This Body I Wore: A Memoir by Diana Goetsch

 

"Over the years, much of what I've detailed in this book was told to several therapists, none of whom so much as suggested I might be trans. But even if they had, it wouldn't have made a difference. There is simply no knowing a thing if it is a self-secret, perhaps because that thing refuses to know itself in your presence. It is like a valley, spread out before you, hiding in plain sight."

                   -from the memoir

I chose to read this book as a part of a summer reading challenge; I needed a memoir. When it was offered in an email and I had no other memoirs in mind, I decided to go ahead with it. It would not have been a book I would have selected otherwise but I am glad I read it since it gave me insight into the struggles of people born to the wrong gender. 

Goetsch shares much of her life (some 50 years) living as a male named Douglas and wondering why she was so of often lonely and depressed, unable to sustain a loving relationship. Douglas was attracted to women but really longed to BE a woman. In his younger days, he was a crossdresser and played at being a woman but remained a male in his school and working life. For many years he was hardly aware of transgenderism as evidenced in the quote above. She, Diana, finally found her true self through her Buddhist faith.

I was floored that there are so many identifications that fall under the LGBTQ umbrella! I was reading this during Pride Month and had recently seen a TV sitcom involving, in a nice way, a drag queen/transvestite/crossdresser. (I wasn't quite sure which of those.) Also we attended a performance of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in which the lead, Blanche DuBois, was played by a trans woman. So many coincidences!

I rated the book a 3. It is well-written and very personal---the author is apparently a well-known poet and includes some of his poetry in the memoir. I believe it could be extremely helpful for people who are struggling with gender identity. 

A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

 

"Many wonder what it is all for. I wonder what it is all for. And yet that truth, the truth of the ages, is that it is not for ourselves that we act. It is not our lives we are building, but the lives of generations that will come. America will be a beacon to the world---I believe that with all my heart---but that beacon is lit with sacrifice."

               -Brigadier General John Paterson, from the novel

My readers know that historical fiction is my favorite genre. When it comes to American history, I enjoy Colonial and Revolutionary eras, particularly. This was the first I have read involving that setting in quite a while and I truly enjoyed it. 

The novel refers to Deborah Samson (or Sampson), a young woman who disguised herself as a male to join the Continental Army. She had a fairly unhappy childhood and youth, abandoned by her father and sent into foster care situations by a mother who couldn't cope. When she turned 18, she ran away to become a soldier. She was so respected in her bravery and work ethic that she became aide-de-camp to General John Paterson. She spent a good bit of time worrying about her true gender being discovered. I am in awe of how long she actually pulled it off! 

I was familiar with some of Deborah's story, but this fictionalized account was quite entertaining. There were a number of familiar historical figures mentioned, including George Washington, Baron von Steuben and Benedict Arnold. The above quoted John Paterson, who has a big part in this novel, was apparently a real person but I had NOT heard of him. There were several well-known battle sites mentioned also. Certainly, Yorktown was important, but I didn't realize the conflict didn't actually end there. 

The Author's Note gives information about what is true to history and what is not, but I wish Ms. Harmon had gone farther with it as I was left confused about some events and relationships. Can't say too much more about that without spoiling the plot! I was inspired to look up biographical information about Deborah which confirmed some parts of the story and added some background about her life after the war, SOME of which matched the novel's ending.

In a tour of Boston years ago, we had an evening program in which "Deborah Sampson" spoke of her very unique experiences. I was selected from the audience to be "dressed" as Robert Shurtliff, her alter-ego. It was great fun for me, a special memory. Perhaps that was one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much. I rate it a 5.

The Day the World Came to Town 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede

 

"The bond with the passengers was rivaled only by his attachment to the townspeople whose compassion was so overwhelming. They took their visitors on driving tours of the countryside. They took them to their homes. The passengers weren't treated like refugees, but like long-lost relatives, and the more he thought about it, the more it moved Balessarini."

        -Thoughts of Werner Baldessarini, German fashion magnate

This book was recommended by at least a couple of our Page Turners group. I am SO glad because it was fascinating! It is one of the rare nonfiction books that reads like fiction; a page-turner to be sure.

This book chronicles what happened to air travelers on 9/11/2001 when U.S. airspace was closed due to the horrendous terrorist attacks. Thirty-eight jetliners were forced to land in Canada, many in the small town of Gander on Newfoundland Island. Hundreds of passengers from all over the world were welcomed with open arms by the "Newfies." The travelers were given temporary housing in schools, churches, and clubhouses. The local people donated food, linens, toiletries, clothing and transportation. Many even opened their homes for showers and computer usage. In the process, they offered their friendship in beautiful ways. 

In the several days that followed 9/11 the Newfies epitomized generosity and goodwill. And the recipients of their kindnesses were SO grateful. 

Apparently, there is a Broadway musical based on this story, "Come from Away." I missed seeing it when it was presented in our city, but I will definitely try to see it when I can. 

I am amazed this book was published in 2002, the year after the disastrous events of 9/11! It seems to me a huge undertaking of research, interviews, etc. was required. As a confessed grammar geek, I found several errors overlooked in the editing, but I still rate the book a 5. I found it so inspiring to know there are such compassionate people capable of boundless hospitality. 

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Page Turners met today and had a wonderful discussion centered on this book. A good part of our time was spent reminiscing about where we were on this fateful day. One participant was in Paris at the time, and another was in Ireland. One member had grown up in New York and shared how profoundly she was affected. A former pilot among us had delved into the history to find that on 9/11 Canada as a country received between 225 and 250 planes with between 30,000 and 4500 passengers. Seventeen airports are listed. So possibly there were many other communities who reacted in the same way as the Newfies. 

The average rating was 4.2, our highest so far this year. Ratings were mostly 4's and 5's but, I believe, all were glad they had read the book.

I am attaching a YouTube video of Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?" You may need tissues handy.

https://youtu.be/gPHnadJ-0hE

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin

 

"I mean that this present we live in is tomorrow's history. You ask if this is important. This is the education for our future, to learn from the mistakes that have been made now and never let atrocities such as this continue or be repeated."

         -Ava, from the novel

In April 1943, Ava Harper, a librarian at the Library of Congress accepts a position with the O.S.S., Office of Strategic Services, in Lisbon, Portugal. Her role is documenting events in WWII Europe.

On the same timeline, in Lyon, France, Elaine Rousseau becomes involved in the maquis, or French resistance movement after her husband is imprisoned for his own work as a maquisard. At first, she makes secret deliveries and later does much of the printing. When a Jewish mother and small child in Lyon are desperate to escape the Nazis, Elaine hides them but must find a safer haven for them.

As one might predict, these two women connect, but somewhat surprisingly through secret codes, to help the two refugees.

I am rating this novel a 3+. For too long I was confused as to the two women's situations. One had a brother in the military and the other, a husband in prison. Both were involved with clandestine papers. Of course, many secondary characters didn't help.

I really liked the two settings of Lisbon and Lyon since I have visited both. I have fond memories of each city, but Lisbon was such a lovely surprise. The story reminded me of the mosaic walkways and the blue and while tiles, called azuelejos, in many places. Sadly, we ran out of time to visit Sintra which is mentioned as a "not to miss" site in Lisbon. Our guide HAD told us about the 1755 earthquake that devastated much of Lisbon. I had forgotten that Portugal was neutral in WWII. And I actually didn't realize that Lyon was the hub of the French resistance.

I read the book in an e-version, so I never saw the cover art and I think it is perfect!

Still Me by Jo Jo Moyes

 

"I thought about how you're shaped so much by the people who surround you, and how careful you have to be in choosing them for this exact reason, and then I thought, despite all that, in the end maybe you have to lose them in order to truly find yourself."

        - Louisa, from the novel

Apparently, this is the most recent novel in a trilogy involving Louisa Clark, quoted above. Our Page Turners group read the first one, Me Before You and liked it. Somehow, I missed the second installment, After You, so I guess I will need to fill in the gap one of these days.

In this novel, Louisa has found a new love---she refers to him as Ambulance Sam. But looking for adventure outside her comfort zone, she moves to New York City where she has accepted a job with a very wealthy but dysfunctional family. She is hired to be an assistant to Agnes Gopnik, much younger trophy wife of Leonard Gopnik. She wants to maintain the relationship with Sam but it turns out to be much harder than it seemed. 

In trying to discover who she really is, Lou experiences ups and downs, including homesickness, flirtation, betrayal and perceived betrayal. She even gets involved in a protest to save a library and efforts to reunite a family. Lou's story is funny, romantic and poignant, taking the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed aloud, I got angry, and I even got a bit teary at one very touching scene. I do enjoy the British flavor of Moyes' writing and, overall, I enjoyed the book, rating it a 5. 

The Watchmaker's Daughter by Dianne Haley

 

"Can we ever be sure of anything, Valerie?.....Or of anyone? For every brave soul like Jean and Emile risking their lives helping people escape from France, there are twenty others prepared to turn them over to the authorities without hesitating."

               -Marianne, from the novel

I am definitely a fan of historical fiction but it had been quite a while since I read a WWII era novel.  This one was quite good, rather a page turner. I give it a 4 rating only because I wasn't very satisfied with the ending.

Valerie Hallez, the daughter of a watchmaker (no surprise there!) in Geneva, Switzerland, is working for the Resistance. It is 1942 and the Nazis have recently overtaken France; Switzerland faces the threat of being next. Valerie delivers secret messages along with deliveries from her father's shop, unbeknownst to him. She helps Emile (mentioned above) hide and care for fugitives from France in an unused warehouse until their escape can be arranged.

Valerie and Philippe, her soldier amour (see my use of French there?), have difficulty communicating since he is away training for possible war and they get only short and infrequent visits. When she finds his name on a secret list, she sees trouble for him and bravely sets out to save him. 

I have read historical novels involving the Resistance in France, the Netherlands and even Italy but this was the first occurring in Switzerland. I find them all inspiring with their tales of great courage and determination. This one was no exception and apparently is the first in a series with these characters. 

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

 

"Every time I phone my father or my sister, it is like crossing a bridge from the world where I am an adult with responsibilities and a measure of power, to the cryptic world of childhood, where I am at the mercy of other people's purposes, which I can neither control nor understand."           -Nadezhda, from the novel 

This May selection for our Page Turners book club was quite a surprise. I first thought surely it should be "tractors in Ukraine" but no, the title is actually of a book within the book. (Former engineer, Nikolai Mayevska, has a fascination with all things motorized, but particularly tractors and is writing a book---in Ukrainian.)

Main character, Nadezhda, is appalled when her 84-year-old father, Nikolai announces he is going to marry a 36-year-old Ukrainian woman. Nadia, as Nadezhda is sometimes called, is convinced the intended wife, Valentina, is a gold-digger and will be nothing but trouble. As it happens, this coming catastrophe brings Nadia back in contact with her sister, Vera, with whom she has been feuding since the death of their mother. The two of them become allies in trying to stop the marriage and when that doesn't work, to free Nikolai from Valentina's clutches.

I enjoyed the novel. I am rating it a 4. I learned more than I wanted to know about tractors, but large doses of humor made up for it. The story included some Central European history, as well, involving Germany, Russia and Ukraine. Very interesting in light of what is happening there currently.

More after the Page Turners meet to discuss the novel.

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Sixteen Page Turners met today and enjoyed a fascinating discussion of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian. Our average rating was 3.7 with most individual ratings of 3 or 4 (the highest-rated book this year).  Almost everyone found something to like about the novel and only a couple of members found it tedious, disjointed or too political. Many appreciated the layering of history, family dynamics and immigration issues. And most of us really liked the humor. One participant had visited Ukraine and had an elderly father involved with a much younger woman. Wow! How much more background could you need to get involved with this book?