Thursday, March 31, 2022
2022 - First Quarterly Review
Monday, March 28, 2022
The Woman Beyond the Attic
In many ways, The Woman Beyond the Attic: The V. C. Andrews Story, demonstrates the truth that personal trial reaps creative inspiration. Authors who suffer understand the human condition and translate that suffering into works that are relatable to the masses. This author's life is a mini-picture of the emotion she taps in her famous book. Afflicted with arthritis, Virginia Andrews watched her idyllic childhood vanish when she twisted in just the wrong way on a staircase in her high school. This minor action led to a major redirection in her life. Doctors recommended a body cast, hoping the skeletal structure would heal in the proper way. But she didn't heal. For the rest of her life, Virginia felt trapped in a body that required help and care. Her controlling mother, somewhat ashamed of Virginia's disability and determined to protect her at all costs, kept her from engaging more fully in society. Thus, this author could articulate for others a story about four children trapped in an attic.
Biographies provide a chance to walk in another individual's shoes. This writer differs from me. She believes in reincarnation. The way she portrays Christianity in abusive terms shows her disdain. Plus, she embraces writing as a chance to play god in the lives of her characters. ("I step into a universe of my own making, and I am the god. What a sense of power!")
While it was interesting to learn all about this author's life, this biography provided little writing wisdom. Two lessons emerged from her story. First, an author must persevere despite years of rejection. Like many writers, V. C. Andrews devoted much time and practice prior to achieving success. Some might say this one book catapulted her to "instant" success, but that's wrong. She had already written nine other novels and many short stories before she landed on the idea for her Flowers book. The origin of that story germ highlights the second lesson. Stories come from a myriad of sources and a writer must keep their eyes and ears open to plausible ideas. After hearing a true story of children isolated in an attic, Virginia asked the key writing question, "What if?"
At the end of this biography, Neiderman provides samples of the author's work, including an unfinished story, the bones of another story, and a few poems. Although I tried to read her writing, I skipped through this part (unsavory from the outset and not all that compelling either). Given that V. C. Andrews takes her isolated children down a path of incest, I have no desire to read this book that captivated millions. I hope Neiderman's sequel to The Umbrella Lady will be clean.
Content caution: 📒 - the biography discusses sex and one writing sample displays sex
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Free 6-Page PDF!
Monday, March 21, 2022
Book Review: The Mother-in-Law
The Mother-in-Law is a riveting read exploring complex relationships. A key concept the book presents is that women tend to have a more fraught relationship with their mother-in-law than do men. The author, Sally Hepworth, attributes this to the intensity of emotion women invest. A character says, "Sons-in-law and fathers-in-law don't care enough to have issues.... We have issues because we care too much." We desire their approval and affection, but often struggle to gain either.
With the police on her doorstep, Lucy seems to anticipate why they are there. How does she already know? Is it because she played a role? Sure enough, they proclaim that her mother-in-law is dead. But it is a conflicting crime scene. Although they discovered a suicide note (in a desk drawer, not near the body), evidence indicates suffocation. Who would have wanted to kill Diana? She was a philanthropist, working to give immigrants a chance in a world set on pushing them aside. Many people thought she was wonderful. But what kind of relationship did she have with her daughter-in-law? Why was she so cold? She had money, yet refused to assist her own children.
The book offers endless twists and turns. Everyone is hiding something. As the narrative progresses, it attempts to warm the cold Diana by weeding out her true motivations and philosophies. I read the book in two sittings, staying up well past my bedtime. Although I enjoyed it, I prefer The Good Sister. This one was sometimes a stretch to believe. Characters held too tightly to their individual perspectives and none were endearing. The author cast them with sharp lines. Still, it was a wild ride and quite engaging. The end was satisfying, if a bit too tidy. Apart from a few minor expletives, it was a clean read.
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Lucky Me!
Oh, how I love when I snag a deal! It wasn't even the deal I thought I was heading out to get. Last week, I arranged to purchase a two-drawer locking file cabinet on a rolling stand for $10. Arriving early to the seller's set location (the Goodwill parking lot), I needed to kill some time. Of course, I headed to the book section. Once there, I found a beautiful boxed set of 3 Bill Bryson audio books. I already have read and own the hardcover of these titles, yet I'm thrilled with this opportunity to listen. If you're not familiar with Bill Bryson, his wit is a joy!
I would have happily paid the set price of $1.99 for three audio books. Lucky me - the half-price color of the day (brown), meant I snagged this set for one measly dollar. On Amazon, the set sells for $50. Score! I happened upon a new Facebook group this past week and almost joined, just so I could show off this astounding find. It is called Weird (and Wonderful) Secondhand Finds That Just Need to be Shared. The group is open to the public and has about 2.5 million members. Apparently, I'm not alone in my thrill of snagging a deal or searching for unusual bargains.
I'll begin with I'm a Stranger Here Myself, an essay collection about returning to the United States after years of living in Britain. I seem to recall sending a copy of this book to my older brother, David. If he read it, I never heard. While I wish these were full versions, I'll settle for approved abridgements. Eighteen hours of listening pleasure!
Monday, March 14, 2022
Book Review: Lives of the Musicians
I was intrigued to learn that Chopin shared some of Dickens' obsessive quirks and got ideas while walking. He was quite meticulous. He spent six weeks working on one page of music. Brahms was also intense. His first symphony was the product of ten years of devotion. Like other famous musicians and writers, he burned what he didn't like and started over.
I enjoyed the section on Gilbert and Sullivan the most. It was full of new and interesting facts. I hadn't known about the friction between them. Nor did I realize that Sullivan wrote "Onward Christian Soldiers." Even more perplexing, someone kidnapped Gilbert when he was two and held him for ransom.
Many of these famous musicians turned to their colleagues' music for comfort. When sad, Ives would play "Onward Christian Soldiers," until his melancholy lifted. Of course, some sought unconventional cures. Stravinsky relaxed by standing on his head. Crazy!
My library only has a few more of these titles, covering athletes, explorers, presidents, and scientists. I probably won't seek those out, but I may seek a neighboring library's copy of her Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought). The other inaccessible titles explore the lives of extraordinary women and pirates. Sadly, this author passed away a little over a year ago. No more interesting children's biographies from her entertaining pen!
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Book Review: The Giving Quilt
Monday, March 7, 2022
Book Review: Lives of the Writers
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Book Review: The Umbrella Lady
Eight-year-old Saffron, abandoned at a train station, is at the mercy of a stranger holding an umbrella. The umbrella lady offers her shelter while she awaits her father's return. Told from her childish perspective, Saffron paints a terrifying picture of this Good Samaritan who meets her in her time of need, but also imprisons her in the house. The woman goes by many names. She introduces herself to Saffron as Mazy Daisy. Others in the small community know her as the former teacher, Mrs. Dutton. Since Saffron appeared out of nowhere, the other kids call her "the tree girl" and view her with suspicion. Several mysteries carry the story along: Where did the father go? Will anyone rescue Saffron from her imprisonment? Who is Mazy Daisy? Is she involved in the father's disappearance? Will Saffron ever mingle with her peers? Can she blend in?
I thoroughly enjoyed this and requested the sequel, Out of the Rain. The narration was excellent. (If you wish to listen to an Audible sample, follow this link and click on the sample button.) I'm sure V. C. Andrews was a talented writer (she wrote many books and, at her death, left behind 63 further story ideas). Perhaps this book, written by the estate's ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman, stems from one of those storylines. Neiderman delivers. The writing in this book lures you in and holds you fast. I loved how your feelings about the characters change and grow with time. Plus, the final reveal is satisfying and stirring. I'm also on the hold list for a book about V. C. Andrews, The Woman Beyond the Attic.