objectionable material: none

Nothing like having your best friend use you as a science experiment.

But that’s exactly what happens to Dick Young. He’s been asked by his long time college buddy (now scientist), Mangus Lane, to imbibe on a potion he’s created to transport him back in time. Mangus himself has taken several “trips” to the 14th century…now he needs confirmation from another source to confirm the secrets to his elixir.

Things initially go smoothly for Dick: he drinks the mixture; transports back to Cornwall of 1335; follows around a group of ancient Cornwallians (I hope that’s what you would call someone from Cornwall!); learns that one in the group, Roger Kylmarth, was the first inhabitant of Mangus’s cottage; also that there is some philandering going on within this group – and then – without much effort – he transports back to the present day.

It becomes quite a bit more complicated when Dick’s wife, Vita, shows up and he has to explain to her his absences and odd behavior. She’s not too willing to accept his recent interest in 14th century history. Regardless of Vita’s concern, Dick decides he really gets his kicks and giggles out of his new found hobby, even if he is becoming more aggressive, starts loosing feeling in his extremities, and sweats all the time.

Then Mangus takes a “trip” of his own and the time travel experiment completely unravels. And not in a good way.

This was one of the strangest books I’ve ever read!  And I love Dame DuMaurier! But this was a huge struggle.

I’ve read time travel books before – but never back to the 14th century – where I have absolutely no context for time or historical participants (i.e. 16th century = Henry VIII).

Also, I was confused from the moment DuMaurier introduced her 14th century characters until the last page: I could never figure out their relationship with one another, why they were conflicted, who was sleeping with whom – and she even provided a genealogy tree in the preface to help the reader – but it was of no help whatsoever. At least to me.

The present day story line was easier to follow, but not by much: All of the locales Dick visited to begin his trips started with Tre --- Treesmill, Treverran, Trevenna – I couldn’t keep them straight. Also Vita, Dick’s wife, was plain annoying (would it have to do with the fact that she was an American?). Every time she entered the narrative, I cringed.

The one upside to this book: DuMaurier is a complete genius in creating a sense of “place” that I was swept away in the locale of Cornwall – the beaches, the farms, the villages – I think her narrative was the only thing that kept me going.

All in all, not an enjoyable read…but I will continue to adore Dame Daphne DuMaurier.

*House on the Strand was written as an homage to her estate in Cornwall, Kilmarth.

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Book Review -- The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book source:  Library

Genre: Literary Fiction

Objectionable material: none

#10 on my "Top Ten Summer TBR Books"

Once upon a time there was a circus.

A magical circus. With black and white tents, an eternal cauldron flaming bright in the courtyard, an expertly crafted clock marking time, and mystical performers and acts.

But hidden within the tent walls is a competition between two unknowing participants. Each trying to prove their superiority over the other at the hands of their mentors.

Then the competitors fall in love. Circus allies die. The circus magic begins to fail. The future of the circus must be saved – but by whom?

Erin Morgenstern has created an enchanting story, full of whimsy, wonder and conflict.

Her imagery is brilliant: each circus “exhibit” discovered by the reader is like going down Alice’s rabbit hole, with tales of ice or dreams or clouds or wishes. Her characters are equally distinctive: a tattooed contortionist, a peculiar man in a grey suit, a shadowy father, fanciful twins, and fateful lovers.

Less successful was the story development – it took nearly 300 pages for anything to “happen.” It was pretty to read along the way…but my patience was certainly tested.

Overall, a book like nothing I’ve read before. Totally unique and original. A perfect read to transport you to another world.

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Happy July 4th!

Enjoy being with family, friends and food (and books!), where ever you may be today to celebrate the birth of the greatest nation!

I will finish The Night Circus today...maybe I should pick up something patriotic to end the holiday?  The Federalist Papers?!

Happy Independence Day!

Book Review -- Zeitoun

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book source:  Nook

Genre:  Non-fiction; biography

Objectionable material:  FEMA (!)

Do you ever wonder what would happen if you were accused of something you didn’t do?

Would you be able to convince someone of your innocence?

Could you find an attorney?

Would your family and friends believe you?

What if you were arrested and no one knew?

In Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, we come to know Abdulrahman Zeitoun (going forward known simply as Zeitoun [Zay-toon]) – a hardworking business man in New Orleans, who with his wife Kathy, run a successful painting/home restoration company. In the immediate days that proceed and follow Hurricane Katrina, they struggle, like most did, with what to do: Do we leave? Do we stay? Storms are never as bad as they predict? What about our properties? Our business? Our home?

They decide as a family that Zeitoun will stay and “man the fort” while Kathy takes their 4 children to stay with relatives in Baton Rouge.

And we all know what happens next: first few days…storm seems manageable. Then the levees break and the floods come.

Zeitoun is stranded in his home – but fortunately, he has had time to secure much of their property to the upper floors. He also has a second-hand canoe.

With his canoe he saves stranded neighbors, friends and dogs. He also is able to check on the multiple properties they own in the city. Including a property that has a working landline phone. It’s from this property that he is able to contact Kathy on a daily basis (while she is pleading for him to leave!) and from this property that his worst nightmare manifests.

Eggers brilliantly tells the story of what happens to Zeitoun and Kathy in the weeks that follow Katrina. It’s Shakespearian in scope – unlawful arrest, missing for days, presumed dead – everyone’s worst nightmare come to pass.

I was horrified by our Government.

I was humbled by Zeitoun’s faith.

Something like this should never happen. Ever. Especially in the United States.

And in his own words, Mr. Zeitoun about his experience post Katrina:

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June Book Club & Book Review -- Women Food and God

Women, Food, and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything by Geneen Roth

My enjoyment rating: 2 of 5 stars

Book source:  personal copy

Genre:  Non-fiction; self-help

Objectionable material: None

June Book Club selection -- our book club discussion was 5 stars!

I was put on my first diet at in kindergarten. Needless to say…my issues with food have been screwed up since then.

In her book, Women Food and God (there are no commas in the title), Geneen Roth tries to shed light on compulsive eating habits and how we as women can take control of our “voice,” our bodies, and our relationship with food.

My first issue with this book was her mantra – that if we just listened to our bodies and when we were hungry, we’d solve all our problems. Well duh! Don’t you think I know that?? That’s the point – after 40 years of obliterating my natural ability to gauge my hunger, it’s not quite so easy to say, ‘well yes, I am full…I really don’t need another piece of cake.” Fat people know this, trust me.

Also, that people with food issues have them because their parents sucked. Her's may have, but my parents rocked. I blame the psycho doctor that put a 6 year old on a diet.

There are a few quotes that are clever – like, “overeating does not lead to rapture. It leads to burping and farting and being so sick that you can’t think of anything but how full you are. That’s not love, that’s suffering.” And, “We don't want to EAT hot fudge sundaes as much as we want our lives to BE hot fudge sundaes. We want to come home to ourselves.”

I suppose there is some value in the things she said…it just took her an entire book to say what she accomplished on the last page:

“The Eating Guidelines"

1. Eat when you are hungry.

2. Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.

3. Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.

4. Eat what your body wants.

5. Eat until you are satisfied.

6. Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.

7. Eat with enjoyment, gusto, and pleasure.”

Save yourself the time…that’s all you need to read or know.

Our July book club selection:  Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

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Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List

The likelihood of finishing 10 books this summer is highly improbable (considering I will have 3 children expecting me to be Julie The Cruise Director for 10 weeks) – however, I do like to give the impression of being an overachiever!

1.       Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel – I loved Mantel’s Wolf Hall – can’t wait to find out who is beheaded next!

2.        Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen – a popular blogger who nearly lost her life in a plane crash, this is a book that should remind me that I need to count my blessings daily.

3.       The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani -- I’ve never read any of this author’s fiction work (best known for her Big Stone Gap series), thought I would start with her most recent book.

4.       Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick – because when you complain about the lines at WalMart – author Demick is there to remind you that in North Korea, there is no WalMart.  Or food for that matter.

5.       The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent Stewart – this is our Mother/Daughter book club reading choice for the summer.  If I don’t read it, my daughter will ban me from our meetings.

6.       Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard – because this is leftover from last year’s reading list.

7.       A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd – I’m not much of a mystery reader, but this mother/son writing team has created a mystery series that has been on many “if you liked Downton Abbey…then you will like this” lists.  That’s enough for me.

8.       The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte – because I need to read at least one classic.

9.       The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey – about the strife of an Irish family prior to WWI – this was recommended to me by a friend.  And because it has a pretty cover.

10.   The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – July book club choice – not sure I would have picked it otherwise.

11.   BONUS BOOK -- Anything by Jen Lancaster – by summer’s end, I will need something that makes me laugh out loud, because by then, my kids will have taken over the house, my sanity called into question, and I will be running up the white flag of surrender.

What are you reading this summer?

Book Review -- NurtureShock

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson

My enjoyment rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Book source:  Nook

Genre:  Non fiction; self help-parenting

Objectionable material: none -- unless what they espouse makes you uncomfortable as a parent!

One thing I’ve done right as a parent – taught my children to sleep. Teach you might ask? Yes…it started when they were 6 weeks old – consider it basic training for infants – or Baby Wise or Baby Whisperer or Cry it Out – regardless, it worked and my kids have always had strict bedtimes and no other sleep related issues.

In their book, NurtureShock, Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman try to de-bunk the common myths most parents adhere to when raising their child(ren): praise and reward them often, their activity schedule is more important than their sleep schedule, raising a child in a diverse environment automatically makes them racially accepting, sitting a child in front of a language video will immediately advance their language skills, among other issues like lying, and sibling rivalry

For the most part – none of their topics seemed “new” or “wow’d” me. We’ve always put a priority on sleep; we’ve never been overdosing praise-type parents – probably because my kids are just “average” kids – who for the most part struggle with everything they attempt. So instead of “you’re so smart” or “you’re so great”, it’s “you’ve got to try harder…”.

I certainly appreciated the chapter on LYING. We’ve entered that phase in our household. To know that my kid isn’t necessarily evil – and that 96% of kids lie to their parents – is comforting, I guess. Also, that the arguments my daughter and I have will most likely be forgotten, is a relief. Whew.

After spending a week at boy scout camp, I’m sure my husband would view this book as required reading for 98% of the parents who had kids there, because of the behavior issues he encountered. He is done with over-praised, self entitled children.

Overall, a good analysis and shake up of long held beliefs – and how we can do better for our kids.

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Book Review -- State of Wonder

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

My enjoyment rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre:  Literary fiction

Book source: personal copy

Objectionable material:  Only if you have snake phobia; one F bomb

Ladies of Literature book club

Pharmaceutical giant, Vogel, has lost contact with their lead research manager, Dr. Annick Swenson, in the heart of the Amazon forests. After colleague Anders Eckman, who is sent to investigate Dr. Swenson’s incommunicado, is reported dead, Dr. Marina Singh is sent to find out the nature of Dr. Eckman’s death and to bring the rogue Dr. Swenson back in line with Vogel’s research objectives. What Dr. Singh discovers is a mythical tribe with lifelong fertility, magical mushrooms, a research group determined to keep the fertility elixir quiet, and a Doctor who has earned both trust and fear from those around her.

Ann Patchett has created a provocative novel about science, nature, friendship, exploration, morality, and endurance, and how they all collide in the jungles of the Amazon.

I was amazed at Ms. Patchett’s writing style. She so gloriously creates the flora and fauna of the jungle that I was tempted to swat mosquitoes away and seek suitable shelter from the animals lurking therein.

The story was so multifaceted --- was it the magical drug that was so important? Was it Dr. Eckman’s disappearance? Was it Dr. Swenson’s despot-like rule over the research team and tribe? It was all deftly woven with balance and intrigue.

After reading Ms. Patchett’s novel, I am convinced, now more than ever that A) I have no desire to “vacation” along the tributaries of the Amazon, and B) to extend my fertility beyond normal limits. God knew what He was doing.

Overall, a good read, and a good book club discussion.

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