Virginia
What Einstein Told His Cook, by Robert L. Wolke
Many of you who have attended our meetings already know that Virginia is an excellent cook. I still have fond memories of the carrot cake she brought to the last meeting in honor of Brad's birthday. What you may not know is that she works at the Food & Drug Administration - what she does there is so secret that you'd have to ask her (translated: she's told me, we talked about I forgot... mmmmm... Carrrrottt Caaaake). But it strikes a harmonious chord in my mind that this book would appeal to Virginia. This book is essentially the chemistry of cooking, covering topics such as what it means when your potatoes turn green, is there really a difference between sea salt and Morton's, and what really happens in the microwave. Virginia enjoyed this book though - the author takes what could be a dry subject and makes it applicable to the lives of everyday cooks, in a conversational and funny way. And the book is loaded with bad puns (so it must be like reading IBC updates... or talking to Brad).
The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy
The second book that Virginia discussed is a little heavier fare, yet not without its light-hearted moments. The God of Small Things is Roy's first book, yet her use of language and the construction of her narrative seemed much more polished than a freshman effort - and as it turns out she's been writing screenplays for Bollywood for a number of years. Still, her prose is so lyrical and the images she evokes through her words are beautiful and mysterious and vivid. The story, told retrospectively, centers around a pair of fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, who grow up in rural India, and a family tragedy, made all the more potent set against the influence of Communism and the traditional caste system. Much of the book is told from the perspective of the twins as children, lending some of the magic to how the events unfold. Virginia felt Roy's style was reminiscent of Salman Rushdie, but much less dense - she passed the book onto me, and it reminded me of Michael Ondaajte's The English Patient and Anil's Ghost. But different from those works, The God of Small Things portrays even tragic events with a sense of irony and wonder - treating them with the intrinsic humor they possess, without minimizing their weight.
Karen
Bellwether, by Connie Willis
One of the beneficial detriments to me taking so long to do the updates for the meetings is that I often have had a chance to read the books others discussed. I try to make sure that I capture each of your thoughts on the book, but I can't help but inject my own reactions (as you can see by my notes on The God of Small Things, above). So, in the interest of full disclosure, I feel compelled to let you know that I borrowed and read this - and since then, I've read three more novels by the author. Karen had mentioned that this book was funny, but I found myself grinning through almost the entire thing. The story is about two scientists, approaching the same problem from different disciplines, trying to understand and predict the next fad. Each chapter starts with a description of fads (e.g., Quality Circles, Self-Affirmation, etc.) and their demise. The book has a love story, a malevolently incompetent admin assistant and a herd of sheep. Madness ensues. Connie Willis writes almost madcap fiction (usually tinged with science - so yes, although she's a 'science fiction' author, that phrase should be taken literally, and does not include aliens, space travel, or some of the other stereotypes of the genre), with characters that seem like people you know.
The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe
In the interest of full disclosure, I would like to inform you that I have not read this book - nor am l likely to. I know that sounds harsh, but be honest... have you ever read a book that you just didn't get or didn't like? That had some abhorrent component (in this case, the protagonist's bad poetry) sprinkled throughout? How many pages did you last? 50? 100? 275? According to Karen, who picked this 18th century classic up because she'd read other works (classic mysteries and Jane Austen, for example) that were influenced by this, the first 275 pages were full of the aforementioned awful poetry, mind-numbing descriptions of the countryside, and no real point, or sense of working toward a point. Then on page 276, it got good - and was excellent from there. All proving that Karen has much more perseverance than I - although, I will admit that I once read 322 pages of Dianetics, looking for something worthwhile, before declaring it trash and throwing it into the corner of my room, where it lay, spine broken for three months (apologies to Mr & Mrs. Cruise, the Travoltas, and other esteemed followers of Hubbard).
Satan: A Biography, by Henry Ansgar Kelly
So Karen suffered through 275 pages of Udolpho, but only lasted for 60 pages before giving up on this book. It is touted to be a study of Satan's origins and how our image of Satan has evolved in the Bible, literature, and religion. Karen said that it's written with all the flair of a Ph.D. dissertation, but without the usual rigor involved in such a dissertation. One of the Amazon reviews states "This book has helped cement my suspicions of those who decide to undertake an authoritative work well outside their own fields of expertise," with the title of 'Bitten off more than he could chew.' Looks like another book I'm not likely to read.
Colleen
Tremor, by Craig Dirgo
Colleen has a not-so-well-kept secret affinity for Clive Cussler. Dirk Pitt, the Oregon Files - if he's written it, she's read it. Mr. Cussler frequently collaborates with other authors, and Craig Dirgo is one of them. So, expecting something somewhat less than a Clive Cussler novel, but still a worthwhile read, she launched into Tremor. And got something significantly less. Tremor taps into some of Nikolai Tesla's inventions (for those of you who have read or seen The Prestige, he also figures prominently there), and this is the part that Colleen found most interesting. But beyond that, it was little more than a formulaic retread of a government agent racing against the clock to save the world from destruction/certain doom/financial ruin/Britney Spears (okay, I made that up. I expect royalties on the idea from anyone who turns it into a novel). On top of all of this, it was very poorly edited - I guess Mr. Dirgo doesn't garner the same level of professionalism that Clive Cussler does.
Dave
Blindness and Seeing, by Jose Saramago
This is actually two books - Blindness, released in 1999, and Seeing released earlier this year. Blindness tells the story of the capital city in an unnamed country that is suddenly afflicted by an epidemic of white blindness, and reacts with a vengeance when it discovers the blindness is contagious. The story is told through the eyes (I know, poor choice of words) of the earliest victims of this, including a doctor whose wife retains her sight (yet out of love and concern for her husband, feigns blindness). Those afflicted and those exposed to the afflicted are rounded up and locked in an abandoned mental hospital, which pretty quickly reaches capacity. Along the way, the author provides sometimes brutal insights into human behavior, and the impact of fear on a government and a society.
Seeing picks up the same city four years after the epidemic of blindness has passed - and yes, I blew the ending of Blindness - but it's really the journey that is worth it. Not the same with Seeing. As rich as Blindness was, Seeing falls flat. Starting off with an interesting premise - record voter turnout during an election, yet 85% of the ballots cast are blank - it follows a government panicking in what it perceives as a siege by the populace. The government returns the favor (i.e., turns the siege toward the people) to no effect. Eventually, the story leads back to the doctor's wife, who retained her sight during the epidemic of blindness, with the government believing that she is the silent leader of this silent rebellion. Blindness depicted horrific acts of depravity as well as glorious acts of charity with beauty and wit. Seeing attempted the wit, but lost the beauty along the way.
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, by James L. Swanson
I've never been to Ford's Theatre. I've stood outside it, while standing in line (for some unknown reason) to get into the Hard Rock Cafe, but I've never been in it - nor have I been in the Peterson house across the street where Lincoln died. After reading this book it's now on my list of places to visit. Manhunt not only covers the search for John Wilkes Booth, it takes you back to the Washington DC of the day. The war was winding down, spring was in the air, the streets were muddy, and Lincoln was viewed as a very divisive and not very successful president. Among several of his detractors was a young, very popular, very handsome actor, who with 8 hours to plan, pulled off an assassination of a President - and thought his compatriots had also assassinated Vice President Johnson, and Secretary of State Seward in an orchestrated effort. Manhunt reads like a thriller, packed with interesting facts that even avid Civil War buffs may not have known. This is one of those books that after I finished it, I saw at least a dozen people also reading it - in airports, coffee shops - all over. Well worth the time.
Gretchen
Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris
Those of you who are regular NPR listeners may recognize David Sedaris' name - he's a frequent commentator. His commentary usually is a humorous reminiscence of something from his formative years and his dysfunctional childhood. Me Talk Pretty One Day, Gretchen's first choice for the meeting is more of the same, covering his early issues with the letter s, growing up in North Carolina, moving to France with his partner. Each chapter is a separate essay unto itself, making it an easy book to pick up and put down, but his self-deprecating humor and keen sense of irony keep you reading. In recounting his episodes with his crazy family, it's easy to see our own families reflected in some of the craziness. Gretchen appreciated Sedaris' dry sense of humor - it's hard not to.
We Thought You Would Be Prettier, by Laurie Notaro
Gretchen then presented us with Lauria Notaro's latest book - subtitled True Tales of the Dorkiest Girl Alive. This series of rants, essays and sketches of her daily life (in the vein of Dave Barry) kept Gretchen laughing throughout. In the book the author addresses the need for National Stupidity Day, an eBay 'wading pool' (where you can only bid on low-priced knickknacks until you're ready for the 'deep end') and WebMD. This reminded Gretchen of sitting around with two or three of her best friends, trading laugh-out-loud stories on life's indignities.
Norm
Espresso with the Headhunters, by John Wassner
Next up, we had Norm, a first time contributor to the IBC (and Virginia's dad). This is a humorously written travelogue of an Australian Ad Exec who decided to visit the jungles of Borneo. He takes a trip up river and meets with the various tribes (formerly headhunters), all of which have their traditions threatened by modernization and their lands by logging. Along the way he meets several interesting characters, discusses some of the history of the tribes, and the shrinking ecology of the jungle. Norm took a trip to Borneo with one of his other daughters, and wrote his own travelogue that he graciously included with the book - having seen first hand some of the places the author discussed.
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Way back in IBC #2, we had a review of Life of Pi, Yann Martel's book of shipwreck, talking tigers and survival. Pi Patel, an Indian zookeeper's son who attracts 'religions the way a dog attracts flies' is the sole human survivor of a shipwreck while transporting their zoo to Canada. Finding himself on a lifeboat with an injured zebra, a hyena, an orangutan (who is seasick) and 450 lb. tiger, he reflects on survival, religion and philosophy. Norm was impressed by how Pi's personal conglomeration of Hinduism, Christianity and Islam were woven together, and found the book full of 'terror and wit'.
Bev
Man Overboard: Confessions of a Novice Math Teacher in the Bronx, by Ric Klass
Next up, Bev discussed a book that may have been a little too close to the truth for comfort. Bev, as members of the IBC know, is a teacher. In a rare departure from reviewing a children's book, Bev discussed this non-fiction account of a former investment banker/aerospace engineer/economic consultant and others (he was in fact, a business school classmate of my boss), who decided that what he really wanted to do is teach high school math... in the inner city. What follows has been described as a 'war correspondent's journal' as he does battle with the administration, kids unwilling (or unmotivated) to learn, and their parents. All of this is told with a sense of humor tinged with despair. One thing that particularly resonated with Bev was his description of the teacher's lounge computer. Apparently the overused, underpowered, embarrassingly antiquated computer is a staple in teacher's lounges. Incidentally, even though the names were changed to protect the innocent, it's unlikely the author will ever hold another job within the New York City Public School system, as his description of the bureaucratic inefficiencies was fairly blunt.
Brad
The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett
Brad decided to introduce his own thematic element to our proceedings - as the meeting was held right around Earth Day, Brad adopted an 'earthy' theme. His first offering was Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth. This is an epic story covering over 100 years of the building of a cathedral in 12th century England, and the intertwining lives of the characters involved in this herculean task. Through the eyes of the builders, the monks and bishops, the landowners, Follett paints a vivid picture of 12th century life and politics, and the amazing amount of effort it took to build such a magnificent, soaring edifice without the benefit of hydraulics or the sky-scraping cranes, and the conceptual breakthroughs in architecture at their genesis. Pillars follows the lifetime of several characters and their families and has all the elements a classic - swordplay, forbidden romance and revenge. Follett's sequel to Pillars, World Without End is being released on October 9 - and picks up the descendants of the characters of Pillars 150 years later.
Desert Solitaire, by Edward Abbey
Brad's next Earth Day contribution was one of the earlier works of modern environmentalism first published in 1968, chronicling the author's experience as a park ranger in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. The author describes through several vignettes in his experience dealing with visitors to the park and his naturalist lectures his belief that bringing people to nature makes nature disappear. Brad said that at times the narrative was funny, at other times angry, and was interesting, if a tad extremist.
Amy
Un Lun Dun, by China Mieville
Amy was another new contributor to IBC, and she unknowingly preserved the tradition Bev initiated of reviewing children's books with her review of Un Lun Dun. This entertaining story was written by a self-proclaimed anarchist (and his book jacket photo displays his conformity to the pre-defined image of what an anarchist should look like) follows the story of two little girls around whom wierd things begin occurring. These events lead to them finding themselves in the strange world of an alternate London (Un-London), where all things broken and discarded go to live. One of the girls is designated as the chosen one, to lead the inhabitants of UnLunDun to victory and freedom from the Smog that terrorizes them. Amy found that the story moved along quickly, full of suspense, as the main character finds that she doesn't know who she can trust. As is often the case with good children's literature, Un Lun Dun addresses much deeper topics than what appears on the surface, and the ability to entertain much past the upper limits of its intended age group.
Fair Play: The Moral Dilemmas of Spying, by James M. Olson
Amy also brought Fair Play, a discussion of some of the philosophies and the morality of spying. Olson, the author, is currently teaching courses on intelligence at Texas A&M, after retiring from the CIA. To address the moral issues, he sets up actual spying scenarios that present moral difficulties and has experts weigh in with their opinions. Amy found some of the opinions were not neccesarily what she might have expected, given the background of the individuals. In addition to discussing the moral dilemnas, this book gives the reader a lot of insight into the process of spying addressing topics such as assasination, torture, rendition, seduction, and some of the other tools of the trade.
That concluded an extremely pleasant afternoon in Virginia and Brad's backyard - all that's left is the Book Tracker (scroll down, due to my immature html skills):
| Borrower | Borrowed | Borrowee |
| Virginia | Me Talk Pretty One Day | Gretchen |
| Man Overboard | Dave | |
| Brad | Tremor | Colleen |
| Blindness/Seeing | Dave | |
| Dave | His Majesty's Dragon | Karen |
| Bellwether | ||
| Espresso with Headhunters | Norm | |
| The God of Small Things | Virginia | |
| Bev | Desert Solitaire | Brad |
| Karen | The Stolen Child | Dave |
| The Pillars of the Earth | Brad | |
| Colleen | What Einstein Told His Cook | Virginia |
| Un Lun Dun | Amy | |
| We Thought You'd Be Prettier | Gretchen |
