The brief wonderous life of Oscar Wao - Junot Díaz

The brief wonderous life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz is a crazy, unique, stomach churning novel about an overweight, sci-fi obsessed boy growing up in the Dominican Republic and New Jersey. It chronicles the struggles he faces with the mythology of Dominican men as predatory lovers and macho cavemen. It's about tolerance and acceptance and love, then death.

I heard about Oscar Wao in a writing group at Grub Street in Boston. My instructor, Lara, mentioned how amazing the book was but I didn't think I wanted to read a biography or autobiography - because at the time I didn't know if it was either - of Oscar Wilde, which is what I thought she said. Katherine, another student in the group, told us her book group had read Oscar and unilaterally hated it. Lara was aghast having thougth it one of the best books she'd ever read. Katherine, on the other hand, explained that whole sections of the novel were told in footnote - what? - and Spanish. That clenched it for me; I knew I'd never read it.
Until, I saw it in a bookstore. Then I realized it wasn't Oscar Wilder but Oscar Wao and I wondered who the heck that was, so I picked it up and read the back. I have to say the write-up and the cover intrigued me so I signed up for it at the library and forgot about it.
When it finally came through (about 2 months later), I was surprised it had won the Pulitzer Prize. Now I was convinced I would hate it but I dove in and, I have to say, I loved it! The brief wonderous life of Oscar Wao is one of those novels that read like the author speaks, which - yes - is interspersed with Spanish and heavily footnooted, but the footnotes are intriguing and his way of getting "behind the scenes".
I tore through the book in a week and loved every minute of it. Some of the story is told from other people's points of view but each shows a different side of Oscar and the trials he faces as he grows older and continues to be hampered by his weight and appearance. It reminds me a little of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb but edgier and less Oprah-ish.
Because of its Pulitzer and, mostly, because of the writing I'd say this is a novel to buy and share with friends. Let me know what you think!

Four Circles Hell & 19th Wife review

I hate my book. I hate it! I worry about it constantly..should Jack's story be first, should it be the short version or the longer version with Trista's back story? Should I start with Marsha, as I originally intended? Should all of the characters be introduced before going into what the Four Circles is? Is the chapter explaining the Four Circles too much of an information dump? What even happens at the end of the book because it's been so long since I've read it to the end I'm not sure I know.

I would quit, I'm telling you I would, but my big mouth is stopping me - which is good, I guess. People ask, e-mail, or call me about the book about five times a day - more than they ask me about the kids. Which means I can't quit but I still hate it. Though it's a good book, I just feel like someone else should have written it at this point.

The 19th Wife - David Ebershoff

First off, I marvel at David's ability to write in completely different voices depending on the chapter. His chapter's in Jordan's voice (if you see the review below you will catch up) were excellent but all of the following chapters were also engaging.

I loved this book, though it was a slightly long in certain parts but always informative and well written.
If you are a fan of historical fiction this book is well worth the money so I suggest you check it out and, if you love it as much as I did, recommend it to five friends!!

Author reading of The 19th Wife - David Ebershoff

When you go, as a writer, to hear another writer read their work it's many things, one of which is intimidating.
Not the author themselves, they're almost always wonderful, intelligent, and inspirational. It's the writing that's intimidating, the work itself. When I hear an author read, and I like their work, I compare it to my own and it often comes up lacking but enough of my tales of insecurity. On to David's tale of polygamy.
David Ebershoff made the trip from Martha's Vineyard to Duxbury this past Sunday for a reading from his historical saga The 19th Wife. He was a tad late, being that it was a monsoon, so it gave me and my outing partner a chance to buy the book ahead of time. When he arrived, apologetic and wonderful, Anne and I looked at each other wondering if he could have possibly driven there being that he looked all of 18! After the reading I asked for a picture to prove my point (by the way I've since thrown away the sweater - it may be soft but it also makes me look like a purple wooly mammoth).

His youthful appearance did not stop him from writing an eloquent novel and reading powerfully from it.
The 19th Wife is about Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young and deserter of the First Church of Later Day Saints. The story is told from many points of view including Jordan Scott a young man left by the side of the road because he is a boy and was caught holding hands with one of his sisters. It's not the sister thing that was a problem, it was that she may reciprocate his affections and the group's elders liked to hold on to their young girls.  Did I mention the one that left him by the side of the road was his mother? That can mess with your head.
Other voices I've read are thsoe of Ann Eliza, her father, and her mother. David spoke about the different points of view and his research in Utah. It was fascinating and amazing to learn this way of life continues to go on to this day in many parts of the mid-Western United States.
I'm only part way through the book (having had it in my possession for only 2 days) but I can already say I recommend it whole heartedly. It's interesting, educational, horrifying, and soul-searching.
I wish I could be home reading right now but kids, work, life calls. I'll be reading it tonight though, probably until midnight. It's that good.
http://www.19thwife.com/
Buy it!

N.B. - North Arts Arts Society Writers Workshop meeting TONIGHT, 7pm GAR hall. All aspiring writer's welcome! For more info: http://nraswritersworkshop.blogspot.com/

I'm a guest blogger!

I've been trying to reach out to other writer's and recently found the North River Arts Society Writer's group. They were looking for some guest bloggers so I gave it a shot.
See my post on overused words and writing pet peeves here: http://nraswritersworkshop.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-blog-post-by-lisa-vallier.html

The Innocent – by Harlan Coben

Early this winter a friend of mine, Sharon, was waiting desperately to buy the newest Harlan Coben. I asked who he was and she looked at me like I had two heads. I figured I better get on the ball and check out his work.

I found The Innocent in paperback, which generally means it did very well in it’s first run. Always a good sign. The story is a murder mystery but the plot is much more intricate than many I’ve read.

Without giving too much away there are two stories that intertwine beautifully in the end (I had no clue as to the ending which is a nice – and rare - surprise). The main character, Matt Hunter, is just released from prison for his role in a deadly fight. The fight occurs at Umass Amherst (my alma mater) during a fraternity party. The man Matt struggled with is killed and Matt is sent to prison for ten years. When he gets out he reconnects with an old girlfriend, Olivia, and they marry.

The two seem to be on the path to a normal life when Matt suddenly receives a video of his wife with another man. This leads to the second story, which unfolds as Matt tries to dig for the truth. Is his wife cheating? Who is the man she is seen with in the video? Matt desperately wants to believe his wife and, eventually, they work together to unravel the mystery of a dead nun and a bribery ring that leads back to Olivia’s past. Their relationship and his love for her is something that sounds impossible but has the reader believing in trust and marriage again.

The Innocent would be a great summer read or an airplane book. I am guessing the rest of Harlan Coben’s work is similar. Entertaining, fun murder mysteries. I am looking forward to picking up a few more.

N.B. I've finished The Murderer's Daughter - will be posting a review in the next few days.

Randy Susan Meyers

Yesterday my mother-in-law and I went to Randy Susan Meyers' reading from her debut novel, The Murderer's Daughters. I'd never been to a reading before and, for a writer, it was a great experience. Randy was extremely approachable, sharp and witty
I found her story inspiring. Before settling into writing full-time Randy was a bartender, social worker and battered-men's counselor. She is passionate and eloquent about her writing and about the entire process she navigated in order to get her novel published.
The Murderer's Daughters is about a man who kills his wife and stabs one of his daughters. It's written from the daughters point of view and takes the reader through the girl's childhood to maturity. I'm only on page 45 (since 5:40 this morning) and am totally hooked. I'll post a real review later but am certain it's going to be good.
I encourage all (ten, twenty?) of my readers to pick up a copy AND to check out her blog. Single women will benefit greatly from her most recent post on 'Why not to date a bad boy'. Check it out.
Seriously.
Now.
http://www.randysusanmeyers.com/blog/
Buy the book here.

SNEAK PREVIEW!! Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

Brunonia Barry, author of The Lace Reader (see previous review) has gratiously posted the first three chapters of her new book The Map of True Places. Click on the link to go directly to the page. Of course, I read them and they are GREAT!! Salem and Marblehead are upfront and center in the prologue with Boston being the location for chapter 1 and 2. A couple tidbits I really loved "grand theft boato" - that's a great quip. It's one of those things you write and then think about taking out because you wonder if others will get it. Also, her main character has a great explanation of the word 'nonetheless', which I plan to add to my daily vocabulary as soon as possible.
The book is coming out May 1st but you can pre-order it by clicking here!