Door Stop: Villette by Charlotte Bronte

There are various book lists all over the internet for all kinds of categories, and I have a love/hate relationship with them. The thing is, a topic like "The 50 Best Books About Dogs" is subjective, and it is inevitable that your favorite dog book(s) will either not be, in your opinion, ranked high enough, or, horror of horrors, not listed at all. Still, I found myself consulting a list titled "50 Books that are 500 Pages or Longer that Readers Have Forgotten About," or something like that, and I was indeed reminded of today's selection, Villette by Charlotte Bronte.

The Situation: While staying with her godmother, Lucy Snowe is introduced to the young son of the house, Graham, as well as a little girl named Polly. Lucy observes how Polly adores Graham, who does shower her with affection, but everything is brought to a halt when Polly is retrieved by her father and they move abroad. Years later, Lucy is in her early 20s and with no family, connections, or means of taking care of herself, so she becomes a teacher in Villette at a boarding school for girls. Despite not knowing the language, as well as often being by herself, Lucy does well. She faces down haughty students, obstinate fellow teachers, and even an employer who insists on going through her things at every opportunity.

The Problem: While Lucy prefers to keep to herself and not draw much attention, people still manage to come to her, though this often results in opportunities to advance her place at the school, as well as widen her social circle. And when a handsome young doctor is summoned to the school to take care of a sick student, Lucy is surprised to find both a new friend and an old acquaintance. She insists on remaining emotionally reserved, but she cares greatly for the doctor, and wonders if he reciprocates her feelings. Her reserved nature also does not escape the notice of a fellow teacher, who takes every opportunity to critique her harshly and insist the only way for things to be done is his way. During her time at the school, the reserved and solitary Lucy will grow as a teacher and a person, and use her skills in observation to triumph over trials and other people.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic fiction book originally published in 1853, and was published after the more well known Jane Eyre. It is often said that Villette is Bronte's most autobiographical work, with certain characters directly representing people in her life. The character of Lucy Snowe is smart, hard-working, reserved, and a bit shy. Because she is also plain, with no physical characteristics to recommend her, she is often overlooked, something that does not escape her notice. The family tragedy that causes her to leave England is never specified, and Villette is a fictional town, set in Belgium, and modeled after Brussels. If there is one main theme, it would be Lucy's growth as a person and her ability to rely on no one but herself.

My Verdict: On the whole, there are large portions of this book where not a lot is happening. Lucy is a competent enough teacher, enjoying a quiet and somewhat lonely existence in a foreign city. There are moments when a character is introduced (or reintroduced), or some event takes place, or there is the occasional plot twist. It is only after getting over halfway through the book that things begin to come together, and that all of the details provided in the first half begin to lead to anything that can be referred to as adventure or drama. Basically, it's slog, but most lovers of Bronte will be ready for that, and some will even welcome the journey. I have mixed feelings about it, and the ending did not leave me feeling justified with how much time and effort the book required to get there. 

Favorite Moment: Lucy's uppity friend Ginevra is vain, shallow, and only happy if all male attention is on her. On one particular evening, a new arrival takes some of that attention, much to Lucy's pleasure.

Favorite Character: Mrs. Bretton is Lucy's godmother and Graham's mother. She has been widowed for quite some time, but remains resolute, healthy, and stalwart throughout the entire novel. She is one of the few people in the book who is willing to be harsh with her son.

Recommended Reading: I have yet to cover Jane Eyre on this blog, but it is the more well-known Charlotte Bronte novel for a reason. 

Young Adult Fiction: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

There are many books on my bookshelves that I would hold up as examples as to why I love purchasing physical print copies of novels, and I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys has been added to that group. Sure, there is cover art, the sound of turning pages, and even that wonderful book smell. But there is also the feel of the pages and cover, the font, and even the weight of the book in my hands. But I digress...today's selection is the latest young adult historical fiction from Sepetys, who always provides a thrilling story that is both engaging and educational.

The Situation: Seventeen year-old Cristian Florescu is doing his best, but life is hard in late 1980s Romania. When he is not in school, he can often be seen waiting in line for food like many others, though often he ends up with very little to show for his time standing in the bitter cold. The five members of his family - him, his older sister, his mother, his father, and his grandfather - all share a tiny apartment, where the electricity can be cut off at any moment, the heat is non-existent, and Cristian's room is actually a closet. But quite possibly the worst thing about his home is how certain he is that the government can see and hear everything he does. And this is not only true for the apartment. No matter where Cristian is at any moment, he must be careful about what he says and what he does, as well as who he interacts with.

The Problem: When an agent summons Cristian to the school office, his life becomes much more complicated, and dangerous. It seems that someone close to him has informed on him, and the agent has an assignment: go to the apartment of the American diplomat that his mother cleans for and provide information on him, his family, and the layout of the apartment. The stress of becoming an informer is bad enough, but knowing that someone close to him betrayed him is even worse. It truly could have been anyone, and now he must do that same thing. However, Cristian knows there is another option, one that involves joining a fight against the tyranny, and hopefully letting the world see what is really going on in Romania. He knows risking such actions may cost him everything, but at this point, does he really have much to lose?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in Romania in 1989. The country's leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, holds a power over his people that keeps them in constant fear. Not only are they afraid of authorities, but they are afraid of their own neighbors, co-workers, and even family members. The dictator has managed to turn the Romanian people against each other. This is what happens to the main character of the story, 17 year-old Cristian, who makes it clear that anyone, even a member of his own family, could be spying on him. And although Cristian is recruited as an informer, he still listens to his grandfather, who is incredibly vocal on his thoughts about the Romania government, and keeps the family radio illegally-tuned to Radio Free Europe. Fear and suspicion may be a way of life, but so is a desire for freedom and justice.

My Verdict: What drew me to Septeys' writing years ago when I first read Between Shades of Gray was her storytelling, and the unique perspective she provides of historical events. This time, she takes on a subject that many in the U.S. know little about. In fact, in the author's note, she admits that her own ignorance led her to begin researching this difficult period of history for the country of Romania. If her aim is to inspire curiosity and a desire to learn more, I am certain she has succeeded, using Cristian's story as a compelling fictionalized introduction into the subject. The suspicion and fear is heavy and ever-present, as is the feeling that as careful as Cristian thinks he is, his actions are still putting him in danger. The pacing is perfect, and the tension is masterfully built. Not only will young historical fiction readers enjoy this book, but adults will also find it engaging and fascinating.

Favorite Moment: Part of Cristian's assignment is to accompany the diplomat's son to the American library. I enjoyed seeing the American library through Cristian's eyes, since not only is he not used to seeing American publications, but it is actually illegal for him to read or possess them.

Favorite Character: Cristian is a solid young man who longs for freedom. Some of his decisions are foolish and short-sighted, but he is courageous, and smart, and an insightful writer. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Between Shades of Gray, as well as Sepetys' previous novel, The Fountains of Silence. This book also often reminded me of George Orwell's 1984 with its themes of surveillance and control. 

Classic Fiction: South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami

As has become an early-in-the-year tradition for me, I am covering a novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, and this time it is South of the Border, West of the Sun. It is shorter than many of the author's other more well-known works, but it contains that same element of mystery and wandering.

The Situation: Hajime was born on January 4, 1951, and he makes note that the date is in the first week of the first month of the first year of the second half of the 20th century. He also mentions that he was an only child, which was somewhat of an anomaly when he was growing up, as well as something that made him incredibly insecure. He hated the assumptions that only children were spoiled and selfish, mostly because he knew that he was in fact spoiled and self-centered. When he finds a friend in another only child, named Shimamoto, things begin to look up for Hajime. Unfortunately, the two lose touch when his family moves, and his life more or less continues in the usual way. High school, college, a few girlfriends, marriage, kids, and a couple of successful businesses...Hajime has no reason to complain about the life he has built.

The Problem: One evening, while working on one of the two bars Hajime successfully runs and owns, a beautiful woman enters and drinks alone. Only after she moves to take a seat across from him does he learn that it is Shimamoto, and her appearance completely upends his entire existence. Or rather, it confirms what he has felt for a long time: Something has been missing in his life, making him feel incomplete, despite the fact that he loves his wife and kids, and is incredibly successful. And although her existence in his life is sporadic, as Shimamoto keeps disappearing and reappearing, she is all he can think about, and the beautiful and stable life Hajime has lived is about to fall apart, and he is okay with that.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a short fiction novel that takes place mostly in the mid-20th century, covering Hajime's life up until 1988, when he would be 37 years old. Like many of Murakami's protagonist, Hajime is hapless and aimless, mostly plagued by a constant 'What If?" For those of you who love to play Murakami Bingo, you would be able to daub the spaces for mysterious woman, something vanishing, an old jazz record, urban ennui, Tokyo at night, and even a faceless villain...of sorts. The book contains that same atmosphere of mystery that fans of his novels have come to expect, though there does not appear to be any supernatural powers involved. But there are many unanswered questions.

My Verdict: What I like about this book is that it is fairly clear and straightforward. Yes, there is a good amount of mystery and a lot of questions I still need answered, but I have often gotten lost in Murakami's books and never found my way out. However, in getting lost, I was still able to enjoy the ride, and I did not enjoy this journey as much. Part of that could be due to Hajime as the main character. He resembles many of Murakami's primary male characters in that he is lost, full of questions, and not quite happy with where his life has brought him. But his journey for fulfillment has the potential to hurt his wife and kids. He admits to be selfish and self-centered, but admitting that out loud does not mean a person is free to continue acting that way. And while I am used to loose ends in Murakami novels, the ones left at the end of this book feel like oversights, rather than strategic.

Favorite Moment: While at one of his bars, Hajime hears about an old girlfriend whom he hurt terribly and where she is now. The story is enough to make him curious, and remorseful. 

Favorite Character: Hajime's wife, Yukiko, is dutiful and steadfast. She also is not stupid, and knows something is going on with her husband, no matter how he tries to hide it.

Recommended Reading: I usually recommend 1Q84 or A Wild Sheep Chase when I recommend Murakami novels. I will also go ahead and recommend Norwegian Wood. 

Nonfiction: Taste by Stanley Tucci

There is a good chance that you have seen my choice for today in many different places, as it has been featured everywhere since its publication back in early October. Of course, I was more than curious about actor Stanley Tucci's Taste: My Life Through Food, but as it always happens, the end of the year got away from me and I simply could not fit it into the schedule before 2021 was over. But we are here now, and the book was well worth the wait.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book in which Tucci tells the story of his life, beginning with his childhood as the oldest of three in an Italian family living in upstate New York, all the way through the pandemic, and his recent experience with cancer. Throughout the book, Tucci will make it plainly clear that food has always been at the center of his life. He loves to cook it, eat it, talk about it, learn about it, simply look at it, all of it. With recipes sprinkled between the anecdotes that span many parts of the globe, Tucci will paint a picture of a life that has been spent in the kitchen, and around the dinner table, almost always with close friends and family. There is even the occasional cocktail recipe, which, much like the food recipes, are simple and to the point. It is also worth noting that this memoir follows Tucci's two cookbooks, where the majority of his recipes can be found.

My Verdict: From the first pages, it is easy to see what all of the fuss is about. I imagine that many readers who picked up Tucci's book are also a fan of his acting, so there is going to be a strong desire to imagine his voice as you read. The things is, that isn't necessary. His writing is wonderful, as is his story, and add to it that he is talking about food and alcohol...yes, this book is fantastic. As a lover of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I particularly enjoyed the section where he talks about making martinis for the cast of Captain America: The First Avenger. Then there is the chapter about his trip to Iceland and his experience with the food there. Every experience and story has food at the center of it, but it is also told with a wit and clarity and charm that can be hard to find from professional writers that have been churning out books for decades. I cannot recommend it enough.

Favorite Moment: Tucci manages to bring the book full circle, with the ending closely resembling the fun and clever beginning. 

Favorite Quote: "I am hardly saying anything new by stating that our links to what we eat have practically disappeared beneath sheets of plastic wrap. But what are also disappearing are the wonderful, vital human connections we're able to make when we buy something we love to eat from someone who loves to sell it, who bought it from someone who loves to grow, catch, or raise it."

Recommended Reading: Another memoir I recommend is Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett. 

Contemporary Fiction: O Beautiful by Jung Yun

In 2016, I read Jung Yun's Shelter and was completely blown away. So it was an easy decision to pick up O Beautiful, a story that follows a woman as she attempts to jumpstart a new career and direction for her life, taking an assignment that brings her close to where she grew up.

The Situation: Now in her 40s, Elinor Hanson is over and done with the modeling business. She has now completed her graduate degree, and receives an incredible opportunity from her former professor. It is an opportunity to write a real article, for a real publication. But why her? Turns out the article is about the oil boom in North Dakota and the impact it has had on the area, an area that Elinor is incredibly familiar with since she grew up there. But when she heads out to the small, but suddenly booming town of Avery, the trip is immediately challenging, and not at all what Elinor thought it would be. With the notes from her mentor, as well as a list of contacts, Elinor decides to move forward and do what she came to do, which leads to as many discoveries about herself and her own attitudes as much as it does about the area she came to write about. 

The Problem: Elinor is used to the stares and gawking, as well as the questions. If it isn't about her beauty, then it is because she is Asian, with a few being able to recognize that she is actually biracial. And in a place like Avery that is mostly men, this all comes with a healthy amount of aggression. Also, in a place like Avery, where many of the longtime residents are not too thrilled with the range of newcomers the oil boom has brought, how Elinor looks is often met with derision and condescension. It also becomes apparent to her that her former professor has his own ideas for how she should write the article. But the more Elinor researches, and the more she talks to people, the more she wants to take the story in a different direction. Sure, the oil boom is a big deal, but so is the tensely charged atmosphere, the sexual aggression, and the unmitigated greed. Whatever Elinor decides to do, it will be a challenge with plenty of roadblocks. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction that is set in and around present-day North Dakota, with a focus on the transformation of a small town due to an oil boom. What was once a small sleepy town with very little going for it has become a town that is still small, but with an incredible amount of activity that the locals were not ready for. The prices for rooms at even the cheapest motel are at a premium; churches set up make-shift men-only shelters for those who have not managed to find housing, or do not live out of their car or RV; and there are so few women, men hit on Elinor at nearly every turn. And then there is Elinor's own complicated past, and her relationship to her former professor. Her memories of growing up in a place much like Avery are not exactly pleasant, and there are some decisions she made in her adult life that she is now recalling, no matter how painful and regrettable.

My Verdict: I knew from the synopsis on the book jacket that this was going to be a tough read, and I was right. But this was made even more difficult by the character of Elinor. I have fought through many books with difficult narrators or main characters, but Elinor was unlikable enough for it to have an effect on my enjoyment of the story. She grates at the unfairness of being judged on how she looks, both because of her beauty and because she is biracial, but she also judges everyone else, often holding everyone else to a higher standard than she holds herself. And her beauty is mentioned almost constantly. Then there is her tendency to make colossal mistakes, and then be surprised at their consequences. It is also unclear what this book is attempting to do. There is the oil boom, the incessant attention from men, the dislike of outsiders, Elinor's past and dynamic with her family, as well as her history with her professor, and the subject of violent crimes against women. All are substantial areas to mine through, but none of them are executed well here. 

Favorite Moment: Elinor must finally confront the truth about her college experience.

Favorite Character: Pretty much everyone in this book is deeply flawed, which is fine, but made it difficult to root for anyone. 

Recommended Reading: I still recommend Yun's Shelter, but I will also mention the young adult novel Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. 

Young Adult Fiction: Maybe We're Electric by Val Emmich

In 2018, the novel version of the popular musical Dear Evan Hansen was published by Val Emmich. Three years later, the author has published Maybe We're Electric, a young adult fiction novel set in Edison, New Jersey, where two students on the opposite ends of the popularity spectrum find themselves stuck inside the small Thomas Edison museum during a snow storm. 

The Situation: It is 5:52pm and Tegan Everly is done with her mother. After an argument, Tegan races from her home and decides to hide out in the Thomas Edison museum. The museum may be closed, but Tegan has access, having worked there over the summer. She knows all about it, the exhibits, and the person it was built to memorialize. Tegan is looking forward to being alone, but then popular jock Mac Durant enters with a strange request. It is both surprising and annoying, especially when the realization hits that the snow storm outside is gathering strength, and Tegan and Mac may be stuck in the tiny museum together for awhile. 

The Problem: At school, Tegan is known as the shy and quiet girl, while Mac is popular, well-liked, good-looking, and good at sports. Tegan has always observed Mac from afar, being both mesmerized by his presence and annoyed by how easy people like him seem to have it. Due to a physical disability, Tegan tends to withdraw into herself, hiding from anyone outside of her small group of friends. Being trapped in a small area with Mac seems like a terrible situation to be in, but that is until the two teens begin to get to know each other. Tegan is surprised to hear that Mac has problems too, real ones. But with that information comes an awful realization that Tegan may have contributed to Mac's current misery.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in the township of Edison, New Jersey, with most of the action taking place in one night. A snow storm is what keeps both Tegan Everly and Mac Durant inside of the Edison Museum, though it is family issues that drive them there in the first place. For the most part, it is Tegan's limb difference, and her observations of how people react to it, that keep her from reaching out more. For Mac, making friends comes easy, though he can feel that no one really knows him. The book is told from Tegan's point of view, moving through the night, while occasionally jumping back in time to briefly recount what happened in the hours before the storm. Also included are emails Tegan has sent her dad, and small sections that reveal more of her history and why she made the decisions she made. 

My Verdict: This is one of those books that I really wanted to like, but it fell short in so many ways. The first issue is with the character of Tegan. Sure, she is flawed and has made some bad choices, but even more than that, her overall attitude and outlook on life can be grating. And by the end of the novel, the lessons she learned are not quite enough. The second issue is that neither she nor Mac or all that interesting as characters. Despite the very real issues the two are dealing with, they come across as standard and flat. And the third issue, and probably the worst one of all three, is that the plot is often boring and uninteresting. Plus, it is one we have seen many times before. The book is a light read, and not so terrible that it should be avoidable at all costs. But there were certainly areas that were disappointing.

Favorite Moment: At a certain point, Tegan has to reflect on how unfair she has been to her mother.

Favorite Character: Even though he is not technically in the novel, I liked the character of Tegan's father. He is a professor at Rutgers who has a way of understanding the people around him that he tries to teach to his daughter. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend two David Arnold novels: Mosquitoland and Kids of Appetite. 

Historical Fiction: Island Queen by Vanessa Riley

Choosing the first book for a new year is not a decision I make lightly. At the same time, I do not necessarily believe that the first book that is reviewed here will somehow set the tone for the next 52 weeks. With that being said, I went back and forth on whether or not to even read Island Queen by Vanessa Riley, much less review it. One thing that held me back was its length, but also the reality that it was going to be a tough journey through the life of a remarkable woman.

The Situation: Dorothy "Dolly" Kirwan wants freedom and autonomy above all else. But having been born into slavery on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, obtaining that freedom will be nearly impossible. And if she gets it, it will be incredibly expensive. If cruel slaveowners and overseers were not enough to deal with - some of which Dolly is related to - there is also the constant threat of dangerous and deadly rebellions claiming more lives of slaves and free people of color than the ones the rebellions are aimed at. Despite it all, Dolly will manage to escape her life of bondage, but the road to freedom and independence, both actual and financial, is a difficult one for a black woman in the late 18th century. 

The Problem: As Dolly begins to grow her empire, the opposition is strong, and it stays strong. And if it isn't other businessmen or governing officials attempting to stand in her way, then it is the men in her life that she chooses as romantic partners. Plus, there are many difficult decisions that Dolly must continually make. Even when the correct choice is made, a heavy price must often be paid. And as much as she tries to protect her growing family, some consequences are difficult to manage. Thankfully, Dolly is as stubborn as she is resilient, and when a plot to attack the wealth of the free colored women on the island gains traction, Dolly is resolved to travel all the way to London and see the king himself if it's necessary. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction book that tells a fictionalized version of the life of a real person, Dorothy "Dolly" Kirwan Thomas. Born in Montserrat in 1756, Dolly will work for and earn her freedom from slavery, and grow her own business empire to become a woman of wealth and power to be both envied and feared. The book chronicles the majority of her 90 years, journeying through several locations throughout the Caribbean, as Dolly faces racism, sexism, rape, fear and intimidation, and oftentimes, her own bad decisions. In the author's note, Riley makes a point to say how much she wanted to attack the superhuman myth. It was part of her mission in presenting Dolly's life to make it incredibly clear that the woman was a flawed human being, but still a notable one.  

My Verdict: It is amazing to me that even with over 500 pages of story, the telling of Dolly's life often felt incredibly rushed. And at the same time, it felt like a slog. I suppose it could be the simple fact that the woman went through a great amount of trials (as well as a fair amount of joys and triumphs) during her remarkable life. Even though this is historical fiction, it is clear that Riley did her research and really took her time with this story, making sure to present a woman who accomplished much against incredible odds, but also made her share of mistakes. This book is certainly not for those who wish to shy away from difficult subject matter, especially for their own protection. But those who love history and exploring historical figures that have gone unnoticed may enjoy this one.

Favorite Moment: There is a moment when Dolly must confront the man who will be King George IV of England with a truth she has kept hidden. But she does not come out and say it, instead presenting a scenario in a way in which he sees the truth behind her words.

Favorite Character: Dolly's mother, also born a slave, endured similar hardships to her daughter, and was one of the most wise and comforting figures to appear throughout the story.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore.