Two for One Book Reviews!

2012: Book 2

Love, LOVE, love!!!!

This was a lovely book. I laughed. And cried. And laughed more. And cried more. More review to come...

During the reading of this book, I realized yet again that so much of my knowledge of the European wars (WWI, WWII specifically) has come from history text books. This was probably one of the more "personal" accounts I've come across that examines wartime occupation. As an adult, with adult concerns, it really hits on a deeper level how hellacious life was for those folks. Despite the fact that this wasn't necessarily a "tear-jerker" I closed the book and cried for a full five minutes after lapsing into deep contemplation about what it must have been like to put one's child on a boat for London, only to learn that London is being blitzed, and not seeing that child again for five years. If that happened today, my daughter would be 9 and my son 8 if and when I saw them again. I can't even comprehend that and it just broke my heart to realize what families...mothers...went through during the war. In that vein, there was one moment in the book, which involve the chiming of Big Ben for those who have read it, that make me gasp, giggle, and burst into tears all at the same moment.

I read several reviews and heard from some in the book club in which I read this that the "correspondence" format was difficult. I found that it didn't really bother me, though there were a couple of times when I needed to start a letter over again because I failed to pay enough attention to the "To" and "From" and no longer remembered who was writing to whom.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of lovely humor and affection in it, while somberly and respectfully portraying the stark reality of occupation. If I had any complaint at all the primary would be the characterization of Kit. I know that the author had historically imposed time constraints to deal with, but it seemed as if she wanted to make Kit's character far too developed for what she was chronologically capable of. So it ended up with Kit seeming far too "old" to be four. I kept thinking she was at least seven or eight years old. Though maybe being born and raised during the occupation matures one faster. My second, and lesser complaint, is below the spoiler....

::SPOILER::

I also didn't really love the way Sidney was "outed". I can't quite see why he needed to be a Gay man. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I walked away feeling as if it was done simply to end any speculation that there would be a love triangle between he and Dawsey and Juliet. As if he had to be "eliminated" from contention almost. I don't know...it just didn't sit right as part of the narrative. I know I should applaud the author for being inclusive, but in this case it just seemed unnecessary.

Otherwise it really was a lovely book. I would highly recommended it.

*********************************

2012: Book 3

This was an interesting book...probably not one I would have come across on my own but which was recommended to me by a colleague. As I aspire to one day be a faculty member at an institution of higher education, she thought I might enjoy this glimpse into the inner workings of academe. It is safe to say it is not, as portrayed by Russo, as glamorous as those of us in "student affairs" might think!

Amid side stories of political maneuvers and hostilities, our protagonist finds himself emotionally adrift. He appears to be detached from what is happening around him, with his job, his marriage, his daughters, and his parents, but also from his own identity. He frequently reminds us, "I'm not a/an _____________ but I can play the part." He is an everyman, but also a very uncertain and undefined man. Or so we're led to believe.

The prose is clever and I often found myself chuckling along with Hank's sarcasm, and unique turns of phrase. Very enjoyable.

Cover art for both books from goodreads.com