Book Club's July Selection: Honolulu

If I had known the subject matter of this book I might have put off A Thousand Splendid Suns for another time. Apparently, this is also a story of undervalued and oppressed women and later, spousal abuse. I think I will choose something a little lighter for my next personal selection. I also want to use my kindle for what will seem like the first time in forever!

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Final Thoughts

What can I say? I really did not "like" this book until the late middle/end. Mostly, I felt hammered by what seemed like a neverending cycle of hopelessness and despair. As I mentioned in my previous post, things started to look up with the return of the romantic hero, Tariq and the demise of the villain, Rasheed. That being said, and this is the only comparison I will make with The Kite Runner, I promise - I could not help but look back at the whole story as a "message" piece.

The Kite Runner read like an inspiration that popped into Khaled Hosseini's head, which he then fleshed out with realistic references to a warring Afghanistan. A Thousand Splendid Suns, however, read like an exposé on the treatment of women in Afghanistan, which was then made palatable by a fictional story and characters.

The story was well-written, well-told, and presented with the best of intentions. It just did not move me as I wanted to be moved.

I hope that Khaled Hosseini keeps writing novels because he is a wonderful story-teller. If his books are the only way that the average person is reminded of Afghanistan and its long-suffering people, then he needs to stay relevant.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Parts One, Two, and most of Three

I have gone from being bored to indifferent to slightly interested to relieved.

I am going to be honest, I have not felt a strong emotional pull to the characters. In some ways, I feel like Mariam's character is neglected while more attention is paid to Laila. If I feel anything, it is pity for Mariam because unlike Laila who grew up with favorable impressions of men, poor Mariam has only ever experienced a fleeting and sheepish kind of love from her father. And her almost thirty year marriage has been an exercise in strength and endurance from an abusive and cruel husband. I realize that Laila's love and friendship in some way fills this gap, but I secretly hoped that she might have a chance at romance even if it was an unrequited love with a street vendor or something.

I am REALLY glad (my biggest emotional surge yet) that Rasheed has bit the dust. No one could have deserved a shovel to the head more! As the reader, I was beginning to feel as beaten down as Mariam and Laila without even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Now Tariq is back and Rasheed is out of the picture.

I look forward to putting this book to rest tomorrow. I just hope it ends on an uplifting note. I think there has been enough heartache and disappointment.

500 hits!

Before you know it, I will be the Perez Hilton of book blogs! Ha. I wish!

I started A Thousand Splendid Suns (I keep wanting to call it A Thousand Setting Suns) during my lunch break yesterday. It starts off slow. I think I am at a point now where the story will pick up. A 15-year-old Mariam has just been married off to a grotesque 40-something Rasheed.

I was thinking that I might make a huge dent in the book this weekend but I am feeling pretty lazy. This is my first weekend at home post-vacation and sleeping in this morning was just heavenly!

More later.

Next up: A Thousand Splendid Suns

I have had this book on my shelf for years. I loved The Kite Runner and looked forward to reading Khaled Hosseini's follow up. The only reason I have stalled is that the reviews were not as favorable as I would have hoped. It is always hard to follow a popular and critically acclaimed bestseller like The Kite Runner. Still, I want to give it an opportunity to stand on its own two feet. I do not want to fall into the trap of comparing/contrasting it to The Kite Runner.

The Shadow of the Wind - Finished!

Wow. I loved it. The author did a great job of wrapping up the story to a satisfactory conclusion. It was very dark and perhaps, for that reason, would not appeal to every reader. I was able to penetrate the darkness without letting it overcome me. In fact, I liken the experience of reading the story to wrapping myself in a warm coat on a gloomy winter's day. Getting lost in the characters and pursuing the mystery of Julian Carax was comforting in a world of violence, danger, and tragedy.

The story, itself, seems to be an homage to Barcelona. Having intimate knowledge of the city would surely make the story pop that much more. The author provides a street map and guided walk in the characters' footsteps. I would love to do this one day!

The author has another novel called The Angel's Game that was recently translated into English. I have added it to my summer reading list. I hope it is just as good or better (if possible) than The Shadow of the Wind.



**SPOILERS**









I really like that Julian got a chance at redemption and that he was able to guide Daniel and Bea to a happy ending that he and Penelope never had a chance to have. I think it was fitting and merciful that Julian never learned that Penelope was actually his half-sister. The weight of that indiscretion was not his to bear. He and Penelope were innocent. It was their parents (her father and his mother) that were guilty.

The Shadow of the Wind and other things

I am in a bit of a pickle. I was on vacation recently and in my relaxatory bliss neglected The Shadow of the Wind for many days. It is due to the library this Friday (also my Mom's birthday) and when I tried to renew it this morning the system would not let me! Apparently, a bunch of other people have it on their "hold list" so renewing is not an option. Eeek! I am halfway through but I am really going to have to rush it the next four days.

All that aside, I am really enjoying it. As I mentioned before my book club buddy and co-worker, Donna, recommended it to me. It is always nice to be able to follow-up a recommendation with a favorable review.

I love the mix of mystery, magic realism, romance, historical relevance and silliness. The characters of Daniel (the protagonist) and Fermin are very colorful and engaging. They are an interesting investigatory tag-team. I also like that the reader is offered glimpses into Franco's authoritarian and inhumane regime. Franco's power is a dark cloud that hovers over the story and adds depth and plausibility. I also like the parallel that is beginning to develop between the stories of Julian Carax/Penelope and Daniel/Bea.


....


This is totally off-topic and chances are, no one will respond, but here goes:

Where should I live?

It has to be in the continental U.S. because we would be bringing our car and cats. And preferably, it would be somewhere other than the East Coast since we are looking for a change of scene. Any/all feedback is much appreciated!

Book Club

They really are such nice ladies. We talked a bit about My Prison, My Home but mostly delved into current events. I mentioned that there is a movie coming out based on The Help. Since we have all read it individually we talked about re-reading it and then having a book club dinner/movie viewing! It could be a while off, though. According to imdb, they are estimating a 2011 release date.

...

In other news, next on my personal reading list is:

My Cousin Rachel - Final Thoughts

While I enjoyed the story as it was unfolding I liked it even more at the conclusion. Daphne du Maurier does a beautiful job of exploring the complexities of human emotion, perception, and misunderstanding. I feel that this story reinforces the idea that there are no good guys or bad guys. All of us possess a bit of both.


**SPOILERS**







I think Rachel poisoned Ambrose and Philip half-heartedly. Rachel was a creature of survival. She told Philip that when her father died, she and her mother had a very difficult and hard existence. We can piece together that she married Ambrose equally out of necessity and care. She poisoned Ambrose and later Philip because she was corrupted by her confidante and lawyer, Rainaldi. Rainaldi must have thought the effects of poison would impact his lucidity enough that he would sign his estate over to Rachel. Ambrose never wavered, however, and died before Rachel could inherit his wealth.

I believe that Rachel came to truly love Philip while also maintaining a shrewd and calculating desire for security. Philip played into her plans by falling for her and then leaving the estate, family jewels, and money to her. He did, however, make a provision that if she were to remarry everything would revert back to his control. Rachel was delighted with her newfound wealth, of course. Then Philip, spurned on by the happy occasion of righting Ambrose's wrong, asked for her hand in marriage. She accepted and it seemed there would be a happy ending after all. Then the survivalist in Rachel struck out at Philip. She clarified the meaning of the provision about remarriage and suddenly, did not know what Philip was talking about when he announced their engagement to his godfather and Louise. She wanted full control of the money and estate to do with what she pleased, including sending money out of the country to Rainaldi.

Out of nowhwere, Philip was struck down by a terrible illness and incapacitated for weeks. I cannot figure out exactly why Rachel picked this time to poison Philip except that maybe he was causing too much of a spectacle for her and perhaps, thwarting her plans to return to Florence. I also do not know if at any point she meant to kill Ambrose or Philip or if she merely meant to take advantage of their weakened states. Either way, we know the poison killed Ambrose and it might have killed Philip had he not discovered the source of his illness.

I find it interesting that as Philip sends Rachel to her death he cannot find evidence to prove her wrongdoing. In fact, he finds the opposite. There is a letter addressed to her from the bank confirming that they have received all the family jewels to be returned to Philip. And there is a short missive from Rainaldi showing concern that Rachel may have a change of heart and stay in England with Philip.

Initially, Philip feels that Rachel's death is payment for his uncle's but he learns, like the reader, that there is no black and white. In the end, they are both guilty.

Rachel is guilty of killing Ambrose and toying with Philip's emotions. Rachel was strongly influenced by Rainaldi to go to any extreme for their survival but she was also capable of love. She had moments where it was difficult to reconcile her needs and wants. She wavered between reality and fantasy; survival and happiness. Unfortunately, for her, there could be no resolution or balance.

Philip is guilty of sending Rachel to her death and misunderstanding her inner conflict. Once he realizes that she killed Ambrose and attempted to harm him, he is determined to make her pay. This implies some maliciousness on his part but he did not do it with anger. I think he felt that he made a promise to his cousin before he met Rachel and unconsciously, sent her to her death. Still, he regrets his callousness as soon as he is reminded of Rachel's capacity for goodness.

My Cousin Rachel - Chapters 10-12

Rachel is really starting to make an impact on Philip. I do not know if I would call his feelings "love" but his interest is piqued in a way it has never been before. The only other woman he has interacted with on a regular basis is his cousin, Louise and his affection toward her is brotherly, at best. He is completely baffled, in a charming way, at a woman's shifting emotions.

He witnesses how Rachel can be jovial and flirtatious one minute and then fly into a prideful rage the next. He is sympathetic and does not wish to hurt or anger her but he is not so understanding when it comes to Louise. Since Rachel's arrival the green eyed monster has been stirred. It is obvious that Louise has always liked Philip and hoped that they would one day marry. They are the same age and have common interests. Philip's godfather even suggests the inevitability of this coupling to Rachel, which she then teases Philip about.

Philip denies any such possibility of a union with Louise. In fact, it seems as though the idea repulses him. Maybe repulsion indicates too strong an emotion but he is certainly irritated at Louise's foul mood and is blind to what is obvious to the reader. Louise is jealous of Rachel's beauty, which Philip claims not to have noticed, and of Philip's softening attitude toward Rachel. Louise, like Philip, found the nature of Ambrose's last letters to be alarming and allied with his feelings of suspicion. She is disconcerted and surprised at his sudden aboutface and does not like at all how he seems to bend to Rachel's will.

Philip is not yet overcome by Rachel's charms but I sense that soon he will fall completely under her spell. He has already asked his godfather to dispense a quarterly sum to Rachel's bank account and asked Rachel to stay quite longer than she had "intended".

My Cousin Rachel - Chapters 7-9

Rachel has arrived in England and Philip has invited her (through his godfather) to stay with him. He does this with ulterior motives. His intention is not to be friendly but to interrogate her about his cousin's death.

Unbeknowst to Philip, women are powerful creatures. Even before Rachel's arrival it is like a spell has come over the men servants. Seecombe, who Philip had previously counted on as an ally, insists on bringing flowers into the house and bringing out silver that has been in storage for decades. (Rachel's widow status has earned Seecombe's sympathy.)

When Rachel arrives, Philip is shocked at how fragile and small she seems. She immediately disarms him with her easy, unassuming ways. She is a contradiction to the images he has conjured in the many months he has known of her existence.

She is breezing in under the radar and doing the exact opposite of what is expected of a woman of her stature. She is not demanding or spoiled. She is flexible, helpful, kind. She is pretending (or at least, that is my conjecture) that she is just in town to give Philip Ambrose's belongings.

What I really think she is doing is trying to make an indelible mark on the servants, the people that work the land, the townsfolk, etc. She wants them to love and respect her so that when it comes time to leave, it would almost be "improper" of Philip to not ask her to stay. Mmm-hmm. She is a wily one!

...

Since I cannot seem to comment on my own blog (GRRR) here is my response to David:

Sweet! Now I have three whole followers! Haha. To answer your question, yes, my last entry is a summary of the chapters I have currently read. Sometimes I do not feel right making commentary about a plot if I am not sure my readers (if there are any...) do not know what is going on. It is also a good way for me to remember, in my own words, what is going on. Thanks for spreading the word! :) Incidentally, what kinds of books do you like or would prefer to see "featured" on here? I am always open to suggestions - that goes for everyone!

I am glad that you are enjoying your time with Brayden!

My Cousin Rachel - Chapters 3-6

Through letters to Philip, we discover that Ambrose and Rachel are happily married and have no intention of returning to England for some time. Philip is initially jealous at the thought of sharing Ambrose with Rachel and then relieved to learn that they plan to stay in Italy. Philip and the oldest male servant on staff, Seecombe, are having a difficult time accepting (imagined) changes to their masculine existence and so any delay in Rachel's arrival is a delay of unwanted disruption.

Little by little, more letters trickle in from Ambrose that seem to indicate a chill in his disposition toward Rachel and then there is a long period of silence. Philip receives two letters in close succession that turn out to be the last contact he has from Ambrose. These letters indicate something sinister in his relations with his wife.

Philip sets out for Florence as quickly as possible (three weeks journey) and finds that his cousin, Ambrose has died weeks earlier. It is a very cold and startling conclusion to his journey. As the reader, you assume that something has gone awry but I can understand Philip's complete shock at discovering his cousin's demise. The villa that Rachel and Ambrose shared is completely emptied of Ambrose's things, the windows are shuttered, and the rooms are musty. It indicates a rapid and seemingly premeditated flight from the villa.

Like Philip, I find it very suspicious that Rachel would not make it known to Ambrose's nearest relative(s) that he was ill and might possibly be close to death. At the very least, she lacks some common decency. I mean, who leaves it up to their lawyer to tell the nearest kin that their relative has died?

Then again, you can also argue in her favor. Ambrose never changed his will to include her so why would she want him dead? She certainly did not get anything of value from his death. Add to that the fact that brain tumors run in the family -Ambrose's brother died from one. Doctors signed the death certificate attesting that a brain tumor was Ambrose's cause of death.

Still, Rainaldi (Rachel's lawyer) is a snake and I would not put it past him to have a death certificate forged.

I looking forward to seeing the mystery unfold. It would be nice to have a definitive ending but I would be OK with some ambiguity, too.

My Cousin Rachel - Chapters 1-2

I was fortunate to pick this up from the library yesterday afternoon. I have barely started but I think I will get into it. Daphne du Maurier has set an eerie stage. Ambrose and Philip, the protagonist, are definitely a pair of odd ducks. They are reclusive, anti-social, and introverted. Cousin Rachel must be very charismatic and charming to turn a life-long bachelor and "woman-hater" like Ambrose.

If I like the book I will try to rent the movie version. I started to read Rebecca about a year ago but I could not do it. I have seen the movie several times and could not bring myself to read a story I already knew. It just seemed like a waste of time.

I find it amusing that Joan Fontaine plays in Rebecca and Olivia de Havilland in My Cousin Rachel. Despite the different last names they were sisters (Joan is deceased) and they did not get along. I suppose it bordered on normal sibling rivalry but they did not reconcile before Joan's death. From what I recall, they would make catty comments about each other to the press. I have only ever seen Joan Fontaine in Rebecca. I have seen Olivia de Havilland in Gone With the Wind and The Adventures of Robin Hood. I guess if I had to pick a favorite it would be...Olivia de Havilland! I always thought she made a beautiful Maid Marian.

CORRECTION: Per the comment below (and a quick double-check on imdb.com - I should have done that in the first place) Joan Fontaine is still living.