three-bullet book review

Three-Bullet Book Review: CanLit Double-Double

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (1995)

• accolades, awards, "Have you read A Fine Balance? Oh, you really should."
• meandering narrative eased by smooth writing that lets you go with the flow
• very interesting historical setting

Recommended?

No. Despite the rave reviews, I have now abandoned this novel twice. The first time I tried to read it, I got about 60 pages in and then let in languish. This time I read almost 300 pages and still didn't really care about the characters. I used to feel a responsibility to finish books once I'd started them, but life's too short and there are too many other good books to read.

The Birth House by Ami McKay (2006)

• thoughtful exploration of the history of childbirth, particularly the shift from female-centric traditional midwifery to male-dominated obstetrics
• lovely phrase for booze-spiked tea: "tea with mitts!"
• strong portrayal of the power of female friendship, female community

Recommended?

Definitely. The first time I read this, it made me want to go to the Bay of Fundy (one of my favorite spots on the planet), hang out with fantastic women and have a baby. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it a second time as well, even though the novel's ending feels a bit rushed.

three-bullet book review

Three-Bullet Book Review: The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon (2009)

• captivating portrayal of a historical prelude to major change: the years when Aristotle was Alexander the Great's teacher, just before Alexander conquered the known world
• subtle exploration of teaching / mentoring, including its potential and limitations
• humanizes major historical figures by revealing their complexities

Recommended?

Definitely, even if you're not a Classics nerd like me. Lyon's writing is smooth and dextrous, with lush attention to sensual detail. Historical fiction's necessarily predetermined endings can sometimes limit its allure for me, but Lyon's strong characters and gorgeous writing kept me coming back.

three-bullet book review

Three-Bullet Book Review: The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe (2002)

• Good writing, but sloooowwwwww pace.
• Thoughtful portrayal of Canadian Native and Metis cultures as distinct entities rather than as foils for Anglo-European culture.
• Rape and murder of teenage girl as plot device: overplayed.

Recommended?

Not really. This sat on my shelf for years before I got to it for good reason, it seems. If you're particularly keen on the 19th century West this may be right up your alley, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Promises to My Daughter

This is a long-delayed followup to a post about my relationship to my toddler daughter's clothes and grooming. And my complicity in her indoctrination into compulsory femininity. And my intention to get her on Toddlers and Tiaras as soon as possible.

Uh, no. (via tlc.com)

I promise that in addition to telling you that you are beautiful, I will tell you that you are strong, smart, brave and generally amazing.

I promise to tell you are beautiful even when you respond, "You're my mother! You have to say that!"

I promise never to tell you to remove your body hair, pluck your eyebrows or wear makeup.

I promise that if you ask me about doing these things, I will teach you how in an informed and age-appropriate way.

I promise to let you wear your hair however you want.

Uh, sure, but you'll need to help pay for it out of your allowance / birthday money / babysitting wages (via sodahead.com).

Though since my hair was short and partly royal blue when E was born she'll likely rebel with long sausage curls and subtle blond highlights.

I promise to nag you about flossing, sunscreen, and cleaning under your fingernails.

I promise to continue to avoid talking about my body and/or face in negative ways in front of you. I don't want you to learn the sentences "I'm so fat," "My skin looks like a topographical map of Mars," or "I am as hairy as a Yeti" from me.

I promise to let you wear what you want, within reason, though I absolutely insist on retaining veto power.

Uh, also no. (via badmouthbaby.com)

I promise to teach you about gender's multiplicity and fluidity, both in general and in relation to appearance.

I promise to continually undercut the misogyny woven into ladymags and advertising campaigns.

I promise to keep trying to keep these promises, even when I screw things up.

three-bullet book review

Three-Bullet Book Review: The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt (2009)

• fin de siècle social history framed via family saga totally holds together (easier said than done)
• lovely representations of artisanal craftsmanship made me want to take pottery classes
• large cast of characters written well enough that none seem superfluous

Recommended?

Yes. Fluid narrative, strong characters, solid historical research, beautiful writing. The plot unfolds much as you expect it to, and yet it's not boring. I liked this much better than Byatt's Possession.

three-bullet book review

Three-Bullet Book Review: Burmese Lessons: A True Love Story by Karen Connelly (2009)

• beautifully written autobiography by a poet combines vivid physical descriptions with searing emotional honesty
• unlike many travel writers and international activists, Connelly is aware of -- and openly discusses -- her privileged position
• forthright depiction of lust adds lush sensuality to a complex love story

Recommended?

YES. UNEQUIVOCALLY.

Burmese Lessons is personal, political, gorgeous and powerful. It melds so many genres -- memoir, travel writing, activist non-fiction, romance -- and turns on an excruciating question of choice. Who do you want to be? What life do you want to live? I devoured this in three days and intend to read it again soon.

p.s. to Karen Connelly: I love you.

three-bullet book review

Three-Bullet Book Review: Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks (1999)

• combines several of war literature's sub-genres: action, romance, espionage, trauma
• a subplot that bravely follows two little boys into the Holocaust left me sobbing
• subtle exploration of the relationship between the English and the French

Recommended?

Be forewarned that war literature was my primary academic thing and remains an area of immense personal and intellectual interest. That said, this is a very good read that anyone interested in war novels and/or spy novels could enjoy.