"The garb of a Southern lady would be her uniform, her cleverness her weapon, her battlefield the prisons and markets and dining rooms of Richmond, or wherever else her duty beckoned her."
-from the novel
This book was chosen for our book club because we could get several copies in a Book Bundle from our library and because it was a bit different from what we had read most recently. Historical fiction is a favorite genre of mine and, I believe, several of our members. I confess to being something of a history buff and the Civil War era is of particular interest to me. I have to say I have read many of this genre and setting that I liked much more. I will give this one only a 3 but I am glad I read it.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Van Lew, a real historical figure, is a 43-year-old spinster living in Richmond at the outset of the Civil War. The Van Lews are fervent Unionists who find themselves in a hotbed of rebels as Virginia votes to secede from the United States. She risks her own safety by nurturing the Union prisoners being kept in deplorable conditions in the infamous Libby Prison and others. Not only that, she finds creative ways to pass secret messages from captive officers to the Union command. I have visited the site of the Confederate prison in Andersonville, GA, and the descriptions were horrifying, which really helped me to better understand what Lizzie was facing.
A friend who is a retired professor of Civil War history read the book and felt it was well-researched. Many situations and historical characters in the novel were familiar to me such as the capture of spy Rose Greenhow, the work of detective Allan Pinkerton and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, killed by friendly fire. There were surprises, too, for example I didn't know about the "Great Yankee Wonder," the escape of over 100 prisoners from Libby Prison and the reputation of General Benjamin Butler, called Butler the Beast, as the most hated Union officer. I would have thought that superlative would have described Sherman. My husband and I recently saw a one-man show featuring reflections of General Robert E. Lee. In reading The Spymistress, I found myself recalling a number of battles and events he had mentioned such as Seven Pines and the Wilderness.
It was interesting to me that Lizzie dreamed of meeting President Lincoln although she did not have the chance, due to his assassination soon after the end of the war. It reminded me of the children's book, Pink and Say, by Patricia Polacco, where the hand that has touched the hand of Lincoln is almost sacred. (A powerful story, if you've never read it!) Lizzie did, however, get to meet General Grant who thanked her for the valuable intelligence she had provided him.
In summary, a quote from the book jacket: "...in... Chiaverini's riveting tale of high stakes espionage, a great heroine of the Civil War finally gets her due." I really admired Lizzie's bravery, selflessness, unwavering patriotism and devotion to her cause. I look forward to our group discussion tomorrow though I suspect this novel will not be a favorite.
---------------------------
When our group met, we had more folks than usual to discuss The Spymistress, eighteen of us. Refreshments included delicious homemade ginger cakes which were mentioned in the novel. As the one providing beverages, I could not bring myself to buy buttermilk which would have also been fitting.
Our average rating was 3.1, with the only 4's given by our male participants. Interesting! Many group members had more to contribute than opinions of the plot and literary style. One who has read extensively on the Civil War brought a large volume with photographs of Richmond pre and post-war. Another had lived in Richmond and provided insight into the "Virginia attitude." Still another shared artifacts of the Confederacy held by her family. Also our retired history professor could answer many questions about the accuracy of the setting and events.
Our group pretty much agreed that Lizzie Van Lew's bravery and perseverance were admirable. I think many of us were surprised to learn of the work and sacrifice of Union sympathizers in the Confederate capital and many of us learned of Elizabeth Van Lew's heroism for the first time. One person who gave the book a rating of 3 said she felt as if she were reading a magazine article because the writing lacked emotion. Another who did not rate the book told me she knew several pages into it, she just didn't have the desire to finish it.
Though the novel received only a 3.1, the group meeting and discussion merited a 5!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Savannah Comes Undone by Denise Hildreth
"I had expected Grant to marry me. I had expected to be a novelist. I had expected the circle of life to end up, well, in a circle. But somewhere Savannah's train had missed the junction, and I was heading into a land of uncharted territory and frightening change."
-Savannah's reflection, from the novel
A few years ago we had a trip planned to Savannah, GA. I always enjoy reading fiction about places we are about to visit. At that time I came across Savannah from Savannah by Denise Hildreth. I remember that it was a delightful read. Unfortunately I broke my leg a few weeks before the trip which forced us to cancel. The postponed trip to Savannah is coming soon, thank goodness! While looking for literature set in the area, I rediscovered this author and found 2 sequels. Savannah Comes Undone was the first and I liked it.
I have visited Savannah in the past so I recognized some characteristics mentioned in the novel, such as the squares, parks and statues. I remembered the Mercer House owned by Jim Williams, accused of murder in the blockbuster bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. We had actually eaten at Clary's. Ms. Hildreth mentions other landmarks and restaurants that I hope to visit when we are there next month.
This story has young newspaper columnist Savannah Phillips dealing with her socialite, activist mother in a position Savannah finds embarrassing. Mix in a wise and loveable street lady, a mischievous best friend, an ex-boyfriend who is engaged, a would-be boyfriend in pursuit and even a visit from the President and you have an enchanting plot. I certainly couldn't classify the book as fine literature but it is amusing. I will rate it a 3.5, since it served its purpose, whetting my appetite for the trip, and because I have become quite fond of Savannah from Savannah.
-Savannah's reflection, from the novel
A few years ago we had a trip planned to Savannah, GA. I always enjoy reading fiction about places we are about to visit. At that time I came across Savannah from Savannah by Denise Hildreth. I remember that it was a delightful read. Unfortunately I broke my leg a few weeks before the trip which forced us to cancel. The postponed trip to Savannah is coming soon, thank goodness! While looking for literature set in the area, I rediscovered this author and found 2 sequels. Savannah Comes Undone was the first and I liked it.
I have visited Savannah in the past so I recognized some characteristics mentioned in the novel, such as the squares, parks and statues. I remembered the Mercer House owned by Jim Williams, accused of murder in the blockbuster bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. We had actually eaten at Clary's. Ms. Hildreth mentions other landmarks and restaurants that I hope to visit when we are there next month.
This story has young newspaper columnist Savannah Phillips dealing with her socialite, activist mother in a position Savannah finds embarrassing. Mix in a wise and loveable street lady, a mischievous best friend, an ex-boyfriend who is engaged, a would-be boyfriend in pursuit and even a visit from the President and you have an enchanting plot. I certainly couldn't classify the book as fine literature but it is amusing. I will rate it a 3.5, since it served its purpose, whetting my appetite for the trip, and because I have become quite fond of Savannah from Savannah.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Charleston by John Jakes
"From valley green, mountain high,
Hear the soulful, joyful cry.
Meek and mighty, black and white,
Praise the coming of the light.
A better, brighter morning
Is the glory that I see.
Such a better, brighter morning
On the day---all---men---are
Free."
-From "A Better, Brighter Morning" as sung by Alexandra Bell, in the novel
I believe I read this novel a number of years ago but a trip to Charleston next month inspired me to read it again. I have read quite a few of Jakes' historical fictions and enjoyed them all. This one I will rate a 5.
The novel begins with 3 family trees which are quite helpful to keep the many characters straight. The story progresses through 6 generations of the Bell family, starting toward the end of the American Revolution. Thomas Bell has two sons who split on the issue of American independence and never come together again. Edward Bell's side of the family provide the protagonists and brother Adrian's side, the ones I loved to hate! My favorite character was Alexandra Bell, an abolitionist and women's rights advocate ahead of her time. Such a brave and determined woman! She gets involved with the Grimke sisters, whom I learned a lot about in reading The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.
The other antagonists are the Larks of Charleston with "Bloody Bill" Lark being the grandfather of Folsey Lark, an especially despicable character. As (bad) luck would have it, Folsey's sister, Snoo, marries into the "bad" side of the Bell family. The Poorly/Strong family starts out in slavery and they give the reader another group of characters with whom to empathize.
The plot evolves with a little bit of everything one would expect from a novel spanning over a century: battles like Seven Pines, other events like the coming of the first train, and famous people like Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox." Add in the family dynamics of jealousy, skeletons in the closet, murders and revenge and you have an intriguing story. My favorite way to try to understand history!
[I would love to read your comments!]
Hear the soulful, joyful cry.
Meek and mighty, black and white,
Praise the coming of the light.
A better, brighter morning
Is the glory that I see.
Such a better, brighter morning
On the day---all---men---are
Free."
-From "A Better, Brighter Morning" as sung by Alexandra Bell, in the novel
I believe I read this novel a number of years ago but a trip to Charleston next month inspired me to read it again. I have read quite a few of Jakes' historical fictions and enjoyed them all. This one I will rate a 5.
The novel begins with 3 family trees which are quite helpful to keep the many characters straight. The story progresses through 6 generations of the Bell family, starting toward the end of the American Revolution. Thomas Bell has two sons who split on the issue of American independence and never come together again. Edward Bell's side of the family provide the protagonists and brother Adrian's side, the ones I loved to hate! My favorite character was Alexandra Bell, an abolitionist and women's rights advocate ahead of her time. Such a brave and determined woman! She gets involved with the Grimke sisters, whom I learned a lot about in reading The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.
The other antagonists are the Larks of Charleston with "Bloody Bill" Lark being the grandfather of Folsey Lark, an especially despicable character. As (bad) luck would have it, Folsey's sister, Snoo, marries into the "bad" side of the Bell family. The Poorly/Strong family starts out in slavery and they give the reader another group of characters with whom to empathize.
The plot evolves with a little bit of everything one would expect from a novel spanning over a century: battles like Seven Pines, other events like the coming of the first train, and famous people like Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox." Add in the family dynamics of jealousy, skeletons in the closet, murders and revenge and you have an intriguing story. My favorite way to try to understand history!
[I would love to read your comments!]
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag
"We don't get to have a nice, neat explanation for everything that happens in life---bad or good. I guess that's what life is: Things happen, and how we deal with them makes us who we are. We can either choose to learn and rise above, or give up and let the bad things defeat us."
-Anne, from the novel
This was another page turner by Tami Hoag and a welcome break after reading a more challenging literary piece, All the Light We Cannot See. I have read other mysteries by this author but none recently. I have enjoyed them all---easy to read, entertaining but quickly forgotten. No need to analyze, nothing very profound, just a suspenseful novel you don't want to put down.
This book begins with the brutal murder of artist Marissa Fordham and attempted murder of her young daughter, Haley. Detective Vince Leone, former special FBI agent, takes the lead in the investigation along with sheriff's detective Tony Mendez and others of fictional Oak Knoll. Vince's wife, Anne, a child psychologist becomes involved in helping Haley to deal with the trauma she's experienced. As the story unfolds, numerous characters are revealed as suspects---one who commits suicide. Then a possible witness is kidnapped and cruelly tortured. Throw in a violent juvenile patient of Anne's who goes on a rampage and you have a first class thriller. The plot twists and turns before the surprising revelation.
Anne, one of the major characters, has my name and also was a former school teacher, as I was. I found I could easily identify with her especially in her compassion toward children. Fortunately, I have never been brutally attacked by anyone as Anne apparently was in an earlier novel in this series (Deeper than the Dead, I think).
I give this novel a 5. I am already wondering if there is another of this series!
-Anne, from the novel
This was another page turner by Tami Hoag and a welcome break after reading a more challenging literary piece, All the Light We Cannot See. I have read other mysteries by this author but none recently. I have enjoyed them all---easy to read, entertaining but quickly forgotten. No need to analyze, nothing very profound, just a suspenseful novel you don't want to put down.
This book begins with the brutal murder of artist Marissa Fordham and attempted murder of her young daughter, Haley. Detective Vince Leone, former special FBI agent, takes the lead in the investigation along with sheriff's detective Tony Mendez and others of fictional Oak Knoll. Vince's wife, Anne, a child psychologist becomes involved in helping Haley to deal with the trauma she's experienced. As the story unfolds, numerous characters are revealed as suspects---one who commits suicide. Then a possible witness is kidnapped and cruelly tortured. Throw in a violent juvenile patient of Anne's who goes on a rampage and you have a first class thriller. The plot twists and turns before the surprising revelation.
Anne, one of the major characters, has my name and also was a former school teacher, as I was. I found I could easily identify with her especially in her compassion toward children. Fortunately, I have never been brutally attacked by anyone as Anne apparently was in an earlier novel in this series (Deeper than the Dead, I think).
I give this novel a 5. I am already wondering if there is another of this series!
Thursday, January 22, 2015
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
"Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever."
-from the novel
I chose this book for January because it was highly recommended by one member of our group. Also it is over 500 pages and since we don't meet in December, there would be plenty of time for everyone to find a copy and read it between mid-November and January. As it turned out, it was not so easy for everyone to get a copy. Best-seller status had the waiting list at the library quite long.
I just realized we started last year off with The Book Thief, another European WWII historical fiction. I must admit I loved The Book Thief but this one, not so much. I will rate All the Light... a 4. The writing is amazing with vivid imagery, almost poetic in places. The characters are well-developed, for example, Marie-Laure LeBlanc, the indomitable blind French girl, for whom any reader could feel compassion. And Werner Pfennig, the German orphan youth who gets sucked into the Nazi movement because of his extraordinary ability and finds he has no stomach for it. But then there is also relentless and cruel German officer Von Rumpel whom we could all love to hate!
The movement of the narration back and forth in time and between different characters was sometimes confusing, just enough to make it a more challenging read. And it took a while to get used to the author's prevalent sentence fragments . The plot was very interesting with the Sea of Flames, a very rare and perhaps cursed stone, a central object. The novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was mentioned a number of times in the story and I must confess I never read it so I missed its significance.
Our book club meets on Thursday to discuss the book. I will finish up this post with the results.
-----------------------------
We had 12 people attending our meeting, an excellent group with everyone, including a new member, providing great insight. The group gave the book an average rating of 4.4 with most votes being 4's and 5's. Everyone seemed to think the book was well-written with an intriguing plot. We agreed that the two main characters, Marie-Laure and Werner, were very likeable and several minor ones, as well. Some especially enjoyed the emergence of Etienne. We used the discussion questions issued by the publisher, which I found at the LitLovers website. The first question about the impact of the radio in the time period led to some interesting comments. In comparison, someone thought the radio had even more profound impact in that time than the Internet does today. Near the end of our time, one member wanted to discuss the significance of the title. We noted that there were several mentions of light in different contexts throughout the novel. One member thought it certainly had to do with Marie-Laure's blindness not preventing her from "seeing" the world even without physical vision. The "light" was in her highly developed mental ability, so to speak. "To shut your eyes is to guess nothing of blindness," (p390) seems to relate.
A few of us agreed that though we might have been hoping for happily-ever-after, it would not have been realistic to the time or the story. Most of our members would recommend this one, I believe. I liked it even better after hearing the discussion!
-from the novel
I chose this book for January because it was highly recommended by one member of our group. Also it is over 500 pages and since we don't meet in December, there would be plenty of time for everyone to find a copy and read it between mid-November and January. As it turned out, it was not so easy for everyone to get a copy. Best-seller status had the waiting list at the library quite long.
I just realized we started last year off with The Book Thief, another European WWII historical fiction. I must admit I loved The Book Thief but this one, not so much. I will rate All the Light... a 4. The writing is amazing with vivid imagery, almost poetic in places. The characters are well-developed, for example, Marie-Laure LeBlanc, the indomitable blind French girl, for whom any reader could feel compassion. And Werner Pfennig, the German orphan youth who gets sucked into the Nazi movement because of his extraordinary ability and finds he has no stomach for it. But then there is also relentless and cruel German officer Von Rumpel whom we could all love to hate!
The movement of the narration back and forth in time and between different characters was sometimes confusing, just enough to make it a more challenging read. And it took a while to get used to the author's prevalent sentence fragments . The plot was very interesting with the Sea of Flames, a very rare and perhaps cursed stone, a central object. The novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was mentioned a number of times in the story and I must confess I never read it so I missed its significance.
Our book club meets on Thursday to discuss the book. I will finish up this post with the results.
-----------------------------
We had 12 people attending our meeting, an excellent group with everyone, including a new member, providing great insight. The group gave the book an average rating of 4.4 with most votes being 4's and 5's. Everyone seemed to think the book was well-written with an intriguing plot. We agreed that the two main characters, Marie-Laure and Werner, were very likeable and several minor ones, as well. Some especially enjoyed the emergence of Etienne. We used the discussion questions issued by the publisher, which I found at the LitLovers website. The first question about the impact of the radio in the time period led to some interesting comments. In comparison, someone thought the radio had even more profound impact in that time than the Internet does today. Near the end of our time, one member wanted to discuss the significance of the title. We noted that there were several mentions of light in different contexts throughout the novel. One member thought it certainly had to do with Marie-Laure's blindness not preventing her from "seeing" the world even without physical vision. The "light" was in her highly developed mental ability, so to speak. "To shut your eyes is to guess nothing of blindness," (p390) seems to relate.
A few of us agreed that though we might have been hoping for happily-ever-after, it would not have been realistic to the time or the story. Most of our members would recommend this one, I believe. I liked it even better after hearing the discussion!
Monday, December 29, 2014
A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life....She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
-Proverbs 31:10-12, 27-31 (KJV)
I bought this book months ago as a follow-up to A Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs, a Page Turners' selection. It had hidden itself on a shelf until it was discovered recently. It is a 5---I loved it! I could tell it would be amusing by the subtitle "How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master.'" Indeed it made me smile often and laugh out loud at times. What surprised me was the depth of knowledge and thoroughness of research the author demonstrated. It seemed to me she had some profound insights into scripture as it relates to our modern society.
Ms. Evans focuses on Proverbs 31 as her guide to living as a Biblical woman for a year. I have quoted a part of it above but there is so much more. For each month, starting with October she concentrates on one quality of the Jewish eshet chayil, the woman of valor: gentleness, domesticity, obedience, valor, beauty, modesty, purity, fertility, submission, justice, silence and grace. The results are sometimes hilarious and often enlightening, thought-provoking and even inspiring. I especially loved the "Submission" chapter which was funny, but poignant, as she ends with an explanation of why she respects her husband. Another part I especially enjoyed was "Justice." On her "To Do This Month" list in July was: Read Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. I read it a couple of years ago and it moved me greatly. It seemed to make a huge impression on her, as well. At the end of each chapter and especially instructive were the descriptions of actual women of the Bible who seemed to embody the qualities the author was trying to emulate.
I was impressed with the author's consultation and growing cyber friendship with Ahava, a Jewish woman. I believe this social networking helped Ms. Evans stay grounded and true to her purpose. Her husband was a saint to support her efforts in this year-long project, it seems to me.
Jacobs' book, A Year of Living Biblically, was possibly funnier but I enjoyed this one so much more. Perhaps it was the concentration on women or the educational aspect or the obvious fact that Rachel Held Evans is a Christian, while one is never sure if that is true of Jacobs. I recommend this one highly to all women but especially those of the Christian faith. Now that I think about it, most men would enjoy it, as well. The author's husband, Dan, even chimes in from time to time.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life....She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
-Proverbs 31:10-12, 27-31 (KJV)
I bought this book months ago as a follow-up to A Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs, a Page Turners' selection. It had hidden itself on a shelf until it was discovered recently. It is a 5---I loved it! I could tell it would be amusing by the subtitle "How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband 'Master.'" Indeed it made me smile often and laugh out loud at times. What surprised me was the depth of knowledge and thoroughness of research the author demonstrated. It seemed to me she had some profound insights into scripture as it relates to our modern society.
Ms. Evans focuses on Proverbs 31 as her guide to living as a Biblical woman for a year. I have quoted a part of it above but there is so much more. For each month, starting with October she concentrates on one quality of the Jewish eshet chayil, the woman of valor: gentleness, domesticity, obedience, valor, beauty, modesty, purity, fertility, submission, justice, silence and grace. The results are sometimes hilarious and often enlightening, thought-provoking and even inspiring. I especially loved the "Submission" chapter which was funny, but poignant, as she ends with an explanation of why she respects her husband. Another part I especially enjoyed was "Justice." On her "To Do This Month" list in July was: Read Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. I read it a couple of years ago and it moved me greatly. It seemed to make a huge impression on her, as well. At the end of each chapter and especially instructive were the descriptions of actual women of the Bible who seemed to embody the qualities the author was trying to emulate.
I was impressed with the author's consultation and growing cyber friendship with Ahava, a Jewish woman. I believe this social networking helped Ms. Evans stay grounded and true to her purpose. Her husband was a saint to support her efforts in this year-long project, it seems to me.
Jacobs' book, A Year of Living Biblically, was possibly funnier but I enjoyed this one so much more. Perhaps it was the concentration on women or the educational aspect or the obvious fact that Rachel Held Evans is a Christian, while one is never sure if that is true of Jacobs. I recommend this one highly to all women but especially those of the Christian faith. Now that I think about it, most men would enjoy it, as well. The author's husband, Dan, even chimes in from time to time.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Us by David Nicholls
"Well I can tell you now that married life is not a plateau, not at all. There are ravines and great jagged peaks and hidden crevasses that send the both of you scrabbling into darkness. Then there are dull, parched stretches that you feel will never end, and much of the journey is in fraught silence, and sometimes you can't see the other person at all, sometimes they drift off very far away from you, quite out of sight, and the journey is hard. It is just very, very, very hard."
-Douglas Petersen, from the novel
This was an interesting book, but I didn't love it and I certainly couldn't call it a "page turner." It actually took me about 2 weeks to finish it. I will rate it a 3 since I did want to finish it and because Nicholls is an able writer.
The Petersen family is somewhat dysfunctional but seemingly loving at the same time. Husband/father, Douglas, is a biochemist, a driven man lacking in ability to show emotions. Connie is the wife of over 20 years, who suddenly reveals near the beginning of the novel that she wants to end the marriage. Their only son is Albie, seventeen and wanting some independence. Albie and Connie are very close but Douglas has never really bonded with his son. So this is a very brief look at the family who decides to go on a Grand Tour abroad anyway.
The author separates the novel into parts geographically (Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, etc.) and numbered episodes that go back and forth to the time when Douglas and Connie's relationship first began to the present time. I was not confused by the flashbacks at all and the characters were well-developed, even some of the minor ones. What I found very puzzling was why Connie wanted to go on a month-long trip with the husband she has said she wants to leave. At times she seems very affectionate with Douglas so I just didn't get her desire to be free of him. Albie seems to be very resentful of his father and it takes a near-catastrophe for that to change.
I could describe Us as the portrait of a marriage but don't expect a "happily ever after" ending!
-Douglas Petersen, from the novel
This was an interesting book, but I didn't love it and I certainly couldn't call it a "page turner." It actually took me about 2 weeks to finish it. I will rate it a 3 since I did want to finish it and because Nicholls is an able writer.
The Petersen family is somewhat dysfunctional but seemingly loving at the same time. Husband/father, Douglas, is a biochemist, a driven man lacking in ability to show emotions. Connie is the wife of over 20 years, who suddenly reveals near the beginning of the novel that she wants to end the marriage. Their only son is Albie, seventeen and wanting some independence. Albie and Connie are very close but Douglas has never really bonded with his son. So this is a very brief look at the family who decides to go on a Grand Tour abroad anyway.
The author separates the novel into parts geographically (Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, etc.) and numbered episodes that go back and forth to the time when Douglas and Connie's relationship first began to the present time. I was not confused by the flashbacks at all and the characters were well-developed, even some of the minor ones. What I found very puzzling was why Connie wanted to go on a month-long trip with the husband she has said she wants to leave. At times she seems very affectionate with Douglas so I just didn't get her desire to be free of him. Albie seems to be very resentful of his father and it takes a near-catastrophe for that to change.
I could describe Us as the portrait of a marriage but don't expect a "happily ever after" ending!
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