The IDIOT by Elif Batuman For the Discerning Literary Reader

Elif Batuman's first novel, The IDIOT was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize.  Our engaging heroine is a Harvard freshman in 1995 whose coming of age tale coincides  the dawning of email.  Both are in their nascent phase while Selin considers what she wants to do with her life.  She's intrigued by a new method of communicating via email.  Selin like many other college freshmen, is reliant on oneself for the first time.  She's very observant and perceptive of her peers, professors and the world opening up to her.   Her take on people and situations are insightful and oftentimes, hilarious.  Moreover, her ability to adapt enables her to experience life with an openness that is endearing and ennobling.  Selin is the daughter of Turkish immigrants.  She has a proclivity for studying foreign languages and linguistics.  She takes advanced classes she's unfamiliar with, befriends a sophisticated, Serbian classmate and becomes enamored of a senior, Ivan, from Hungary.  Selin pursues a relation ship with Ivan through the usage of emails. Their cryptic messaging to each other increasingly becomes more intense and obtuse.  The subtext of a plot is a paper chase of studying, sleeping, socializing and negotiating the adjustments of workloads and loafing.  At the end of Selin's freshman year she submits to Ivan's suggestion she teach English in Hungary over the summer, alluding to the likelihood they would be able to spend time together.  The events are subterfuge to preponderance of acerbic banter and enigmatic conversations that filter through Selin's keen mind. Selin's resilience and sensitivity make her a beguiling and compelling figure. She's a vibrant young woman able to fend for herself admirably in precarious situations at home and abroad.  Ivan is Selin's Achille's heel for which we wish to shield her vulnerability.  Selin and Ivan discuss their attraction as being built upon their written conversations which was disconnected from truth and doesn't translate face to face.  Why is it so hard to hold a conversation, Ivan asks of Selin.  "We took turns, but basically you wrote something, and I wrote something else, and then you wrote something else.  It was never really a conversation.  It was better, he said."   The IDIOT may not drive towards any climatic event or meaning but its piquant meanderings fill the pages with fresh awareness for the potents of languages.  "Whole oceans of rain seemed to be pouring out of the sky.  We sat under an awning near a hotel parking lot and ate yellow plums.  Within minutes the sun was blazing as if it didn't remember a thing." 

My Greatest Save-Prof. Soccer Player Briana Scurry's Auto-Bio

Briana Scurry is a twice US gold medal Olympian in soccer.  She played goalie for the US Olympic and US women's Nat'l soccer team.  Scurry was inducted in the Nat'l Soccer Hall of Fame (2017).   In her auto-biography, Scurry tells us of her dedication to the game of soccer, and her years as a successful professional athlete.  Scurry shares her love of the game and devotion for her supportive family.  The youngest of 9 children, Brianna speaks of an idyllic childhood with omniscient, doting parents. She grew up getting the lion share of her parents' attention with most older siblings out-of-the house.  The amount of adoration she has for both her mom and dad is beyond reproach along with her allegiance to her guiding coach at progressing levels.  Her saccharine story of support and success tends to be overly sentimental and preachy.  "My parents message:  Do your best.  Do everything in your ability to e first, but if you put all you have into whether it's a geometry test or a hundred meter dash- you can hold your head high.  It's parenting 101, and borderline trite."  Yes, she got that right.  There's nothing wrong with the messaging of hard work and tenacity.  It got a little repetitive and numbing.  Still, this bio is worthwhile for young athletes especially soccer players.  Briana's story is a tale of two Scurries with a very happy ending. First, an inspiring athlete who is confident in herself and her capabilities and second, a sidelined athlete with debilitating brain injuries rendering her in constant pain leading to depression and financial ruin.  I wondered why she flailed financially after years as a professional goalie, forced to pawn her prized medals to foot her bills.  I zoned out on the minutia play by plays in games played.  Although, this attests to a sharp recall despite brain injury.  I found the dynamics of a team mentality compelling especially when a goalie she replaced as a starter aired her discontent in the press.  The team rallied around Brianna despite their devastating loss and called out the other goalie.  Briana attests, "You are on a team, and your job is to help the team.  Athletes with integrity do everything they can toward the end."  The psyche of self-inflicted torture a goalie inflicts upon themself and the ability to push it aside along with waning prowess as an athlete grabbed the most attention.  Scurry shares dark times of suicidal contemplations before getting life-restoring surgery.  These didn't have possess the same storytelling power as her ascending years on goal.   I was attuned to her personal connection with the tragic death of a black, male cousin having just been in police custody in MN.  Her battles with the insurance company were also worth noting.  Brianna's self-bio is inspiring, candid and socially relevant despite its bent at times towards tedium and over-kicks of kitsch. 

Road to success is not always a straight line.

"There are wrong turns.  There are potholes.  There are detours that force you to reverse field and try a different route altogether.  

Off the Charts by Ann Hulbert Off the Mark on What Makes Prodigies

Ann Hulbert's "Off the Charts" explores the lives of young prodigies and their families to understand the impacts child rearing and influences impart "gifted" children to achieve remarkable skills.  Hulbert also presents cases where it is maintained that the individual child is left to pursue their own interests.  As a layman in terms of child geniuses who are gifted musicians, mathematicians or innovators, I am intrigued by the astounding achievements of child prodigies and eager to understand how their superior intellects or skills were noted and enhanced and perhaps, gain an insight to this unique individuals' psyche or temperament.  The author puts forth the question, "How often do we underestimate children's untapped powers and phenomenal capacity to learn?"  This rhetorical question applies not only to all children but to all adults whose interactions and guidance can mete profound results if only there were metrics for determining potential.  The cases referred to are nebulous in their determinations and meandering in their descriptions of the young person's pursuits and personalities.  These biographical anecdotal findings were without a scientific study that could corroborate what were decisive factors that fed into a specific child's developments.  Perhaps it is futile to expect a hypothesis and conclusion but Hulbert's proposition was to determine factual components inherent in the child and the child's mentoring or lack thereof.  Her conclusions refute this very theory.  "Prodigies, being rarities, by definition belong to the realm of anecdote rather than date."  The stories on the children in "Off the Charts" failed to provide sound guidance.   Unfortunately, the expose's failed to be engaging or enlightening.  The conclusion that we are meant to take away in lieu of charting prodigies on a set trajectory of success is that considering these children as exceptional misses the point.  The point being "every child is a remarkable anomaly, poised to subvert the best-laid plans and surprise us."  "Off the Charts" disappointed me on all fronts.  It was neither interesting, informative or inspiring.  

COMEDY COMEDY COMEDY DRAMA Bob Odenkirk's Autobiography

Bob Odenkirk, the actor who portrayed Saul Goodman in "Breaking Bad" and then starred in the spin-off "Better Call Saul" questions why he should be writing his autobiography, what could he have to impart?  Frankly, I wondered the same despite being a huge fan of his from both shows.  It turns out he has a lot to share with aspiring comedians and actors. in that order.  In fact, his real passion is comedy, then comedy and then drama.  But, "now I find myself in "drama," of all things-comedy's enemy."  Odenkirk is surprised that his breakthrough success has come through acting, not comedy or comedy writing.  Odenkirk had an Emmy-winning gig on SNL of where he insists he was the lackey in the room, lucky to be there and where he learned a lot.  He's a small town guy south of Chicago where he went to be part of the comedy scene and a member of Second City.  In writing his story Odenkirk says, "It was ludicrous to imagine going into showbiz.  Beyond insane imagining it.  Yet what the hell else would I do?"  Odenkirk was focused on comedy and his break on "Breaking Bad" turned into extra episodes and his own show.  This we all know.  What we wouldn't have known are the many lean years trying to break into comedy.  The writing and the all hits and misses were detailed in more detail than I cared for, nonetheless, his writing reflects a keen sense of self-effacing humor and shared wisdom from his years in show business.  He advises making a lot of close friends with whom you can attach your wagon.  And, "karma is a bitch! Be nice to people!  You Can be right without being a dick about it." The comedy shows he did work on gained a cultish following.  "Our greatest impact was inspiring young performers and writers to like a sketch a little more, and mislead them into following their passions."  Bob's main passion was and is comedy.  Those familiar with Odenkirk's lesser known comedy shows/sketches will get a lot of enjoyment from his autobiography.  I was more interested in his work on the HBO series and his dramatic acting on Spielberg's film "The Post."   Bob's folksy midwestern charm comes through in his direct narrative and his appreciation for all his good fortune is abundantly clear.   "Failure is where it's at!  It tells you more about anyone's talent and drive and self than anything that works.  Pay attention-it all works out in the end." 

A Memoir in Essays THE CRANE WIFE by CJ Hauser Introspections of Relationships

The mythological story of the Crane Wife can be interpreted as a melancholy love story of love lost from  broken expectations.  CJ Hauser's essays regarding failed relationships in her 40 years is not ground breaking wisdom but there is a driving voice that should entice a response from mainly female readers.  Despite professing ambivalence to whether she finds a partner with whom to have a child, one can't help but note the lament she has for the love she has for the children in her life vanquished with a breakup.  "Who is this love for?  This never quite-a-step-parent love?  I still have it.  And I have played my role in these breakups.  It is my fault that these little girls are no longer in my life.  Still, having my heart broken by little girls is the most confusing pain I have ever felt."  It is these revelations of misplaced love and longing that endear Hauser for me.  Hauser speaks often and boastfully of the marriage she called off just ten days prior to the wedding and after having purchased a home together.  This felt wearisome and disingenuous as she feels brave for not giving into what was expected.  However, there are the many years on and off with her ex-fiancee in a relationship she thought she could fix by healing her partner.  These were essays of what you might hear from people in co-dependent relationships who would have saved years of heartache had they the epiphany they couldn't change the other's addictive behavior; love does not heal all.  Hauser identified herself at the age of twelve as a "hopeless romantic.  I have always loved love."  It is evident throughout her writings that love has been an epic search and a lifelong partner the pinnacle of her search.  Her candor and resolve are both engendering and admirable.  Still, there are essays that I found tedious and frivolous. Hauser rambles on about her favorite movie, "The Philadelphia Story," with Hepburn, Grant and Stewart.  Hepburn has three suitors and she is to chose from these three archetype men and what their joint lives would mean.  Yet, Hauser's love life focused not on the wedding day but the dream house she would occupy.  Hauser has a natural way with children as she interviews them for their dream house.  The verbatim questions and answers were delightful and I could sense her ease and enjoyment with children.   Hauser addresses her sexual attraction to both sexes and the pain of causing another pain in a relationship.  Her statement "We have deluded ourselves that a human can be happy living alone with one or two people in this world" gave me pause.  And, lastly she speaks warmly of the unqualified love she feels from her father.  Their shared passion for gardening was delightful.  Hauser teaches creative writing at Colgate University.  The self-discovery writing style by Hauser left a lingering affect which I admired but her personal history grew tired.  

Jason Mott's Novel HELL of a BOOK a Nat'l Book Award Winner 2021

Jason Mott is the author of two poetry collections and four novels.  "Hell of a Book" received the National Book Award in 2021.  Mott's writing is lyrical and disarming.  It weaves two narratives together, an unnamed black author on his book tour and a young black boy from his hometown connected in magical encounters that relate the all too true depictions of murders of black youths and men of color.  Our adult narrator informs us that his book, "... was supposed to be a love story."  And, it is a love story.  A story of parental love, a child's love for their parents, romantic love and a love for life.  But, this story is trenched in grief, injustice and oppression.  Mott's writing endears us early into Soot's story.  Soot is the young boy who has mysteriously attached himself to the narrator.  It appears Soot is invisible to everyone except for our narrator.  Our narrator understands why Soot's mother taught her son to be invisible.  He tells Soot, "She wanted to protect you.  Being who we are...it's hard.  We get shot or put in jail.  It's all we know." The novel begins with Soot as a five-year old boy hiding in his parent's living room.  His parents claim not to see their son and devise a plan to cook his favorite foods to entice him to return.  When Soot laughing reveals himself "...his mother hugged him and the three of them danced and laughed and smiled like they never had before.  In that moment, the worries that had always hung over their heads were suddenly gone. It was as though all three of them might suddenly levitate off of the floor."  We are first introduced to our narrator as he flees naked through the hallway of a hotel to avoid the wrath of an outraged husband. He escapes into an elevator with an elderly lady with whom he converses and then with hotel staff, still in the buff.  The humorous and enchanting beginnings give way to a conscientiousness of what it means to be growing up black in America.  The writer/narrator is chastised by his driver who first praises his book and his gift for words, "But there wasn't anything about the Black condition in it.  There wasn't anything about being black."   The writer responds by questioning what that means,  "Does that mean I can only ever write about Blackness?  Am I allowed to write about other things?  Am I allowed to be something other than simply the color of my skin?"  Mott's novel is beautifully written and poignantly told.  Soot's father had been meaning to have a heartfelt talk with his son before he was gunned down by an officer just running outside his home.  His father intended to tell his son, "Treat people as people. Be color-blind.  Love openly.  Love everyone. You will be treated differently because of your skin.  The rules are different for you.  This is how you act when you meet the police.  This is how you act growing up in the South.  This is the reality of your world."  "Hell of a Novel" is a powerful literary work that contends with the pervasive ugliness of the world drenched in blood.  The dual narrations exude two omnipotent messages; love fully and, "Dark skin is a sin.  Hell of an affliction."  

The Mystery Novel THE PLOT I Liked it a Lot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Jean Hanff Korelitz's mystery thriller, "The Plot" (2021) delivers another surprising twist.  In addition, there's the trials and tribulations inherent to writers.  Jacob "Finch" Bonner is an aspiring writer; a one hit wonder who wonders if he'll ever achieve his dreams of becoming a celebrity author, garnering Oprah's stamp of approval while filling auditoriums full of fans of his fiction.  Jacob attains the glory he aspires to but his ability to revel in the accolades of fame are shrouded in guilt and shame.  Sliding down the ladder of success, Jacob lands a teaching job at a subpar University.  It's here Jacob meets Evan Peters, an arrogant student who claims he has a sure thing in the story he's writing.  Evan's haughtiness is not unfounded.  Evan reluctantly reveals the plot to Jacob who concedes the story is too fascinating to fail. "The Plot" progresses three years finding Jacob teaching at an even more remote program scraping to earn a living and failing to deliver a literary winner.  A new, brassy student causes Evan to wonders whatever become of Evan and his promising book.  Going on the internet Jacob discovers Evan died shortly after the semester he was his student.  Furthermore, there are no indications of Evan's fledgling book having been published.  There's no mystery whether Jason intends to steal the plot.  Jacob is convinced he can turn Evan's idea into a best-seller with his own stellar writing.  Jacob surpasses his own expectations with the favorable outcome from this book reaching massive sales and a deal turning the book into a movie directed by Spielberg.   On a promo tour for the book, Evan meets broadcast producer Anna.  Jacob invites Anna to visit him  in NYC which quickly leads to their moving in together and becoming tethered.  Anna realizes Jacob is stressed or maybe depressed and asks her husband to be forthcoming with her.  Jacob unburdens his worries. He's  been receiving messages from a "Talented Tom" accusing him of plagiarism and threatening to expose him.  Anna also receives a message from "Talented Tom" and Jacob admits to her the truth, he "appropriated" the idea.  Jacob's publishers provide him legal counsel but Jacob does admit the idea for the plot was not his own.  Instead, Jacob plans to find whose threatening him and confront the person despite Anna's pleas not to pursue this dangerous strategy.  Korelitz wrote the best-seller book, "The Undoing" which was made into a gripping HBO series starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.  "The Plot" is being made into a mini-series which is sure to please. The novel moves quickly between events in Jacob's life, excerpts from his book and Jacob's own detective work.  "The Plot" succeeds as a writer character study, beguiling mystery and clever duplicity; a story within a story.