Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

One word - Wow.

It is when I read a book like this one I wish I were in a book club and could discuss the plot, characters, motivation. But, I finished the book last night and read the interview with the author and the discussion questions I really wanted to have someone I could turn to and say something like .......

"In my minds eye I see Bunny like this!"

I read the second book this author wrote about five years ago, The Little Friend, and truly liked it. Weird as it was, disturbing actually is a better word. This book is disturbing also, in a "I can't look away from the wreck" sort of way.

I was intrigued with the characters. Like the narrator, I wanted to know them better and be a part of their group. It seemed exclusive and intriguing. And, he was granted his wish as were all the readers.

The leader was a tormented genius who found himself in the most diabolical and hated crime our society knows. Yet, we are taken along for the ride, as is the narrator Richard. Somewhere in the body of the 550 pages, Richard begins to think that Henry (diabolical leader) is setting him up to take the fall. Henry is like an expert chess player who invites you to play checkers. And you do, not realizing what you are up against, and are in fact playing a chess game.

There was so much meat in this story. I kept thinking that a child's brain (they were all in their early 20's...20 & 21, except Bunny who was 24, but had been held back due to learning disorders) are not developed enough to understand what they were actually doing. And that there were alternative solutions instead of murder. Premeditated murder of a long time friend (long time as in college years).

I thoroughly dislike the teacher who admitted the six into the exclusive club and viewed them as little pieces of himself.

As I said, I would read this book a second time in a book discussion setting.

Any takers?

Second Best Book I have read this year.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Be True To Your School - Bob Greene

It has been a long time since I have completed a book. I think I may have just burnt myself out reading so much the first half of the year. Then again, I think I was using it as an escape mechanism. I have finished one other book besides this one. I will have to find it document a review.

BTTYS was written in 1964, well for the first time. It was a diary kept by the famous Bob Greene, who has a column that was read in over 200 newspapers. I use the past tense due to the book being published in 1987, so Bob could have moved on to other things. I recognize him from the book cover.

Anyway, what fun to read about the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, the Rolling Stones, his first drink, his year of non lettering in tennis, his pursuit of freshman (and younger) girls, his constant haircuts, his first copy boy job...well, it was just a magical book and anyone living in that time period should love this book.

It is the innocent time that most of us Baby Boomers experienced.