What a bizarre story! The author presents some little known true facts about Abraham Lincoln's personal grief over his son's death, in the setting of a graveyard scene one dark night. Using "ghosts" who inhabit the cemetery (while waiting to "pass-over") to tell the story was either brilliant or ridiculous, depending on your perspective.
Interestingly, the ghosts seem to be pretty much the same in ethics & actions, as they were while alive --yet, there are times of remorse that show up in the dialogue. As usual, some of the more despicable, evil characters/language made me cringe & skim --but I am guessing the author's intent was to portray all types of humans and their thought patterns.
This is a very loose blend of Biblical thoughts and great license by Saunders in regards to the afterlife and how it will play out when one dies. I did enjoy the historical data on Lincoln and the deep grief that was portrayed (and the effect on the ghosts); but overall would hesitate to recommend it. Looking forward to Book Club discussion!
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
Highly recommended by several in my Book Club, this again was a portrayal of the "hillbilly" mentality in small town Appalachia: anger at the government, at the rich, at the educated, yet somehow still siding with the right politically--kind of an irony.
This was the journey of change in the main character: re-claiming her dreams as she attempts to remember who she was before her life choices took her in a different direction. Lots of Biblical truth is sprinkled throughout as the "Monarch Migration" story unfolds. Lots of brokenness as Dellarobia and Hester face their hidden sins and differences. What a truth--that we need much grace when we see ourselves as we really are.
I loved the face-off between Dellarobia and the tree hugger who was trying to help the town take steps towards conservation of energy....and all of his ideas had no correlation to the lower class (no dishwashers, no airfare costs, no eating out, no computers to buy off Craigslist, no stocks & investments to switch). What an eye opener about the difference in social classes.
What I hated was the weird ending-- it left the whole ending up for grabs as to the outcome.
This was the journey of change in the main character: re-claiming her dreams as she attempts to remember who she was before her life choices took her in a different direction. Lots of Biblical truth is sprinkled throughout as the "Monarch Migration" story unfolds. Lots of brokenness as Dellarobia and Hester face their hidden sins and differences. What a truth--that we need much grace when we see ourselves as we really are.
I loved the face-off between Dellarobia and the tree hugger who was trying to help the town take steps towards conservation of energy....and all of his ideas had no correlation to the lower class (no dishwashers, no airfare costs, no eating out, no computers to buy off Craigslist, no stocks & investments to switch). What an eye opener about the difference in social classes.
What I hated was the weird ending-- it left the whole ending up for grabs as to the outcome.
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
Truly enjoyed this memoir by J.D. Vance, a portrayal of his hillbilly upbringing in Appalachian Kentucky and in Middletown, OH, and how he climbed out of that cycle to land at Yale Law School after service in the Marines. This book is a riveting read on the brokenness of the white working class, while also establishing the strengths of determination and desire to "break out".
J. D. was mostly raised by his grandma, who was pretty scary! The dysfunction and character weaknesses in most of the adults in the author's life made me wonder out loud how this young man saw his way to reach for his dreams. But, as he openly admits, those demons from his past still rear their ugly heads in his "new" upper class life.
Interesting pieces: 1...how Mamaw knew her Bible, but her actions and speech didn't reflect it (same issue most of us have in different ways); yet JD refers to her as his best example of Christianity, and love. She fiercely loved her family, but could express great hate for others. 2..that kids in JD's type of situation have a better chance of getting into Ivy League schools than upper middle class, but just do not know how to tap into it, and take advantage of the financial aid opportunities. 3...how much the hillbillies hated Barak Obama, as they could not relate--he was a good father, they were not; he looked professional in his suits, they wore overalls; his wife decried bad nutrition- which was the staple of the hillbillies. "Obama strikes at the heart of our deepest insecurities." 4...the final piece which made huge sense: all of the people in JD's life that "made it out" of the mentality and abuse of this class were those who married OUT; his aunt, his sister and himself all found love and marriage with spouses who could assist with their fears and life cycles. They knew how life could be different because they had lived it.
J. D. was mostly raised by his grandma, who was pretty scary! The dysfunction and character weaknesses in most of the adults in the author's life made me wonder out loud how this young man saw his way to reach for his dreams. But, as he openly admits, those demons from his past still rear their ugly heads in his "new" upper class life.
Interesting pieces: 1...how Mamaw knew her Bible, but her actions and speech didn't reflect it (same issue most of us have in different ways); yet JD refers to her as his best example of Christianity, and love. She fiercely loved her family, but could express great hate for others. 2..that kids in JD's type of situation have a better chance of getting into Ivy League schools than upper middle class, but just do not know how to tap into it, and take advantage of the financial aid opportunities. 3...how much the hillbillies hated Barak Obama, as they could not relate--he was a good father, they were not; he looked professional in his suits, they wore overalls; his wife decried bad nutrition- which was the staple of the hillbillies. "Obama strikes at the heart of our deepest insecurities." 4...the final piece which made huge sense: all of the people in JD's life that "made it out" of the mentality and abuse of this class were those who married OUT; his aunt, his sister and himself all found love and marriage with spouses who could assist with their fears and life cycles. They knew how life could be different because they had lived it.
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