Well there’s one week left till Christmas. Have you been naughty or nice this year? Luckily we aren’t traveling anywhere over the holiday or New Years. We went away for Thanksgiving and that was plenty. With the latest Covid news, I’m okay just to hunker down. We will likely go cross-country skiing each day with our dogs. They’re all business when it comes to skiing.
I hope the holidays are getting festive where you are. This past week was quite cold and white here — appropriate for Santa’s sled and reindeer. You might recall last week’s post of our “naked Christmas tree” but now here’s a photo of our decorated tree … what do you think? Not too shabby, right? Though we could use quite a few more wrapped gifts under there.
I saw the news that the TV series Station Eleven based on Emily St. John Mandel’s 2014 post-apocalyptic novel is now playing on HBO Max. Apparently the series is more uplifting than one would think for a survivor-pandemic kind of tale. I just saw a snippet of it … and it looked like some grand commune experience, which I can’t say really appeals to me right now, but what about you?
I liked the novel a lot but that doesn’t necessarily mean I want to watch the adaptation now. Perhaps I’ll check it out sometime this winter. Meanwhile we are watching the British TV series Vigil, set in Scotland, about a murder case that takes place in part on a nuclear submarine. It’s a bit crazy, but we are enjoying it nonetheless.
Last week a friend and I went to see the movie House of Gucci at the theater. It stars Lady Gaga as real life Patrizia Reggiani, who married into the Gucci family in the 1970s … but then got a little carried away. As the family’s legacy begins to unravel, her marriage sours, and a crime takes place, Uh-oh. The movie features quite a star-studded cast with Gaga, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Adam Driver, and Jared Leto among others.
My reaction to it was that it’s entertaining in places but needed editing and runs too long at 2 hours and 38 minutes. It takes a while at the beginning to get going and doesn’t get to the turning point till late in the film. Still the performances are worthwhile, though I’m not sure the script really knew what it wanted to be: whether a family expose, a character study, a spoof, or a murder mystery. It’s a bit all of the above but needed tightening for more effectiveness. My mind sort of drifted, and I wish it had been more of a spoof than a drama … as there’s plenty of crazy material here.
And now, I’ll leave you with a couple reviews of books that I finished lately.
When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash / Morrow / 304 pages / 2021
This was my first Wiley Cash novel and I found it an enjoyable mystery without being too heavy. It’s set on Oak Island, NC, and is a slow-burn type of murder case. Sheriff Winston Barnes has a lot going against him … as he finds a slain body in the middle of the night on an airport runaway alongside a deserted small plane. Was it about drugs or what? As he begins to investigate, he has a lot on his mind: he’s up for reelection for sheriff, his wife has cancer, and his 26-year-old daughter Colleen has just returned home from Dallas mourning her baby who’s died in infancy.
Then it appears some bad seeds are raising a ruckus, terrorizing black neighbors with their drive-bys and Confederate flags. Little by little, the case unfolds and is eventually solved, though there’s one twist at the very end that surprised and saddened me. On the whole, the story and the characters of Sheriff Winston Barnes and his daughter Colleen grew on me … and I cared about them as it went along. I was curious too about its Oak Island setting. I listened to this one as an audiobook read by J.D. Jackson, who also read the audio for The Nickel Boys so his reading reminded me a bit of that. He’s a good audio performer.
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See / Scribner / 384 pages / 2019
This is quite a saga, which I read as an e-book for my book club, about a female friendship over the decades from 1938-2008 on Korea’s Jeju Island that is tested to the brink amid harsh times of war, violence, and meager existence. Both women grow up apart of their village’s all-female diving collective whose work it is to obtain abalone, sea urchins, and octopus off the sea floor despite the dangers and numbing temperatures.
Reading about their lives on the water was perhaps my favorite part of the tale, which I’m glad I got to as I’ve enjoyed Lisa See’s novels in the past, most notably Snowflower and the Secret Fan from 2005. In this novel, I was intrigued by the traditional matriarchal diving community (the Haenyeo), which I had not known about before … as well as the fate of villages on Jeju Island, which suffered greatly during WWII and the Bukchon Massacre in 1948-49 and into the Korean War.
Holy smokes, there was so much brutality and tragedy to live with. Lisa See certainly brings the two friends’ families (their parents, husbands, and kids), culture, and circumstances to light during these difficult days. Though I wanted to shake some sense into the main character Young-sook who becomes so blinded and hurt by her family’s loss that she cuts off her best friend Mi-ja whom she think bears some culpability in it…. not realizing or understanding the full reasons behind her actions. Hmm. I had to rush to the end to see what would happen to their lives and friendship. It’s an epic saga that spans the tides of change, history, and human emotions. I was pleased to finally get to it and see what all the worthwhile fuss was about.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read either of these novels and what did you think? Here’s wishing everyone very happy holidays, and I hope you all get a lot of new books!
Your tree is gorgeous; I knew it would be as it looked pretty darn perfect bare as well:) I thought Island of Sea Women was very good but a tough read at times. Lisa See is an excellent writer IMO. Wishing you a nice low key Christmas. Have fun skiing.
Thanks Diane. It’s definitely a low-key Christmas but that’s okay. I agree there’s so much dark times in Island of Sea Women it is hard to read in places. I was surprised by its whole scope.
The tree is good but losing needles quickly! It must hold on! Have a wonderful Christmas!
It feels like Christmas is coming much more quickly this year and yet I’m not feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Like you, we had our big gathering at Thanksgiving, which was probably a good thing, seeing how Omicron is beginning to upset plans for family gatherings. We’ll have a quiet evening opening presents on Christmas Eve (just the three of us) and are hosting dinner with our next door neighbors on Christmas night. Very laid back. I even found myself feeling a little bored today (gasp!), but mainly because I got a Shingles vax yesterday and am feeling a little blah. If it weren’t rainy & windy, I might have gone for a walk. Too dangerous with the wind gusts, though! Your tree is gorgeous and I’ll bet it’s pretty outside with the snow.
I read Station Eleven and didn’t love it, but I am interested in watching the show. Not sure when, though. We just finished Shetland, so it’s time to find something new to watch. I’ll check out Vigil and see if it’s something my husband and mom would like.
Oh, Wiley Cash is a great southern writer. I’ve listened to two of his previous novels (This Dark Road to Mercy reviewed here and A Land More Kind Than Home reviewed here) and loved them. I can’t wait to read/listen to this one!
Have a good week and happy skiing! 🙂
Thanks Lesley. The skiing should be good. And good to hear of your Christmas plans. Seems we both did our main holiday at Thanksgiving, which is okay considering the Omicron news. I hope your Shingles shot effects will dissipate soon. I had that double vax last year. Good to have that behind you. It looks like Christmas week will be a snowy one here so perhaps I will take some pics. Sounds like your area is getting battered by the elements now. Be careful! Hope the power stays on. Check out Vigil and see what you think. I was glad to finally get to Wiley Cash and liked his sensibilities. It’s a mystery that doesn’t get too involved. Have a wonderful Christmas week! No stress is perfect!
Your tree is so pretty! I think we’re going to have a relaxed holiday this year because it’s difficult to go places with a toddler. I’d rather just stay home. I hope you have a great Christmas!
Thanks AJ. Yeah it’s better just to hang out at home. Take lots of pics … Brooklyn seems a perfect age for Christmas & excitement. I hope she has a blast …. & you all have a great holiday!
Happy Christmas! Your tree is so festive, I love it.
Lisa See’s books work for me every time. I still think about the one you just read and the community of women who do the deep sea diving.
Thanks Helen, yeah this Lisa See novel was so involved! I was pretty exhausted by the end but it was good. The poor people in the book.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
That tree looks quite amazing!
I read The Island of Sea Women which I liked a lot, although I agree that it was a difficult read at times.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thanks Dorothy! I particularly like the tree at night with the lights. The Lisa See book sort of exhausted me but it seemed to capture those ladies’ lives. Quite a saga! Merry Christmas to you as well! Happy reading too.
Like you, I liked Lisa See’s _Snowflower…_ so this one sounds pretty good as well. Your review seems to be the first one that I’ve read of it.
Beautiful tree! Have a wonderful Christmas.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks Mae. I think the tree looks better at night. I have read only 2 Lisa See books but both of them involve female friendships … the Snow flower I recall had more of a hold on me than this one … but this one was similarly involving!
You have a very Merry Christmas as well.
I’ve wanted to read that Lisa See book for book club, but I got voted down. I thought it was about the pearl divers, but they dove for other things? I guess I’ll just have to read it for myself. My Sunday Salon Post
Hi Anne, this Lisa See novel is not about pearl divers … but about female abalone, sea urchin, & octopus divers who risk dangers doing what they do. Some of the war stuff gets pretty harsh in the novel … so it is not exactly a light read …. & it’s a pretty involving story. But I’m glad to have read it.
What type of books does your book club like? Have a very Merry Christmas!
Your tree is lovely! We have below-freezing temps all through this week at nights, and kind of tolerable during the days, but no snow in the forecast. A low-key holiday celebration sounds reasonable considering how things are out there. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
You are ahead this year watching all those film releases; I’m playing catching up. I finally saw King Richard and Belfast and enjoyed them both. I also saw Lamb and Titane, which were two giant balls of weirdness. Today I’ll watch Spencer and Last Night in Soho. House of Gucci will have to wait for when it’s streaming.
I’ve never read Wiley Cash or Lisa See; I guess I’ll have to because of the raving comments and reviews. I’ve been reading What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A. Chancy for a few days. It’s a novel about Haiti’s 2010 earthquake and the people it affected. It started very solid, but it’s become stagnant. The novel has received praise, so I was excited to read it, and it has some good moments, but we’ll see how it ends.
Hey Carmen, thanks! Low-key it is this year. Where is your snow?? Winter didn’t arrive till December here (quite late) — but now we are getting a little bit of snow each week which is good for the ski hills.
I’m glad you liked Belfast & King Richard. Our cheap theater in town is showing Spencer for $5, so it seems we should see it sometime. We’ve seen so many Lady Di stories over the years — what’s another? Let me know if you like Last Night in Soho. I haven’t heard of the Haiti earthquake novel or the author, but I should since she’s lived in Canada partly. I should find out more about her. Let me know if it ends better. & Merry Christmas to you & your Mom there. Hope she gets time off with pay for the holidays!
We’ve had some days of cold temps but only one snow day that almost wasn’t. Go figure! My mom has some time off, thank God! Spencer was good but not excellent. Kristen Stewart shines though. I liked Belfast more than King Richard, and I liked the latter a great deal. I feel that, despite the religious fighting, it was a feel good movie overall. What Storm, What Thunder is good, don’t get me wrong, it raises some very good questions about the international help and what happened with it, but some characters’ narrative tends to be bogged down by details that contribute little towards the overall theme. The first four chapters were solid 4*, but now I’m desperate to reach the end, and not in a good way. 😛
Uh-oh. The book appears to be sagging. Maybe the end can resurrect it? Good report on the movies. It appears Omicron will likely knock out our movie nights, so I guess we’re back to streaming, too bad. It appears it’s going to be quite a white Christmas here with a couple snow days this week. We’ll send you some snowflakes. Glad your mom has a break! Keep warm and Merry Christmas.
Everything is beginning to shutdown again here. We squeezed Hamilton in and last night The Band’s Visit but many venues have cancelled their seasons ahead of the holiday. Omicron is everywhere. My daughter gets boosted here, on Tuesday because her university ran out of the booster.
I am not at all prepared for Christmas and it’s kind of too late now. My daughter takes my car during the day so I can’t run errands. LOL. It’s kind of stressing me out but I am just gonna go with it. I was stressing about Christmas dinner but now I think we will get Chinese food. After two years of COVID I am learning to pivot.
Your plans sounds nice. Being outside with the pups sounds perfect. Mine is still not able to be walked by me but The Hub has been stepping in when it’s not too cold. I may start taking her for short walks though because she is starting to act out a little.
Station Eleven looks interesting. No one in my house is interested in it besides me so I may turn it on for a bit each day just to check it out while I do things around the house.
Hi Ti, I hope you can get physical therapy so you can walk with your pup again. Sorry to hear about your knee, ugh! I’m behind on Christmas shopping too, ha. But I’ll do a little bit this week … while trying to avoid Omicron. It’s a mess right?We in for another crazy covid winter it sounds like. I think I’ll wait to get the word on the Station Eleven series from you. It didn’t look very appealing to me for some reason. Merry Christmas!
Gorgeous tree! I haven’t had a big tree in many years, but I am feeling the urge to do that again…someday. LOL
Have a great week, and enjoy those books. I think I’ll skip Station Eleven, although I am enjoying HBO Max, and saw King Richard this weekend on Amazon Prime.
I read and enjoyed a Wiley Cash book a few years ago. This one looks good.
Enjoy your holiday season, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks Laurel, you might have to do a big tree next year! Despite all the needles everywhere – they’re still worth the work, ha. Glad you saw the King Richard movie & I hope you liked it. We likely will skip the Station Eleven series for now too. We are liking the series Vigil. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Your tree is stunning. We had an awful time getting all the Christmas things down from the attic this year, and I am definitely going to be culling things before we pack things up. I actually bought a book that makes into a tiny Christmas tree this year, and I’m contemplating going bare bones next year with it…oh, but then I see your big tree and I see mine and…well, I probably with keep going with it as long as I can.
I imagine we will take a look at Station Eleven soon. We’ve been watching Seaside Hotel on PBS so we’ll probably wait until we finish it.
The Lisa See novel sounds promising. I’m a little reluctant to pick up a book with a lot of brutality and tragedy right now, though.
Thanks Deb! Yeah the tree & decorations are a bit of work each year … and the needles are everywhere! But we keep going with it. It just cheers me … having the tree. Hmm. And yes the Lisa See novel is a bit too much darkness right now – though the diving parts & culture were interesting. We’ll have to check out Seaside Hotel … PBS has some good shows. We are liking Vigil at the moment — I think it’s thru BBC? Have a Merry Christmas!
Your tree looks beautiful. I am surprised to hear that people are actually going to the movies right now given the rise in Covid cases, but that being said I can’t wait to see House of Gucci- I love Lady Gaga and every actor in the cast! Maybe I can download it. Who knows. Thanks for all the reviews and hope you have a wonderful, safe, and healthy Christmas.
Thanks Judee: I think our theater days might be over for now until things start getting better again. Maybe House of Gucci will be available soon for streaming? Lady Gaga is fun to see in this role. She seems spot on.
Have a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy Florida and warm temps for me.
We also read this Lisa See saga for book group — definitely intense, but very intriguing and poignant. I love seeing the photo of your very full, beautifully decorated tree. No indoor tree for us this year but we have the ones outside lit which we enjoy very much. It’s snowing now and is not supposed to stop until after the holiday — a REALLY white Christmas!! We’ll practice our x-country so we can keep up with you & the dogs!!
Hi — you really are getting a lot of good snow there, Wow! This weekend is going to be incredibly cold here … -15F so I’ll likely be next to the fireplace with Santa. I’m surprised you didn’t have a tree this year …. first year ever?? This is our 2nd year here at Christmas … and it’s pretty mellow. I’m surprised the tree turned out well … I had it stuffed in the car from a tree place in town. Ha. The dogs haven’t knocked it over … yet. The Lisa See novel was pretty intense! But a good eye-opener … interesting that your group read it too. Enjoy the White Christmas!
I’ve not read either of those, Susan, but I’ve just seen another review of See’s book, and from what both of you say about The Island of Sea Women, I know I want to read that one sometime early next year. That unique culture, on top of the historical period, sounds so fascinating that a good plot is almost a bonus.
Your tree is beautiful. It’s been cold…into the forties…here for several days, but it’s supposed to warm up tonight and be in the low eighties on Christmas day. I can’t remember going this long for a long time before having to insulate all the outdoor faucet heads and the sprinkler system. It doesn’t have the Christmas feel here at all.
That said, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks Sam. Sounds like a warm Christmas for you in Texas. We are going to be freezing on Christmas Day. Brrr. They’re predicting temps below 0F. Yikes. I’ll be staying near the fireplace.
If you haven’t tried a Lisa See novel yet, you’re likely in for a treat. She seems to do a lot of research of time periods, historical events, & cultures. Island of Sea Women shed light on history & places I didn’t know about before … and also talks about the colonialization of Korea by Japan for decades … somewhat like the novel Pachinko does … It includes some dark times! You might like it though. Enjoy. & Merry Christmas!