I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb

"It is all connected, Dominick. Life is not a series of isolated ponds and puddles; life is this river you see below, before you. It flows from the past through the present on its way to the future...Life is a river. Only in the most literal sense are we born on the day we leave our mother's womb. In the larger, truer sense, we are born of the past---connected to its fluidity, both genetically and experientially."                                   -Dr. Patel, from the novel

It seemed like I would never finish this novel of 897 pages but it was such an intriguing story, I was sorry when I finally did. It gets a 5 rating from me.

In this ultimate dysfunctional family story, Dominick Birdsey has an identical twin who is schizophrenic and a mother who has never revealed the identity of their father. Dominick feels overwhelmed with being brother Thomas's protector and frustrated by the mystery of his paternity. When Dominick meets with Dr.Patel to try to help her analyze his brother, he comes to grips with much of his own guilt, grief and fears. In efforts to help Dr. Patel understand Thomas, he begins to actually find himself.

The novel seems to me to be a story within a story within a story. Not only does the reader follow Dominick's own story but as he reads the autobiography of his late grandfather, we learn the story of a first-generation Sicilian immigrant of the early 1900's. Within the grandfather's story is another story involving two women, one of whom ends up being Dominick's grandmother. There were also flashbacks to the childhood and youth of the twins.

I mentioned this was a dysfunctional family story so it was depressing at times, infuriating at others. Not much entertainment value but very thought-provoking and even profound in places, especially in Dr. Patel's therapy sessions. (See quote above.)

I did enjoy the challenge of figuring out the Italian words and phrases in the grandfather's autobiography, the ones not translated in footnotes by the author. At times, I could use my slight knowledge of Spanish and the context to come up with a meaning. For example, il mal occhio---the evil eye and ovazione in piedi---standing ovation.

A fascinating saga, carefully researched, beautifully written---I Know This Much Is True!

READING LIST 2015

Here are the books that Page Turners have read in 2015, the ratings we assigned them and how they ranked.

rank   rating              title/author

1.   4.4   All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr   January

2.   3.9   The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon        August

3.   3.7   In the Garden of Beasts by Eric Larsen                  June

4.   3.5   The Martian by Andy Weir                                     November

5.   3.4   Another Man's Treasure by Charles Hall                April

6.   3.2   Past Imperfect by Julian Fellowes                           March

7.   3.1   The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini                  February

8.   3.0   The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant        October

9.   2.9   The Lost City of Z by David Grann                        September

10.  2.8   The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht                              May

11.  2.1   Bossypants by Tina Fey                                           July

The Martian by Andy Weir

"Okay, enough moping. I am having a conversation with someone: whoever reads this log. It's a bit one-sided but it'll have to do. I might die, but damn it, someone will know what I had to say."
                       -from Mark Watney's log

I was skeptical about how I'd react to a science fiction novel since it's a genre I rarely, if ever, select. It was highly recommended as a book that anyone could like. Having read it I'd say techie types would enjoy it more---it has lots of technical descriptions, science terms, chemical formulas and space jargon.

In this novel astronaut Mark Watney is assumed dead by his crew and abandoned on Mars so the story is of his struggle to survive in an environment unconducive to life. His intelligence and educational background as mechanical engineer and botanist, his intense astronaut training,
his resourcefulness and his powerful will to live combine to help him overcome challenge after challenge. The intensity and high-tech detail of Watney's log is relieved by occasional narrative accounts of Earth's reaction to his predicament---that is Mission Control. And a while later the reader becomes aware of the Ares 3 crew's reactions, as well.

The reading would have been far more tedious without Watney's sense of humor, for example at one point he states that "Duct tape is magic and should be worshipped" and at another claims to be "the best botanist on the planet." His sarcastic comments about 70's music and TV reruns, his only entertainment thanks to Commander Lewis's collection, are funny and add nostalgia for the reader who remembers the decade well. He even chose the Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive" as his theme song. (I was, and still am, a fan.)

The paperback copy of the book contained A Conversation with the Author and an essay by him, an admitted science nerd. These were very interesting and added to my appreciation of his work.

The novel seemed like a cross between "Castaway" and "Apollo 13." Like the latter it was very exciting even knowing the outcome of the story. I rated the book a 3. I liked it, didn't love it.

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Eleven members of the Page Turners group met to discuss the book. Ten had read it and half voted a rating of  4 and the other half, 3---average: 3.5; even I could do that math in my head. One member pointed out that the highest ratings were from the retired engineers! (Remember what I predicted earlier?) In discussing most of the 20 questions provided by the publisher, we agreed that Mark Watney was a likeable character, that his challenges and problem-solving were believable and that his humor kept the story entertaining, and may have actually helped to save his life. We agreed it was not so much science fiction as a good survival story. One person described the novel as Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Can you guess what our refreshments included? Potatoes, of course! (If you haven't read it, you may not get the significance.) Some in our group had seen the movie and liked it. I am looking forward to seeing it soon!

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So the movie version was excellent! My husband accompanied me, not having read the book and he loved it, as well. The casting was outstanding and the acting was superb, especially Matt Damon in the lead role. I was delighted that the commander of Ares 3 was a woman, in both novel and movie.

The film followed the book very well, I thought. There were less obstacles in the movie but the ones included were more dramatic because of the multi-media experience---cinematography and sound effects. I would say many parts were frighteningly realistic and I KNEW how it would turn out! I loved hearing some of the 70's music in places and being better able to visualize Mars, the Hermes ship, the Hab, the rover, Pathfinder, etc.

A big addition to the movie is an Epilogue, something our group thought would have improved the ending of the novel. There would be good reasons to see the movie before reading the book but either way don't miss The Martian!

The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant

"Studying the dogs, she had learned how to live within herself entirely:  to sit without expectation, to rest, eyes half-closed, and panting through the stifling heat, sniffing subtle changes in the air, succumbing to sleep when it came. The dogs were neither noisy nor silent, neither idle nor busy. They snored and sighed, coughed, scratched, and snapped at buzzing passersby. They stood and stretched, ambled to the bushes to lift a leg, or crouch, returned to shade or tall grass to circle and settle again. They smelled one another lazily, chewed on the grass, lifted their chins to follow the motion of a bird or a scent on the wind. Ruth passed whole days among them, floating through time like it was warm water."
                         -from the novel

This book didn't do much for me. Had it not been a book club selection, I'm not sure I would have finished it. I had read The Red Tent by this author some time ago and it was much better. I'm only rating this one a 2.

Though the setting was 1814 Massachusetts I didn't get much "flavor" of that period other than the mention of witches and lack of modern conveniences. There were so many characters I had trouble keeping up with the relationships between them let alone becoming involved with any. One could say that Judy Rhimes was the main character and I did develop some empathy for her. Easter Carter was an admirable woman, as well, so positive and compassionate. Most characters had so much emotional baggage that the story couldn't help but drag the reader down---ill-treated orphans, drunks, prostitutes, lonely spinsters, star-crossed lovers.

The frequent appearance of dogs and descriptions of them probably had some significance that I didn't quite get, in fact the beginning quote may hint at it.
I hope our group discussion will shed some light on this hodge podge of a novel and show me some redeeeming qualities.

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Our group rating is a 3 for The Last Days of Dogtown; in fact the majority voted a 3. At least two people of our eleven really liked the book, seemingly because several of the characters were resilient and managed to rise above their unfortunate circumstances. Some descriptions of the mood of the novel were: grim, bleak, dreary, depressing. Perhaps we should have expected that from a book with such a title. Most of us thought the ending was plausible and satisfactory. A couple of members agreed with me that Easter was one of the more consistent and likeable characters and added that she was a central, connecting figure in the story.

When someone mentioned the part where Stanwood's "angelic visitation" took place, we all had a good laugh remembering one of the lighter events of the plot.

Four or five of us had read The Red Tent by this author and enjoyed it. If you've read nothing by Diamant, I would start with that one!

Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen

"'Basket Case'
by Jimmy Stoma and Warren Zevon

My baby is a basket case,
A bipolar mama in leather and lace.
Face like an angel,
She's a perfect waste.
My baby is a basket case.

Dracula's daughter, Calamity Jane,
Smoke on the water, water on the brain.
Pretty as a picture
And totally crazed.
My baby is a basket case.

She's gonna make a mad man outta me.
She's gonna make a mad man outta me..." 

My husband an I enjoyed the audio version of this book on a round trip to Tennessee by car. We don't really choose the same reading material so it was a wonderful surprise that we both liked it so much. We were familiar and appreciative of Carl Hiaasen as a writer of young adult fiction but I don't think I'd ever read one of his "grown up" books. Apparently he is considered a master of Florida Noir fiction. Who knew?

In this novel Jack Tagger, a former newspaper journalist demoted to obituary writer for the fictional Union Register, is confronted with the death of James Bradley Stomarti, a has-been rock star. As a fan of Stomarti, known as Jimmy Stoma of the rock band Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, Tagger becomes suspicious and begins his own investigation of Jimmy's fatal and mysterious scuba diving accident. It doesn't take long for him to be convinced that Jimmy's widow, Cleo Rio, a one-hit-wonder rock star wannabe, is the one who somehow arranged his death.

The reader/listener learns that Jack has been relegated to the obit section after blatantly insulting the CEO of his publishing company, Race Maggad III. (He calls him Master Race!) In fact, Jack admits to being an "incorrigible hothead." His work has led to a morbid obsession with death which likely contributed to a break up with his girlfriend. An underlying factor is the disappearance of his father when he was young and his curiosity about the man. As the plot evolves the reader/listener meets numerous quirky characters read engagingly by the talented George Wilson, including his ex-girlfriend's sassy daughter, Carla; whiz kid Dommy; the elderly MacArthur Polk, band member Jay Burns and, of course, the far-from-grieving and usually drunk Cleo Rio.

Layered into this murder mystery is message about the sorry state of newspapers today, not surprising since Hiaasen is a journalist for the Miami Herald. I also read that Basket Case was his first novel using first person point-of-view. I cannot imagine the story told by anyone other than Jack Tagger.

Tagger, a rather bitter and cynical man at the beginning, is rather eccentric with his kooky fixations on death and a very strange pet, a Savannah monitor lizard named Colonel Tom. (Wait until you see how Colonel Tom fits into the story!) His irreverent humor kept us laughing through much of the book. The dialog was hilarious, with lines like "I'll be there like a gator on a poodle." The novel was even more fascinating because of the many mentions of real-life celebrities, both living and dead, and for us as Floridians, references to many places in Florida, even our hometown Orlando. Add a little romance and a satisfying ending with Tagger describing himself as "the luckiest nutcase I know" and you get a first degree entertaining read. Both my husband and I give Basket Case a 5 and we will be looking for another Hiaasen for the next car trip!

Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky

"Later when she'd been away from Kansas for years and finally came home again to run the farm, with children of her own who couldn't tell the difference between a stalk of corn and a sheaf of wheat, the colors were what Lara remembered from that day. Most of the other details she'd forgotten, or they'd merged in her mind with all the other shocks and horrors that made up one long year of grief."
              -from the novel

I chose this book thinking it was historical fiction about the "bleeding Kansas" of pre-Civil War days. However, the setting was present-day Kansas with only mentions of 19th century history. Disappointing!

The story reminded me of the Hatfields and McCoys since it involved two farm families with a long history of conflicts, their ancestors having settled in the 1850's---the hard-nosed, holier-than-thou Schapens and the Grelliers, our protagonists. Other families of the surrounding areas take one side or the other over various issues. When a single woman, a confessed Wiccan, moves into the historic Fremantle house, prejudices flame up and bring out the worst in many characters.

Add in the birth of a "perfect red heifer," supposedly a religious omen, and the budding romance between teenagers of opposing sides (think Romeo and Juliet?) and the plot becomes complex and pretty intriguing. The beginning quote reflects main character Lara's thinking about the events of the year in which the story takes place.

I know nothing about the Wiccan beliefs or ceremonies (nor do I want to learn!) so I got little out of those references. One humorous quote I will probably remember is "You are an Olympic medalist in the conclusion jump!"

I am rating the book a 3. I liked it more than I thought I would at first but it won't make a list of favorites. I think Burning Kansas might have been a more fitting title. If you have read it or read it after this, I'd be interested to know if you agree.

Back Seat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson

"Saint Roch tried to speak, and I said, 'Shut the hell up,' to him. He didn't know how Gretel was. None of them did, this chain of saints bobbing in my wake, and these saints all came from her, too, didn't they? She was the one who had always called them. They'd answered her in ways they'd never answered me before today."
                                 -Ro Grandee, from the novel

I enjoyed this novel though not as much as the others I have read by this author. I began by listening to the audio format in my car, read by the author. It was off-putting at first since the main character starts out planning to kill her abusive husband. However, I was intrigued enough to start reading the print copy at home which I could finish more quickly. Be prepared for a surprise ending! I will rate this one a 4.

Ro Grandee is the main character and narrator of the story. She has an alter ego---Rose May Lolly, her feisty teenaged self, who comes to the forefront when a tarot card reading by a gypsy woman predicts a frightening future. Ro has had a rough life, from being abandoned by her mother and beaten by her alcoholic father to marrying a very violent man. After her plan to kill him goes awry, she runs away from her husband Thom, takes on a new identity and sets out to find her first love and later, her enigmatic mother. In this process she revisits her father, who has not aged well, and will not be the protector she had envisioned.

Jackson furthers her southern settings by starting this story in Texas. Previous novels I have read were set in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

The theme of the novel is pretty intense with family dysfunction, domestic violence, and revenge but thankfully there was some humor now and then. In describing the interior of a Krispy Kreme in Alabama Jackson says "It was a rathole in Fruiton's small and seedy downtown, with bright blue-green Formica counters and pumpkin-colored vinyl on all the stools and booths. It looked like a demented and slightly color-blind Auburn fan had been cut loose in there to decorate." As an Auburn fan that made me laugh. When the character named Parker is described wearing "floppy black pants that look like pajama bottoms" and "fighting nothing in slow motion" I visualized my husband's tai chi moves. I was reminded of the comic strip "Rose Is Rose," obviously because of Rose May Lolly's name but also cartoon character Rose has alter-egos---a biker babe and a little girl. The similarity ends there since the comic strip is never ugly or violent.


If you read the novel, I would love to know your thoughts!