ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr
Very Good
It’s hard to put down this tender, suspenseful, nicely
crafted novel, set in WWII Europe. On the other hand, Pulitzer Prize winner?
There’s the brave, clever blind girl, who’s part of the French resistance; the
oversized German killer who loves classical music and has a streak of goodness; and so on. They’ll pull at your heartstrings, yes, but they verge on
caricature. The sentence-by-sentence writing is lovely, the plot compelling…
but I’m not sure it rises above a better-than-average, page-turning, heartfelt
summer read.
BATTLEBORN by Claire Vaye Watkins
Very Good
Hard-edged, smart, well-written stories set in the Nevada
dessert. One reviewer described the author as an Annie Proulx for the Wild
West, for her evocative way with the places in which her stories are set. Not sure about that, but this collection nevertheless warrants a read. The book gained
cult status, partially because Watkins is the daughter of Charles Mansion
Family Member Paul Watkins, a fact that figures heavily in the first story, and
is reflected in some of the others.
STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel
Excellent
A traveling band of actors in a post-apocalyptic world.
Thoroughly enjoyable, moving and thoughtful, with characters you want to read
about, good writing, and a gripping plot. Highly recommended.
LOVING DAY by Mat Johnson
Decent
The first couple of chapters are absolutely stellar. Johnson
writes about being Black—and White—in this country with honesty, irreverence, guffaw
aloud humor, smarts… and a refreshing fearlessness of the muzzle of a mass-market strain of political correctness that silences productive,
respectful dialogue around critical issues of race and identity. But after
those first chapters, the novel degenerates into a silly romp with characters, relationships
and situations that require far too big a leap of faith. Still. Read the
beginning.
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