Have a Nice Day!

American writer Barbara Ehrenreich wrote Smile of Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World (2009) in response to the multi-billion dollar industry promoting the notion that positive thinking can cure what ails you.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Ehrenreich became frustrated by continually being told during her treatment and recovery that attitude was the key to her survival. From the pink products and positive affirmations, to putting on a brave face for loved ones and survivor stories, there was an expectation that patients must see illness as an opportunity and have the right attitude to get well.

Sceptical of the guff surrounding thinking your way to wellness, Ehrenreich set out to explore the origins of this new thinking from the 19th century response to Calvinism though to motivational speakers, self-help gurus, spiritual advisers, and get-rich-quick schemes. She discovered that Americans have whole-heartedly bought in to the belief that you can visualise health, wealth and happiness. All it takes to attain your desires is thinking yourself in a new situation.

While on the surface this seems like a great idea - an easy way to imagine success without putting in much effort - what happens when things go wrong? Clearly, you must have attracted the bad things that happened to you and therefore deserved them. The cult of positive thinking would have you believing that it is your fault because you didn't pray enough or failed to be sufficiently optimistic.

Smile or Die is a well-researched, though-provoking and powerful critique. Ehrenreich's humour balances her skepticism. Ultimately I found it a refreshing alternative to the fortune cookie wisdom and empty platitudes spruiked by so many business books and self-improvement tomes.

In America Ehrenreich's book was published as Bright-Sided: How Positive thinking is Undermining America (2009). Sounds like a more positive title for the American market!

In Cold Blood

I have spent the last few days in Iceland.  Australian author Hannah Kent transported me there with her deliciously descriptive debut novel, Burial Rites (2013).  So engrossing was this book that I could hear the wind rattle the windows in my claustrophobic turf croft and feel the chill in my bones as the snow piled high outside my door.

Kent tells the story of Agnes Magnusdottir, a woman in her thirties who was sentenced to death for her role in the violent murder of two men on a remote farm in Northern Iceland. As there was no prison to hold her, Agnes was sent to a farm in Kornsa to live with a Christian family while special equipment was being created for her execution. Assistant Reverend Toti is appointed to administer to her spiritual needs and prepare her for her death.

Told from alternating perspectives as the seasons pass, Agnes’ childhood and the events leading up to the murders gradually unfold. The whole community is impacted by the arrival of Agnes, especially the family with whom she is billeted. The relationship between Margret and Agnes is particularly interesting, commencing with fear and disdain and evolving into empathy and even admiration. 

Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s brilliant Alias Grace (1996), this historical fiction is based on real events and Kent has done tremendous research to embed this fictional account with such rich detail. Readers are left to contemplate broad issues of justice, guilt/innocence, capital punishment, poverty, family, faith, freedom and love.

I did not anticipate how much of page-turner this novel would be, and once I started I could not stop. I highly recommend this novel and cannot wait to see what Kent writes next.

My review of Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace is also available on this blog.

Gone Baby Gone

Gillian Flynn's Girl Gone (2012) is a thrilling story of a marriage between two people who are not what they appear. Nick and Amy are a glittering, gorgeous couple living an envied life in New York. Nick is a pop culture journalist known for his quick wit and film trivia. A generation of young people have grown up knowing Amy as the perfect heroine of the “Amazing Amy” books, authored by Amy’s parents.

Their perfect life changes when they lose their jobs and their financial reserves begin to dry up.  Nick decides they should leave life in Manhattan to return to his hometown of Carthage, a small town on the Mississippi River, to care for his ailing mother. Amy reluctantly travels with him and tries to adjust to her new life. On the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick comes home to find his front door open and the scenes of a struggle. With his wife missing, Nick quickly finds himself the prime suspect in her disappearance and presumed death. What happens next is an intriguing tale of love and lies.

Told in alternating narratives from Nick in the present day and Amy’s voice echoing from her diary entries, author Gillian Flynn builds the story in such a way as to make you think you know what is going to happen. Suddenly there is a twist and another and another until it is clear that you have no idea how the story will end. The change in points of view with each chapter has the reader changing sides as well – yes, he must have done it/no, he couldn’t have – perhaps their “perfect” marriage wasn’t so perfect after all.

I really relished this novel. It held my interest from the beginning, and I couldn’t wait to read what happened next. Part of the reason I enjoyed it was that Flynn has created love-to-hate, seriously damaged characters that manipulate the reader with their version of events. Flynn’s depiction of the media circus following this case critiques our lust for true crime; where guilt is assumed before the facts are known. The ending left me a bit flat, however, as I felt the tension and build up would have a more dramatic conclusion.

Gone Girl is an enjoyable page-turner that is a perfect holiday read. But… it deserves a much better title!

Weddings and Funerals

I have no will power! I couldn’t resist. I needed to know what would happen to everyone in Westeros, so I plunged myself back into the series with A Storm of Swords – Part 2: Blood and Gold (2000) moments after finishing my review of Part 1.

It has been hard to write about this book without revealing spoilers. Martin’s books are full of shocking events, including the deaths of major characters. So if you haven’t read the books and plan to, read no further…  But chances are you will know some of what happened already. As I write, season 3 of the Game of Thrones television series has just ended and the Internet is alive with commentary about the dramatic finale. So if you have seen the show or use social media, you know about the Red Wedding.

The Red Wedding would have come as a shock to television viewers but in the books there was such a build up that it was evident that something would happen at the marriage of Edmure Tully. Martin lead up to the event with a deep sense of foreboding – the quick alternating chapters of Catelyn and Arya, Robb leaving his wife behind and naming Jon as his heir, the strange behaviour of Walder Frey and his family, the people who should have been but were not at the wedding. It was clear that someone would die before the night was out, but who and how was absolutely shocking. It was a devastating read which left me reeling at the consequences.

Meanwhile in Kings Landing, preparations are underway for the marriage of King Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell. This wedding is not free of death either and the victim was most deserving of a painful demise. Tyrion is arrested for murder and chooses trial by battle for his defence.  Jaime Lannister arrives back in Kings Landing and into the arms of Queen Cersei. He is appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Cersei is to be married off to a Tyrell in order to secure an alliance.  Evil Lord Tywin continues to show a complete lack of empathy for his children.

Littlefinger takes Sansa to the Eyrie to her strange aunt Lysa. While free of the torments of the Lannisters, Sansa soon finds that Lysa is threatened by her niece and seeks to harms her. Littlefinger reveals his true self.

Jon, Ygritte and the band of wildings climb the Wall and are heading for battle at Castle Black. Jon flees to warn his brothers of the Night’s Watch. Jon leads the defence against Mance Rayder’s army. But soon the Others are pushing South and threatening the wall. Stannis Baratheon arrives with his forces determined to forge a new kingdom in the north.

Meanwhile Daenerys has freed the slaves of Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen but soon learns that she has left behind a power vacuum in which dictators have taken over. She decides to stay in Meereen and learn how to be Queen by caring for the people she has freed.

I think it was wise for Martin to split the book into two sections – even if I read them in rapid succession – as it allowed for a pause in this dense epic novel.  The second part was better than the first, as this is where all the action was. This is my favourite in the series so far and I look forward to A Feast for Crows (2005). But first… I definitely need to read something other than George RR Martin!!!

My reviews of the previous instalments - A Game of Thrones (1996), A Clash of Kings (1999) and A Storm of Swords Part 1: Steel and Snow (2000) - are also available on this blog.

Valar Morghulis

Despite promising in January that I would leave Westeros behind and tackle my growing To-Be-Read pile, as soon as I finished George RR Martin’s A Clash of Kings (1999) I found myself pining for the characters who have become so much a part of my reading life. Sure I dabbled in other books, but it wasn’t too long before I cracked the spine on Book 3 of the Song of Ice and Fire series and commenced A Storm of Swords - Part 1: Steel and Snow (2000).

**Caution  - Spoilers Ahead**

The novel begins just after the Battle of Blackwater and what remains of Stannis Barratheon’s army has retreated. In Kings Landing Twyin Lannister is puppet master as Hand to King Joffrey. Lady Margaery Tyrell, now a widow, is betrothed to the young King. Sansa Stark has been relieved of her engagement to the tyrannical brat, and has become fast friends with Margaery. Sansa is hopeful of marrying handsome Loras Tyrell, unaware he has no interest in women.  

Wicked Tywin Lannister is keen to forge alliances and so quickly organises marriages for his children: Tyrion to Sansa Stark, and Cersai to Loras Tyrell. Neither is delighted by the betrothals yet they are powerless against their dispassionate father. But Tywin may have met his match with Margaery’s grandmother Oleana Redwyne, who is razor sharp and possesses a wicked wit.

Meanwhile King in the North, Robb Stark, is winning many battles but losing allies by marrying for love not duty. He is trying to be Kingly but in doing so has to make difficult choices. His youngest sister Arya, still trying to get home to Winterfell, has been handed over to the Brotherhood without Banners, and comes face to face with Sandor Clegane.  Bran, Rickon and their entourage continue their journey North to the Wall.

Beyond the Wall, Jon Snow has fallen in with the Wildings and must convince them that he is loyal despite his desire to return to the North Watch. His intimacy with Ygritte only complicates matters for him. Elsewhere Mormont’s Watch crew is falling apart and Samwell Tarly has fled from Caster’s Keep with Gilly and her newborn son. 

Across the sea in the east Daenerys Targareyen buys a slave army, the Unsullied, and proves herself a brave warrior. With her dragons growing, Dany is gearing up for her journey across the sea to reclaim her throne. 

Martin has managed to change my feelings about some of the characters with this installment. Spending more time with Daenerys has made me admire her more. Samwell has his own chapters, as does Jamie Lannister. The Kingslayer has been drawn as a complex, interesting man and I loved how Martin revealed Jamie’s backstory. I must say though, I did miss Theon Greyjoy who has not been seen since he burned Winterfell to the ground at the end of the pervious book.

The first part of this novel ends with guests arriving for King Joffrey’s lavish wedding, including visitors from Dorne who seem intent on vengeance for past wrongs. The next part of A Storm of Swords – Part 2: Blood and Gold (2000) has been set up perfectly and it will take all my willpower to turn my attention to other books before finishing this compelling saga.

This is the first Fire and Ice book I have read at the same time as the HBO Game of Thrones series airs.  While I love the book and the series, reading them in parallel has not been a great idea for me. I feel it would have been far better to allow a gap between so I could have enjoyed the show fully without direct comparisons to the book.

My reviews of the previous instalments - A Game of Thrones (1996) and A Clash of Kings (1999) - are also available on this blog.

Dreams from my Father

It was 20 years ago today that my father passed away. I think about my dad often, particularly on birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Books, movies, news events and politics often trigger thoughts of him. I think of how dad would have enjoyed a film like Argo, or I read a passage by Hitchens that reminds me of my dad’s clever turn of phrase. I would have loved to dissect and debate current events with him – to hear his thoughts on Syria, Thatcher’s death, gun control, same sex marriage, the carbon tax and the recent attacks in Boston. He was always so knowledgeable and as a journalist had a deep interest in the world – and I will always be grateful that he passed on this curiosity and inquisitiveness to me.

The lead up to the anniversary of his death is a time of great reflection for me, and so it is perhaps timely to use this book blog to thank my Dad for the books and authors he introduced me to.

As a young child, my parents read to me and taught me to love books at an early age. Dog-eared books by Richard Scarry and Dr Seuss were constants, as were the Berenstain Bears. Fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm were also often read with Dad acting out parts and putting on voices as he read. Roald Dahl was a regular bedtime read.

A A Milne was a favorite and I remember Dad reading When we were Very Young (1924) with me. I could recite “Disobedience” by heart (and still can – “James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree…”) and still think of “Half-way Down” every time I go up or down my stairs. We moved on to Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), The House at Pooh Corner (1928) and Now we are Six (1927). Dad loved poetry and we both loved the rhythm of Milne's verse.

 

Dad loved books that were a bit subversive, and so Hilaire Belloc’s Cautionary Tales for Children (1907) was a delightful bedtime read and was used to remind me of appropriate behavior (Don't tell lies, lest you end up burned to death like Matilda!). Also beloved were Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), JM Barrie’s Peter Pan (1911) and JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit (1937).

As I grew older and read on my own, we would read in tandem and continue to discuss books. I remember a deep-and-meaningful late night chat about religion when I was a pre-teen reading Judy Blume’s Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret. (1970). This continued when I read Anne Frank's Diary and Dad and I would discuss at length the atrocities of the holocaust.  

Dad was delighted when I started reading George Orwell. He was a huge Orwell fan and Dad read my book reports on Animal Farm (1945) and Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) with interest.  We read Ray Bradbury’s Farhenheit 451 together and discussed it at length - in fact I think the book report I submitted on this book was largely written by my father!

As I entered high school, Dad would review my reading lists and make recommendations to push me to expand my horizons. He would read my papers on Catcher in the Rye, Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, and countless Shakespeare plays. If I enjoyed a novel, Dad would recommend other authors on a similar theme or presenting an opposing point of view.  I find myself playing this role with friends now - getting excited about introducing others to new books and authors. 

Dad introduced me to so many great writers like Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Albert Camus, Joseph Conrad, F Scott Fitzgerald, Graham Greene, Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka, Somerset Maugham, Victor Hugo, Tom Wolfe, Henry Miller and Philip Roth. In turn, as I became more feminist, I introduced many great women writers to my father and sparked many of his "Devil’s Advocate" debates designed to sharpen my wits and dig in my heels.  I only wish he had been here long enough so we could discuss Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, GRR Martin’s Song of Fire and Ice series, not to mention the non-fiction works of Christopher Hitchens and so many others.

Dad left us far too soon and we all feel the void left by his absence. I wish he were here and could see my brother and I become adults and meet the family we have created. But he passed on a great gift to me in encouraging my imagination through a love of literature. 

I think of him as I read and thank him for sharing this part of himself with me. Now as I read to the children in my life, I like to think that I am sharing a piece of my Dad with his grandchildren and all the wonder and imagination that he gave me.

Time Bandits

Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer Prize winning A Visit from the Goon Squad (2010) is a wonderfully quirky novel comprised of thirteen interlinked short stories. The stories in the book dart about around the globe - New York, Naples, Africa, San Francisco and beyond – and cover about 40 years in the lives of various characters.

A character that is marginal in one chapter becomes the protagonist in the next. Just when you are left wondering, “I wonder what happened to…” you find a passing reference to someone at a different point in his or her life. It does take a bit of getting use to and perhaps it is best to just read each chapter as an individual story, then step back when you are finished and marvel at the whole.

You begin by reading about 30-something kleptomaniac Sasha on a date in New York, and then you don’t see her again until you read a story about teenaged Sasha in Naples. Later you learn more about Sasha through reading the PowerPoint journal of her twelve-year-old daughter Ally. In between you meet: Sasha’s boss, music producer Bennie Salazar struggling to make a connection with his son; philanderer Lou Kline and his string of broken lovers and children; Bennie’s wife Stephanie who hides her friendships; could-have-been actress Kitty Jackson; tragic Rob, Sasha’s close college friend; and many more.

There is great humour in the book and I often found myself laughing out loud. My favourite story features PR Queen La Doll who is attempting a comeback after she accidentally maimed the who’s-who of New York and was knocked from her throne. She then takes on an unlikely client, a genocidal dictator, in an attempt to reinvent his image and revive her career. 

The goon squad is a reference to the thug that is time – it creeps up on us and whacks us when we aren’t looking. All the characters have issues with time – time passing them by, lost youth, aging, and the sense of what could have been had another path been taken.  The other central theme is music and the interconnection characters have with the industry makes for a fascinating soundtrack. In particular, I loved the obsession Lincoln has with great rock and roll pauses.

After reading the book I went online and found that many people had tried to draw flow charts connecting the characters and timelines to put the novel in chronological order.  Just the kind of nerdiness that I would have pursued, had others not done it for me!

Egan is a wonderful writer with a keen eye for human nature. Whether she is writing in first, second and third person narrative, she is able to get under the skin of her characters and bring them to life.  Her writing is fun and clever, but never arrogant. I can see why Egan won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Well deserved for this brilliant book. Highly recommended. 

Update 2022

Egan has written a sequel/companion novel! See my review: The Candy House (2022). 

Things that go bump in the night

While the entire world seems to be reading a Fifty Shades novel, I opted for a different kind of sex book. Mary Roach’s Bonk – The curious coupling of sex and science (2008) is all about sex.

Roach investigates the weird and wonderful world of sex research. She explores the historical attempts at enhancing pleasure and curing various dysfunctions, including those from ancient Greece, medieval times, the early 20^th Century, and the work of Kinsey and Masters & Johnson.  She also shows us the advances made through modern day research using MRIs, exploratory surgeries and even sex-toy R&D labs.

Whether wading though journal articles, or attending a Scandinavian pig farm, or viewing surgical implants, the thoroughness of Roach’s research reveals a degree of commitment that she throws herself into the subject. Literally - Roach and her devoted partner Ed volunteered to participate in research by subjecting themselves to ultrasound scanning while performing to assist researchers to learn more about the internal sexual anatomy.

There is humour throughout, in both the bizarre circumstances and Roach’s vivid descriptions. I will never look at a gooseneck lamp again without thinking of a certain Taiwanese surgical procedure. She makes science fun and you can’t help but laugh out loud at some of the nonsensical absurdities that have been presented as medical research.

Roach inserts herself in the book with witty asides and footnotes. This worked well in her book Stiff – The curious lives of human cadavers (2003), but occasionally works less well here. Sometimes these are distracting or obvious smirks, that could have been removed allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.

This book should come with a warning. Roach is not shy about asking the questions we are curious about but would be too embarrassed to ask. Her descriptions of certain procedures and tests will leave you crossed-legged and shuddering. There is creepiness and ickiness. So beware, once you know it you can never un-know it.

My review of Roach’s equally fascinating, hilarious and enlightening book Stiff – The curious lives of human cadavers is also on this blog.