"Say Her Name" Francisco Goldman's Memoir of His Late Wife

A rule I abide when reading any book; I'll read to page 100 but stop if I'm not interested.  There are way too many other books to read.  Francisco Goldman's "Say Her Name," is a loving tribute to his young wife, Aura, who dies in a freak ocean accident just a year into their marriage.  I was easily drawn into this ill-fated love affair.  Goldman wrote upon first meeting her, "She smiled at me with that smile and I must have smiled back as if I couldn't believe my luck.  Hola!  I said..Hello! Meet your death."  I felt their deep love for each other and his debilitating grief.  "One of the last things she ever said to me was: Love me a lot, my love."  I even sided with Goldman when his in-laws turn vehemently against him, blaming him for Aura's death.  However, the book turns lugubrious as he drones on, quoting all the private and banal writings from Aura's childhood diaries: not interested.  Perhaps, a mother might be interested in reading her daughter's diaries (not that I would ever admit to this breech of privacy.)  I am saying that Goldman's memoir may have been cathartic for him, but there was way more information than I cared to know.  Read Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking," instead.

"To the End of the Land," by David Grossman

After just seeing the Israeli doc. film, "FOLLOW ME, the Yoni Netanyahu Story, I want to recommend the novel, "To the End of the Land," by Israeli author, David Grossman.  David Grossman, is one Israel's most famous and honored author.  In 2010, Grossman received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and in 2011, he received the JQ Wingate Prize for his work, "To the End of the Land."  Grossman's middle son, Uri, was killed in a missile attack by the Hezbollah in Lebanon along with the rests of his crew in Aug. '06.  Uri was just 2 weeks shy of 21 and 3 months away from the end of his military assignment.  Grossman's poignant novel depicts the emotional strains of having your loved ones deployed into combat.  This Memorial Day, while we give thanks to those who serve our country and remember those who have given sacrifice, remember too, in Israel, parents give birth to their children knowing they will be called to military service "as that is the way of life in Israel."  I encourage you to read "To the End of the Land," and to see the Israeli documentary, "FOLLOW ME."

There is a Tree More Ancient than Eden, L. Forrest

At a recent 92ndY dialogue with Prof. Louis Gates, Jr., he mentioned this book as one of the most important novels of our times.  And, when Prof. Gates talks, I listen, so I wanted to get a hold of this book.  This however, was no easy task as it is out of publication & the NYC libraries do not lend out this book.  Thankfully, I persevered and managed to obtain a copy of this most unique and eloquent prose I have had the pleasure to read.  The forward of this novel is by Ralph Ellison.  To quote from Mr. Ellison's comments: "How furiously eloquent is this man Forrest's prose, how zestful his jazz-like invention, his parody, his reference to the classics and commonplaces of literature, folklore, tall-tale and slum street jive! How admirable the manner in which the great themes of life and literature are revealed in the black-white Americanness of his characters..."  Why this book isn't on most high school curriculum's is a mystery to me and a total travesty.  Persevere and get a hold of this important work of art, "There is a Tree More Ancient than Eden," by Leon Forrest.

Salvage the Bones by J. Ward

Everyone knows there's no tying in baseball and that each year the Pulitzer Prize is given out to the best work of fiction.  Oh wait, Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball called a tie in an All Star game, and, this year there was no Pulitzer awarded for fiction.  Ms. Ward's heart wrenching novel was awarded the National Book award but I am now awarding it the Pulitzer Prize in fiction (even if it was from 2011.)  I have not been so drawn to a heroine, Esch, where I wanted to wrap my arms around her and protect her. Esch is the only female in a dirt poor household of males as her beloved mother died in childbirth with her younger brother.  The novel is set in MI over the 12 days leading to the destruction of Katrina.  Esch's older brother, Skeetah, is another amazing character who cares for his pit bull China with a boundless love.  Esch compares herself & Skeetah to Medea & Jason for good reason and to great effect.  Esch's prose reminds me of Huck Finn's innocent yet beautiful descriptions.  In describing her surroundings she says "...the detritus in the yard: refrigerators rusted so that they look like deviled eggs sprinkled with paprika." This is a book of our times and one destined to be a classic for all times.

DO OVER on the Top 10 List

Okay, any true bibliophile will always be revising any top list of their all time favorite books and I'm no exception (besides, My Blog My Rules*.)  So, here are my top 10 additions to my top 10 novels of all time (in alphabetical order):  Fahrenheit 451, R. Bradbury; I love the sci-phi genre and he is the master, Lord of the Flies, W. Golding, a classic on human nature, Winter's Tale, M. Halprin (I needed a sweater while reading,) To Kill a Mocking Bird, H. Lee (doohh should be on everyone's list,) The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, C. McCullers, The Bluest Eyes, T. Morrison (toss up with Beloved,) The Shipping News, A. Proulx (Proulx & A. Monroe are masters of the short story,) Barney's Version, M. Richler (one of my favorite characters,) Angel of Repose, W. Stegner (WI alumni,) Saint Maybe, A. Tyler (toss up with Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant,) #11 Rabbit is Rich, J. Updike.  Okay, I said top 10, but I also say *MBMR.

My Top 10 Favorite Authors

Readers, I am almost finished with SALVAGE THE BONES, by Jesmyn Ward.  SALVAGE did win the National Book Award this year and will be getting another honor bestowed upon it soon, a must read recommendation from MOIS.  In the meantime, I want to give you another top 10 list (and would love to hear your - ah, top 3.)  I'll get it out of the way 1st, and her last name begins with A and I am chick after-all, Jane Austen, but I will also add Charles Dickens, the 3 Johns:  John Irving, John Updike, & John Cheever, Philip Roth, Anne Tyler, Voltaire (whom everyone imitates - Candide = Forest Gump,) Annie Proux, and Toni Morrison.  Coming in @ #11, Graham Greene.  I know I said top 10 but my blog, my rules - I'm quite the rogue myself even though I am a girl.

Head Start on the Summer Reading Suggestions

Welcome Bibliophiles, to Rogue Reading off the Hidden Page.  I am going to post my Fiction & Non/F picks for this summer's reading.  Fiction Books in alphabetical order by author:  The Bay of Angels, by Bookner, A Spell of Winter, by Dunmore, There is Tree More Ancient Than Eden, by Forrest, Not Without Laughter, by Hughes, Ignorance, by Kundera, Deafening, by Itani, The Boat, by Le,  Please Look After Mom, by Shin and Salvage the Bones, by Ward.  My Non-Fiction list in alphabetical order: Say Her Name, by Goldman, When Elephants Weep, by Masson, Swagger, by Bloom, The Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Reader, by Gates.  I'm just getting started.  I hope you will read some (or all) of my recommendations.  My 1st pick is Salvage the Bones by Ward.  I will write a succinct synopsis in my sauciest style and hope you will check in and give me your feedback.  "The dearest ones of time, the strongest friends of the soul-BOOKS." E. Dickinson

Top 10 Picks to Chose from

Top 10 favorite novels, fellow Rogue Readers, before hitting my summer reading list, I wanted to share my top 10 favorite novels  (in alphabetical order.):  Robinson Crusoe, D. Defoe, Snow Falling on Cedars, D. Guterson, The Cider House Rules, J. Irving, Freedom, J. Franzen,  The Heart of the Matter, G. Graham, The History of Love, N. Krauss, Gate at the Stairs, L. Moore, The Life of Pi, Y. Martel, The Human Stain, P. Roth, and Frankenstein, M. Shelly.  I'd be interested in your comments on my list (and omissions) - say you're top 3 picks.  Keep on reading off the less tread path onto the hidden page.