Saeed and Nadia meet in a war torn
country on the edge of an explosive civil war. Ironically, as their city falls
to pieces they try to continue with normal daily living of work, school and
going to the market. Saeed notices Nadia in class one evening and invites her
out for coffee. She is covered in a floor length black robe and Saeed is both
shocked and in awe when she accepts and drives away on her motor scooter. He is
instantly intrigued by this independent woman. As their friendship grows Saeed and Nadia
become obsessed with the rumor of hidden doors that are said to exist
throughout the city as a means to escape. When the city becomes too dangerous
to navigate any longer, food and electric are scarce and phone service
disappears along with the internet, this young couple search out the door.
Quickly slipping into another world to save their lives and for better or worse
change them forever. In a Narnia sort of way these doors symbolize the
migration of citizens from all over the world. This migration reflects the very
real immigration issues faced today where people leave family, jobs and homes
behind with the hope that a future still exists for them and their children.
This beautifully written story follows the couple searching for an existence
and their emotional and physical struggles when their entire world is torn
apart. These people are a burden to other countries. How dare they cross the
invisible lines called borders. In these countries they enter people are
shocked that they cannot assimilate and dismantle everything they have ever
known more quickly. They are lost, scared and desperate. They find security in
groups, in numbers, with people most similar to themselves. Together they beg
for a chance while the nativists push back. Sound familiar? I am not merely recommending
this book. I am saying everyone must read this book.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Anything is Possible
While reading My Name is Lucy Barton it
did occur to me that all these little life stories had a story of their own. The
author must have felt the same, as she has now followed up with a new book
called Anything is Possible. A compilation of short stories about the Pretty
Nicely Girls, Tommy the janitor and Lucy’s sister Vicky - where their love/hate
relationship had lingered for years, to name a few. These small town mid-western
lives, filled with poverty, abuse, love, fear and an underlying hope is
described in the delicate manner only Elizabeth Strout can create. She digs
deep into the hearts and minds of these characters bringing a genuineness that
is almost painful. If you have not read My Name is Lucy Barton, I would
definitely start there and then enjoy this beautiful new novel. I was lucky to
have an early read thanks to netgalley but it will be available April 25th.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday is an English holiday,
similar to America’s Mother’s Day. It is 1924 and Jane Fairchild is given the
day off from her job as a maid. As she is an orphan, there is no mother to
visit and Jane makes a secretive yet leisurely visit to the son of a neighbor.
Paul Sheringham is of high society wealth and status and about to be married.
Jane and Paul have been carrying on their secret affair for years – but today
is the last time they will be together. Decades later, Jane Fairchild reflects
back on the chapters of her life, of her loves and passion for reading and
later writing. Highly recommend this beautifully told, romantic story of one
woman’s surprising journey. It is written simply and poetically and I could not
put it down.
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