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Book Reviews

Henry, Himself by Stewart O’nan

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Published 2019

I am glad to discover this writer of such a quiet little story, about the Maxwell family of Pittsburgh. Henry was named for his mother’s brother who was killed in the war before Henry was born. the name therefore seems in a way used to him and he would’ve preferred to be called Hank. But Henry he is and will be it seems.

Henry is retired now, and he and his wife Emily joke about when he is gone and she left by herself except for their dog, Rufus. Having read it I wonder who is going to do all of the little things around the house, not to mention the old cabin at Chataqua, when he is gone. Who will wash the dishes, a chore that Henry prides himself on every evening. Various ailments come and go, a fall becomes potentially dangerous, the kids and grandkids provide drama in their settled lives. Where to go for dinner is a bigger decision than you might think at this stage of life.

I loved how the little things have become the central focus which is described so clearly I felt I was part of the clan. Now I look forward to reading more of these novels and seeing what is happening with the family.

The End of October, by Lawrence Wright

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Published 2020

Henry Parsons, who works for the CDC in Atlanta, goes to a conference of health officials in Geneva, where one of the last speakers informs the participants of a ‘hemorrhagic fever that kills forty-seven people in one week and disappears without a trace’. It occurs in a refugee camp in Indonesia called Kongoli Number Two Camp, in the first week of March. Everyone else simply chalks it up as a one off event to be filed away for future reference. Henry begins asking questions and because no one has investigated, he is asked to go for two days, get samples from the camp, and be on his way home.

This begins the pandemic that threatens to end civilization as we know it. The flu is so highly contagious and deadly that there is no treatment and the only possible way to control it is strict containment. Unfortunately, the driver who takes Henry to the camp site in West Java leaves immediately after visiting the camp for Mecca, where millions gather at the Rock to pray and where infection is uncontrollable, especially when the pilgrims leave for their home countries all over the world. Henry’s family, wife Jill, daughter Helen and son Teddy spend some time at Jill’s sister’s farm outside Nashville, avoiding crowds and the cities until the first wave dies down, but then return to their home. Henry is quarantined in Mecca until war breaks out and he makes a run for it with the help of a friend, a doctor there whom he has known for decades, but who is also a member of the royal family.

As civilization breaks down, Henry tries desperately to get home to his family, who are trying to cope with the catastrophe without him.

A gripping tale, and the publishing date is most interesting, since the Pandemic we recently went through had already started. Obviously, Mr. Wright began this book much earlier, but it still resonates with something that could’ve been much worse.

Miss Julia Takes Over, by Ann B. Ross

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Published 2001

Another in the series by Ann Ross, about fiesty Miss Julia, who has the unlikely, but charming, history of taking in her late husband’s mistress and her son, the product of his years long affair, of which she was entirely unaware until they both appeared on her doorstep after his demise. In this tale, Hazel Marie, the former mistress, has gone missing after a date with a man from out of town who is doing some professional fund raising for the Presbyterian church which sits conveniently right across the street from Miss J’s house in Abbottsville. Miss Julia reports this to the police but they seem unconcerned, thinking they are both adults and just off on a good time. Miss Julia knows better and when Hazel Marie calls but is disconnected during the conversation, she is convinced she is being held against her will. Miss Julia engages the services of a private investigator, but insists that she and Little Lloyd (named after her late husband, of course) go along. They meet up with race truck drivers and Miss Julia even takes a lap on a race track in her efforts to get Hazel Marie back. To add insult to injury, Hazel Marie’s Bible thumping TV evangelist uncle has accused her of neglect in her care for the boy which Miss Julia knows is entirely untrue and is just another scheme to get his hands on the fortune Little Lloyd inherited from his father.

I love this series, it’s lighthearted and full of southern lady wisdom and charm. Might not be for northerners but many of the characters are easily identifiable by anyone born and bred in the south.

The Way of the World, by Ron Suskind

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A story of truth and hope in an age of extremism

Published 2008

This book by the journalist Ron Suskind goes into the aftermath of 9/11 and the reasons for going to war in Iraq. Mr. Suskind investigates many of the claims of the Bush administration and the result does not inspire confidence in the former administration’s ability to tell the truth, not only to the American people, but even to themselves. Time and again, the evidence is shown to be faulty or down right wrong and those who speak up are silenced, not permanently, but merely brushed aside or told that ‘that is not what we need to hear’. We all know how it goes these days. Those not towing the line are ‘not team players’, are not cooperative, or ‘difficult to work with’. Suskind tries to bring some hopefulness to the situation by weaving in profiles of two young Muslim men who are living in the United States, and shows how the Americans who come to know them embrace them not as radicals but as human beings, friends and co-workers. One is a teenager who is in the US as an exchange student and the other is working in DC, right across from the White House. Their stories are quite interesting. The younger man, much more representative of his nation, has almost insurmountable issues with the roles of men and women in the US, he is fascinated with pornography. The older one is well educated with a good job and has assimilated to the American way of life but is profiled by White House security, interrogated and later released. Add to all of this the story of one detainee at Gitmo and the lawyer who tries to work on his behalf for his release.

Still, the book sheds a light on how governments twist the truth into a narrative that fits their world view. Which is pretty much what we all do to some extent. In this case though, men and women died, on both sides of the issue, as a result. Looking at where things stand today in the region is a lesson in humility. I would recommend reading when in a fairly positive state of mind because by the end you may find yourself a bit downcast, I know I did.

Murder Makes Waves, by Anne George

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Published 1997

Anne George is a former English teacher, now author, from my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. She writes about her neighborhood, which happens to sit beneath the bare bottom of our iron man statue, Vulcan. Anne’s mysteries are solved by the narrator, Patricia Ann and her sister Mary Alice, who are polar opposites in almost every way. Patricia Ann is petite and quiet, happily married to the same man for forty years, Mary Alice, six feet tall and imposing by anyone’s standard, widowed three times. This mystery involves the murder of a friend at the beach in Destin, Florida, a popular spot for Birminghamians to vacation. It’s a lighthearted read, if murder can be said to be lighthearted, it would be a good book to take to the beach. Especially if you are familiar with any of the areas, you will recognize some of the place names she refers to. Appropriately enough, the murder involves development of real estate on the coast, and a struggle between profit and the environment.

All of the stories by this author involve the same main characters. Sadly, Ms. George passed away some years ago so we will not be seeing any more of her work.

Perestroika in Paris, by Jane Smiley

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What a sweet little book this is. Perestroika is a thoroughbred filly called Paras for short. She has just won a race, and with it a ‘purse’. When her trainer accidentally leaves her stall open Paras takes her purse (she has just won it, after all) and heads out simply because she is curious. This curiosity leads her further and further away from the stable near the track in search of grass and other edibles. A homeless German short-haired dog named Frida comes across the horse and befriends her. Friday used to have an owner, a homeless musician who passed away the year before, but Frida has learned to act as though she belongs to someone, and depends on the kindness of strangers for food. The two pair up and are befriended by a raven named Raoul, who is very intelligent, just ask him, and finally by a young boy who lives with his great-grandmama in an old house with a sheltered courtyard.

The story is of course so highly unlikely that you can’t really believe it, but somehow I wanted to! Very sweet, the animals, who talk of course are entertaining, but the people who interact with them also warmed my heart. Looking out for other tales to read by this author.