CONTEMPORARY LITERARY FICTION

TRAVELS IN THE SCRIPTORIUM - Paul Auster

I chose this title because it was from a contemporary author and was considered “literary.” Unfortunately there is not much in this book that I find appealing. I think there’s a big difference between the stark abstract and good writing. In this novel, Auster is trying way too hard to be considered...something, I’m still not sure. I thought it was a complete waste of time and I was mad after I finished it that I spent time reading it. I think one of the things I value most out a novel is either good writing or an enticing story. This had neither.

The only appeal factor that was beneficial at all is that it’s considered literary fiction. Check out my full review of Travels in the Scriptorium on my other blog.

Some other books of this style would be:

The Trial, Franz Kafka
Company, Samuel Beckett
The Double (Doppelangelganger), Greg Boyd

I’ve read The Trial and found it equally mind boggling. While I understand the concepts that Kafka is trying to show, it just wasn't that enjoyable to read. Samuel Beckett is also a well known modernist writer whose work might be interesting. The final title sounds cool because it includes a doppelganger and reminds me of when I read Equus in college.

MYSTERY

The Flanders Panel - Arturo Perez-Reverte

In the realm of literary mystery, Perez-Reverte provides a modern, sophisticated and unfortunately shallow look at art, history, mystery and the prototypes of the business.

I chose this novel randomly after studiously perusing the shelves of Barnes and Noble for a smart, interesting mystery. I was tempted to go with a traditional Agatha Christie or Janet Evanovich, but I opted for the quasi DaVinci Code read alike.

The premise is a painting with three subjects and an unfinished game of chess set in the 15th century. Julia, art restorer and protagonist uncovers the real mystery of this painting, an unsolved murder and the unlikely murderer. Soon enough a 20th century game of chess begins and she becomes a living piece on the chessboard.

While the mystery is seemingly interesting in the beginning, shortly enough the plot becomes a mess of poorly orchestrated chess plays and a set of characters that are clunky and pretentious.

Despite the bland plot it is the stereotypical characters that really disappoint. There’s the flaming homosexual, the older, slutty crack addict and the beautiful, independent, single and searching, protagonist. None of these characters would ever associate with each other in real life and I was appalled at the casual use of heroine and alcohol by the cast.

The novel gets two thumbs down from this reader. If this is what “literary” mysteries are all about, I’ll stick to M.E. Braddon or Agatha Christie. Arturo Perez should read Joanne Harris’, Gentlemen and Players and learn from her use subtlety - especially, when it comes to a chess undertone. Harris dominated it with that novel.

Note: I read the Publisher’s Weekly review after I wrote this and while theirs may be a little more eloquent, I’m glad to see that we’re eerily on the same page.
http://www.amazon.com/Flanders-Panel-Arturo-Perez-Reverte/dp/0553377868

Other more worthy reads:

Ex-Libris by Ross King
Features a man on a mysteries journey through the world of books in 17th century London. What could be better!!

Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris
Harris a modern master of language, subtlety and unique backgrounds creates this masterpiece with a classic feel amidst a prestigious boys school. Harris uses the concept of chess to direct her players moves, the ending is delicious and unexpected. A must read.

ROMANCE

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I chose Outlander as my romance selection after searching around on Novelist. I was looking for a very stereotypical historical romance with a lot of cheesy love scenes. It just so happened that it was February, national Romance month and NoveList was featuring novels and highland men in kilt novel and Outlander set the trend for the now popular sub-genre.

Set in the 18th century Scotland/England. Claire Randall transports back to the Scotland amidst the beginnings of the second Jacobite rebellion. Picked up by a band of Scottish Rogues she is off on a remarkable adventure - none the less of which includes the dashing Jamie Fraser.

After reading Outlander, I have a hard time categorizing it as strictly a romance novel. I think it would be much better labeled as historical fiction and/or Fantasy with its time-travel elements. While elements of time travel are present, Outlander does not have several of the traditional characteristics of romance novels. The couple, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, marry in the first novel, it is written in the first person, it does not have a happy ending and both are married to other people throughout their journey in time, etc.

I love Gabaldon's use of natural medicine, aspects of pagan religion and Claire's quick wit and guts.

While it's hard to describe the novel without sounding a little cheesy, it's worth the risk. This novel totally threw me for a loop - I've already finished the next two in the series.

Other Recommendations:

Prince Across the Water, Jane Yolen
This novel looks more in-depthly at Bonny Prince Charlie and the happenings of the Jacobite rebellion.

The Black flower: a novel of the Civil War by Howard Bahr

This features a nurse and patient relationship during the Civil war told during only two days at the battle of Franklin, TN in November 1864. Bahr is recognized for his historical accuracy and literary imagination. It was nominated for four awards.

SCIENCE FICTION

DRAGONFLIGHT - Anne McCaffrey

Dragonflight was actually my second attempt at a science fiction book. Originally, I read about 50 pages of Dune by Frank Herbert, a book that I had always wanted to read. Unfortunately, it was so confusing that I could not concentrate on reading it with my scattered reading schedule.

I found Dragonflight through Genreflecting. I’m still a little confused about why it is considered a science fiction novel versus fantasy, but definitely believe it could go either way. I think the main factor that places it among sci-fi over fantasy is that within the time travel, the characters go into the past as well as into the future. From what I have read, it appears that fantasy generally focuses on the past and sci-fi focus on things that could be... There is also some aspect of biological warfare that requires some abstract form of technology to get rid of, although it is not explained very well.

As far as the story goes, there were aspects of it that I really liked, but in creating this world, I feel that the characters are not very likeable. Set in the world of Pern, Lessa is heir to the Weyrwoman throne at Ruatha Hold. Her and her dragon are in charge of bringing back the power the dragon riders use to have. This becomes necessary when the world is showered with Threads that have potential for destroying Pern.

There are some 20 books in this series. McCaffrey is quite a prolific writer, and has written numerous other series.

Other similar books that might be interesting:

• The Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

This sounds good for several reasons: Bradley tends to focus on strong female heroines. She writes lengthy series, so you're able to stay with her characters for a long time. Bradley's The Mists of Avalon was a fantastic Arthurian fantasy and I bet her other books are good too.

The Host: a novel by Stephanie Meyer
Meyer's first adult novel - earth has been invaded, humanity is at stake and Melanie Stryder's body is invaded by another force. Melanie still yearns over her human love - Jared. Now three minds are involved in this love triangle of the future.

GRAPHIC NOVEL

Glacial Period

Glacial Period is a graphic novel published jointly by ComicsLit and the Louvre. Apparantly it is the first time this company has published in the U.S. The Louvre is involved in a series of four graphic novels, all by different authors, dealing with the classic artwork of the Louvre.

While DeCrecy’s artwork is very good, especially his interpretations of the museum classics, the story is abstract, hard to follow and dry. The cover flaps of the book are very deceiving in regards to the story, calling DeCrecy a “mad genius,” which is a bit of an overstatement. Definitely intended for a teen + audience. It could be useful for an introduction to the Louvre museum and its masterpieces. DeCrecy was also nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Painter in 2007 for his work in Glacial Period.

The graphic novel category is sort of new to me. I used to read Batman comics as a kid. He's the only superhero I really like. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can really get into this genre again. In this graphic novel, the words were sparse, and flipping through the pictures wasn't all the interesting.

I did enjoy the concept of Louvre of the future and looking at famous artwork from another perspective.

Some books I'd try based on those themes:

Nike: a romance
A first novel by Nicholal Flokos - this story features the return of the statue Nike of Samothrace which was taken to the Louvre in the 19th century. Sounds quirky and original.


Something out of Nothing: Marie Curie and Radium -Carla Killough McClafferty

This is a biography featuring Maria Curie and her work as groundbreaking scientist. She was the first woman to win a Novel Prize. A very readable account of her life and times.

NON-FICTION

The Map that Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology


This is another one of Simon Winchester’s exciting tales. I really enjoyed his two books on The Oxford English Dictionary - The Meaning of Everything and The Professor and the Madman, and thought this might be worth a look. It definitely was not as good as the other two, possibly due to the topic. Winchester strays from the topic most of the time making it easy to get lost in the story at hand. Although it was an interesting story, he deals a little too non-chalantly with the evolution aspect - making the rest of the information not quite as credible for me. His humor and colloquial account still makes for a refreshing read.

Seeing I’m not really interested in geology, these two titles deal with maps and exploration.

• Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before – Tony Horwitz

Not really about a cook in the food sense, it deals with ocean exploration and completing the first map of the world.

• The Island of Lost Maps: A True Story of Cartographic Crime - Miles Harvey

An exploration about a man who stole priceless maps from a library.

Communication Quandary

It’s not often that I feel overly sympathetic for inmates of the criminal justice system. In fact we are taught not to feel “sympathy” but instead, “empathy” for their situation. That said, a Hispanic female was housed in my pod the other day. As I was doing a security check I noticed her sitting on the floor of the bathroom crying. Having introduced her to the pod moments before, I was aware of the fact that she spoke almost no English.

After five years of high school and college Spanish I have to say that I can speak very little Spanish. Normally, I would just find another Spanish speaking inmate and have them translate. Unfortunately, out of 36 inmates, she was the only Spanish speaker. I attempted to use an online translator to a degree and hopefully got across a few main points of being in jail. For the most part though, there was almost no communication and I think we both felt a little helpless.

And so, yet another instance of how communication plays a key role in reference, and other, transactions. Is it necessary, as a professional to be able to speak other languages, especially Spanish? Are we obligated to learn a second language? If so, shouldn’t the United States follow the techniques of Asia and Africa where English or a second official language is taught in primary school and earlier?

I’m very torn on this subject because it is frustrating not to be able to get your point across due to a language barrier, when there are already so many other barriers to get over. And yet I feel bad that the US has managed to wipe out so many other cultures in the assimilation process. Ah how I would love to speak German with my grandma. While I did my best to purge the library carts of Spanish reading material, all I can say is that I am glad I wasn’t able to tell her that INS was picking her up in the morning.