Review-MARCH, by Geraldine Brooks

MARCH
Geraldine Brooks
Penguin Books
0143036661
January 31, 2006
304 pages, Paperback








I was introduced to Geraldine Brooks’ enchanting writing ability in her recent book CALEB'S CROSSING. (See Review). I have kept MARCH on my nightstand for several years with the intent to read it. My interest in the Civil War and Louisa May Alcott’s novel LITTLE WOMEN was what originally drew me to this book. My expectations as I began to read MARCH were high and as soon as I read the first few pages I knew this was another extraordinary novel by this author.

Alcott’s widely cherished classic, LITTLE WOMEN lends Geraldine Brooks the character of Mr. March, father and husband who was an absent father in Alcott’s story. Brooks styles an imaginative interpretation of his life as a young boy and later when he is marries  Marmee and they have a family of four girls.  Readers will recognize the scenes of Alcott’s story that are threaded in the plot as well as major historical events like Harpers’ Ferry and the clandestine efforts of the Underground Railroad. Brooks’ research and examination of diaries and other primary sources, provided a palette of the past that emerges in the scenes depicting chilling episodes surrounding the brutality of slave life, the primitive medical care and unsanitary conditions on and off the battlefield and how the Civil War altered all families lives forever.  

When the Civil War breaks out, Mr. March is a wealthy established citizen of New England who shares an idealistic passion and abolitionist views with his wife. As the frenzy of the crowds roar, he becomes energized with youthful enthusiasm. He believes he will make a difference and he impulsively signs up to serve as a chaplain. Marmee is surprised and concerned about his decision, but decides to hide her reluctance.  

The story begins in Virginia in October 1861 during the battle of Bull’s Bluff in Virginia.   It is written from March’s point of view as her writes home.  The reader is allowed to intimately insinuate into his thoughts and read his letters home to his wife.  He hides the the truth to shield his family from the war’s bloody grasp. Yet, the reader is privy to everything he experiences and believes. The images that unfold are raw, unedited and powerful. This book soars with sensitivity and resonating prose that lingers page after page. It is a beautifully written novel with multiple themes to reflect on. The language will lure you back again and again. Geraldine Brooks, is an originally inventive storyteller. It is easy to understand why MARCH received the Pulitzer Prize in 2006. 
Highly recommended. 


Geraldine Brooks Website
Interview about MARCH from Geraldine Brooks Website
Disclosure: I purchased the copy of this book.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Sunday Salon, History of Now--- Book Giveaway

Our area is getting ready for the "big" snowstorm due on our doorstep tonight and tomorrow. If so I might be shoveling 8-10 inches tomorrow. In any event, sorry I am late posting my Sunday Salon, my grad course has me busy, busy, busy. This week I've been reading Little Women, from a historical context. I have a presentation on Wednesday, so my Sunday Salon time got bumped this week. I have to work when I'm most alert...mornings:)

Giveaway for The History of Now by Daniel Klein

A while ago I wrote a review about this awesome novel. I am pretty sure many of you would really like it. Today was the release date for the book. To celebrate this event I am raffling off a new ARC copy of the book.(USA Residents only) The review is below for those who have not had a chance to read it.

Rules: Please leave a comment on today's post about the review and I will enter your name in the raffle. If you blog about the raffle on your site, I will give you two additional raffle chances. That would be THREE chances.Woo Hoo!!! Anytime you visit my blog until March 15th and leave a comment you will get another chance to win. When my package comes to your mailbox you will smile. The contest will run through March 15th midnight. Good Luck.
ARC compliments of Permanent Press.

The History of Now by Daniel Klein

March 1, 2009, HC, 296 pages
ISBN 1579621813
$28.00

Have you ever thought your life was so average that no one would want to read about it? Daniel Klein dispels that myth in his new book,The History of Now as he tells the story of a somewhat typical family living in Grandville, Massachusetts. The town is the quintessential image of bucolic New England. As the story unfolds you quickly become enmeshed in the ordinary yet extraordinary sequence of events that are destined to become Now.

Wendel deVries is a 65 year old divorcee who runs the projector at the local Phoenix theater. Before his divorce he had a daughter Franny. His daughter Franny, suffers from a lack of self-esteem and confidence. Her daughter Lila, is a recalcitrant pot smoking lazy high school teen coupled with a strained mother daughter relationship. Since Lila has never known her father, grandfather Wendel is the closest to a father she has had. Wendel moves on with his life and surprisingly one day meets someone and they fall in love.

Meanwhile, somewhere in South America a young boy named Hector flees to Miami with hopes of starting a new life. One day in class, Lila learns that years ago, nineteenth century, there were deVries in Grandville who were African American. With impish amusement she questions her grandfather hoping to discover the validity of her teacher’s historical findings. Were there slaves in her family tree? Could she have black relatives and possibly relatives who owned slaves?

Klein’s novel is the story of the lives of these people and how they will ultimately connect. Philosophically, who cares? Well, the story would be no story if the lives of many people did not happen before those who live now. Sound confusing? It is a cause and effect model shaped in the beliefs of David Hume. Now is now because it was destined to happen because of the history that came before it.

The orchestral piece Bolero comes to mind as I read this book. The novel begins with a diminutive and simple opening and as each person, each layer, each cause to the effect is added the pulse slowly builds, gradually increasing in complexity. Discord and a cacophony of drama comes together toward the middle as each person becomes more conscious of their life and their actions. The past is revealed through a series of flashbacks, but still, like the composer Ravel, the author Klein, carefully scaffolds the story to a perfect climax and then conclusion.

What I enjoyed about this book was that it is so ordinary, so believable, that anyone wanting to write their story can visualize their own chronology of history a book. It is also idiosyncratic as you reflect upon the author’s philosophical dogma, making this a noteworthy novel of Now. Let’s hope there is a short wait for book two in this trilogy.

Wisteria Leigh

Permanent Press Website

Sunday Salon, Review Agincourt, by Bernard Cornwell

Sunday Salon...Saturday Night Version...

Thanks for those who asked about Mystery, she is doing quite well. However, her brother Webster needed stitches Friday after injuring his leg on ice. This ice in CT is really messing up my greyhounds. They don't understand the command "SLOW". LOL
He is eleven and a bit of a grumpy old man right now. Poor thing is normally the comic of the pack. He just thinks he is so cool right now because they put a camouflage wrap on his leg.
So out of four dogs I have one with all four legs working. But they sure are cute.

Reading this Week:

I've been doing a lot of reading this week, finishing up:

The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles (ARC from HC)You will linger and savor the language shaping landscapes so picturesque they breathe life!!

Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill is a riotous debut!!
Look for the full reviews this week.

Canvey Island Early Reviewer/Library Thing ARC

Agincourt, by Bernard Cornwell.

Review-The History of Now by Daniel Klein

I was selected to review The History of Now as an Early Reviewer for Library Thing. Thanks to Library Thing and The Permanent Press for the bound galley copy.

The History of Now by Daniel Klein

Permanent Press
March 1, 2009, HC, 296 pages
ISBN 1579621813
$28.00


Have you ever thought your life was so average that no one would want to read about it? Daniel Klein dispels that myth in his new book,The History of Now as he tells the story of a somewhat typical family living in Grandville, Massachusetts. The town is the quintessential image of bucolic New England. As the story unfolds you quickly become enmeshed in the ordinary yet extraordinary sequence of events that are destined to become Now.

Wendel deVries is a 65 year old divorcee who runs the projector at the local Phoenix theater. Before his divorce he had a daughter Franny. His daughter Franny, suffers from a lack of self-esteem and confidence. Her daughter Lila, is a recalcitrant pot smoking lazy high school teen coupled with a strained mother daughter relationship. Since Lila has never known her father, grandfather Wendel is the closest to a father she has had. Wendel moves on with his life and surprisingly one day meets someone and they fall in love.

Meanwhile, somewhere in South America a young boy named Hector flees to Miami with hopes of starting a new life. One day in class, Lila learns that years ago, nineteenth century, there were deVries in Grandville who were African American. With impish amusement she questions her grandfather hoping to discover the validity of her teacher’s historical findings. Were there slaves in her family tree? Could she have black relatives and possibly relatives who owned slaves?

Klein’s novel is the story of the lives of these people and how they will ultimately connect. Philosophically, who cares? Well, the story would be no story if the lives of many people did not happen before those who live now. Sound confusing? It is a cause and effect model shaped in the beliefs of David Hume. Now is now because it was destined to happen because of the history that came before it.

The orchestral piece Bolero comes to mind as I read this book. The novel begins with a diminutive and simple opening and as each person, each layer, each cause to the effect is added the pulse slowly builds, gradually increasing in complexity. Discord and a cacophony of drama comes together toward the middle as each person becomes more conscious of their life and their actions. The past is revealed through a series of flashbacks, but still, like the composer Ravel, the author Klein, carefully scaffolds the story to a perfect climax and then conclusion.

This book presents philosophical questions disguised as a small town family drama. One caution I have is the description of the day-workers and confrontation that ensued in the town of Danbury, CT. I realize this is a work of fiction, however, the scene described I believe, knowing the town, is grossly exaggerated.

What I enjoyed about this book was that it is so ordinary, so believable, that anyone wanting to write their story can visualize their own chronology of history a book. It is also idiosyncratic as you reflect upon the author’s philosophical dogma, making this a noteworthy novel of Now. Let’s hope there is a short wait for book two in this trilogy.

Wisteria Leigh

Permanent Press Website