Writers Have Fragile Egos and Book Reviews

After a snippy response to one of my book reviews I stopped writing them. Several readers commented that they had come to rely on my recommendations, so I’ve decided to begin again. In the meantime, I’ll try to catch up by writing a few lines about the most interesting books I have recently finished:

1. My son Lucas gave me Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts for my birthday and I loved it. This book transports the reader back in time to Berlin Germany as Hitler rose to power. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being a Don’t Bother and 10 A Must Read, this book is a 10.

2. Enamored with In the Garden of Beasts, I next read Larson’s earlier book The Devil in the White City. The story takes place in the 1890s and revolves around the building of the Chicago World’s Fair. This tale is juxtaposed with the story of a serial killer active at the time called H. H. Holmes. Rich and multi-layered, with historical references to Frank Lloyd Wright, Walt Disney and others, it is a great read. Although I would have liked less technical description of the construction of the fair and more story about the characters, particularly Holmes and his victims. Rating: 9

Unfortunately, this beloved author’s latest, Dead Wake, was a huge disappointment. I felt as though I were reading a submarine manual. Yawn. Rating: 2

3. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot may be one of the most brilliant books ever. The author’s insights into the evolution of a cancer patient’s cells and the parallel disintegration of her family is unique and extraordinary. Rating: 10

4. The Marriage Plot: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides is a story about young people during and just after their undergraduate days at Brown. I found it pretentious and not terribly compelling as a story. The author seems more interested in demonstrating how well read he is rather than offering new information or sympathetic characters to the reader. Rating: 4

5. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick de Witt is worth the read. I enjoyed the interplay between the two brothers (named Sisters) who are hit men operating during the gold rush of the 19th century. It’s a cross between a western and a morality tale. Rating: 7

6. The White Angel Murder by Victor Methos. A quick murder mystery with psychological undertones a la Jonathan Kellerman. Set in San Diego and its environs. A good way to pass an airplane ride. Rating: 10 if you live in San Diego 5 if you live anywhere else.

7. My friend Ebo Neutz recommended Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love: A Novel. Anything by Ian McEwan is rated a 10 in my book (no pun intended). I think he’s the greatest novelist writing today. It is complex and sad. Invest in Kleenex.

Even better was The Children Act. A 10+

8. The Paris Wife: A Novel by Paula McLain tells the fictionalized story of Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. It is gorgeous, sad and, I believe, historically accurate with details of the author and his work that are eye-opening. One can only wonder how Hemingway’s life would have been different had he stayed married to Hadley. Rating: 8

9. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is a tour de force. It is the meticulously researched history of a remarkable World War II vet. Rating: 9

10: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. This book takes place in an imagined Amazon village and is about a doctor who believes she has found the secret to eternal fertility. Not as first class as her earlier books but pretty good. Rating: 7

11. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I adored this novel and recommend it to everyone. It has it all – location, emotion, imagination, character, great story line, and I learned all sorts of things. It takes place in Ethiopia. Rating: 10

12. 22 Britannia Road: A Novel (why do these authors feel they have to add “A Novel” when it is so obvious?) by Amanda Hodgkins. A lovely story about war, love and loss. Rating: 7

13. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett I am surprised that this book didn’t get more attention. It is a masterpiece about events leading up to WW I and its aftermath. I would like to see this book assigned to middle school history classes, instead of the text books that give minimal analysis to facts, so that Americans can have a deeper understanding of European history. Rating: 10

14. The Post Office Girl and Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig. On a business trip to London I met a man who recommended Stefan Zweig and actually had these two books hand-delivered to my hotel! They offer extraordinary glimpses into Austrian life following WWI – the deprivation, the tragedy, the lost concepts of duty and honor. They were remarkable and I am forever grateful to Andrew Langton for introducing me to them. Both books: 10+

As an author, I know how much energy goes into writing a book so I cannot list here those books that I have read but wish I hadn’t. I can only hope that those voices find an audience to appreciate them.

I will keep reading, writing and sharing.