Miss Austen by Gill Hornby

After my last few books, I promised myself I’d read something totally different, and I certainly accomplished that goal with Miss Austen.

This novel imagines the life of Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra – both from the time they were girls up until her old age. The story begins in 1840, and sixty-seven year old Cassandra Austen travels to Kintbury, the family home of her deceased fiancé, Tom Fowle.

Ostensibly visiting to assist in packing up household in preparation to move after the death of her brother-in-law, Cassandra is actually there to search for and destroy any of Jane’s letters which may damage her legacy and image. These letters cover key relationships and events between the Austen, Fowle, and Lloyd families between 1795 and 1817. While finding and obtaining these letters, Cassandra Austen revisits the past, and the details of her life and her sister’s life are tantalizingly revealed

It is a truth universally acknowledged (get it? a little Jane Austen humor there) that Cassandra burned hundreds of letters to and from Jane before her own death in 1845. Ms. Hornby re imagines these letters, and others, throughout this novel. Even though the letters aren’t real, it was an wonderful way to inhabit the lives of Cassandra, Jane, the Austen family, and their relations.

As she discovers and reads the letters at Kintbury, both Cassandra and the reader are transported back to the early 1800’s to a story that could have been one of Jane’s own works. Cassandra falls deeply in love, is betrothed and then bereaved. Unable to reconcile the memory of her one great love, Cassandra vows to remain single and devote herself to her family and good works.

Jane Austen also remained unmarried and their devoted sibling relationship is portrayed with Jane’s letters to Cassandra and the reader is brought into their closeness.

I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed. She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow, I had not a thought concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part of myself. – Cassandra Austen upon Jane’s death

Interwoven with Cassandra’s history is the ‘present-day’ (1840) story of her dead finance’s family and the author explores the fate of unmarried women and the real need for them to marry and marry well. A glimpse into the plight of unmarried women during this time, and their efforts to find happiness in a world in which they were considered worthless except as caretakers for those more fortunate.

Whoever looked at an elderly lady and saw the young heroine she once was?

I especially enjoyed Ms. Hornby’s depiction of the Austen family and the love they felt for each other.

She [Cassandra] and her siblings were, to one another, a source of constant love and cheerful support. It was such a sadness to find other families so differently arranged.

Now, readers I totally enjoyed this novel. I found the writing exquisite and a wonderful insight into the Austen family story, however, here at Book Barmy we try to give fair warning about books that may not suit everyone.

So here we go…

Miss Austen is a slow read and it isn’t very plot focused — it’s the characters that shine through — even Mary Austen, who was just insufferable. And like Jane Austen’s own works, the novel has many characters to keep straight, but rest assured, there’s a list of characters to help you. And one more disclaimer, I believe one should be a Jane Austen fan to fully enjoy this novel.

This wonderful imagining had me headed to my shelves to maybe re-read one or two in my Jane Austen collection. But then — what’s this, say what? I realized I have never read Mansfield Park.

Shamefaced, I have added it to the rest-of-my-summer reading pile list.

Hello, Bookstore

Hello Bookstore is a documentary that won’t appeal to everyone – only if ~~ (check all that apply):

___ You are barmy about books.

___ You like bookish people

___ You cherish quirky, independent bookstores

___ You adore people who talk about books

___ You admire booksellers who know & love their books

___ You want to follow a bookstore through good & bad times.

I rented this wonderful film after my sister sent me a review from the Boston Globe, and then upon reading this review in the The New York Times:

Matthew Tannenbaum’s reading voice beckons. Which may be a funny thing to remark upon given that we see his face nearly nonstop in “Hello, Bookstore.” Then again, the documentary about this bookstore owner, directed by A.B. Zax, is a tribute to the love of reading and the pleasures of a smartly stocked bookstore. Tannenbaum’s fondness for his store and its wares is a beautiful thing to behold, even at its most vulnerable.

The film is dedicated to a bookshop simply called ‘The Bookstore’ in Lenox, Massachusetts and its owner, Matthew Tannenbaum. The viewer is a fly on the shelf (as the NY Times called it) inside the bookstore and shadowing Mr. Tannenbaum before, during, and after, the pandemic.

We watch as Tannenbaum conducts curbside business through his closed glass door, loudly asking; “What are you looking for?”, and fulfilling orders by having customers read him their credit card numbers, but also conducting his business as usual — telling a customer; “oh I have just the one [book] for you.” Then turns to the camera; “That’s so much fun.”

The director started this project in 2019 before before the pandemic, so the documentary is interspersed with normal bookstore activity before and after the closure. We see regular customers who come to shop for books and sit at the in-store wine bar, delightfully named Get Lit.

Mr. Tannenbaum tells of his first job at the Gotham Book Mart and how he wanted to work there as soon as he smelled the books and heard the timeworn wooden floors creak (a comrade! I said to the TV screen..).

He interrupts the interview to nod towards a customer; “Look at that smile, he’s found a book.”

In another scene, Mr. Tannenbaum recommends a book to a customer, saying; “My bookmark never had a chance.” Then when (again through the closed front door) a customer can’t remember which book it was she wanted from the current NY Times best-seller list, he goes and gets his copy of the paper and passes it out to her.

An older gentleman customer comes in after the pandemic seeking the books he ordered six months prior and after Mr. Tannenbaum conducts a long search behind the counter, the customer realizes he had already brought them home and leaves….”successful transaction!”, says our bookseller.

There is a short segment on the Bookstore’s struggles during the pandemic and a successful GoFundMe campaign, but the focus of the film is the books, customers, and Mr. Tannenbaum himself.

The camera also catches Mr. Tannenbaum sitting down to read to us from his favorite books or poetry during which he does with great joy. And he ends one session choking up and saying; “Fiction is how I see the world — I don’t run away from the world.”.

This is a bibliophile’s cult film and, as I said, not for everyone. See questions above. As you can tell, I truly enjoyed it. Perfect viewing for hot sleepy night in front of the air conditioner (or a cool, foggy one out HERE) It will cost you $5.99 to stream it on Amazon Prime and/or YouTube (I will gladly send the funds to anyone who can’t afford that.)

I laughed out loud at the closing scene ~~ a customer says to Mr. Tannenbaum;

“I see what you do. You are surrounded by all the things you love in the world and the only thing that interrupts you is people trying to give you money”.

If you follow us here at Book Barmy ~~ I ask, how can you resist?

Library Books

You may remember that I have quite an impressive collection of unread books based in libraries and bookstores.  I have just read three in a row – all based in libraries.  This may have been a mistake to read them so close together — as one was great, but the other two – well not so much.  I’ll start with the best.   

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

This was a really fun read.  Although the title is somewhat of a misnomer, as only the first scene takes place in a library, namely, the beautiful Boston Public Library.

Four strangers are sitting at the same table in the library’s reading room when a scream is heard and later a body of a woman is found murdered in the library. These four table mates  — Cain, a novelist, Freddie (Winifred), an Australian writer visiting on a writing grant, Marigold, a grad student in psychology, and Whit, a reluctant Harvard Law student unite over the unsolved murder.

But wait, The Woman in the Library is a story within a story, as the book opens with an email from Leo Johnson, an early reader for Australian author, Hannah Tigone, a mystery writer, who because of Covid is relying on Leo to help with Americanisms and local Boston authenticity.   These emails from Leo are interspersed throughout the novel. At first Leo simply provides some writing suggestions and corrects her language (as in: ‘a car boot is called a trunk here’).   As the novel progresses, Leo starts providing social commentary on current events, and trespasses into creepy stalker territory. 

Meanwhile back in Boston, our library patrons are trying to solve the screaming woman’s murder mostly for selfish reasons.  Cain and Freddie want to use the story in their writing, and Marigold is just there out of curiosity, and perhaps a crush.  Whit is in it for the fun.  But as they dig deeper they begin to discover connections some of them may have had with the deceased. They start to question why they were all sitting together at the opportune time of the scream. I was captivated by this engaging group as they observe, react to and investigate the murders that follow.

It was refreshing to have the author as a main character and a novel with an author writing about another author was just fun.   I enjoyed Ms. Gentill’s (Freddie’s) narration and description of the writing process, likening it to laying bricks without a plan, and allowing the walls to twist and turn on a whim. Or like riding a bus where people get on and off and there’s always the possibility of the route being changed at the last minute because of weather, an accident, parade or marathon.

And this quote while of staring at the ceiling in the Boston public library reading room:

These [ceilings] have gazed down on writers before. Do they see one now? Or just a woman in the library with a blank page before her? Maybe I should just stop looking at the ceiling and write something.’

I don’t want to give away any more about this many-layered mystery.  When it came to the actual whodunit, I changed my mind many times.  As a reader you have to figure out not only the criminal, but the crime as well – while at the same time you’re following the complex writing process of the actual writer Hannah and her creepy correspondent, Leo.  The concept may seen confusing as I muck up this review, but trust me it’s not confusing – it’s compelling.

Even though you think you know where this story might end up, Ms. Gentill manages to surprise you.  The Woman in the Library is an accomplished page turner of a mystery.   And if you’re someone who enjoys a good mystery that will challenge you and keep you on edge of your seat – you will certainly want to seek this one out.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital advanced readers copy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Full disclosure I did not finish the following two books, so these reviews are not based on a full reading of either. 

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

A review of The Reading List purported that it was about people finding community in a library, connecting in unexpected ways, all surrounded by the love of reading. And the starting point held great promise — a list of books is found within the pages of a recently returned library book and two characters – a young librarian who is trying to find her way in life and an elderly man and recent widower connect in the library.  They read through the list together and together they discover the joys of reading and through books they develop a deep friendship.

Doesn’t The Reading List sound like something right up my alley?  I’m someone who loves to read, relishes libraries, and I do appreciate a good reading list. 

But nooo, I found it had a lackluster plot and much pointless rambling. The writing drags and drags to the point that I returned it to the library after only six chapters. 

To me it suffered from a strange combination of being trite, while at the same time, just very sad.

But don’t trust me, many have loved it – it has great reviews so perhaps it might work for you. 

(Warning this book contains story lines about suicide.)

Just in case you’re wondering here’s the reading list:

To Kill a Mockingbird
Rebecca
The Kite Runner
Life of Pi
Pride and Prejudice
Little Women
Beloved
A Suitable Boy

The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne

This book was on my library wish list, so I ordered it and checked it out of my local branch.  Reading it after The Reading List (above) was my big mistake.  The Night of Many Endings is about a librarian who has dedicated her life to trying to save her brother, Mario. But no matter what she does, including putting her own life on hold, Mario can’t beat his drug addiction for long. In the hopes that her own good deeds will pay it forward, Nora spends her free time helping the homeless in her town of Silver Ridge, Colorado.

On the day the novel opens, Nora chases another lead that Mario may be back in town. When her search proves fruitless, she goes to her job as the town librarian, already planning what she can do the following day to find her brother. However, that night a massive snow storm hits the town, trapping her in the library with Marlene, a crotchety senior citizen, Vlado, the library’s security guard, Lewis, a homeless man who nearly overdosed outside the library, and Jasmine, a local teenager.

As the storm progresses they start to open up to each other…and then

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

oh, sorry there, I almost fell asleep even trying to write about this very slow, sad, and boring read.

I shut the book there and this one, too got returned it to the library. 

Again, I blame myself for trying to read such similar books back to back. 

I’m off to find something completely different to get me out of this slump.

Karl the Fog

It’s summer here in San Francisco and we have our typical fog and more fog. (The above was taken on a walk during the afternoon a few days ago.) While it’s rather nice to wake up to the sound of fog horns (good excuse to cuddle back under the duvet for a bit) and delightful to go to sleep with that soothing sound – I must admit the fog does get tiresome for us residents. We have even given the fog a name – Karl — but more on that later.

For our tourists, the summers here are a big – really big – surprise. Even though we warn them, they don’t believe us and come out with get this – shorts and tee-shirts! Such tourists are dubbed blue legs — as their legs turn blue when hanging from the cable cars. The vendors down at Fisherman’s Wharf fund their children’s education from selling overpriced San Francisco jackets and sweatshirts to teeth-chattering visitors.

Now remember our fog is named Karl and he has a Twitter account with many, many followers. A great topic of conversation here is “what has Karl said lately?” — as Karl’s a big joker.

One of the favorites was on 4/20, when the city has its annual cannabis celebration in Golden Gate Park:

It’s hard to tell where the clouds in Golden Gate Park end and I begin. “Today’s high: everyone in San Francisco.”

But Karl disappeared, not the fog, but the Twitter feed for the last two years…leaving us all scratching our heads. But then, earlier this year the San Francisco Chronicle published this:

After a two year-long social media hiatus, San Francisco’s unofficial weather mascot Karl the Fog rolled back into Twitter.

“Oh, hey down there. I know it’s been a while, so hope you still recognize me (I put on a few metric tons over the last two years),” tweeted Karl.

“Moved in with my parents in Point Reyes at the start of the pandemic. The free rent was great, but nothing beats hanging 6ft away from you.”

Karl the Fog has been a part of San Francisco since his Twitter account first appeared in 2010. The anonymous user behind the parody account has tweeted over 10,000 times and has amassed a following of around 344,700 fog joke lovers.

What caused Karl’s account to go quiet for more than two years wasn’t immediately clear. A message seeking comment was not immediately returned.

“All that is sunny does not glitter,” reads Karl’s Twitter bio. “Not all those in the fog are lost.”

(excerpted from the San Francisco Chronicle)

So while you may be suffering from heat and humidity, maybe it helps to think of us out here bundled up in the gloomy fog.

Escapist Reading

I ran across this quote from Neil Gaiman last evening, and had to share. I often try reading more ‘realistic’ current fiction. But inevitably, I come back to my comfort, escapist reading.

Fiction can show you a different world. It can take you somewhere you’ve never been. Once you’ve visited other worlds, like those who ate fairy fruit, you can never be entirely content with the world that you grew up in. Discontent is a good thing: discontented people can modify and improve their worlds, leave them better, leave them different.

And while we’re on the subject, I’d like to say a few words about escapism. I hear the term bandied about as if it’s a bad thing. As if ‘escapist’ fiction is a cheap opiate used by the muddled and the foolish and the deluded, and the only fiction that is worthy, for adults or for children, is mimetic fiction, mirroring the worst of the world the reader finds herself in. If you were trapped in an impossible situation, in an unpleasant place, with people who meant you ill, and someone offered you a temporary escape, why wouldn’t you take it?

And escapist fiction is just that: fiction that opens a door, shows the sunlight outside, gives you a place to go where you are in control, are with people you want to be with (and books are real places, make no mistake about that); and more importantly, during your escape, books can also give you knowledge about the world and your predicament, give you weapons, give you armor: real things you can take back into your prison. Skills and knowledge and tools you can use to escape for real. As J.R.R. Tolkien reminded us, the only people who inveigh against escape are jailers.