Door Stop: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Happy New Year! And welcome to a review of the first (and possibly only) door stop of 2026. My copy of Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is actually just shy of 500 pages, but I placed it under the 'door stop' category anyway because certain editions do go a bit over that limit. As the lesser known Bronte sister, Anne offers up a story of a mysterious woman moving to a new town, where the inhabitants can only guess at her background, until she offers up her story to someone she hopes she can trust.

The Situation: In a letter to a friend, Gilbert Markham tells the story of a time when a mysterious woman moved into his hometown, bringing with her a young boy and one servant. Helen Graham moved into the long neglected Wildfell Hall, managing to have just enough of the residence fixed up to make it inhabitable. Gilbert's friends and family immediately begin to make guesses as to the woman's story and where her husband may be. Many attempt to visit the woman, only to come back with a strong and strange sense that she wants to be left alone, and will not let the young boy out of her sight. It is not long before Gilbert becomes infatuated with her and her situation, which causes his irritation to grow towards those that would speak ill of her.

The Problem: Despite Gilbert's best efforts, Helen remains reserved and releases few details about her life before her move to Wildfell Hall, until she decides to let the young man read her diary. In it, Gilbert learns of her life growing up with her uncle and aunt, and the disastrous marriage to the man that the latter had attempted to warn her about. He is the reason Helen has retreated to Wildfell Hall, and Gilbert reads all about what caused the young wife to abandon her husband. Gilbert is happy to be trusted with this information, but distressed to know what Helen has had to deal with, and now wishes he may be trusted to remedy every situation for her to protect her and her son's future.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction set primarily in the late 1820s, early 1830s, when Helen's story takes place. Truly, the book is a story within a story as Helen's diary is read by Gilbert, who is a writing a letter to a friend. The bulk of Helen's story involves her troubled marriage to a Mr. Huntingdon, whose proposal she accepted over much older, though well-established and possibly better-behaved men. Though there is gambling, drinking, abandonment, and even infidelity, it is ultimately for the benefit of her son that Helen wishes to be done with her husband, but as a woman in the early 19th century, her options are limited. 

My Verdict: While this is a thoroughly entertaining read, I can understand why it is not as popular as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. Sure, there is a strong and willful heroine, plenty of conflict, and societal pressures that make it difficult for several of the characters to either act as they please, or even simply in their own best interest. But the story itself is oddly paced, and the characters are more than a little tiresome, Helen and Gilbert included. And for me, I had to allow for more than a little suspension of disbelief when it comes to the issue of a grown woman allowing a man she does not know all that well to read her private diary, even if it does help explain her situation. 

Favorite Moment: Helen is nothing if not resolved, and there are a couple of moments where she must dismiss the supposed assistance of the most seemingly well-intentioned people. 

Favorite Character: The character of Mr. Lawrence does not truly come into focus until the story is nearly at its end, but he proves to be both helpful and honest.

Recommended Reading: This is a recommendation I know few will take, if only because this book is so incredibly long, but I adore Charles Dickens' Bleak House. 

Classic Fiction: Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende

Continuing my journey through the books of Isabel Allende, today's post is all about Portrait in Sepia, which for me will close out the author's Trilogía Involuntaria, which also includes The House of the Spirits, and Daughter of Fortune. Staying within the tradition of the other two books, this one follows a young woman, Aurora del Valle, beginning before she was even born, and continuing into the early 20th century as she enters adulthood and begins to uncover the buried memories and lost stories of the past. 

The Situation: Before Aurora del Valle is born, her mother, uncle, and grandparents are respected members of the Chinatown community in San Francisco. Lynn Sommers is already known for her beauty, something that greatly worries her mother Eliza, as she insists on escorting the young girl everywhere and making sure she spends no amount of time alone with any of the young men who seek to gain her attention. Despite all of Eliza's attempts and attention, Lynn becomes pregnant and gives birth to a young girl. But for Aurora, the first five years of her life will remain a mystery, as will her maternal grandparents, as she will be raised by her paternal grandmother Paulina del Valle, a woman insistent on keeping her granddaughter's early years a secret.

The Problem: Although she has no memory of the first five years of her life, Aurora is regularly haunted by nightmares of figures in black. It is almost as if her life began when she came under the care of Paulina del Valle, a woman who is larger than life in many ways. Irreverent, proud, envied, but also incredibly skilled in business and money management, Paulina makes sure that her granddaughter wants for nothing, while also remaining ignorant about her past. But even the del Valle matriarch is unable to keep the War of the Pacific, followed by the Chilean Civil War, from affecting those close to her. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set in both San Francisco and Chile, beginning in 1862, before Aurora is born, and ending in 1910. As the narrator, Aurora sets out to tell not only her own story, but the story of her family, while admitting that her memory is flawed. Readers will recognize several characters from the other books in Allende's Trilogía Involuntaria, including some names from The House of the Spirits, the events of which take place in the future. At the forefront are Aurora's grandmothers, Pauline del Valle and Eliza Sommers, both women who insisted on making their own path in life, despite how women were expected to behave in the 19th century.

My Verdict: Of the four books that involve the del Valle family (including this year's My Name is Emilia del Valle), this one has become my favorite. Aurora may be the focus, but the book takes on several members and branches of the del Valle family tree, and I love the choice of occasionally spending a significant amount of pages on someone other than the main protagonist. With so many colorful characters, and its setting of some of the most tumultuous years in Chile's history, it makes sense to go outside of what Aurora would have been able to see with her own eyes, therefore adding to the already epic story of the del Valle family. The book can be read on its own, separate from the others in the Trilogía Involuntaria, but I recommend reading all three.

Favorite Moment: It is difficult to go against the wishes of Paulina del Valle, but Eliza Sommers manages to stand firm in an early decision.

Favorite Character: Aurora's grandfather, Tao Chi'en, is a respected physician and an advocate for the helpless in his community. 

Recommended Reading: Chronologically, Portrait in Sepia is the second book in the Trilogía Involuntaria, but it was published third. Honestly, the series could be read in either the order the books were published, or in the order of the events in the story. Either way would work. 

Classic Fiction: Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

After learning that Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits was actually the third book in what has been labeled as the Involuntary Trilogy (or Trilogía Involuntaria), I knew that I had to eventually read the other two books. Having read the third book first, I picked up the first book, Daughter of Fortune, which was actually published second. Oftentimes, reading books in the order they were published as opposed to the intended order can be enlightening in its own way, and I am personally fascinated by the idea of an 'involuntary' trilogy.

The Situation: Eliza Sommers is somehow both the doted on and neglected adopted daughter of the fiercely and stubbornly independent Rose Sommers. The story has been told many times of how Eliza was quite literally left on the doorstep of the wealthy English family living in the British colony of Valparaíso, Chile. While Rose's strict and unforgiving brother Jeremy would be more than happy to have nothing to do with the girl, Rose could not be more thrilled to have Eliza in her care, though she often ignores her to pursue her own interests, leaving her in the care of the housemaid, Mama Fresia. Living with the Sommers may mean a life of corsets and strict rules, but it may be the only way Eliza can secure a stable future and husband.

The Problem: It is in 1848 when a teenage Eliza falls in love with a man she knows very well her adoptive mother will never approve of. But she is so immediately overtaken with the emotion that she does everything she can to meet with the boy in secret, which begins a months long affair that only ends when the young man decides to leave for California, just as many others are doing after the discovery of gold in that area. When Eliza plans to follow, she knows it will be tough since Miss Rose's other brother, John, is a well-known captain, and keeping the appearance of a young unaccompanied girl on a ship setting sail for the U.S. is near impossible. But thankfully for Eliza, she is able to employ the help of a Chinese doctor who will unknowingly become a lifelong friend.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set both in Valparaíso, Chile and California in the mid-1800s. Starting in Chile in 1843, the reader follows Eliza's story as it is told by Rose and Mama Fresia, but then moves into Eliza's adolescence when she meets her young lover Joaquín, a relationship that will set the course for the rest of her life. With a page count just shy of 500, many social issues are discussed, such as the English presence in Chile; the racism that exists both in Chile and in California as the gold rush attracts all colors and classes; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that are available to all woman, both married and single; what life is like for the different genders, colors, and classes as they make the long journey by boat from South to North America; and even the issue of human trafficking. 

My Verdict: Just as with The House of the Spirits, I love the lyrical style of the prose in this book. The story moves and flows at the pace of the most relaxing lazy river, even in the areas where the plot has hit a tense point or moment, or when a character must make a decision or take action quickly, with no guarantee of being correct either way. If there is any disappointment I have in this book it is simply in the choices of Eliza, and knowing that her obsession over Joaquín will alter her life indefinitely, and probably not for the better. Having read The House of the Spirits, and now only needing to read Portrait in Sepia, I am eager to learn even more about the Del Valle family.

Favorite Moment: Though I am not a fan of the actual action, I do enjoy how easily Eliza was able to evade Rose, proving that the girl's adoptive mother was not as invested in playing the maternal role as she liked to believe.

Favorite Character: Paulina Rodriguez de Santa Cruz y del Valle is a woman who manages to do exactly what she wants, even earning her own money (and a lot of it), while still getting married and raising a family.

Recommended Reading: I will always recommend Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Classic Fiction: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

For the first review of the 2024, I decided to read another work by Isabel Allende. Originally published in 1982, The House of the Spirits is arguably Allende's most well-known work. It follows the family of Esteban Trueba through three generations as they navigate life in Chile throughout the 20th century, and during the country's many political and social trials.

The Situation: Clara del Valle is a strange child, and is known for her paranormal abilities as well as her predictions of death. Little does she know that the death of her eldest sister, Rosa, (which she also accurately predicted) will lead Clara to be engaged to her sister's intended many years later. Esteban Trueda is determined to make his own fortune, a well as a name for himself, and makes free use of both his physical strength and his terrible temper to do so. Together with Clara, the two of them raise a family in both the city and the country, allowing their fortune and their children to grow as the political landscape changes with the decades.

The Problem: If there is anything Esteban Trueba will not stand for it is the spreading of communist ideas, either in his home in the city or his hacienda in the country. But his daughter Blanca has tied her fate to a young man she has known since she was a child, a man who believes the people should rise up against the current powers, the ones that Esteban Trueba believes in and has supported his entire life. While Blanca may be defiant and distant when it comes to her father, her daughter Alba will be the one he cherishes the most, all while the country continues forward in an increasingly volatile political climate. Eventually, the unthinkable happens, and the moments that were supposed to bring hope also bring incredible violence and fear.

Genre, Themes, and History: This is a historical fiction novel set in 20th century Chile. Though the country is never explicitly named, and a dates nor years are ever given, certain events in history are given as clues as to what decade the story has entered (such as news of a great war in Europe, and the moon landing), along with descriptions of Chile's own political landscape and history. The story may begin with a focus on Clara, but it soon shifts to Esteban Trueba, who occasionally takes over the narration to offer clarification, and even the occasional rant. Magical realism is front and present, mostly through Clara, though Alba also attempts to maintain her grandmother's habits of speaking to the dead and making predictions.

My Verdict: For the first half of the novel, this appeared to be one of those books that I would happily read for forever if I could. I would have loved to be able to simply keep turning pages, and keep following the Trueba following throughout their time in Chile. But as is the case with many things, politics entered the equation, and its presence took the attention of not only the characters in the story, but the reader as well, allowing for an ending that is tense, exhausting, and painfully realistic. Esteban Trueba's intense personality dominates much of the first half of the story, but even so, Allende's narrative moves effortlessly, as each colorful character is introduced, and each new trial threatens to upend the family, even into the tumultuous final chapters that caused me so much grief.

Favorite Moment: Without giving too much away, there is a moment when Clara makes a drastic decision based on her husband's horrible behavior. And though it may seem small in the grand scheme of everything that is happening, and it is doubtful it will cause Esteban to change, her ability to stick to her decision is a clear message to him, and satisfying to watch as it plays out.

Favorite Character: Jaime Trueba is one of Clara's brothers, and despite how he was raised, grows up to be a shy and compassionate doctor who is adored by his niece Alba.

Recommended Reading: The early pages of this book reminded me of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garciá Márquez, a book I can never recommend enough. 

Door Stop: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Perhaps I should make a yearly adventure into the work of Margaret Atwood, who has such an extensive catalogue of novels that it is almost intimidating, and which I have read surprisingly little. The Blind Assassin caught my attention due to its length, and because it was the recipient of the Man Booker Prize in the year 2000. In it, a woman in her 80s decides it is time for her to tell the story - the real story - of her life, and what happened between her and famous novelist sister.

The Situation: It is 1999, and 83 year-old Iris Griffen would more or less like to be left alone, but Myra, the daughter of an old friend, has taken it upon herself to make sure Iris stays fed, her house stays clean, and the laundry is always done, among other things. What Myra does not know is that Iris has decided to write down the events of her life. The story may begin with the day Laura, Iris' sister, drove a car off a bridge, just ten days after World War II ended, but this is also where the story will takes its wildest eventual turn. Before this, there is their childhood, a charmed existence eventually marred by a turning economy, tragedy, and decisions made for the greater good.

The Problem: Whether Laura's death was a suicide as opposed to an accident is the question, and after posing it, Iris starts at the beginning, when the two of them are young, both parents are alive, and the future holds nothing but promise. But as the two sisters grow up, death will claim loved ones, and the family button factory will cease to be profitable as conflict overseas continues. When Iris is married off as more of a business transaction than anything else, it is supposed to signal a positive turning point for everyone, but ends up not helping anyone. As Iris tells her story, she also shares chapters from her sister's book, The Blind Assassin. Both stories eventually come together to reveal everything, changing the history of Iris and Laura that everyone thought they knew. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that moves back and forth through time, though mostly stays in the mid-20th century, before, during, and after WWII. Otherwise, Iris talks about her life in the year 1999, and lets the story of when she was younger eventually catch up to the present, revealing exactly how she got to be where she is, and every secret along the way. When she is not talking about the past or the present, the reader is treated to chapter's of Laura's book, which, much like Laura's sudden death, upset everything for everyone involved, including Iris, her husband Richard, his sister Winnifred, and Iris' daughter Aimee. The book is a love story, a mystery, and even historical fiction, with some science fiction thrown in.

My Verdict: In the beginning, I had a hard time finding a rhythm with this book. I think the moving through time, with the chapters of Laura's book in between, was all a little hard to follow at first. However, once I got the hang of it, I found the three different stories refreshing, when usually in books like this at least one of them would not have been as interesting to me. Though technically, there are four different stories at work here, as Laura's book has two (the story of the two lovers, as well as the story the man is telling the woman), and then Iris is talking about her past, as well as the present. In other words, there is quite a bit going on here, but it is not cumbersome, and the reveals of the final twists do not feel cheap or unnecessary.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* Call me cruel (I certainly would) but I did love the fact that marrying Iris off to a business friend did not result in the benefits her father was expecting. In fact, the whole thing could not have ended worse for him.

Favorite Character: Most of the characters in this book are tiresome, including Iris and her sister Laura. I did enjoy the brief encounters the reader got with Walter, Myra's husband, who has joined his wife in making sure Iris is taken care of, despite her protests.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Alias Grace, again by Atwood, which is also a limited series on Netflix. 

Classic Fiction: After Dark by Haruki Murakami

A new year means a new novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami for me to review. This time, I have selected After Dark, initially published in 2004, with the English translation being published in 2007. A young girl reading alone in a diner is approached by a young man who remembers her and her sister. From there unfolds a night of unlikely adventures and connections.

The Situation: When unassuming and somewhat serious 19 year-old Mari is reading alone at at Denny's, she is recognized by the awkward, lanky, but earnest Takahashi. The two of them once hung out at a pool together years ago, along with Mari's sister and her then boyfriend. It is just before midnight, and the two strike up a conversation while Takahashi eats, before he heads out to band practice. The encounter seems mundane enough...the two of them catch up, though they did not really know each other well enough to have much to catch up on. Other than Mari's sister and that one day they spent at the pool together, the two of them do not have a lot of common ground. But Mari and Takahashi will see each other a few more times before the night is over, as their stories intertwine without a few others in the city.

The Problem: After Takahashi leaves and Mari spends a little more time reading at the diner, she is sought out by the manager of a nearby hotel, Kaoru. She learned from Takahashi that Mari knows Chinese. Turns out there is a young Chinese girl in trouble, and Kaoru needs Mari to help translate. This unusual situation gives Mari a few other places to spend her time as she waits for daylight, as well as a few more opportunities to meet and talk with Takahashi, whom she eventually feels comfortable enough with to reveal a secret about her sister, Eri. On the surface, it seems that Eri is simply asleep in her own bed, but it is slowly revealed that something somewhat strange, maybe even sinister, is going on.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a work of fiction, set in modern-day Tokyo in the middle of night. Each chapter and section is time stamped, with the book starting at 11:56pm, and ending around 6:52am. The narrator often addresses the reader directly, and sometimes describes the viewpoint as being a camera that moves around rooms, throughout the city, and even through television screens to get to the image on the other side. This brings me to the other common themes found in Murakami's works, and using a Google image of a 'Murakami Bingo' card as reference, players would be able to blot out mysterious woman, something vanishing, cats, old jazz record, parallel worlds, and Tokyo at night. And instead of simply following one character, the reader gets to follow and check-in with several characters as the night progresses.

My Verdict: This is certainly one of my favorite of Murakami's books that I have read in recent years. While I am sure it has its own loyal following, I do not think it is as beloved as maybe Norwegian Wood, or The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. As the book is on the shorter side (not quite reaching 250 pages), I recommend anyone making their way through Murakami's works to pick it up and not skip it. It is intriguing, it is haunting in places, and it is a story I will not easily forget, and I cannot say the same for every Murakami novel that I have read. This one was accessible in a way that is hard to explain. It still contained many of the elements the can make Murakami's novels seem like something just outside of our reality, but I had the sense I could access it if I really wanted to.

Favorite Moment: There is a moment where Kaoru, the hotel manager, holds her ground against a member of the Chinese mafia.

Favorite Character: Korogi works at the hotel that Kaoru manages, and there is only one chapter in which the reader has a chance to get to know her and her story. But she is encouraging and helpful to Mari in a way, but also someone with her own issues and life to work out.

Recommended Reading: I still say my favorite of all of Murakami's works is A Wild Sheep Chase, but a better follow-up for After Dark may be Norwegian Wood. 

Door Stop: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

For the first entry of 2023, I decided to go with an American classic, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Many have been forced to read this book either in high school or in college (for some it is both). I remember reading it in high school and actually enjoying it, and I know this can be difficult to do when someone is forced to read something. I felt like it was time to revisit the book, and see if any of my feelings about it had changed.

The Situation: When Tom Joad is released from prison, he expects to go back to his family home in Sallisaw, Oklahoma and restart his life. However, what he finds is a home that has been abandoned and nearly knocked over. He learns that his family has had to relocate to his Uncle's house as they prepare to make the long journey west to California. With the Oklahoma farm land no longer producing, the banks have taken back the properties, and the only hope for many families is in the promise of work out West. After purchasing a truck (one that is not at all new...but it runs), the 13-person party heads out, not knowing what is to come.

The Problem: The Joads are not the only family taking their chances by leaving their home in hopes of building a new life in California. The highway is full of cars in various states of repair all headed in the same direction. With the sudden influx of people from Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and other states, the attitudes of many California residents has become one of resentment, anger, and even fear. There are simply too many people looking for the same thing, and not enough work to go around. And before the Joads haven even reached the California state line, they have experienced death, financial setbacks, discrimination, and have been told that their long and hard journey will not be worth it. 

Genre, Themes, History: This novel is set during the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression, and was originally released in 1940. It follows the journey of the Joad family as they travel from Oklahoma to California, and after they reach it and begin working in orchards and cotton fields. Originally, there are 13 members in the group (Tom, Ma, Pa, Uncle John, Grampa, Granma, Noah, Rose of Sharon, Al, Ruthie, Winfield, Connie, and Casy), all doing their best to fit in the overburdened truck. With so many people, the group dynamic is straightforward, while also being complex. Everyone has their place, but roles are shifted - sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes due to conflict and tension - and ultimately, everyone does what they believe they have to do. The Joad family represents many families from that time who faced incredible obstacles during a time of scarcity.

My Verdict: I wondered if I was going to feel the same way about this book as I did in high school, and turns out, it still holds up for me. Sure, the long trek west is tedious and difficult and tiresome (as are some of the characters) before it even begins, and the story does not end when the Joad family reaches California. This book is about both the journey and the destination, with the former being only a taste of the hardship that is to come in the latter. And when the book is not focused only on the Joads, the reader is given a look at the general state of things, and how they got that way. All of it works together to present a story that I still find more fascinating than anything, and I will continue to recommend it to readers of all ages.

Favorite Moment: Jim Casy is a former preacher who struggles to find his place among this family that has agreed to let him come with them. But he manages to come through for them after Tom loses his temper, and proves to be more useful than he realized he could be. 

Favorite Character: The reader may not ever get to know Ma's real first name, but she is arguably the one holding everyone together. She even stands up against her husband when she has to, not much caring about the consequences, and does what she has to do.

Recommended Reading: For another book by Steinbeck, I recommend East of Eden. But Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds is a historical fiction novel also set during the Great Depression, and follows a single mother as she makes the difficult journey West. 

Classic Fiction: The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells

Full disclosure: I never had any interest in reading The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells until I saw that an upcoming offering by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic, Velvet Was the Night) was a reimagining of the classic tale. Add to this that Wells' story is incredibly short (less than 150 pages), and I figured it was as good a time as any to pick up the fairly well-known story.

The Situation: On January 5, 1888, Edward Prendick was found in a small open boat out at sea. Having been missing for nearly a year, he was assumed to have drowned after the boat he was on, the Lady Vain, was lost after a collision. Though he claimed that his mind was blank as to what happened during the time he was missing, his nephew and heir would find a long narrative where Edward details his time on a strange island, accounting for the months he was gone. The narrative tells of the strange and enigmatic Dr. Moreau, who inhabits the island with his assistant Montgomery. As soon as Edward arrives (and even before, when he is still on the boat that rescued him), he knows there is something odd about the other 'men' assisting Montgomery, and he knows he has heard Moreau's name from somewhere.

The Problem: It does not take long for Edward to realize what it is that unsettles him about Dr. Moreau, and the island itself. It seems the doctor made the decision to escape civilized life and society in order to conduct his experiments. Edward is horrified to realize where he is, and the sounds that come from Moreau's laboratory do not help ease his fears and anguish. Even after Dr. Moreau's clarifies a few things, Edward can only hate his time on the island. The animals that have been experimented on and turned into psuedo human versions of themselves - while others have had other animal qualities added - are sources of revulsion to Edward. Even Dr. Moreau admits to the dangers of living and cultivating such a place, though he cannot see the oncoming tragedy through his own aspirations.

Genre, Themes, History: Originally published in 1896, today The Island of Doctor Moreau is largely considered a science fiction classic. The introduction establishes that the story that follows is a narrative written by Edward Prendick, explaining the nearly year-long amount of time he was missing at sea. From February 1, 1887 to January 5, 1888, Edward was unaccounted for, and according to him, he spent his time with Dr. Moreau, Montgomery, and the assortment of strange beasts that the doctor had experimented on via vivisection. Told entirely from Edward's point of view, the story takes a look at what it means to be human, and what it is that separates us from animals. 

My Verdict: With the kind of horror stories, movies, and TV shows that we have access to today, many will consider this one to be fairly tame. Even so, it is easy to see why readers were initially horrified upon its original publication in the late 1800s. First, there is the idea of vivisection: Dr. Moreau insists on performing his experiments on still living animals. Then there is the unsettling fact that he is attempting to turn animals away from their beastly nature by making them more human, but the results are by turns both creepy and terrifying. While the bloodier scenes are not described in too much detail, and the vivisections remain behind closed doors, the actions of Dr. Moreau may still be too much for some readers. Again, this book is short, but proceed with caution. 

Favorite Moment: *MAJOR SPOILER ALERT* When Dr. Moreau is killed by one of his own experiments...because of course he would be. 

Favorite Character: This is a tough choice because even Edward can be tiresome, but he is the reader's only narrator (though an incredibly unreliable one), and seems to be the one of the three humans on the island that best understands the horrors of what is happening. 

Recommended Reading: With books like these, I always recommend Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. And I will also recommend another one of Moreno-Garcia's books, Mexican Gothic.  

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. 

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. 

Classic Fiction: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

The book choice for today seemed incredibly fitting for the situation we are in now. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez was critically acclaimed upon its publication in the 1980s, and has certainly endured as a classic. It tells the story of two individuals who meet at a young age, but whose lives go in different directions. However, they are often within close proximity of each other, during a time when cholera is a constant threat in their fictional South American town.

The Situation: When Dr. Juvenal Urbino decides to reach for his pet parrot from a ladder, he never imagines that this is the action that will lead to his death. Now his wife, Fermina Daza, must face the rest of her life without him, something she has a hard time imagining after more than 50 years together. But just as the funeral has ended, local businessman Florentino Ariza proclaims his love for her, just as he did when they were younger, before Juvenal Urbino ever entered the picture. Despite having been rejected decades before, Florentino Ariza has never been able to get over losing Fermina Daza, while she has held onto the belief that what they had before could not be considered real love. Even so, Florentino Ariza has always held onto hope, and he tells her he remained faithful to her as he waited all these years.

The Problem: Florentino Ariza may have never been able to get over Fermina Daza, but he certainly did not spend his life without companionship. In fact, over time, he will have nearly countless affairs, with women of all ages. Some he loved - and some loved him in return - while others he simply used in an attempt to cure his own loneliness and heartbreak. There were a few who saw him for what he was, but many who were fooled into believing they were his one and only. And while Fermina Daza never once strayed from Juvenal Urbino, and they reached that stage of marriage where they knew each other so well and could not imagine life with the other, their time together was not without its trials. Now that her husband is dead, and Florentino Ariza has once again pledged his love, Fermina Daza is not exactly rushing to commit herself to another man.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that takes place roughly between the 1880s and the 1930s, in an unnamed town in Colombia. The simplest and most straightforward label for the book would be that of a love story, but it also explores aging and death, and the love story itself is complicated. On the surface, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall in love when they are young, until she rejects him, and then ultimately marries the wealthy and prestigious Dr. Juvenal Urbino. Then Florentino Ariza must pine over her for the next several decades. But those decades include illicit affairs, family strife, community tragedies, and all kinds of scandalous gossip. Plus, there is the near-constant threat of the cholera epidemic. The love that Florentino Ariza holds onto so tightly can often be called into question, and Fermina Daza even examines her own long-lasting marriage, and what is means to love someone for that long. 

My Verdict: I was drawn to this book, first because I absolutely loved One Hundred Years of Solitude, but also because it felt natural to pick this up after another year of uncertainty due to a devastating pandemic. Also, I saw the illustrated version at Barnes and Noble and decided that was the version I wanted to read, and the version that I wanted on my bookshelf. I immediately recognized the lyrical prose, as well as near-cryptic storytelling, or at least that is the best way I can think to describe it. And I love that this is not at all a typical love story. It does not even start off like one; instead, it starts off with the death of a minor character, followed by their funeral. What I had a hard time with was the character of Florentino Ariza, and what I see as his obsession with a woman who is, for the most part, kept out of his reach for over 50 years. Plus, his treatment of women is less than exemplary. 

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Fermina Daza’s father is revealed for the crook that he is. 

Favorite Character: There is something resolute and determined about Fermina Daza that I really admire. Her life is not the easiest, or simplest, but she makes difficult decisions and sticks with them.

Recommended Reading: One Hundred Years of Solitude is my favorite of the two, but I also recommend Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. 

Classic Fiction: Native Son by Richard Wright

Yes, it is time. Native Son by Richard Wright is another one of those books (much like 1984 and Of Mice and Men) that I was somehow never forced to read in school, and am just now getting around to in my adult life. It actually did not spend too long in my to-read pile, but it was still a struggle to pick up. Throughout history, feelings toward this book have always been complicated, and now I certainly understand why.

The Situation: In 1930s Chicago, Bigger Thomas lives in a one-room apartment with his mother, little brother Buddy, and little sister Vera. Their building is situated in the city's Black Belt, and is owned and operated by the South Side Real Estate Company. Bigger is to report to the home of Mr. Dalton, the owner of the company, for a job, though he less than interested. He resents his current position as a poor black man with no money, power, education, and as he sees it, freedom. Working for the rich white man who owns the apartment building that he hates living in is not what he wants. He would rather continue to earn his money through the petty crimes he commits with his friends. And when he reports to work, he finds that Mr. and Mrs. Dalton are nice enough, as is Peggy, the housemaid. But he immediately dislikes Mary, the Dalton's rebellious daughter, and when he is tasked with driving her to an event at the university, Bigger's life takes the turn he was always afraid it would.

The Problem: Though he was never above stealing, public indecency, and bullying his closest friends, murder was never in the plan. When he kills Mary in a moment of panic, Bigger must work fast if he hopes to save himself, and being a young black man in 1930s Chicago, if he is caught for what he has done, he will be executed for sure. It would be easy to believe that committing murder is hitting rock bottom, and yet Bigger manages to spiral even further downward, as the more he attempts to cover his tracks, the more mistakes he makes, and the more destruction he causes. Even so, Bigger maintains that he can plan and scheme his way out of it, that he can outsmart everyone, and that he can hold onto the power and freedom that he now feels, for possibly the first time in his life. But with everything that has already happened, the story is only beginning.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction book set in Chicago during a time when Jim Crow laws were heavily and enthusiastically enforced. In the author's explanation of how he came up with the character of Bigger Thomas, he explains the he was not based on any one person, but on several examples of a type of person the author had encountered throughout his life. Bigger is unhappy with his life, his place in society, what it means to a black man, and that most everything he wants out of life will remain out of reach because of white people who are determined to keep it that way. He justifies the terrible way he treats his friends, his family, members of the community, and eventually his actions when attempting to save himself from discovery after killing Mary. Told in three sections, labeled 'Fear,' 'Flight,' and 'Fate,' the events of the story take place over the course of mere days, with most of the action occurring upfront, and an explanation of how someone like Bigger could exist coming near the end. Citing feelings of hopelessness, the character of Bigger is given a depth that readers have puzzled over since the book's publication in 1940.

My Verdict: 'Complicated' is certainly the word to describe almost every aspect of this book. The word applies to the character of Bigger, the main plot, the author's approach, and certainly readers' reception of the story, both then and now. While the acts that Bigger commits throughout the book are only ever condoned by him, an explanation is provided for how such a person could exist and why he would do what he does. But whether the reader or critic wants to accept that explanation is up to them. As for me, I get what the book is saying (I think), but I am not entirely sure it is successful in what it is trying to do. Make no mistake, Bigger is a terrible person. Yes, he has been dealt a terrible hand in life, and oppression mixed with hopelessness can lead to people doing terrible things. Unfortunately, Bigger is someone who makes a huge mistake, and has also knowingly committed (and enjoyed) terrible acts before that. He is a difficult character to approach with grace and understanding, so yeah, it's complicated.

Favorite Moment: There are brief moments when Bigger admits, if only to himself, that he is afraid. It is this fear the fuels almost everything he does. 

Favorite Character: I am not sure if she is my favorite really, but the character I feel for the most is Bigger's mother. 

Recommended Reading: Both Dear Justyce by Nic Stone and Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi would be great books for follow-up. 

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. 

Classic Fiction: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

As I continue my journey through all of the works by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, I decided the next book I would cover is Sputnik Sweetheart, originally published in Japan in 1999, and in English in 2001. 

The Situation: The mostly unnamed narrator (only sparingly referred to as 'K'), is in love Sumire. While she does not share the same feelings, the two remain friends. In fact, K will frequently assert that Sumire is his only friend. Having met in college, K and Sumire manage to stay close even after Sumire drops out. Now, K is a teacher with the occasional girlfriend - though they are usually older and married - and Sumire is an aspiring writer. But when she meets an older woman named Miu at a wedding, Sumire has found a new focus and becomes hopelessly in love with her. Miu offers her a job, which comes with many opportunities for travel, and Sumire accepts, though she knows Miu is married. Throughout all of this, Sumire keeps K updated on the situation, usually with calls in the middle of the night. It is only after Sumire and Miu take a business trip to Europe that the calls stop, and then K loses contact with Sumire completely.

The Problem: When K receives a call from Miu about Sumire, it seems his suspicion that something may have happened has proven true. Thankfully, he is between terms at the school he teaches, and is able to fly to Greece to help Miu search for Sumire, who seems to have simply vanished. During the search, K learns more not only about his strange friend, but the lovely older woman she has fallen in love with. As the trip begins to provide more questions than answers, K is drawn into Sumire's world even more so than before. With only strange visions and dreams, and cryptic notes and messages as clues, the search for Sumire proves to be less than straightforward. Sumire was always a bit strange, but disappearing seemingly into thin air is new for even her. And without his only friend gone, K is even more hapless and confused than before.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set mostly in Japan, but also in Greece, which is where Sumire disappears. Published between The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Kafka on the Shore, this novel carries many of the marks of a Murakami novel. If we were to play Murakami Bingo, we could check off the spots for mysterious woman (Miu), ear fetish, something vanishing, cats, urban ennui, secret passageway, cooking, parallel worlds, and unusual name (Sumire). There are also several mentions of a well, but one never actually appears. The love triangle of this book reminds me of the one in Norwegian Wood, and the manifestation of the parallel world seems like a precursor to the one that will come later in 1Q84. Something else that often appears on some iterations of the Murakami Bingo card is the lost male narrator. K is both lost and listless, showing little drive or direction, and often wonders where his life is going. Part mystery, and part unrequited love story, it carries much of the same haunting energy Murakami readers have come to expect. 

My Verdict: While I appreciate the straightforward nature of this book in contrast to some of his other work, there is certainly a reason why Sputnik Sweetheart is not often mentioned among the Murakami favorites. It does not have quite the same depth as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, or Norwegian Wood, or 1Q84, and the plot is not as cohesive, though the characters are well-rounded. It is as if organization was sacrificed in the interest of making things mysterious and slightly weird. Even so, I still found myself enjoying the book, if only because I had fun finding all of the different ways it linked up with other Murakami books. I liked seeing how it fit in with the rest, and playing Murakami Bingo is always a good time.  

Favorite Moment: Though this moment is terrifying and nightmarish, mostly because it can happen in real life, Miu's story of the time she was stuck at the top of a ferris wheel over night is incredibly compelling.

Favorite Character: Miu may be a bit cold, but she is not heartless, and she knows how to handle herself. 

Recommended Reading: Readers who enjoy this book may also enjoy Norwegian Wood, though my favorite still remains to be A Wild Sheep Chase.  

Classic Fiction: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

It is natural to follow-up last week's entry with Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler, the second and last of the Earthseed Books. Apparently, Butler did initially plan to make this series a trilogy, but a third book never materialized. Even so, the two books are beloved as they stand, and both show frightening similarities to our current reality.

The Situation: It has been five years since Lauren Olamina, who now only goes by her last name, settled in the community that is now known as Acorn. After her childhood home in Robledo, California was destroyed and her family was killed, Olamina was forced to take her chances on the road, dangerous though they may be. Fortunately, she and the small group of people she gathered along the way, have made it to the northern part of that state, and managed to create a peaceful, secluded community. Everyone works together, learns together, they rescue those that they can, and they commit themselves to the values of Earthseed, the belief system that Olamina thought up herself. Not everyone who finds themselves in Acorn believes in Earthseed, but most do, even if they initially are doubtful or have a lot of questions. With the core belief that God is change, Olamina leads her community through increasingly trying times.

The Problem: In the year 2032, it is once again time for an election, and a man named Jarret has won. Using political speeches that are really more like sermons, Jarret has promised to "make America great again" by ridding it of criminals, vagrants, drug dealers, and prostitutes, all through his Church of Christian America. It is people who declare that they are doing just that who one day show up in Acorn with gas and armored vehicles. Though Bankole, Olamina's husband, owns the land and has for years, the crusaders steal it, and begin to abuse both the land and the people. Once she and all of the adults of Acorn are turned into slaves, Olamina's primary goal, after survival, becomes finding her daughter, who was taken from her along with the other small children of Acorn. But to resist is suicide. Every attempt at disobedience is met with violence. And if she were to escape, how long would it be before more of Jarret's people come to capture her again? 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction book, and the follow-up to Butler's first book about Earthseed, Parable of the Sower, which has recently become quite popular, even ending up on the New York Times Bestseller list, despite having been initially published in 1993. This second book continues with the themes of the first book, focusing on political corruption, the disintegration of society, the increasing separation between classes, and violence as an everyday reality. Something else that continues is Olamina's commitment to Earthseed, especially as she sees the community of Acorn grow and involve. Every new person that is brought into Acorn is introduced to the belief system, though they are not forced to believe in it. And while the first book was only told by Olamina's point of view, this time the readers are treated to Asha Vere's story, Olamina and Bankole's only child. Trading off between her own words, and the journal of the mother she did not grow up with, we see the conclusion to Olamina's terrifying but incredible adventure.

My Verdict: While this book is also an adventure, much like the first one, it is a different kind of adventure. Olamina is an adult now, and the difference in the maturity level is certainly felt in the narrative. She was always stubborn, and she was always committed to Earthseed. But now, the woman is a force, and it feels like Butler gives the reader the opportunity to decide whether they like her or not. Naturally, having her daughter as the second narrator also gives the book a different feel, and her feelings help shape this new version of Olamina that we are given. The story is still interesting, and it still feels weird to read about a version of America that was written about in the 90s, set in our not-so-distance future (2032-2035), and has some eerie similarities to what we are dealing with today. If there was one word I would use to describe this book, it would be "uncomfortable."

Favorite Moment: From the beginning, Asha lets the reader know how she feels about her mother, and that only fuels the reader's curiosity about Olamina and what she will accomplish. 

Favorite Character: Just like I did with the first book, I will have to pick Bankole, if only because he is realistic and has the safety of his family in mind.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, as I found myself thinking of it at certain points while I was reading this one.          

Classic Fiction: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

It felt fitting to finish the year with Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. On September 3, 2020, the novel appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, 27 years after its original publication. No doubt the dystopian landscape, as well as the themes of extreme wealth inequality, climate change, and the general breakdown of society have helped renew some interest. It also does not hurt that the graphic novel adaptation was published earlier this year, and was done by the same team that adapted Butler's Kindred in 2017.

The Situation: It is 2024 on the West Coast of the U.S, and Lauren Olamina is the only daughter of a Baptist minister. Her father is a leader in the community, a man that is looked up to as an advisor and a protector. Society has crumbled to the point that neighborhoods can only exist if there are walls protecting them, and leaving those walls is only done in an emergency, or if there is paying work involved. Water is scarce and expensive. Corporations are starting to buy entire cities and have them run by what essentially amounts to slave labor. Guns are a necessity, and it is almost a promise that you or someone close to you will be robbed, attacked, or worse. Violence may be a daily reality and not that much of a surprise when it happens, but for Lauren, her hyperempathy causes her to 'share' the pain with the victim...as long as they are still alive. A violent action made out of self-defense can cripple her, and if someone else finds out, they can use it against her.

The Problem: In a coordinated attack, Lauren loses her home and her family in one night. With her neighborhood nearly burned to the ground, she walks away with only her emergency pack and the little money and helpful items she could find in the wreckage. It is not safe outside of the walls, but now that there is nothing left inside of them, she has no choice but to head north. State lines may now function more like international borders, but Lauren is determined, as are the people she meets and collects along the way. Some of them she knew from before, but others are strangers who were simply headed in the same direction. As they travel, she continues to add to her journal of beliefs, what she calls Earthseed. The core idea behind Earthseed is that God is change, and having rejected her father's beliefs long ago, Lauren holds onto her own, and heads into what she believes is her new destiny.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel that begins when Lauren is 15 in the not at all distant year of 2024, and ends in the fall of 2027, after she has turned 18. In those three years, her life as she knew it is gone, and she finds herself within a motley crew of other weary travelers as they all head north, away from the wreckage that has become California, though the rest of the country is not in any better shape. Even after a new president is elected, and a corporation takes over a small city with the promise of providing jobs and housing, people see right through the empty promises and greed that are meant to enslave them to a system of debt and hopelessness. Naturally, readers will compare what Butler has written with what we see in our world today, and the setting of the year 2024 gives an eerie feeling to the overall story.

My Verdict: Out of the three books I have read by Butler, this may be my favorite. I liked Kindred well-enough, but it was rough reading through it. I have complicated feelings about Fledgling, but I have complicated feelings towards most stories about vampires - I have said it before that I am Team Van Helsing and will probably always be. And although this one was no picnic, I enjoyed reading about the harsh future that Butler has created, and the characters that often must do the unthinkable in order to survive. Possibly the only thing about the story that I did not care for was the idea of Lauren creating her own religion, if only because it reminded me of how cults are often started. But the rest of the story is both fascinating and terrifying. Even though the characters must constantly be on their guard, and are often attacked and hurt, Butler presents it in a way that keeps the reader engaged instead of pushing them away.  

Favorite Moment: There are not many happy or bright parts of the book, but there is a moment when it rains for a few days and the community is able to collect the 'free' water. 

Favorite Character: Bankole is an older man that ends up joining the group as they head north. He is helpful, resourceful, smart, protective, and also generous.

Recommended Reading: I do recommend Kindred, even though I had a hard time getting through it. Readers of science fiction will certainly appreciate its time traveling elements. 

Classic Fiction: Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

My experience with the work of Kurt Vonnegut is incredibly limited. Cat's Cradle is only the second novel of his that I have read, with Slaughterhouse-Five being the first. He is one of those authors of which I have a generally favorable opinion, mostly due to the praise he receives from other readers. After reading the synopsis, I looked forward to a story full of satire and wit.

The Situation: A mostly unnamed narrator (who insists on being called Jonah in the first line, though his real name seems to be John, and then neither name is ever mentioned again for the rest of the book) is in the process of writing a book, The Day the World Ended. He is searching for any information pertaining to the late Felix Hoenikker, a co-creator of the atomic bomb, as well as a catastrophic substance known as ice-nine. The narrator seeks out Hoenikker's children, coworkers, acquaintances...anyone he can find that will give him more information on this fascinating figure. He eventually manages to find Newt Hoenikker, a dwarf and the youngest of the Hoenikker children, who only recalls his father playing the cat's cradle string game the day the first atomic bomb was dropped.

The Problem: After a magazine assignment sends the narrator to the island of San Lorenzo, he once again comes into contact with Newt, as well as the other two Hoenikker children, Angela and Frank. It is on the island that the narrator will be introduced to Bokononism, a made up religion that the people of the island practice, even though it is outlawed, and practicing it is punishable by death. The narrator also meets Mona, a woman he immediately begins to lust after, and her father and current president of San Lorenzo, "Papa" Monzano. The following days will be filled with the history and troubles of the island, the teachings of Bokononism, and a series of events that will lead the narrator to be the new president of San Lorenzo, and the world's oceans to be frozen solid.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set partly in the US, and later in the fictional Caribbean island of San Lorenzo. In true Vonnegut style, the novel is satirical in nature, and filled with the kind of humor that may make you smirk or outright laugh, but you kind of feel bad about it. From the beginning, two major themes are religion, and the science of the Cold War era, specifically the research that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. By the time the events of this novel take place, Felix Hoenikker has been dead for some time, but those that remember him recall how aloof he was, as well as his general lack of interest in the effect his research would have on the world. Another of his inventions, known as ice-nine, ends up falling into the hands of various world powers, a situation somewhat reminiscent of the nuclear arms race. As for religion, Bokononism, which the narrator later adopts, was invented to make life on San Lorenzo more bearable for its inhabitants, as the island is incredibly poor.  

My Verdict: I feel like I should enjoy Vonnegut more than I do. I thoroughly enjoy the absurdist humor of books like Catch-22, and authors like Flannery O'Connor. However, I do not know if it is the general pace of the novel (it contains 127 chapters, but is less than 300 pages long and is an incredibly fast read), or the actual plot, or maybe even the ridiculous characters, but I had a hard time staying interested. The premise is fascinating enough, and it is not slow or boring...and yet, I was bored and wanted it to move faster. It makes little sense, if any. Still, I will recommend it, if only because it is short and an interesting commentary on religion (or at least man's relationship with it), as well as the relationship between inventors and their responsibility for what they invent.

Favorite Moment: When the narrator realizes just how quickly he takes to the power he was hesitant to accept.

Favorite Character: They all have their quirks, and they are all tiresome in one way or another. Newt may be the most tolerable if only because he seems to be the most innocent.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, though it is much longer, and for most, much harder to finish.