Aging and Love

Like Death 

by Guy de Maupassant

“Words dazzle and deceive because they are mimed by the face. But black words on a white page are the soul laid bare.” ― Guy de Maupassant

The novel centers around Olivier Bertin, a famous Parisian painter, and his relationship with the Countess Ann de Guilleroy. The story explores themes of aging, love, and the passage of time. Bertin, once the lover of the Countess when she was young, now sees her daughter, who resembles her mother in youth, leading to complex emotions and reflections on mortality and beauty.

Maupassant delves deeply into themes of vanity, the fear of aging, and the unavoidable decline of youth and beauty, all of which are well captured in the translation. Howard's choice of words and phrases illuminates the internal conflicts of Bertin, reflecting on his own aging process alongside the aging of his muse, the Countess. Through Howard's translation, the psychological complexity of the characters is well preserved. The reader feels Bertin's turmoil, the Countess's resignation, and the innocent yet disruptive presence of her daughter.

The book excels in its atmospheric descriptions of Parisian life and its exploration of the human condition. I enjoyed Richard Howard's translation for its elegant and fluid prose, capturing the nuanced and often melancholic tone of Maupassant's original text. Howard maintains the 19th-century French literary style while making it accessible to contemporary English readers. He adds to this by bringing forth the lyrical and poetic elements of Maupassant's writing.

For those interested in classic French literature, the study of aging, or simply in beautifully crafted translations, "Like Death" in Howard's rendition is a profound read. It's particularly recommended for fans of Maupassant or those who appreciate psychological depth in literature.

Destroyed Illusions

Under Western Eyes 

by Joseph Conrad

“I am quite willing to be the blind instrument of higher ends. To give one's life for the cause is nothing. But to have one's illusions destroyed - that is really almost more than one can bear.”   ― Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes

Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad is a sophisticated book that explores issues of morality, personal identity, political intrigue, and the conflict between personal conscience and obligation. The novel centers around Razumov, a student in St. Petersburg, who gets entangled in revolutionary politics following the assassination of a Tsarist official by a fellow student, Victor Haldin. Despite his initial apolitical stance, Razumov betrays Haldin to the authorities, which sets off a chain of events that explores his internal and external conflicts.

Razumov's journey is largely about his struggle with his identity. He betrays Haldin not only out of fear but also to align himself with what he perceives as an ordered, rational society over the chaos of revolution. This betrayal haunts him, leading to a profound identity crisis. The novel contrasts the oppressive autocracy of Tsarist Russia with the chaotic, often naive idealism of the revolutionaries. Conrad does not glorify either side, instead presenting a nuanced view where both systems are flawed.

The narrative is framed by an English language teacher in Geneva who tells Razumov's story, providing a "Western eyes" perspective on Russian politics and psychology. This framing questions the understanding, or misunderstanding, of Eastern European issues by Western observers. Conrad explores the gray areas of morality. Characters like Razumov and Sophia Antonovna (Haldin's mother) are not simply good or bad but are shown with their human complexities, making moral judgments difficult. Razumov experiences profound isolation, both self-imposed and imposed by his actions. His alienation peaks in Geneva, where he meets the Russian émigré community yet remains an outsider due to his secret guilt.

Conrad's writing is deep, contemplative, and introspective, with a strong emphasis on his characters' mental states. His use of an unreliable narrator challenges readers to consider the veracity of the story by adding layers of interpretation to the text. Under Western Eyes demonstrates psychological depth while depicting Russian characters through a Western lens. It can be seen as a critique of both Russian autocracy and revolutionary zeal while also reflecting on the nature of storytelling and truth.

I found that the novel remains relevant for its exploration of political and personal betrayal, the clash of ideologies, and the human condition's moral dilemmas. It's a text that invites readers to ponder how political actions intertwine with personal ethics and identity, viewed through the complex lens of "Western eyes."

No Sanctuary at University

I Am Charlotte Simmons 

by Tom Wolfe

“Loneliness wasn't just a state of mind, was it? It was tactile. She could feel it. It was a sixth sense, not in some fanciful play of words, but physically. It hurt... it hurt like phagocytes devouring the white matter of her brain. It was merely that she had no friends. She didn't even have a sanctuary in which she could simply be alone.” ― Tom Wolfe, I Am Charlotte Simmons







The story follows Charlotte Simmons, a brilliant student from a small, rural North Carolina town, who wins a scholarship to the prestigious Dupont University. Her arrival at Dupont plunges her into a world of social hierarchies, Greek life, athletics, and intellectual snobbery, which contrasts with her sheltered upbringing. The narrative explores her journey through loss of innocence, identity, and the struggle to maintain her academic and moral integrity amidst a culture that seems to value superficial achievements and social status over genuine learning and character.
Charlotte's journey is one of self-discovery and transformation. The novel examines how individuals adapt or succumb to the pressures of their environment, questioning what it means to stay true to oneself in the face of overwhelming social forces. Wolfe critiques the American elite education system, portraying Dupont as a microcosm of broader societal issues around class, privilege, and the commodification of education. The novel tackles themes of sexual politics on campus, including consent, reputation, and the power dynamics in relationships. Wolfe suggests a critique of the meritocratic myth by showing how success at Dupont often correlates more with social manipulation or athletic prowess than with academic merit.
Wolfe's characters are vivid, often exaggerated for effect, which is a hallmark of his satirical style. Charlotte is both naive and intelligent, serving as an observer through whom readers experience the university's culture shock. Supporting characters like Hoyt Thorpe, the charismatic athlete, and Jojo Johanssen, the basketball star, are caricatures of certain societal types, used to highlight the novel's themes.
The novel excels in its critique of modern academia and its portrayal of the loss of innocence in a supposedly enlightened environment. Wolfe's satirical edge is sharp, providing both entertainment and food for thought. Wolfe's depiction of college life can seem overly cynical or one-dimensional, particularly his treatment of female characters and campus sexual culture. The narrative might also feel dated to some readers given changes in university culture since its publication in 2004.
I found it a provocative and engaging read for anyone interested in a satirical take on higher education in America, especially for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a keen eye for social commentary.

Unhappiness or Happiness?

The Fraud 

by Zadie Smith

“What possesses people? Unhappiness, always. Happiness is otherwise occupied. It has an object on which to focus. It has daisies, it has snowdrifts. Unhappiness opens up the void, which then requires filling.”   ― Zadie Smith, The Fraud

The book centers on the life of Eliza Touchet, a housekeeper and muse to her cousin by marriage, novelist William Ainsworth, and is set in Victorian England, mostly in London. The Tichborne case, in which an Australian butcher poses as Sir Roger Tichborne, a long-lost aristocrat thought to have perished in a shipwreck, intrigues Eliza.

The Tichborne case serves as a lens to explore class mobility, identity, and the fluidity of social status in Victorian society. The book explores the nature of truth, how people view it, and how it is shaped in social and legal settings. It critiques the literary scene, contrasting the lives and works of real historical figures like Dickens with fictional characters, examining fame, ambition, and the legacy of literature.

Smith employs a narrative rich with dialogue, internal monologues, and varied perspectives, allowing readers to see the events through different eyes. Her writing is renowned for its depth, humor, and skill at fusing contemporary commentary with historical detail.

The book doesn't resolve the Tichborne case in a straightforward manner but uses it to explore broader questions about human nature, society, and storytelling. Eliza's journey through this saga reflects on her own life's fraudulence or authenticity in the roles she plays within her family and society.

Virtue is no Excuse

The Comedians 

by Graham Greene

“Perhaps the sexual life is the great test. If we can survive it with charity to those we love and with affection to those we have betrayed, we needn't worry so much about the good and the bad in us. But jealousy, distrust, cruelty, revenge, and recrimination ... then we fail. The wrong is in that failure, even if we are the victims and not the executioners. Virtue is no excuse.” ― Graham Greene, The Comedians




The book, which is set in the politically oppressive 1960s Haiti, portrays the terror and corruption that were hallmarks of Duvalier's rule in striking detail. The real-life historical context provides a chilling backdrop, enhancing the sense of decay and moral ambiguity. The setting is described as both "a very real setting, time and situation" and a "shabby land of terror" where the narrative unfolds. Collectively referred to as "the comedians," the characters embody a microcosm of humanity navigating the absurdities of everyday life. Brown, potentially a reflection of Greene himself, is characterized by his rootless and non-committal approach to life, particularly in love. Jones, with his deceptive charm, and Smith, with his naivety and good intentions, add layers to the narrative, showcasing different facets of human folly and resilience.

Greene portrays life as a stage on which everyone performs their part, some more skillfully than others, by using dark humor and a morally somber tone. Along with examining issues of identity, purpose, and the human condition, the book offers a critical analysis of the political system, with a focus on American foreign policy. Greene's writing is often praised for its slick, engaging prose, though the narrative can feel a bit sloppy towards the end.

I found in "The Comedians" a layered narrative that combined Greene's signature dark humor with a sharp critique of political oppression and human nature, set in one of the most turbulent periods of Haitian history. While it might not be considered among Greene's greatest works, it remains a thought-provoking and engaging novel for its vivid portrayal of characters and setting.

Language and Wisdom

The Lord Chandos Letter and Other Writings 

by Hugo von Hofmannsthal

“I wanted to show that the fables and mythic tales that the ancients have handed down to us and in which painters and sculptors never cease to find mindless pleasure are the hieroglyphics of a secret, inexhaustible wisdom. I sometimes thought I felt its breath, as though coming from behind a veil.” ― Hugo von Hofmannsthal





"The Lord Chandos Letter," written by Hugo von Hofmannsthal in 1902, is a fictional piece in the form of a letter from Lord Philip Chandos to Francis Bacon, dated August 1603. The letter begins with Chandos acknowledging Bacon's concern about his lack of literary activity. Chandos, aged 26 at the time of writing, describes his profound crisis concerning language, where he has lost the ability to think or speak coherently about anything. He has abandoned future literary projects due to this crisis, feeling that words no longer have the capacity to convey the depth or truth of his experiences.

He once had grand literary plans but now finds them meaningless or unattainable. His crisis is detailed in stages, including the loss of academic discourse, the inability to engage in philosophical or moral discussions, and a disconnection from the beauty and significance he once found in literature. Chandos experiences moments of profound insight or connection with the world around him, often through simple, everyday objects or scenes. These moments, however, are inexpressible through language. He describes an intense, almost mystical experience where he feels a deep unity with nature, which he can't articulate.
The letter reflects broader themes of the crisis of language and meaning in early 20th-century literature, suggesting a disconnect between language and the direct experience of reality. This theme resonates with contemporary intellectual movements, including the influence of figures like Wittgenstein, who would later explore similar ideas about the limits of language.

While the letter is fiction, it's often interpreted as having autobiographical elements, reflecting Hofmannsthal's own literary crisis and his shift from poetry to drama and other forms.The narrative is set during a period of cultural transition, where the old order was giving way to industrial and modern society, which Hofmannsthal and his contemporaries saw as causing a crisis in expression and identity. I found it notable for its exploration of the inadequacy of language to capture the essence of human experience, a theme that would influence much of modern and postmodern literature.

Top Ten Books Read in 2024

 Annual Top Ten Favorites

Since January 1, 2024, these books have been my favorite reads.  They span a wide range of reading genres, from non-fiction to fiction, from lengthy to short works, and from the Classics to modern literary fiction.

The list is in no particular order, but if I had to pick my favorite of the year it would be Doctor Faustus.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride 

 

Ice by Anna Kavan 

My Antonia by Willa Cather 

The Ethics by Baruch Spinoza 

Doctor Faustus by  Thomas Mann 

The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross 

The House of Doors by TanTwan Eng 

The Advancement of Learning by Francis Bacon

 

 Blackouts by Justin Torres

Knight Errant

Don Quixote 

by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

 

 “Finally, from so little sleeping and so much reading, his brain dried up and he went completely out of his mind.”   ― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

 

 

 

 

The idea of the novel starts here. This is the source of the modern novel for many. While it remains the epitome of story-telling its fame has also led to the coinage of such terms as "quixotic" and others. Influential beyond almost any other single work of fiction, the characters through their charm and uniqueness remain indelible in the memory of readers.
Don Quixote is one of those books whose influence is so far-reaching as to be almost ubiquitous, like The Odyssey, or the Bible. And like the Bible or Homer’s epic, it is more often talked about than read. But my conclusion upon reading it is to recommend to all: read it and enjoy the stories.

As Don Quixote says . . . "the life of knights-errant is subject to a thousand perils and reverses, and it's jus as likely for knights-errant to become kings and emperors, as has been shown by experience through many diverse knights whose histories I know thoroughly. And I could tell you know, if this pain would abate, about some who, all alone, through the strength of their arm, have risen to the high positions that I've told you about. . . I can well suffer among such good company, for they have undergone greater affronts than we've just now undergone." (p 119)

Identities with Gaps

Blackouts 

by Justin Torres

 “I’d lost patience for novels. I did not want to die in the middle of a novel. I wanted only endings, last lines, goodbyes, and reunions. I wondered how might things end for me; how would it read, the final sentence of my life? The verdict?”   ― Justin Torres, Blackouts

 

 

 

 

What is the source of our identity? Every historical narrative has the potential for a counter-narrative, as demonstrated by Blackouts, which also implies that each of us has identity ruptures and gaps—the book's title blackouts—that are kept together by narrative continuity. 

I was reminded of Nabokov's lyricism and intricacy by the narrative. The story is slowly, gradually revealed through vignettes that this reader found fascinating. As the essence is revealed the book became more and more incredibly engaging to read. Adding to this was the creative use of blacked-out source materials in conjunction with the story. The result is a book that deserves the accolades that it has received.

The Empirical Approach to Learning

The Major Works 

by Francis Bacon

 “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”   ― Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning

 

 

 

 

Among other things, the intellectual justification for the scientific empirical approach is provided by this foundational work. Bacon contends that one should examine the evidence of their senses and investigate the outcomes, as the antiquated method of demanding classic authors is inadequate. This excellent collection also includes "The New Atlantic" and a selection of essays.

In "The Advancement of Learning," Francis Bacon argues for a new approach to knowledge acquisition, advocating for the empirical method as the primary means of scientific understanding, emphasizing observation and experimentation over traditional reliance on authority and speculation, with the ultimate goal of improving human life through practical applications of knowledge; he outlines a detailed classification of knowledge, dividing it into history (memory), poetry (imagination), and philosophy (reason), and criticizes existing scholarship for its focus on "vain speculations" rather than useful discoveries for mankind.

Friends of Maugham

The House of Doors 

by Tan Twan Eng

“All of us will be forgotten eventually. Like a wave on the ocean, leaving no trace that it had once existed.' He shook his head. 'We will be remembered through our stories.”   ― Tan Twan Eng, The House of Doors





This is a book that grew on me in the sense that it became more and more engrossing and ultimately very powerful in an emotional sense. It was not a simple story as it involved a famous novelist, a Chinese statesman, and a murder trial. These disparate aspects were held together by the connections to a husband, Robert, and his wife, Lesley.

It examines issues of cultural dissonance, memory, and loss. In doing so the narrative centers on the lives of two well-known individuals from the early 20th century—Sun Yat Sen and W. Somerset Maugham—and is set in Penang. The book also reflects on the power of stories and their ability to cut across time and cultural boundaries.

The House of Doors also alternates between a heated courtroom drama that centers on the Proudlock affair, a meditation on how and why we tell stories, and a portrait of the artist in crisis. In a way, it is also a political saga that follows Lesley's path to self-determination and social activism.

Along with the stunning countryside, one learns about Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his friends. This expanded my library of books by and about Maugham and brought back memories of his short stories.

A Raindrop

There Are Rivers in the Sky 

by Elif Shafak

“Words are like birds, when you publish books you are setting caged birds free. They can go wherever they please. They can fly over the highest walls and across vast distances, settling in mansions of gentry, in farmsteads and laborers' cottages alike. You never know whom those words will reach, whose hearts will succumb to their sweet songs.”   ― Elif Shafak, There Are Rivers in the Sky

The water sign is used to color this book from the first to the last page. A raindrop marks the start of it, and a flood marks its conclusion. According to Elif Shafak, the secret of infinity can be found in any drop of water; rivers are particularly adept at remembering. The Thames and the Tigris are the two rivers that are most noticeable here. Their flow is made up of numerous currents, and they are both fed by different affluents. The same is true of this book, which blends a number of stories that emerge from various locations and eras.

A single drop of water connects three extraordinary lives, two enormous rivers, and one lost poem in this tale. The remains of a long-forgotten poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, are buried in the sand in the ruins of Nineveh, that ancient Mesopotamian city. Water endures and remembers throughout. When Shafak makes the same drop of water fall as rain on Ashurbanipal's head in Nineveh and fall as a teardrop in London, two and a half millennia later, she is attempting to teach this important lesson. I highly recommend this fascinating book.

Understanding Modern Music

Style and Idea 

by Arnold Schoenberg

The principal function of form is to advance our understanding. It is the organization of a piece which helps the listener to keep the idea in mind, to follow its development, its growth, its elaboration, its fate.   - Arnold Schoenberg

This is a collection of music-related essays from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Included are essays on twelve-tone music by composers such as Brahms and Mahler. Schoenberg's style is portrayed as not only understandable and appealing, but it also communicates significant details about the nature of modern music.

It is considered by some to be one of the most important compilations of musical essays ever released, Schoenberg's Style and Idea, has long been out of print. Only a small portion of Schoenberg's literary output was represented by the volume's few essays when it first came out. Leonard Stein, Schoenberg's assistant and editor of his theory and composition books, examined Schoenberg's entire body of work for this new edition and selected a significant number of essays to go with the reprint of the original papers. The result is a treasure trove for those interested in Schoenberg's musical thoughts.

The Beauty of Provincial Spain

Journey To The Alcarria 

by Camilo José Cela

"Going through th Entrepena, the traveler sees a beautiful stage setting, exactly as if it were in a theater, of great craggy naked rocks and dead trees split by lightning."   -  Journey to the Alcarria, Camillo Jose Cela.

A sensitive portrayal of provincial Spain. Its people are thoughtful and caring in their physical appearance, psychology, and values.  A few days were spent in Alcarria by Camilo José Cela, the undisputed master of the Spanish novel of the twentieth century and the author of The Family of Pascal Duarte and The Hive. His travel sketch has a brilliant sheen to it. It describes a trip to several different parts of the peninsula, such as Cifuentes, Soledad, and Guadalajara. You leave with the impression that you were actually there, taking part in the adventure firsthand. In this translation, it is an enjoyable journey.

Completely Subversive

James 

by Percival Everett

 “At that moment the power of reading made itself clear and real to me. If I could see the words, then no one could control them or what I got from them. They couldn’t even know if I was merely seeing them or reading them, sounding them out or comprehending them. It was a completely private affair and completely free and, therefore, completely subversive.”
― Percival Everett, James

 

 While some people believe Percival Everett's James, a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is a must-read, I found it to be self-serving and subversive. The book examines issues of violence, language, and the risks associated with claiming one's own language, but these topics alone did not convince me to read the book. The book gives Jim a fresh start in the first section, and James is a vividly imagined human being.

In my opinion, the book exploits the moments in Huckleberry Finn when Jim and Huck are apart. Everett's language games can be humorous at times, and there are touching and humorous moments in the book. I thought the book ended in a way that left the reader wondering if James was actually captured.

I feel conflicted about this one. I adore how the author retells the traditional Huckleberry Finn story while reclaiming Jim's story. However, I also thought that the narrative was very forced. Retellings are difficult, and in my opinion, hearing Jim tell his own story differs greatly from Huck's point of view. But I struggled to connect.

Peking Mystery

René Leys 

by Victor Segalen

  Exoticism's power is nothing other than the power to conceive otherwise. ... I conceive otherwise, and immediately the vision is enticing. All of Exoticism lies herein.

 

 

A Westerner in Peking searches for the mystery at the center of the Forbidden City in this captivating tale of spiritual adventure. The young Belgian René Leys, who claims to be aware of strange happenings in the Imperial Palace, such as love affairs, family disputes, and conspiracies that jeopardize the empire's very existence, is taken on by him as a Chinese tutor. However, whether he is telling the truth or playing tricks, the enigmatic and endearing René gives his ever-more-astonished disciple a glimpse of "an essential palace built upon the most magnificent foundations." This is enigmatic and entertaining - a read that I enjoyed.

Learning to Cry

  

Sophie’s Choice 

 by William Styron

  “I have learned to cry again and I think perhaps that means I am a human being again. Perhaps that at least. A piece of human being but yes, a human being.”   ― William Styron, Sophie’s Choice

 

 

 

 Sophie's Choice is largely regarded favorably, despite criticism for its intricacy and examination of challenging subjects, such as the novel's examination of survivor guilt and the decisions made by survivors to safeguard themselves. The reader is better able to comprehend Sophie's experiences because the story is told from the viewpoint of an outsider, Stingo. The reader cannot dispute Styron's dedication to comprehending the horrors of American history and the Holocaust. Although Styron is a talented storyteller, she also points out certain problems with the story, like awkward transitions between the elaborate dialogue and the Auschwitz flashbacks. The book looks at issues including love, guilt, and the lingering effects of trauma.
Sophie Zawistowski, a Polish Holocaust survivor, and her relationship with a young writer named Stingo are the subjects of the 1979 novel Sophie's Choice, which is set in Brooklyn in 1947. In 1983, Meryl Streep played Sophie Zawistowski in the film adaptation of the novel.

The significant—and unquestionably underrepresented—question of what becomes of the Holocaust survivors is addressed in Sophie's Choice. Such comprehensive, self-admitted immorality ought to absolve a man, and it does, sort of.

Twentieth-Century Music

The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century 

by Alex Ross

“Bernstein poured his unfulfilled ambition into stupefying powerful performances of the Mahler symphonies, freighting them with the themes that he should or would have addressed in his own music if only he had the time or the energy or whatever it was that he ultimately lacked:"







This is an immersive introduction to twentieth-century music. Ross explains musical and cultural in novel-like prose that is often mesmerizing. The intimate activities of composers and their interaction with the world around them come alive in this amazing book.

Reading New Yorker music critic Alex Ross's outstanding essay on Schoenberg, Mahler, Strauss, or even Philip Glass will make anyone who has ever tried their hardest but failed to fully comprehend, appreciate, or even grasp their complex works smile. The Rest Is Noise. Not only does Ross manage to give historical, biographical, and social context to 20th-century pieces both major and minor, he brings the scores alive in language that's accessible and dramatic.

Consider Ross's portrayal of Schoenberg's Second Quartet: "He finds himself at a crossroads, pondering the different paths that are unfolding before him." Written the year before, the first movement retains a fairly traditional late-Romantic language. In contrast, the second movement is a Scherzo that sounds hallucinogenic and is unlike any other music of the era. It includes excerpts from the folk ballad "Ach, du lieber Augustin," which Mahler associated with Freud. Schoenberg saw the song as a representation of a world gone by collapsing, with the line "Alles ist hin" being crucial. A terrifying series of four-note figures, consisting of fourths divided by a tritone, culminates the movement. Traces of the bifurcated scale that starts Salome can be seen in them. Nevertheless, the feeling of tonalities colliding has vanished. As an alternative, a matrix of intervals is replacing the idea of a chord altogether.

Most of The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross The 20th Century is worth listening to because it explores the music of the stormy decade and how it influenced political and cultural history. The book is approachable and has the power to simplify complicated musical subjects due to the author's readable style and use of personal experiences to illustrate the book's themes.

She Hated Men as a Class

The Bostonians 

by Henry James

“She thought him very handsome as he said this, but reflected that unfortunately men didn't care for the truth, especially the new kinds, in proportion as they were good-looking. She had, however, a moral resource that should always fall back upon; it had already been a comfort to her, on occasions of acute feeling, that she hated men, as a class anyway.”   ― Henry James, The Bostonians

To give a fair synopsis of The Bostonians, the three main characters—Verena Tarrant, Olive Chancellor, and Basil Ransom—are the focus of in-depth analysis and discussion, with a special emphasis on their perspectives. All three are young adults without children, and the two ladies, along with most of the other characters, are from Boston. With long pauses in New York and on Cape Cod, most of the action takes place in Boston.

The reader may notice that the characteristics of "proper Bostonians" have not changed much, despite the fact that this is set in the late 1870s. I will admit that I saw a lot of this as ironic satire, but still satire. According to historian Paul Jehle, even after the Puritans rejected Christian orthodoxy, they continued to act in ways consistent with their Puritan upbringing. They were searching for fresh mental exercises. They conducted experiments with various philosophies and religions. And they were still looking for causes to advocate for and believe in. 

This early work by James is a good candidate for someone who is not familiar with his novels.

Dreaming about a Life

Death in Spring 

by Mercè Rodoreda

 

“Breathing. Only the chore and sadness of breathing and breathing, as things change from tender to dry, new to old, the night-moon that grows thin then swells, the fireless sun that lights up, the soughing of wind that transports, shatters, gathers, and drives away the clouds, raising and flattening the dust. Only the sorrow of going to sleep and waking up, feeling life without knowing where it comes from, aware that it will flee without knowing why it was given to you, why it is taken from you. Here you are: there is this and this and this. And now, enough.”   ― Mercè Rodoreda, Death in Spring

 

 Death in Spring is lushly eerie, incredibly challenging, disconcerting, and strange. In this it is reminiscent of Pedro Paramo, another masterfully written but eerie book by Juan Rulfo. The narrative deals with the coming of age with a mixture of simplicity and density of texture. The story is like a dream but it is rooted in the real world.

You may read it as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, for its exquisite prose, and for the way it will seduce you despite your desires. Ultimately it is a novel about coming of age with a surprising edge.

A Glimpse of Eternity

Notebooks 1935-1942 

by Albert Camus

“Beauty is unbearable, drives us to despair, offering us for a minute the glimpse of an eternity that we should like to stretch out over the whole of time.”   ― Albert Camus, Notebooks 1935-1942

Albert Camus, a prominent existentialist philosopher and Nobel laureate, shares his philosophical ideas in this volume. Furthermore, there exist passages of description that were incorporated into specific publications during his lifetime. The notebooks help us understand Camus's reading preferences and the ways in which his activities shaped his ideas. The entries piqued my interest since they offered a glimpse into the process of creating some of Camus's works during this time. I would recommend these notebooks to anyone who enjoys the fiction of Albert Camus.

Small Bookstore in Troubled Times

The Sentence 

by Louise Erdrich

“Small bookstores have the romance of doomed intimate spaces about to be erased by unfettered capitalism.”   ― Louise Erdrich, The Sentence

The first few chapters of this book had me intrigued, especially Tookie's character and her bookstore. The plot seemed to meander as it went along and turned into a commentary on a number of current affairs. Although I recognize the significance of these events and the issues they raise, the story's plot seemed to veer off course. I could not help but wonder why it was all happening, even though it might have been my fault as a reader.

The story had a lot of strong themes of love and death, which made it quite an emotional ride for me. Tookie and her husband Pollux have a pure love that makes me smile warmly at times, but then Tookie has another unsettling encounter with the ghost that haunts her, and that chills me. I was able to enjoy the story despite its apparent lack of direction because of the author's superb writing style.

A big plus was the "Totally Biased List of Tookie's Favorite Books" at the end of the novel!