Beauty, Sighs, and Love

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

This book grabbed me immediately, and when I wasn't reading it, I'd get flashes of thoughts like, "I wonder what will happen next?" This is the story of two families, one in London, one in New England. Both fathers are academics, and bitter rivals. I thought the family dynamics in this book-- husbands & wives, parents & children, siblings-- were rendered beautifully. There were some great twists, and Smith has an obvious talent for flawless prose.



Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

Richard Russo is one of my favorite authors. I have been enthralled by each and every one of his novels up 'til now (favorites: Empire Falls and Risk Pool ) so I had been hotly anticipating his new book. It's not that I hated it; it's just that it never really pulled me in the way his other books have. Russo has an uncanny ability to capture the intricacies of small towns and the folks who inhabit them. There's some of that in this book,some of his breathtaking description and glorious wit, but there's not enough. The book just never came together for me. So, I beg of you: please read one of his five other novels before you read this one.


What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt

I had this on my 'to read' list for awhile, but I can't recall where I got the recommendation. I had no idea what to expect, but I was captivated by this book. It's the story of a painter named Bill Weschler, an art historian named Leo Hirshberg, and their lives and families. I liked the art angle, though sometimes I got a little bogged down in the descriptions. There were some twists in this book that I never expected, and I think that was my most favorite thing about it. It's a very rich book, full of description and action and intensity. I definitely recommend it.

Backlog Part Three (of Three)

The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq by Rory Stewart

I was eager to read this since I loved Stewart's first book, The Places in Between, so much. Turns out that this dovetailed perfectly with Imperial Life in the Emerald City, too. This is Stewart's account of working for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. He was a provincial governor, so he provides a first hand perspective of this daunting work. His account of working in Nasiriyah when there was an uprising is harrowing. His compound was being hit by mortar rounds, and it took hours for help to arrive. As with his first book, Stewart mesmerized me with his fearlessness and grace. He makes an effort to get to know the people he serves, and to know their history. I was particularly struck by this passage, which sums up fairly well the complexity of the CPA's role in Iraq:

"We had promised democracy and believed, as Bremer said, that it was the only legitimate basis of government, but we did not think Iraq was yet ready for elections. We felt we needed to stay but felt ashamed of the occupation. We were controlling the lives of people who had not invited us in and who had not voted for us. We wanted to justify the invasion by doing some good; but we knew little about the people who surrounded us, or their culture. Every day we gambled on insufficient information, trusted and suspected, persuaded reluctant bureaucrats, threatened, rewarded and charmed. I needed to keep taking risks and taking sides, and people were going to be killed almost whatever we chose to do."

The Prince of the Marshes, p. 116

I liked this book a lot, and appreciated Stewart's insight and intelligence immensely.