Book Twelve

6/30/2008 – Amsterdam by Ian McEwan **
Why: Erica bought me the book for Christmas and it was impossibly short so I chose it to get some books of my to-read shelf.
First Impressions: I tried to read it months ago and in the initial pages the characters just did not warm to me. However, the plot line was quick and once I delved in, it was a better book than I expected. Incredible writing but not sure if it has a lasting impact. Nothing in particular spoke to me
Emotions Felt: Nothing in the way of morals came up for me. Rather, it depicted these two men who were rather self-absorbed and amoral. Perhaps I am not cultured enough (and the novel goes into the materialisticness of our society) but I did not enjoy the parts where Clive was creating his symphony. I think it was all a little too deep for me.
Any Remaining Questions: Like other readers, I wished that the author would go more into Molly’s character. It was an upset that she died in the very beginning of the novel. I knew from the beginning I would not learn more about her.
Who Would Like This Book: Erica

Book Eleven

6/29/2008 – The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz ***
Why: The 2008 Pulitzer Award Winner. Wanted to keep up my collection.
First Impressions: Wasn’t sure I wanted to read another novel about the Dominican Republic. I’m getting tired of historical fiction. But this was more a novel about a family. The pacing of the book was nice delving back and forth between generations of the family. The swearing and the Spanish kept it interesting and I liked the narrator – Yunior. All of the characters were deeply compelling.
Emotions Felt: I guess I felt shocked by the atrocities that happened in the Trujillo regime. I felt bad for Oscar, Abelard & Beli and the beatings in the canefield. I can’t imagine living in that kind of environment.
Any Remaining Questions: Most of the questions were answered in the end. I was sad that Yunior did not end up with Lola but it also made sense. I kind of want to know what Yunior’s story was and why he ended up smoking so much dope and cheating on Lola. I would guess there is a back story there. I would have liked to read more about any one of these characters – Lola’s future, Beli’s struggle with cancer, La Inca’s loss of her husband. There were so many pieces to this plot.
Favorite Quotes: “But if these years have taught me anything it is this: you can never run away. Not Ever. The only way out is in. And that’s what I guess these stories are all about.” Lola pg. 209
Who Would Like This Book: I have to believe that my Stillwater book club would find it intriguing if a little risqué. Kate and Sarah, I hope, would love it.