When I set out to write a book about the natural history of breasts, I knew I'd have to answer some awkward questions about my book topic. At a...
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When I was younger, reading experimental fiction made me feel intellectually superior and artistic. Now that I've reached middle age, however, I want to connect with the stories that I read. I want more than flashy technique.
I'm happy to report that Helen Phillip's novel-in-fable-like vignettes is odd and ambitious, but highly accessible. I can tell that she had fun writing these two page stories or fables or vignettes or whatever you want to call them. I, too, delighted in her flights of fancy, her surreal imaginings and whimsical juxtapositions.
Here are a few favorite random sentences:
"The men who killed unicorns were no different than us."
"They order us to grow raspberries on our windowsills."
"Your heart is a fawn, tripping over the underbrush as it tries to escape."
"...a house as lovely as a dessert."
"Glancing outside during the tea party, I notice dragons in the yard."
There are some themes and motifs that appear throughout and that hold these tales loosely together -Noah, cucumbers, unicorns, Bob Dylan, dresses. And there is a woman named Helen Phillips.
This is an unusual novel, to be sure, but it all comes together in the end.
As in her previous novels, Prasad masterfully evokes the early 20th century as she reimagines the career of Amelia Earhart - especially her last flight. If God is in the details, then this book is holy. Prasad delivers gorgeous prose, and a believable rendering of characters and events. Attentive readers will also notice cameo appearances by characters from her previous novels.
Children's book illustrator Catherine Barnes has just found out about her art professor husband's infidelities and her son has recently flunked out of eighth grade. To get away from her problems and gain perspective, she and her son venture to Guatemala, where her firm-but-fun sister-in-law Zelda lives.
Catherine figures her son Isaac will be fine staying with his aunt in Antigua for a few days while she goes to the village of Todos Santos with sexy native guide, Oswaldo, to paint. Somewhat predictably (but satisfying so), Catherine falls for her guide and sort of forgets to worry about Isaac. She also strikes up a friendship with a local innkeeper and her German husband, and incurs the wrath of an Evangelical-type priest who tells the villagers that they are about to be set upon by child-stealing devil-worshippers from abroad. Meanwhile, Isaac gets into trouble. Big trouble.
In this lyrical debut, Clearman uses her rich pallette to present a story of suspense, romance, Mayan mysticism and motherhood.
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Suzanne Kamata has commented on (3) products.
And Yet They Were Happy (Leaplit) by Helen Phillips
Suzanne Kamata, February 4, 2012
When I was younger, reading experimental fiction made me feel intellectually superior and artistic. Now that I've reached middle age, however, I want to connect with the stories that I read. I want more than flashy technique.I'm happy to report that Helen Phillip's novel-in-fable-like vignettes is odd and ambitious, but highly accessible. I can tell that she had fun writing these two page stories or fables or vignettes or whatever you want to call them. I, too, delighted in her flights of fancy, her surreal imaginings and whimsical juxtapositions.
Here are a few favorite random sentences:
"The men who killed unicorns were no different than us."
"They order us to grow raspberries on our windowsills."
"Your heart is a fawn, tripping over the underbrush as it tries to escape."
"...a house as lovely as a dessert."
"Glancing outside during the tea party, I notice dragons in the yard."
There are some themes and motifs that appear throughout and that hold these tales loosely together -Noah, cucumbers, unicorns, Bob Dylan, dresses. And there is a woman named Helen Phillips.
This is an unusual novel, to be sure, but it all comes together in the end.
Breathe the Sky: A Novel Inspired by the Life of Amelia Earhart by Chandra Prasad
Suzanne Kamata, September 5, 2010
As in her previous novels, Prasad masterfully evokes the early 20th century as she reimagines the career of Amelia Earhart - especially her last flight. If God is in the details, then this book is holy. Prasad delivers gorgeous prose, and a believable rendering of characters and events. Attentive readers will also notice cameo appearances by characters from her previous novels.Todos Santos by Deborah Clearman
Suzanne Kamata, September 5, 2010
Children's book illustrator Catherine Barnes has just found out about her art professor husband's infidelities and her son has recently flunked out of eighth grade. To get away from her problems and gain perspective, she and her son venture to Guatemala, where her firm-but-fun sister-in-law Zelda lives.Catherine figures her son Isaac will be fine staying with his aunt in Antigua for a few days while she goes to the village of Todos Santos with sexy native guide, Oswaldo, to paint. Somewhat predictably (but satisfying so), Catherine falls for her guide and sort of forgets to worry about Isaac. She also strikes up a friendship with a local innkeeper and her German husband, and incurs the wrath of an Evangelical-type priest who tells the villagers that they are about to be set upon by child-stealing devil-worshippers from abroad. Meanwhile, Isaac gets into trouble. Big trouble.
In this lyrical debut, Clearman uses her rich pallette to present a story of suspense, romance, Mayan mysticism and motherhood.