Embers by Sandor Marai

Embers by Sandor Marai:

Originally published in 1942 and now rediscovered to international acclaim, this taut and exquisitely structured novel by the Hungarian master Sandor Marai conjures the melancholy glamour of a decaying empire and the disillusioned wisdom of its last heirs.

In a secluded woodland castle an old General prepares to receive a rare visitor, a man who was once his closest friend but who he has not seen in forty-one years. Over the ensuing hours host and guest will fight a duel of words and silences, accusations and evasions. They will exhume the memory of their friendship and that of the General’s beautiful, long-dead wife. And they will return to the time the three of them last sat together following a hunt in the nearby forest--a hunt in which no game was taken but during which something was lost forever. Embers is a classic of modern European literature, a work whose poignant evocation of the past also seems like a prophetic glimpse into the moral abyss of the present

This is the current selection for my book club, which is why I read it. The above synopsis is from the back cover. I don't know that I agree that "a duel of words" takes place; it's more a narrative. I really enjoyed the story, and found it to be very visual and haunting. There is also an air of suspense, although I found the ending to be anticlimactic. Worth reading, though!

I'm not putting this one up for grabs, as I've already promised it to someone in my book club.

Disability is Natural

Jen, I got my used copy from eBay today and, wow. It's about fourteen thousand pages. Did you actually read it cover to cover? Can you suggest certain chapters or sections?

Choosing Naia

I got this book from the lovely Chrystal, who had reviewed it on her other blog. If you want to know about the book, you'll have to read her review, because it is wordy and overly drawn out and I just can not get into it.

First of all, I thought I'd be really intrigued by reading the story of someone with a prenatal diagnosis and how they adapted and learned about DS and then their feelings when the baby finally arrived. But instead I find I'm really annoyed by the prose. It read (to me) like a man (the author) was doing a dramatic voice-over for every detail of these people's lives. Voice of a book is important to me, and this was just dragging me down.

So. I didn't finish this book, I am ashamed to say. I didn't even make it to the birth of Naia. That's hard for me to admit - I used to finish a book regardless of whether or not I liked it, but now I have better things to do with my time, I guess.

Did I sell you on it? Anyone want to take a stab at a book that I was too lazy to power through?

A new contributor!

Lookie who's joined us: Michelle of The Zoromski Chronicles :)

Bad Mother, Bad Book

I just finished reading Ayelet Waldman's book Bad Mother. I didn't love it.

I found Waldman to be whiny and unlikable, to be honest. It seems like she lives in her own little overprivileged bubble where children should be perfect and shiny accessories, and her own self-absorption clouds every interaction she has. She didn't seem to be saying anything that I haven't heard before, about the competition between mothers and how we all feel like we're not doing a good job.

Maybe I went into the book already not liking her. I give her credit for discussing her "genetic termination" of a baby with a chromosomal abnormality that may or may not have resulted in any symptoms or problems. But I just didn't like her for it. It seemed like a really selfish move on her part, especially since her husband wanted to have the baby. I try hard not to judge other people in difficult situations, but I just couldn't help myself. Sorry.

Anyway, thanks to Megan for passing it on, as it WAS marginally entertaining. It's ready to ship to someone else if any of you want it!

Another book about a child with Down syndrome

For those interested: Karina Has Down Syndrome

I put it on my Amazon wish list and will get it next time I place an order.

Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton

Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton: I read this book for a few reasons: I love me a good biography/memoir; my husband is a musician (he plays several instruments but is most passionate about the guitar) which has influenced my interest in music; and, I heard that Eric Clapton has had a pretty interesting and somewhat scandalous life. The book didn't disappoint. From just a general biographical standpoint, it's an interesting story, starting with the fact that for the first several years of his life he was raised to believe that his mother, who gave birth to him at the age of 15, was his sister, and then going into detail about his many relationships with various women and his alcoholism, drug addiction, and eventual recovery. However, I'm not quite sure it would appeal to someone who didn't have at least some interest in music and the music industry, as he talks a lot about all of that. It's a good story with a feel-good ending, but in all honesty, by the last couple of chapters, I was eager to just be done with it. If I had to rate it, I'd probably give it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

It's up for grabs if anyone's interested . . . Wendy? Tricia? Anyone?