July 2026:
We read a variety of books written by American authors. It proved to be a wide array of styles and genres and many of us have taken away new reading material or authors to explore. Thanks everyone for your individual synopses.
Middle Age: A Romance by Joyce Carol Oates
Themes are Art especially Sculpture, Nature in the surrounding vastness and dark forests, and Isolation, in the breakdown of 'tired marriages'. Also Love, in the form of Adam, who dies in a harbour accident at the start of the story, but who is the main character, and how the other characters deal with his death.
Oates' writing style has complex and gripping characters and storylines, set in the huge American landscapes with its rivers, stone cliffs, wild life and failed, abandoned industries. Most importantly, Adam's presence is felt throughout.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
A "heroic fantasy". It tells the story of a man who is a renowned person of mystery with an infamous reputation - hero or villain depending on which story is being told.
A Choice of Enemies by George V Higgins
Published in 1983, it almost perfectly anticipates the almost universal chicanery, sleaze and corruption of the Trump era. Higgins had worked as a crime busting Assistant Attorney General, newspaper reporter and defence lawyer and knew his subject - crime - inside out. He is also an excellent writer who has been compared to James Joyce (although he is MUCH easier to read). If you want to read urgent, gripping, discursive, literary, crime fiction, he's your man.
The First Gentleman by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
The book takes us through a period where the President of the USA is a woman and her husband is the First Gentleman. With re-election approaching, there is a demand that the First Gentleman is put on trial for the historic murder of a college cheer leader. Two journalists investigate a tangled web of clues. Many seem to point to the First Gentleman but has he been set up by political opponents?. He ends up on trial for murder.
Many parts of the book seem to stretch the reader’s belief but if you want a relaxing read for your holiday, this book could suit you.
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
In her lifetime Maya Angelou wrote 7 autobiographies and this first one depicts her life from a 3 year old until she turns 17 and gives birth to a baby boy.
The caged bird represents Maya and Black Americans trapped by the oppressive barriers of racism, sexism and trauma who sings out for freedom.
Maya was forced to deal with abandonment, racial prejudices and grievous abuse and yet she showed astonishing strength and courage. Through all the pain and hardship she immersed as a powerful role model for anyone.
Quite a difficult read at times yet her writing was compelling.
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
Willa Cather had many pioneer farmers in her own ancestry, and used that in this story of Scandinavian and Bohemian settlers in Nebraskan prairie country.
The protagonist Alexandra, eldest sister of 3 brothers, manages the farm and homestead and stands up to her brothers when they want to control whether she marries someone they disapprove of.
So a pioneer on the Feminist front too.
Complete Short Story Collection by Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
As his writing matured he tore open the truth of many situations, leaving no ego safe from his satire, mock-flattery, caricature or ridicule with his insightful observance of those around him. From the several articles I have read about him he was the 19th C parallel to Ian Hislop of Private Eye, or Tray Parker and Matt Stone of Book Of Mormon fame. Some of that joy can be missed as its tied up in 19th century niceties, formalities, overly descriptive language and colloquialism, but bear with it and you will find yourself laughing out loud and relating characters to modern day people and situations. From his 160 short stories there must be at least 1 that can capture your interest.