Just not for me…
I recently read two books , well one I read and the other I abandoned, but neither were for me. I’ve decided that’s OK, as Simon, one of my favorite book bloggers says — someone else may love these novels.
This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!
by Jonathan Evison
I was initially drawn to this novel, because of its unique premise, which mirrors the 1950’s television series “This is your life”. In the show, a famous person’s life was re-told with flashbacks to life changing moments, the places they lived, the important people who played a vital part in said lives. See a sample of the show HERE.
The cover gives the appearance of a light-hearted novel (there I go again judging a book by its cover). Harriet is 78, her husband has recently died and she decides to go on an Alaskan cruise he planned before he got Alzheimer’s.
Ahh, a cheery-new-lease-on-life story you would think…but we are being led terribly astray. There is nothing cheery about Harriet Chance’s life.
Like the television show, we go back and forth in time to experience Harriet Chance’s life. But her life is littered with bitter heartbreak. There are betrayals at every turn. And the litany of tragedy goes on and on — there’s child molestation, rape, unwanted pregnancy, unfaithful marriage, alcoholism, drug addiction and as a final blow, bitter adult children trying to get her money. After awhile, I stopped keeping count of the awful events in hapless Harriet’s life.
As added angst, Harriet’s mean, dead husband appears to her in a caught-between-life-and-death role, which never feels fully developed and causes Harriet’s children to harbor suspicions about their mother’s mental stability.
The author is remorseless in his portrayal of seniors and dementia. Harriet herself is characterized as a terrible mother, a distant wife and a bitter old women. Her husband’s Alzheimer’s is portrayed with sneering and unfeeling sarcasm.
I kept reading, hoping for a ray of sunshine in this story, some sort of redeeming act or event that would make Harriet’s life, if not great, then at least OK. But nope, there is nothing — nothing to resurrect poor Harriet’s life
This is Your Life Harriet Chance! (I never really got the use of the exclamation point) is well written, but one of the most depressing books I have ever read.
A digital review copy was provided by Algonquin Books via NetGalley
The Bookshop on the Corner
by Jenny Colgan
The Bookshop on the Corner, came home with me from the library’s new arrivals shelf. I’m a sucker for a book about books or a bookshop and this one is set in Scotland – double points. Took it to bed with me that evening and set it down after five or six chapters and went to sleep somewhat disappointed.
In the morning I checked some of the reviews and publicity for this novel and found I was in the distinct minority. Ms. Colgan’s novel has been liked by one and all — just not me.
Nina, a recently laid-off librarian decides to travel to one of Scotland’s remotest areas. She discovers their library is closed and there is no bookmobile. So she decides to move up there with her vast collection of books and buy a van from which to sell her books throughout this remote corner of Scotland. Ah ha, this book is not about a bookshop, it’s about a book van – well I guess that’s OK, I’ll keep reading. After all Parnassus on Wheels was one of my favorite books.
But, turns out this is chick lit – disguised as a book for book lovers. Straining all credibility, there’s a handsome train engineer who leaves Russian poetry books for Nina in tree branches – really?. And just as in The Little Paris Bookshop, Nina feels compelled to recommend books to solve every problem or malady, with trite results.
I finally returned the book to the library, when I got tired of the Scots Nina encounters being uncharitably portrayed as if caricatures — less than bright and seldom clean.
I just couldn’t take any more.
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