My Catholic friend tilted her teacup like a fortune-teller. "You know," she said, "I think people who don't have God in their lives are like people...
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As I was raising my young family, I always thought that when "a gate at the stairs" was installed, the purpose was to protect children from accidentally falling!
After reading Lorrie Moore's "A Gate at the Stairs" I now realize that this new novel's title refers to a meditation on the meaning of life, death, race, in addition to parenting. It's a unique tale of growing up, meeting new people & getting to know your own family better. This book is narrated by main character Tessa, a 20-year old, who was raised in a farming town & goes to the "big city," where she is surprised to discover Asian restaurants, dishonest men & a roommate with as much energy for life as she possesses. Tessa is hired as the nanny to an African American little girl adopted by caucasian parents, who have some significantly odd ideas about parenting plus a colorful history.
Though "A Gate At The Stairs" takes many sorrow-filled heartrending twists & turns, Tessa is not maudlin or maddening. She seems very real, crawls right into your heart & soul. I really enjoyed this book but gave it only 4 stars based on some chapters of endless "overheard" dialogue, mostly addressing race, which ended up sounding like a lecture or a rambling TV talk show. My other concern is that Ms. Moore lets Tessa have just a little bit too much fun with puns & rhymes albeit amusing & inventive. Still, I give this book my personal thumb's up as a beautiful, challenging work of character, plot & graceful, descriptive language, which will provide numerous issues for discussion. Do not miss this author's short stories!
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(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
"As the daughter of a family practioner who began treating patients in the late 1930s (pre-penicillin) when ether was the preferred method of anesthesia, I could truly relate to the dedication of the medical profession that is so effectively presented in Carol Cassella's "Oxygen."
The author's precise narrative style perfectly mirrors the workings of a gifted physician’s mind. With blade-sharp insight, she lays bare the failings of a well-run but flawed hospital & the larger health-care system. When a routine procedure goes horribly wrong & leads to the death of an innocent child which includes the horror of a single mother, Dr. Marie Heaton, anesthesiologist, finds herself in the midst of a storm that threatens her career, her self-confidence & the choices she’s made inside & out of the Operating Room. The ending is deeply emotional, resonating with powerful sentiment yet never sentimental. This fiction will provide several quality hours of discussion in book review clubs. Do not miss this new book!"
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
I very much enjoyed debut novel "Remedies" by Kate Ledger. As a daughter of a physician & a jewess, I could identify with many of the "balancing acts" that were going on within this bittersweet book. I am reminded of the warning about the fragility of marriage as I read the phrase: "There was the ugliness hanging over, the resolute cracking of that perfect egg, their marriage together as they balanced it on a spoon between them."
Brava to Ms. Ledger as she presents colorful characters, vivid descriptions of Dr. & Mrs. Simon Bear and their crabby teenager Jamie in this family saga ... book review clubs will fill many hours discussing sensitive issues including sexual harassment, greed, infidelity, parental & offspring relationships, lack of communication, loss of an infant child as well as priorities in life beyond busy medical & public relations practices. I laughed from one eye & cried from the other! Brava - 4 big stars!
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(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
If you are a fan of unforgettable historical fiction like "The Red Tent" and "People of the Book" your very next book to read should be Zoe Klein's debut "Drawing in the Dust." I've had the pleasure of visiting & working in Israel, even the unique experience of participating in a archeological dig!
"Drawing in the Dust" is the story of Page Brookstone, an American female who spends her days uncovering the past. Although she's a talented & dedicated archaeologist in Mediggo, she "bites the bullet" & begins searching out her options. An Arab couple comes to her in need of help ... wanting Page to excavate beneath their house in Anatot, Israel, claiming "they see love making ghosts" in their home. As Page is skeptical but curious, she makes a visit to their abode and sensations overcome her that she thought were buried. She leaves in a hurry but is drawn back to this home and decides to help this couple. Will Page find the meaning of life in the area beneath this couples home or will she just find herself? Read it!
This masterpiece of a book (which includes an adventurous love story that goes back to ancient times right up through to the modern world) made me think & feel! I can recommend this novel highly to book review clubs with its thought-provoking themes.
BRAVA to Rabbi Klein ... looking forward to her next gorgeous writing! Five stars *****
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
The fact that I was privileged to visit India for almost a month last year has truly enhanced my reading & reviewing of Julia Gregson's "East of the Sun." I found this fictional historical novel, set in the intriging setting of 1926 Bombay (now Mumbai), during the era of Ghandi truly intelligent writing ... I could joyfully relate to some of the customs, foods, dress, & phrases! With the vivid descriptions, I "felt" like I was riding on the train, visiting the Indian cities from North to South, East to West. I am already looking forward to hosting my book review club this fall with Indian delicacies & drink, so readily available at local area restaurants.
This talented author offers readers a different perspective on the three English women who journeyed to India from England & made it their home in the 1920s and 30s. This book is her tribute to the many British Memsahibs who for a variety of reasons travelled to India and fell in love with the country and the people as I did. Do not miss - 5 stars!" Namaste`!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
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Laurie Blum has commented on (65) products.
A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore
Laurie Blum, September 9, 2009
As I was raising my young family, I always thought that when "a gate at the stairs" was installed, the purpose was to protect children from accidentally falling!After reading Lorrie Moore's "A Gate at the Stairs" I now realize that this new novel's title refers to a meditation on the meaning of life, death, race, in addition to parenting. It's a unique tale of growing up, meeting new people & getting to know your own family better. This book is narrated by main character Tessa, a 20-year old, who was raised in a farming town & goes to the "big city," where she is surprised to discover Asian restaurants, dishonest men & a roommate with as much energy for life as she possesses. Tessa is hired as the nanny to an African American little girl adopted by caucasian parents, who have some significantly odd ideas about parenting plus a colorful history.
Though "A Gate At The Stairs" takes many sorrow-filled heartrending twists & turns, Tessa is not maudlin or maddening. She seems very real, crawls right into your heart & soul. I really enjoyed this book but gave it only 4 stars based on some chapters of endless "overheard" dialogue, mostly addressing race, which ended up sounding like a lecture or a rambling TV talk show. My other concern is that Ms. Moore lets Tessa have just a little bit too much fun with puns & rhymes albeit amusing & inventive. Still, I give this book my personal thumb's up as a beautiful, challenging work of character, plot & graceful, descriptive language, which will provide numerous issues for discussion. Do not miss this author's short stories!
(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
Oxygen by Carol Cassella
Laurie Blum, August 18, 2009
"As the daughter of a family practioner who began treating patients in the late 1930s (pre-penicillin) when ether was the preferred method of anesthesia, I could truly relate to the dedication of the medical profession that is so effectively presented in Carol Cassella's "Oxygen."The author's precise narrative style perfectly mirrors the workings of a gifted physician’s mind. With blade-sharp insight, she lays bare the failings of a well-run but flawed hospital & the larger health-care system. When a routine procedure goes horribly wrong & leads to the death of an innocent child which includes the horror of a single mother, Dr. Marie Heaton, anesthesiologist, finds herself in the midst of a storm that threatens her career, her self-confidence & the choices she’s made inside & out of the Operating Room. The ending is deeply emotional, resonating with powerful sentiment yet never sentimental. This fiction will provide several quality hours of discussion in book review clubs. Do not miss this new book!"
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
Remedies by Kate Ledger
Laurie Blum, July 28, 2009
I very much enjoyed debut novel "Remedies" by Kate Ledger. As a daughter of a physician & a jewess, I could identify with many of the "balancing acts" that were going on within this bittersweet book. I am reminded of the warning about the fragility of marriage as I read the phrase: "There was the ugliness hanging over, the resolute cracking of that perfect egg, their marriage together as they balanced it on a spoon between them."Brava to Ms. Ledger as she presents colorful characters, vivid descriptions of Dr. & Mrs. Simon Bear and their crabby teenager Jamie in this family saga ... book review clubs will fill many hours discussing sensitive issues including sexual harassment, greed, infidelity, parental & offspring relationships, lack of communication, loss of an infant child as well as priorities in life beyond busy medical & public relations practices. I laughed from one eye & cried from the other! Brava - 4 big stars!
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
Drawing in the Dust by Zoe Klein
Laurie Blum, July 19, 2009
If you are a fan of unforgettable historical fiction like "The Red Tent" and "People of the Book" your very next book to read should be Zoe Klein's debut "Drawing in the Dust." I've had the pleasure of visiting & working in Israel, even the unique experience of participating in a archeological dig!"Drawing in the Dust" is the story of Page Brookstone, an American female who spends her days uncovering the past. Although she's a talented & dedicated archaeologist in Mediggo, she "bites the bullet" & begins searching out her options. An Arab couple comes to her in need of help ... wanting Page to excavate beneath their house in Anatot, Israel, claiming "they see love making ghosts" in their home. As Page is skeptical but curious, she makes a visit to their abode and sensations overcome her that she thought were buried. She leaves in a hurry but is drawn back to this home and decides to help this couple. Will Page find the meaning of life in the area beneath this couples home or will she just find herself? Read it!
This masterpiece of a book (which includes an adventurous love story that goes back to ancient times right up through to the modern world) made me think & feel! I can recommend this novel highly to book review clubs with its thought-provoking themes.
BRAVA to Rabbi Klein ... looking forward to her next gorgeous writing! Five stars *****
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson
Laurie Blum, July 5, 2009
The fact that I was privileged to visit India for almost a month last year has truly enhanced my reading & reviewing of Julia Gregson's "East of the Sun." I found this fictional historical novel, set in the intriging setting of 1926 Bombay (now Mumbai), during the era of Ghandi truly intelligent writing ... I could joyfully relate to some of the customs, foods, dress, & phrases! With the vivid descriptions, I "felt" like I was riding on the train, visiting the Indian cities from North to South, East to West. I am already looking forward to hosting my book review club this fall with Indian delicacies & drink, so readily available at local area restaurants.This talented author offers readers a different perspective on the three English women who journeyed to India from England & made it their home in the 1920s and 30s. This book is her tribute to the many British Memsahibs who for a variety of reasons travelled to India and fell in love with the country and the people as I did. Do not miss - 5 stars!" Namaste`!
(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
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