Hello. I hope everyone is doing well. I finally made it to my parent’s house in Southern California and have been enjoying my stay with them, so I have been a bit busy and away from the blogosphere. It’s inland on the way to the desert so it is very hot here … not a drop of humidity … just pure blistering heat. It’s beautiful though and the views of the mountains are awesome. Luckily we are not too near the “Apple Fire,” which broke out more than a week ago and isn’t yet contained. It’s burning thousands of acres (east of us) in the San Gorgonio mountains and also destroyed four homes in Cherry Valley. Hmm. But we carry on here as the water fire-fighting planes fly over head. Cross your fingers the fire season doesn’t get worse. I have another week here then will fly back North. Meanwhile below are a few reviews of backlist novels I recently finished. You might have read these.
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai / Viking / 432 pages / 2018
Yea, I finally got to this big (!) novel, which many considered one of the best novels of 2018. Indeed it’s an epic AIDS saga that captures the early days of the epidemic in the mid-1980s … as well as years later showing the devastating impact of the disease on survivors whose loved ones died from it.
It was interesting to me to read and revisit the peak of HIV/AIDS during the 1980s while we’re experiencing the new Covid pandemic. During the 1980’s rise of AIDS, the infected (most of whom were mainly gay men) were often ostracized and left to die. The discrimination and suffering that HIV/AIDS patients faced was often so brutal, which this story captures so well and reminds us.
I listened to “The Great Believers” for two weeks as an audiobook (read superbly by Michael Crouch) and at first its story and characters didn’t really reach out to me but as it went on I became increasingly drawn into their plight. Maybe it didn’t grab me initially because the plot is less action-filled and more filled with character development, setting, and the interaction … among a close-knit group of friends and lovers in Chicago who gather as the story begins at a funeral for one of them who has died of an AIDS-related illness.
The story features a colorful cast of young men who you soon get to know well: none more than the protagonist Yale Tishman, who in 1985 wants to buy a house with his longterm partner, Charlie, and is trying to acquire a set of 1920s paintings that he hopes will put the Chicago gallery he works for on the map.
There’s also a second alternating storyline set in 2015 about Fiona Marcus, who was a part of the 1980’s Chicago group — the sister whose beloved brother had died — who comes to Paris looking for her estranged daughter who disappeared years ago into a cult. While there, Fiona struggles with how AIDS impacted her life and her relations with her daughter.
This second storyline, which I gather from Goodreads reviews many readers didn’t like as much as the main Yale Tishman story, grabbed me in ways because of Fiona’s internal search as a mother and how the storylines intertwine and eventually connect. I liked Fiona quite a bit (perhaps my favorite in the novel) though her daughter Claire, who’s pretty awful to her, is really strangle-worthy.
I also liked how the storylines incorporated events that happened during those years, such as the Space Shuttle disaster of 1986 and the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. It puts you right there and by the end of the book I was sure these characters were real. Author Rebecca Makkai outdoes herself bringing them to life through perceptive dialogue, great lines, and the feel and facets of those times.
As it goes on, the story delves into the relationships, betrayals, and interactions among the Chicago group as many in their gay circle begin dying from the disease. It’s harsh, sad, and powerfully unfolds (amid the two alternating storylines) to be an emotional story that builds and delivers a cumulative heart punch by the end.
“The Great Believers” is quite an impressive book, which surprised me a bit since I wasn’t a big fan of Rebecca Makkai’s 2014 novel “The Hundred Year House” … which sort of lost me along the way amid its multi-timelines and many characters. My only warning about the “Believers” novel and author is that she likes to write long and she goes on at length during chapters you thought were on the verge of ending quite awhile back … so one can not be in a hurry with “The Great Believers.” You have to lap up the novel slowly and let its wake wash over you. If you do, your heart will be squeezed and you will remember all too well the crises and pain that AIDS wrought.
PS. This novel is being made into a TV series, but so far I haven’t seen any mention of who will be in it …or when it is due out. It is still in development.
The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar / Atria / 368 pages / 2018
Much is absorbing and rich about this novel that alternates storylines and chapters between one modern-day story about a girl named Nour and her family fleeing the Syrian civil war … and the other about a 12th-century girl (Rawiya) who disguises herself as a boy to apprentice with a famous mapmaker who plans a long journey to chart regions and routes. Both storylines follow the same geographical areas though are 800 years apart!
The story of the 12th-century mapmaker is based on an actual historical figure and was a favorite story of Nour’s father who has recently died from cancer as the novel begins in New York City.
After his death, Nour’s mother moves the Syrian-American family with older sisters Huda and Zahra back to Homs, Syria, where they have relatives to help out. But then the war ensues and they flee on a long dangerous journey from Syria to try to get to Ceuta, Spain through: Jordan, Egypt, Libya, and Algeria. Oh my, their travels are not easy … as are the parallel story’s of the map apprentice’s 12th-century journey.
I liked how the novel brings an empathetic spotlight to the plight of Syrian refugees (such as Nour’s family) on the run. And much of it brings home all the dangers and injustices they face — as well as the countries/regions they travel through, whose whereabouts I followed along with thanks to the book cover’s inside map.
Nour — who misses her father and former life in New York — is a pretty captivating young protagonist navigating the journey and trying to protect her family. The other 12th-century storyline (about the disguised girl and mapmaker) was interesting as well but in the long run didn’t grip me to its chapters as much as the modern-day Syrian storyline. Both storylines also wrap up at the end a bit too tidy and too much … and there were parts to me that seemed unbelievable. Perhaps the novel had too much stuffed into it or tried to do too much to finish. Still I liked its analogy and symbolism of mapmaking or drawing maps in order to find one’s home … for the two inspiring female protagonists who had lost theirs.
PS. I just learned that this author is transitioning as transgender — so he goes now by Zeyn Joukhadar, which happened after the 2018 hardback came out. Apparently a trans boy will be a bit in the storyline of his next novel “The Thirty Names of Night” due out in November.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey / Reagan Arthur Books / 400 pages / 2012
Yes, yes and yes. I finally got to this debut novel that was much talked about when it came out in 2012. Its story swept me up into the cold Alaskan wilderness with all its harsh splendor and struggle for survival (while I read it strangely enough at the beach!). The story is set in the 1920s about a married childless couple (Mable & Jack) who come to a remote outpost in Alaska from back East to live in a cabin and try their hand at farming but have no idea how hard it will be.
It almost breaks them and sends them packing but for the help of neighbors (the Bensons) and a magical young nature girl who appears to them apparently from the woods after one snowy night the couple spends building a snow figure in their front yard. From early on, you don’t know if the girl the couple sees in glimpses around their cabin and woods (who often hunts with a red fox by her side) is really real or if she is in their imaginations from having cabin fever and losing a child of their own. But on and on the story goes of their lives near the woods and with their neighbors, the Bensons, who sort of tease the couple about their talk of such a girl.
The story has a fairy tale quality to it … a bit like the fairy tale book the woman (Mable) treasures from her youth called The Snow Maiden. The couple so badly wanted a child so this snow girl is the light of their lives. I won’t say anymore about what happens as they all grow older — though one of the Benson’s boys grows fond of the girl too — but will say it’s a story that touches on the older couple’s marriage and being a parent, and about the wilderness girl or fairy who comes into their lives — all set against the Alaskan wilderness, which is described so fully and wonderfully in this novel.
You can feel the cold and remoteness and the trees, weather, and seasons. I will warn some that the story takes its sweet time as it ambles along at its own pace, playing out in short chapters of their lives farming and trying to get by, but I was captivated from beginning to end. I liked the outback and survival feel to it … as well as its fairy tale aspects. It’s just a good story, plain and simple.
It makes me want to read Eowyn Ivey’s 2016 novel “To the Bright Edge of the World,” which apparently is another enticing adventure-ish tale.
That’s all for now. What about you — what’s going on in your neck of the woods? And have you read any of these — and if so, what did you think?
Glad you’re enjoying your time with family and how nice you have another week to go. Love the picture of the mountains. So beautiful. By the way, I read and discussed To The Bright Edge Of The World with a book group and really liked it. I can recommend it. Take care and hope you have a good trip home!
Thanks Kay, it’s pretty nice here. And I’m glad you liked To the Bright Edge of the World. I think I have an e-book of it but not sure when I’ll get to it. It looks like the kind of story I’d like. Have a great week!
Glad to know all is well with your parents and that the fire is far enough away not to endanger them.
For some reason I don’t even want to explore, I have had a phobia about reading novels about AIDS. But you have convinced me to read The Great Believers. I loved The Hundred Year House. I also loved both of the other books you reviewed. To the Bright Edge of the World is edgy as heck but I loved that one too. All of your reviews here are great!
Hey Judy thanks, all seems to be going well here in the “Inland Empire” (ha). Sometimes my reviews run too long but I can’t get them shorter without leaving out something. I really look forward to To the Bright Edge of the World — it seems right up my alley but I’ll likely wait for it till fall. I never read AIDS /gay male stories either but in retrospect I’m glad I read this one. And it had some great lines in it: about the human experience in general. Kudos to Makkai. I hope you have a great week.
I am glad to hear that you are not too near the fires. Hopefully this will not be a bad year.
This is an interesting group of book that you posted The Snow Child sounds particularly fascinating. It sounds like the plot is partially based upon old folklore. That can be the basis for some very interesting modern fiction.
Thanks Brian, we have avoided fires too close so far, knock on wood. You are right that The Snow Child novel is based upon folklore … and perhaps I think a Russian folktale … which is mentioned in the story which I believe translates to The Snow Maiden. How Eowyn Ivey built a whole novel set in the 20th century surrounding it is terrific. I loved it. Have a great week.
Thank you for your excellent reviews. I’m glad you found time to post them during your visit with your parents. It’s good to hear that all is well there and I hope it will continue to be. I confess I’ve not read any of the books you’ve reviewed but they all sound like books I would enjoy reading.
Enjoy the rest of your visit and safe journey home again.
Thanks Dorothy, it seems my parents (age 85) go to sleep around 8 p.m. so I’ve had a bit of time to read & finish a few reviews. But during the days here are pretty constant! It’s been fun to be with them again.
Since you like nature a lot, I think you’d like both of the novels by Eowyn Ivey who lives & writes novels set in Alaska. She really seems in tune with the natural world. I look forward to reading her second novel. Cheers!
It feels good to go back and read an older book from time to time, doesn’t it? Get it crossed off the list!
I don’t usually feel drawn to books about the AIDS crisis, but this sounds good. A few years ago I read Advocate by Darren Greer, which I really enjoyed. There was a lot of humour in it.
I’ve had The Snow Child ever since it came out and I still haven’t read it! Sigh. Someday I’ll get to it!
Hey Naomi, it’s true: I had so many backlist older novels sitting unread on my shelves that finally I took five down & said the time has come! The Snow Child was one. You’d dig it I think. It is a great feeling to knock some off my list.
I’m also not one who’s drawn to AIDS male/gay stories but in retrospect I’m glad I completed this one … as it was much talked about and revered when it came out and has some great lines in it. Hope you & your family are staying well. Enjoy the rest of your August!
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that the Apple Fire hasn’t caused any direct problems with where you are. I haven’t heard of a lot of wildfires around here yet, but it’s still a little early in the “season.”
I plan to read The Great Believers sometime later this year (probably on audio). Such a sad time in our history. We knew two friends who died from AIDS, so I’m sure it will be an emotional read.
I, too, loved The Snow Child. The characters, pacing and fairy tale-like story made for a great reading experience. I have To the Bright Edge of the World in my audio queue and look forward to listening to it! One of my former co-workers raved about it when it first came out, but I never got around to reading it.
Enjoy the rest of your visit and stay well. Safe travels when you head back home!
Thanks Lesley, traveling is not easy these days but I’ll get back somehow. Then have to quarantine on our property for 14 days, sigh. It’s the price one pays for going anywhere.
Knock on wood about the wildfires, though the hottest days are still ahead, gulp.
Glad you liked The Snow Child and The Great Believers is an emotional story that builds. It might take a little while to get into the story … but then after awhile it takes hold. I think the audiobook read by Michael Crouch is a good option. It seems such an important story for the era! Hopefully I’ll get to To the Bright Edge of the World in the fall then we can compare notes on it. ha. Have a great week!
The Great Believers has been on my list for a long time. I wanted my club to read it so we could discuss it but they didn’t seem all that jazzed about it. If I read it it will most likely be on my own.
I am okay. I woke with a lot of anxiety today. The news has been grim these past few days and Santa Clarita had an incident with three black boys being detained when they were the victims of an attempted assault. Even after all the BLM attention, training is still needed apparently. Whenever I see Santa Clarita trending I get nervous.
In other news, I am not able to schedule my daughter’s behind the wheel driving test. No appointments available due to the backlogged appointments from their earlier closure. I really want her to get that license before the DMV closes again and before her permit expires.
First day of online school today and then she is heading to the beach. Oh, to be young again.
Hi Ti, sorry your daughter can’t get her driver’s license test, ugh what a hassle. Are you right in Santa Clarita? … I’m just now hearing about that incident. Seems like more training is definitely needed.
The Great Believers would likely make for a good discussion novel … though some might not get through it b/c it’s long … and moves at an ambling pace. Still I’m glad I finished it … as it goes over such a huge crisis from the 1980s.
Hang in there Ti! And keep the anxiety away.
I started The great Believers as a combo (print/audio) read. But, I stopped after about 70 pages as it wasn’t grabbing me and the topic depressing when I was already feeling a bit down. I haven’t given up but, perhaps another time.
Yeah Diane: The Great Believers took me quite awhile to get into it …. maybe over 100 pages. It’s one at first that I had to stick with … and then got into later. It does have many characters & two storylines so I was a little lost at the beginning … but then it grows on you. Thanks for stopping by.
So glad you made it to your parents and all is well there. I’ve been lucky enough to have been in Montana for a week and now in Sunriver, OR for the last couple weeks. It’s so nice to be away from home even though I’m still doing some remote work.
I’m one of those people who adored The Great Believers. It was my favorite book of 2018. I’m also a big fan of The Snow Child. It was such an original story.
Hi Susie, I agree it has been nice to travel a bit & get away after being cooped up for many months … though it’s not easy traveling. I’m glad you are enjoying yourself there! It sounds idyllic in OR and I gather that that is not far from the Bend area where I’ve always wanted to see. Someday. Must be beautiful & hopefully relaxing …. before your teaching /school year starts.
I’m glad you liked these novels … both were good stories and really came to life for me. I’m getting into backlist and just started Pachinko which will take me a long while … ha. Have fun.
I am happy that you are now able to visit with your parents. It must be wonderful to be with them and know that you did everything possible to keep them safe. I miss seeing my dad and other family. We have rare visits, masked, outdoors in the heat of a Texas summer.
Your review of The Snow Child has send me to my library website to add the book to my Books to Request list. Thank you for your review of it and the other books. Your reviews are wonderfully thorough without revealing too much of the plot.
The slide-to-digital photos machine I borrowed from the library is simple to use. It’s a slow process, though, requiring a person to take the slide from the tray, insert it in a holder, and save the photo to a memory card. I had to then take the memory card, insert it in my camera, and upload the photos to my computer. Easy, but tedious. And many of the slides were yellow or blue. My sister says she will work on them with PhotoShop but she isn’t sure whether she can do much to some of them.
Enjoy your visit, and please keep sharing your reviews of books from the backlist.
Hey thanks Deb. I’m glad you let me know about this photo machine from the library. I think I might get my husband on the job. Perhaps he’s even already used it before. It would be really handy to transfer the slides to digital.
I think you would like the Snow Child book! … often my reviews are too long but I try to write them so I will remember them much later, but hopefully don’t want to ruin them by giving too much away for others.
Seeing my parents has been a worthy journey … there’s been a lot to do here, I sort of worry about them … but now I have to go back on Monday. take care there.
I will definitely plan to read Snow Child soon. Thanks, Susan.
Yes, the West is literally burning up. Here is CO we have 90+ degree weather, no rain, and wind…sparking fires all over. Hopefully, we will get through this hot, dry weather without too much devastation.
The Great Believers sounds so good, but I’m not sure I have the heart to relive the pain of the 1980s. We lost a good friend to AIDs in 1988, and it was a very tough time. Maybe I should read it–it could be cathartic.
Excellent review and overall great post. Stay safe as you travel.
Hi Jane thanks. I’ll let you know how the travel back goes. Sorry to hear about the fires and heat in Colorado, ugh. We are in the midst of a heatwave this week in Southern Calif. … might reach 109 degrees tomorrow Ouch. And then goes on for a week over 100. sigh.
You might eventually get to The Great Believers and see what you think. It seems an important novel for that whole time of AIDS … and a bit interesting to compare it to what we’re going thru now. Hmm. Enjoy your week & books.
I have had the Snow Child on my list forever. Looks like I need to get to it soon. The Great Believers is one I’ve heard all the buzz but never actually knew what it was about. I think this one may be up my alley once I’m ready for a nice long book. I haven’t even heard of the Map of Salt and Stars but that one looks good too. I’ll have to add it to my list.
Glad you are enjoying your visit with your parents. Sorry about the fires and I hope you all stay safe while you’re there and find some ways to cool down. We are hot here but probably not quite as hot as Southern California! unless you’re close to the beach.
Hi Heather. We’re going to scorch here this week … 109 perhaps tomorrow. But then I go back to Canada on Monday so that should feel different. Luckily the fires aren’t too close right now. Hope there are no more near here. Of these books I reviewed, I probably enjoyed The Snow Child the most (love all that wilderness) … and thought The Great Believers an important read that captured that era. The Map novel was good but maybe I liked one storyline better than the other. Hope you are having a good week there. Probably a hot one. take care.
Enjoy your time at your parents’! The Great Believers is on my TBR list, but I’ve been avoiding it because of the size. The Snow Child is on my shelf. I might wait until it’s not 100 degrees outside to read it.
Thanks AJ. I too avoided The Great Believers for a long time due to its length … but glad I finally got to it … The Snow Child is a bit of an easier read than that. And perhaps it’s more fun reading when it’s colder outside. Enjoy your week.
I’m glad you’re safe from the fires. You’re right, it is blazing hot right now in southern California. I drove my daughter to LA yesterday to go back to college and watched the temperature rise as we drove south. It was 117 in Calabassas!
Wow Helen: the temps are crazy high right now! Ouch. It was like 112 where we were. Hope you all are safe. I guess college will be a bit different this year. Hope it goes okay where she is. Enjoy your week.
Glad all is well and you’re enjoying time with your parents. Great group of books here. The Great Believers was a read/listen combo for me and, while I had issues with t=how long it took for the two story lines to intersect, I loved it. Such an emotional read that grabbed me from the beginning. I worked as a clinical pharmacist in a teaching hospital at the time and was involved in several investigational drug trials. Many parallels can be drawn with the COVID vaccine trials today, so that must have made the impact even stronger.
I’ve picked up both The Snow Child and To the Bright Edge of the World as daily deals, but have yet to read either one of them. Quite sure I’ll love them both, just need to make them a priority!
Hi JoAnn: Glad to hear from you … and interesting your insight into The Great Believers and that era. I found it a pretty emotional book and glad I finally got to it. I liked thinking about the Covid parallels while reading it.
I hope to get to Eowyn Ivey’s 2nd novel sometime … the first one was enjoyable. Hope you are well. I’ll check in soon. take care.