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Z | Roberto Bolano
|  | Monsieur Pain (2010)Chilean writer Roberto Bolano's story about mesmerist, Monsieur Pain, is so haunting and surreal, it almost could be classfied as "crime fiction". However, no crimes seem to be committed. The story takes place in early twentieth century Paris. We follow Pain's series of interludes with diverse characters, some sinister. Pain has one dark experience after the next, from being precipitously kicked out of a hospital where he is supposed to help cure a patient with the hiccups, to being given a bribe to discontinue seeing the patient, to being trapped in a dark warehouse. Pain wanders the streets in unpleasant areas of Paris at night. This is a fast moving story. The entire novel is beautifully written including Bolano's wrap up of what becomes of the characters. Bolano won a 2008 National Book Critics Award for "2666". | | WPL Call No: F Bolano, R.
Reviewer: Suzanne Arist ()  Leave a comment | View comments (0)
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| Mikhail Chekhov
|  | Anton Chekhov: A Brother's Memoir (2010)"Anton Chekhov: A Brother's Memoir" is an insightful biography by the famous author's younger brother, Mikhail. It was written in the early twentieth century and recently translated into
English. Anton's brother wrote it in a personal, informative style that works and is almost as casual as email. What is particularly delightful about this book is how Mikhail focusses on specific incidents in Anton's life which inspired Anton's writing. This memoir will appeal not only to Chekhov fans, but readers interested in high society in Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. The Chekhovs socialized with Tolstoy, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and other luminaries. | | WPL Call No: 921 C417c
Reviewer: Suzanne Arist () Leave a comment | View comments (0) You might also like: Chekhov by Henri Troyat
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| Penelope Lively
|  | Family Album: a novel. (2009)Allersmead is a sprawling Edwardian house on the outskirts of London that is home to Charles Harper, his wife Alison, their six children, and their Scandinavian au pair who continues to reside in the home even after the children are raised. Acclaimed novelist Lively moves us back and forth from the 1970’s to current time – subtly examining the intricacies and tensions involved in the Harper family life. Strong character development and an appealing setting engage us from the first page! Fans of Ian McEwan’s Atonement might enjoy this story. | | WPL Call No: F Lively, P.
Reviewer: Kathleen Farrell () Leave a comment | View comments (0) |
| Kate Atkinson
|  | When Will There Be Good News? (2008)In rural Devon, six-year-old Joanna Mason is the only survivor of a horrible crime. Now it's thirty years later and she is living a charmed life with her husband, new baby, and sweet dog. She's even lucked out by hiring young Reggie as a nanny, a caring, wise beyond her years, sixteen-year-old who adores Joanna. But things are about to change and lives are in jeopardy.
Kate Atkinson has once again written a fast paced, complex, and thoroughly engaging mystery. I literally could not stop reading it and fell in love with the main characters. Can't wait for her next book! | | WPL Call No: F Atkinson, K.
Reviewer: Leslie Litoff () Leave a comment | View comments (0) |
| Alexander McCall Smith
|  | La's Orchestra Saves the World (2009)La (short for Lavender) is a woman adrift at the beginning of World War II in England. Her husband ran off to France with another woman, and his upper class parents felt obliged to settle her with a house in Suffolk and plenty of money, but she wants something worthwhile to do. Her war work is to tend a neighboring farmer's chickens and convert her large flower garden to growing vegetables. Well- educated, La knows enough about music to organize a community orchestra as a morale booster. Players come from the nearby Royal Air Force base, surrounding farms and villages. A refugee Polish airman, wounded so he can't fly, helps with the farm work and plays flute in the orchestra. La falls in love with him despite his reserve and worries when he's taken to London by special services, possibly suspected of being a spy. The story uses quiet characters and everyday life to contemplate war, xenophobia, courage, and endurance. I found it a good read, gentle and thoughtful. | | WPL Call No: F McCall Smith, A.
Reviewer: Liz Ferrari () Leave a comment | View comments (0) You might also like: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer, Mary Ann.
by Barbara Pym |
| Gaile Parkin
|  | Baking Cakes in Kigali (2009)Angel is a Tanzanian woman who has recently moved with her family to Kigali, Rwanda.She bakes cakes for special occasions and each cake has a story. From her customers, we get a glimpse of life and customs in Kigali, hear about Rwanda's terrible past and the hopes for the future. If you enjoyed McCall Smith's Botswana stories, this is a similar read. | | WPL Call No: F Parkin, G.
Reviewer: Joan Blecher () Leave a comment | View comments (0) You might also like: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
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| Libba Bray
|  | Going Bovine (2009)Teenage slacker, Cameron, learns that his odd perceptions and behavior are a result of "mad cow" disease. His reality is shifting and he begins a quest to save the world and himself. He is accompanied on his Quixote-like quest by a school friend, Gonzo, and a lawn gnome inhabited by the spirit of a Norse god. Is the quest real or a manifestation of his illness? This book will make you think while you're laughing. It's a great high school read and it has one of the best covers of the year. | | WPL Call No: High School Collection BR
Reviewer: Kathleen O'Meara () Leave a comment | View comments (0) |
| Chesa Boudin
|  | Gringo; A Coming-of-Age in Latin America (2009)"Gringo" is actually not a coming-of-age story. Author Boudin shares insights on his experiences in Latin America which go well beyond personal issues. The author, a former Rhodes and Rotary scholar, a Chicagoan, and son of former Weather Underground members, has written about his studies, travel, and work in Latin America. His approach to each experience is fresh. He maintains a sense of humor throuought the book, always conscious of being a Gringo who has had a lot of advantages. "Gringo" includes Boudin's perspectives on political and social issues. Regardless of your point of view on these, you will find that this book provides an educational experience. | | WPL Call No: 980.04 BO
Reviewer: Suzanne Arist () Leave a comment | View comments (0) |
| Pat Barker
|  | Double Vision (2003)Another finely written novel by this Booker Prize winner, exploring themes of the psychological effects of violence and the role of art during brutal times. British war photographer Ben Frobisher has been killed in Afghanistan, leaving behind his widow Kate, a sculptor. When she is hurt in an auto accident, she must hire an assistant. He proves to be quite an unsettling character. Meanwhile, Ben's journalist friend Stephen Sharkey must not only deal with the tragedy of war, but also divorce, and a blossoming romance with the local vicar's young daughter. It all sounds melodramatic, but Barker is too good a writer for that. These characters come into sharp focus in this gripping novel. | | WPL Call No: F Barker, P.
Reviewer: Leslie Litoff () Leave a comment | View comments (0) |
| Pat Conroy
|  | South of Broad (2009)South of Broad is Pat Conroy's first book in more than a decade. Set in Charleston, S.C. and narrated by Leopold Bloom King (Leo's mother was a James Joyce scholar!)the story follows the King family and Leo's chums from Bloomsday, 1969 through the 1990's. Not for the faint-hearted, we read of the impact on the characters of suicide, racial tension, a serial murderer, pedophilia, Hurricane Hugo, and the AIDS epidemic to name a few. Conroy's fans will love it! | | WPL Call No: F Conroy, P.
Reviewer: Kathleen Farrell () Leave a comment | View comments (0) |
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