Contemporary Fiction: The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson

Today I will be talking about The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson. After reading the synopsis on Goodreads, I decided to take a chance on a book that begins on the night Obama won his first presidential race, and explores both motherhood and race in America.

The Situation: It is 2008, and Ruth is celebrating Obama winning the presidential race in the Chicago townhouse she shares with her husband, Xavier. Having come from the humble small town of Ganton, Indiana, Ruth cannot help but marvel at the life she now lives. Not only was she able to escape her small town and become an Ivy League-educated black engineer, but she is also married to a PepsiCo marketing executive, her country just elected its first black president, and everything in her and Xavier's life is primed and ready for them to start a family. Ruth suspects she would be more on board with this plan if she didn't already have a son, one that her husband knows nothing about. In 1998, when Ruth was 17, she gave birth to a baby boy that she quickly gave up for adoption. Once she left for Yale, she never looked back, but often wonders about the small body she held in her arms for only a few minutes. And when she finally tells Xavier her long-held secret, a rift forms between them, and Ruth decides it may be time to find the son she was so quick to give up.

The Problem: Ruth has not stepped foot in Ganton since her wedding to Xavier four years ago, and things are even more desperate than she remembered. The recession has hit the small town hard, and the institutions that employed many of the residents are now boarded up. While Ruth may have returned to find her son, she has no information to go on and is not sure where to start. Two people who know everything about the quick adoption are her grandmother and her brother Eli, and neither are interested in talking. On that day 17 years ago, her grandmother insisted that what Ruth was doing was for the best, and that the less she knew the better. It is while looking for answers on her own that Ruth comes across Midnight, a small white boy who earned his nickname from the kids at school who think he wants to be black. Ruth and Midnight are drawn to each other, but as their lives and families intersect, secrets that have stayed hidden for 11 years are brought to light.

Genre, Themes, History: The is a fiction book that is set mostly in late 2008, between the presidential election, and New Year's Day 2009. At the center is Ruth, a black woman in her late 20s, that some would describe as "bougie." She admits to leaving behind both her family and the place she grew up, not making much of an effort to call home, much less visit. She is proud of her accomplishments, and not visiting Ganton also means not having to face her painful past and the decisions she made. Then there is Midnight, the 11 year-old boy who is the grandson of a family friend, and is clearly looking for the attention and affection he cannot get at home. With an adult black female, and a young white boy as the anchors, the book explores the effect of the 2008 economic crash, specifically on small towns that depend on specific industries to keep its residents afloat. And then there are the racial tensions of a town where everyone is struggling, and both sides are waiting to see what the new president can do.

My Verdict: There is something oddly comforting about the way the beginning of this book is written. It starts out in Chicago, with both Ruth and Xavier, and the reader is getting know them, as well as Ruth's past. The comfort continues once Ruth makes it to Ganton and Midnight enters the picture, but somewhere, that sense of support gets drained away, until the story becomes uncomfortable, almost jarring. Even at its conclusion, the story feels awkward and unsettled, and maybe it is supposed to. Bringing Ruth and Midnight together on this quest to learn more about Ruth's son works well, as the reader gets to see how two people on the opposite sides of almost every spectrum operate. The exploration of the race and class divide in small town Ganton is thorough, and Johnson leaves no stone unturned, but it also feels forced and heavy-handed in places.  

Favorite Moment: There is a good amount of scenes the center around food in this book, whether it involves ordering it, preparing it, or just eating it. For me, the idea of a group of people sitting around a table covered in homemade dishes signifies comfort. However, there is one dinner scene that fits that picture, but it is clear that "comfort" is not the word to describe it, well before anything even starts to go wrong. 

Favorite Character: It is an even race between Ruth's best friend Natasha, and Midnight's grandmother Lena. Both are fiercely loyal to the people in their lives, but they also are not afraid to speak the truth to someone who needs to hear it.

Recommended Reading: I recommend This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith.

Door Stop: The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

Like many readers, my 'to read' list is all over the place, and of course includes books that I either bought, or were given to me an incredibly long time ago, and I have yet to actually read. The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is one such book, and has been for close to 20 years. So I figured there was no better time than a pandemic to finally pick it up and finish it.

Genre, Themes, History: The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is a collection put together by Barnes & Noble of the most noteworthy works of the early 19th century writer. The well-known and well-loved poem "The Raven" is present, as are short stories such as "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Cask of Amontillado." Following the poems and short stories, and ending the collection is Poe's novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket, which chronicles the harrowing adventure of Arthur Pym as he describes the many disasters the befall him on a trip out to sea. Most associate the work of Poe with dark imagery, despairing characters, and plotlines that deal with premature burial (both intentional and unintentional), as well as death and madness. What is often forgotten is that Poe also wrote satires and humorous stories with characters that are clearly unhinged, but resolute in their focus on an absurd task. Reading all of the works together will definitely reveal a certain continuation in theme and style for anyone willing to look for it.

My Verdict: I have said it many times that poetry is not really my thing, and that remains true, as "The Raven" is still the only one of Poe's poems that I enjoy. However, I did discover quite a few short stories that I had never read before, such as "How to Write  a Blackwood Article" and "A Predicament." Both stories contain ridiculous advice for writing articles, with "A Predicament" ultimately ending with *spoiler alert* the author allegedly having her head head cut off by the hands of a giant clock in an attempt to get the perfect story. But one story I always knew about but had never read was "The Pit and the Pendulum," which has now replaced "The Cask of Amontillado" as my new favorite short story written by Poe. It is terrifying in the best way (for those who enjoy horror stories), and would be a great way to introduce Poe's work to anyone who is unfamiliar. Of course, not every story or poem is as engaging as the ones mentioned - at least not for me - but I recommend this collection to anyone looking for a crash course in the gothic writer's work.

Favorite Story: I already mentioned how much I enjoyed "The Pit and the Pendulum." A man finds himself trapped in a dark room during the Spanish Inquisition, and must figure out how to survive, not realizing the many different types of traps and tortures that await him.

Favorite Poem: I recommend that everyone read "The Raven" at least once in their lives. And then follow it up with the clip from The Simpsons' original "Treehouse of Horror" episode, narrated by James Earl Jones.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula if you wish to continue with the classic horror theme. 

Nonfiction: Broken by Jenny Lawson

Interesting note: I am typing this up after hearing Jenny Lawson speak at the 9th Annual San Antonio Book Festival. My first experience with Lawson's work was actually in 2017 with You Are Here, which is both a collection of musings and motivations, and a wonderful coloring book for adults. Broken (in the best possible way) is her latest offering, and contains much of the same humor and brutal honesty that Lawson has become known for.

Genre, Themes, Fiction: This is a nonfiction book in which Lawson once again opens up about her struggles with depression and anxiety, but with the same humor and unique observations about life that she has become known for. With 37 chapters, Lawson talks about her myriad of illnesses; her problems dealing with insurance companies; her life growing up in small-town Texas; her relationship with her husband; her personal approach to getting any writing done; the various adventures she has had simply attempting everyday tasks like vacuuming, and even brushing her teeth; and of course, her struggles with mental illness. Each chapter is titled appropriately, though some are more straight-forward than others. "An Open Letter to My Health Insurance Company" is pretty much exactly that. But "Eclipse (Not the Twilight Book. The Other Kind.)" is a little more meandering, but in a wonderful way. My favorite chapter title is certainly "INTROVERTS UNITE! (But Sweet Baby Jesus, Not in Real Life.)," although "I Already Forgot I Wrote This" is a close second. The theme of brokenness is woven throughout, and while that can be something that is hard to face, Lawson does so with complete honesty.

My Verdict: What I adore most about Lawson's writing is her approach to what is happening to her and around her. Of course, honesty is something she is big on, as well as being open about what is going on. And while that often means talking about some seriously hard and difficult topics, she is still able to do so with this humor that is approachable and relatable and welcoming to any and everyone else who finds themselves struggling. For me, this humor was evident even in the way the book was organized and the way certain chapters were written. She often goes on tangents or goes down these rabbit holes when the story she started telling is not even done yet, and it is okay because really, that is how most real conversations happen, and it all works, and at the end of it the reader knows a little bit more about the author. Lawson puts her flaws out there, while encouraging others to do the same, if only in an effort to show others that it is okay to admit you are not perfect, because no one is.

Favorite Chapter: I am sure that the chapter titled "Awkwarding Brings Us Together" will be a common favorite among readers. When Lawson sent out a tweet about an awkward encounter she had at the airport, what followed was a flood of responses from her followers sharing their own awkward encounters that are naturally cringe-worthy, but also hilarious. 

Favorite Character: I do not often pick a favorite character when reviewing nonfiction, but I have to pick Lawson's husband Victor because he is just the best. But I am always a sucker for those characters that are eternally patient and longsuffering, while also being slightly ridiculous themselves...because who isn't?

Recommended Reading: I have not read Lawson's first two books, Let's Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy. And while You Are Here is a different kind of book, I still cannot recommend it enough.  

Historical Fiction: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Today I am discussing The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, a book that has delighted thousands of both readers and critics. This is the third novel I have read by Hannah, and going off of my experiences with the first two, I had incredibly high expectations. Hannah goes for bold storylines with strong female characters who must use everything they have to overcome seemingly impossible situations.

The Situation: It is 1921 in small-town Texas, and Elsa has just turned 25. At her age, it is expected that she already be married, maybe even with a child. But due to an illness she had when she was younger, her family has more or less kept her locked away, always insisting that her health is too frail and too delicate for her to participate in many normal, social activities. It also does not help that Elsa is not considered to be particularly attractive, unlike her two sisters, and to Elsa's family, appearance is everything. Desperate for a love she knows nothing about, Elsa meets Rafe Martinelli, the first man to pay any attention to her, and it is not long before she is pregnant, and forced to marry a man she knows nothing about, and move in with a family that only knows hard work. By the time her daughter is born, Elsa's determination has earned her a place at the Martinelli's, and she feels a sense of belonging she never received from her own parents.

The Problem: Thirteen years later, the Dust Bowl is in full force. The land has dried up, people are out of work, banks are foreclosing on homes and farms, and dust storms have become a terrible nuisance. Elsa, much like her in-laws, insists she will never leave Texas, despite all chances of survival literally drying up in front of her. Rafe has always longed for adventure, something he has now passed down to their daughter, Loreda, and insists that leaving is the only option. As Elsa holds onto her belief that things will someday get better and turn around, she watches the animals die; her husband slowly disappear into himself; and her daughter become more dissatisfied with their life, ultimately blaming their entire situation on Elsa and her lack of big dreams and vitality. It is not until the dust storms start to threaten their health that going west to California begins to look like their only option. But the land of "milk and honey" will have its own challenges as the hardships continue, but in a different way.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins in 1921, and then jumps to the mid-1930s and the height of The Great Depression. Elsa was born into a well-to-do family that cares little for her, so when she becomes pregnant, there is no hesitation to drop her off with the family of the father and abandon her for good. Despite being told all her life that she is too weak, too frail,  and too delicate for most things, Elsa works hard on the Martinelli's farm and becomes the daughter her husband's parents never had. Hard work is what the Martinelli's are all about, and it is something that will follow Elsa everywhere she goes. The book gives the reader an up-close look at the desperate times that were The Great Depression, specifically the Dust Bowl in Texas, and the hard living of migrant workers who made the trek out to California. No matter the state, things were tough, and people mostly had to lean on each other to make it through. 

My Verdict: Every book I read by Hannah is of a certain quality that is hard to pin down. There is something about her writing, or the way she approaches subjects - or maybe it is her vivid settings - that is at a level above. And yet, while the three books that I have read are each on the same level of quality, they are also wildly different from one another, and each one is able to hold its own and be its own entity. The places in The Four Winds are almost their own characters, with Texas and its devastating dust storms and lack of rain, and then California and its seemingly perfect landscape and views, that are only hiding the lack of work, high prices, and prejudiced residents. Nothing comes easy in either place, but Hannah makes them unique experiences, allowing the reader to wonder which is better: to stay where you are and wait for the suffering to be over, or move on in the hope that things will be better elsewhere, while knowing they could end up worse. Fans of Hannah's other novels will not be disappointed, and neither will anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Favorite Moment: Loreda treats Elsa terribly for a good portion of the book. But there are moments here and there where the mother and daughter are able to come to an understanding. Loreda may remain a spitfire, but she does eventually come to respect Elsa and recognize her strength.

Favorite Character: I did not think I was going to like Rose, Rafe's mother, at first, but she quickly become my favorite. I just wish the reader got to see more of her.

Recommended Reading: Naturally, I recommend both The Nightingale and The Great Alone.

Contemporary Fiction: Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour

The decision to read Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour was not made easily, but that is often true with a lot of books about race, fiction or nonfiction. But at the end of the day, the overall premise of the book won out over any apprehension I had about where that premise would go. And honestly, the experience I had reading it was just about as I expected.

The Situation: Darren Vender is a 22 year-old living in Brooklyn with his mother. By day, he works at the Starbucks in one of those fancy high rises in New York City, and he is good at his job. So good that he managed to convince one of the regulars, the leader of a startup whose offices are on one of the higher floors of the building, to try something other than his usual order, and the man is so impressed that he wants to meet with Darren in his office. The meeting turns into an opportunity, and seemingly overnight, Darren is one of the newest recruits working in sales for one of those tech startups that allows employees to bring their pet pigs, names conference meeting rooms after religious texts, gives nicknames to new recruits, and only has one person of color on staff, and that person is Darren. After being given the nickname of "Buck," Darren endures the "hell week" of training, and manages to earn his spot on the sales team, despite it being clear that some do not think he belongs.

The Problem: What Darren endured in "hell week" was often targeted abuse, either because of his skin color, his lack of experience and education, or both. Even so, Darren manages to shrug it off and get to work. But right when he begins doing well, the company, Sumwun, suffers major setbacks. And Darren's commitment to Sumwun, and to his boss Rhett, is paying a toll on his relationships in Brooklyn: his girlfriend Soraya never gets to see him anymore; his mom's health is clearly failing, but she insists she is fine; and his best friend no longer wants to talk to him, feeling like Darren has changed and now looks down on the people of his neighborhood. And when the unthinkable happens, Darren makes a choice that sets a course for the next few years, one he never thought he would follow. But what he ultimately wanted to become was the best salesman he could be, and the best version of himself, and he has to ask if it was all worth it.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction book set in modern-day New York City, with Darren "Buck" Vender telling the reader his story, though he pitches it as more of a "How-To" book. His objective: to teach the reader about what is means to be the ultimate salesman. Instead of footnotes, Darren will speak directly to the reader through bold and enlarged font, right in the middle of a page. In Brooklyn, the reader meets his mom, his girlfriend, his girlfriend's father, Darren's best friend Jason, Mr. Rawlings who lives on the first floor of Darren's building, and Wally Cat, the old man on the corner whose advise is half-nonsense, and half-truth. There is another cast of colorful characters at Sumwun, lead by Rhett, and Darren's trainer, Clyde, who clearly does not care for his latest trainee. But not only does Darren manage to power through, but he ends up becoming somewhat of a Sumwun legend, and is able to bring his expertise to other young black people. Of course, everything has a price, and even Darren admits to the reader that the cost of success if high, and everyone has to decide for themselves if they are willing to pay it.

My Verdict: This book is so stressful, more stressful than I thought it would be. There is a period near the middle where things kind of slow down, but Darren takes every chance he can to stir everything up again, almost as if he does not want the reader to have one moment of peace. The frantic pace of the narrative also does not help the stress factor, as so much story happens in the first half of the book, with no signs that the action will ever slow down. If I had any issue with the book - aside from the stress of reading it - it would be with Darren. Askaripour introduces many wonderful characters, both in Brooklyn and at Sumwun, and Darren is (almost) the worst of the bunch. He starts out nobly enough: He wants to be a better version of himself for his mother and prove that he can make it in sales. But pride is a terrible drug, and the destruction Darren causes makes it hard to root for him to be successful. In the end, I would say it is worth the stress to get to the book's overall message, but be warned, for some this may be a difficult ride.

Favorite Moment: There are at least five different white people who, throughout the book, tell Darren he looks like some famous black person. The people range from Morgan Freeman to Drake. The moments are both funny and annoying, mostly because this kind of thing does happen.

Favorite Character: I think everyone has someone in their life like Wally Cat. He is an older man with seemingly nothing to do, but endless advice to give. He can be someone you can look up to, while also being someone to often avoid.

Recommended Reading: If you want to continue with another fiction book, I recommend Deacon King Kong by James McBride, but I also think the nonfiction book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson would work as well.