About two years ago I looked over the list of every book I’ve ever read and realized, “Damn, what a sausage fest.” Much like the higher-ups at a tech company or a group of legislators signing an anti-abortion bill, my list of authors had approximately one female for every 50 males. I resolved to change my habits and started by reading ten consecutive books written by females.
Looking for a new book to read? Here’s a synopsis and brief review of one dozen female-authored books I’ve recently read. I consciously chose books that varied in genre, era, and style.
Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (2011)
This author is from Kalamazoo and the book takes place along the Kalamazoo river. Yay local
Margo Crane loves her idyllic backwoods life on the Kalamazoo river until a series of terrible events leaves her mother missing, her father dead, and her relatives estranged. With no family left, Margo abandons her old world by paddling a rowboat upstream away from her troubles and in search of her mother. Along the way she meets various characters who play an integral role in assisting Margo and influencing her young life.
Local author Bonnie Jo Campbell, in addition to her wonderful images of Michigan’s natural beauty, creates a fresh and interesting character in Margo. Like many teenagers, she is unsure of herself in her ever-changing surroundings and relationships; but unlike most teenagers, Margo is an adept wilderness survivalist who inspires the reader to become a more self-sufficient person. While the characterization and development is outstanding, once Margo takes to the river the book becomes episodic with some episodes less interesting than others.
Rating: 7/10
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (1977)
As the most recent American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, Morrison holds the title of reigning “Queen of American Literature.” (The Queen/King of American literature is something I just made up but let’s make it a for real thing).
Milkman Dead is a young African-American living with his wealthy but dysfunctional family in early 20th century Detroit. Caring only for immediate gratification, Milkman is disinterested and disconnected from his family, his history, and the racial oppression in his community. He has wealth but no genuine relationships or sense of self. It is not until Milkman’s transformative journey to his father’s boyhood home in the Deep South that he finds the essentials he didn’t realize he had lost.
(If the plot sounds boring to you, let me add that there is also a treasure hunt, a forbidden love affair, a secret society that murders white people, a mysterious sack of human bones, multiple assassination attempts on Milkman’s life, and the miracle of human flight.)
Toni Morrison’s poetic and song-like prose captures a vivid and unique voice within each of her characters, making it a pleasure to turn the pages. The novel constructs a rich and fascinating collage of experiences, revealing depth of character, plot, and symbolism. Morrison masterfully displays the struggle to find identity amongst lost history and the far-reaching effects of racism on subsequent generations. Though most of the characters are unlikable, the author gives them an honest humanity to accompany their flaws. As the novel reaches its powerful ending, you find yourself rooting for these characters to find their redemption.
Rating: 9/10
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (1999)
Interpreter of Maladies is Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize-winning short story collection and literary debut. The stories, all of which are set in New England or India, highlight distinct and contrasting cultures, religions, and societal norms. Lahiri, herself the daughter of Indian immigrants, uses a range of perspectives—first and second generation immigrants, children and adults, citizens and tourists. As a result we see various effects cultural identity has on everything from class struggles and romantic relationships to the seemingly mundane aspects of daily life.
Using both heartbreak and humor, the paradox of assimilation—the desire to fit into one’s surroundings but also maintain one’s heritage and identity—is beautifully traversed. With an eloquent style and unique voice, Lahiri captures human emotions and truths that transcend cultures and nationalities. Of the nine stories there are some exceptional gems, but all are pertinent and enjoyable.
Rating: 7.5/10
White Teeth by Zadie Smith (1999)
Archibald Jones and Samad Iqbal are unlikely friends from World War II and patriarchs of the two families at the center of White Teeth. Told from multiple viewpoints, the story follows generations of characters as they grind through life in working-class London. Themes of identity, race, immigration, assimilation, family, and fate permeate the characters’ intersecting stories.
Zadie Smith certainly can turn a witty phrase (or seven). Her writing is clever and funny, her plot and characters compelling, here themes critical and apt. While the number of tangents in the story seems excessive at times, her captivating style keeps the reader interested. A novel that is both fun and poignant.
Rating: 8.5/10
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
This is a painting, not a photograph. So, who the hell knows how accurate it is. #oldschoolfilters
My preconceived notions of Frankenstein (gleaned entirely from pop culture) resulted in tepid expectations for this book. Well get out the alleyway Sally May! Everything I thought I knew about Frankenstein was the exact opposite of Mary Shelley’s book.
Here’s what I imagined based on culture references to Frankenstein
followed by the reality of Mary Shelley’s book:
- A mad scientist creates a monster.
Dr. Frankenstein isn’t “mad” at all. He is simply a devout student of biology.
- Lightning flashes all around as the insane doctor screams “It’s Alive!”
Nothing resembling to this iconic scene ever happens.
- The monster, a giant hideous creature, comes to life.
This part is true. - The monster is extremely dim witted. Instead of talking he only grunts.
The monster is able to carry on eloquent conversations, use the power of persuasion, and quote great works of literature. Who knew?
- The monster is strong but has poor motor skills. In order to walk he must rigidly limp about with his arms lifted in front of him.
The monster is extremely athletic. He can outrun anyone and is adept at remaining hidden.
- Pretty soon the monster accidentally hurts someone and the town gets fed up.
The monster does kill people but he knows exactly what he is doing. No action is without a purpose.
- An angry mob destroys the monster.
Ha! Kill the monster? Finding him is impossible and catching him even more so. The general public never even becomes aware of the monster’s existence.
- You sympathize with the monster because it’s not his fault. He is like a dog that always chases cars and one day gets hit. Sad, but predictable.
You do sympathize with the monster but because he is an intelligent and emotional creature who is denied love. But then again, he deliberately kills innocent people. What a paradox!
I loved this book. Halfway through I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
Written in the 1800’s, it does use flowery Victorian language, but the plot is so engrossing I hardly noticed. Not only is the story thrilling, but intricate questions of morality and the very nature of mankind keep the reader thinking long after the final page.
Rating: 10/10
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012)
Why do so many best-sellers have “girl”in the title?
Flynn’s crime/mystery novel is a vivid and fast-paced depiction of a wife who suddenly goes missing. Of course everyone blames the husband who happens to have a girlfriend on the side. If you enjoy Dateline murder mysteries then this book is for you. Unlike Dateline where the husband always is the murderer, Flynn’s plot is more complex. The book has three distinct sections:
Section 1. A brilliant telling of a marriage falling apart. The chapters alternate between the husband and wife’s narrations, contrasting two fascinating perspectives on the relationship.
Section 2. A huge twist! (Don’t worry, I won’t give it away). The shock of the plot twist subsides and the story follows a more conventional narrative. It isn’t as intriguing or well-written as the first section, but by now the author has the reader on the hook.
Section 3. Yikes. The ending is completely unsatisfactory. I don’t need a happy ending or a conventional ending (this book has neither). What I do need is for characters and society to act in ways that are believable. Not only is the ending depressing, it defies logic.
Rating: 5/10
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)
Margaret Atwood wrote this dystopian novel in the 1980’s before dystopian novels were all the rage. The United States has turned into a hardline theocracy. As a result, women are no longer allowed to read, handle money, or have any fun. Offred is a “handmaid” who is forced to have sex with the head of her household in a monthly religious ceremony designed to increase the population. The story, written as Offred’s journal, follows her day to day activities as she struggles to survive physical and emotional turmoil in an oppressive society.
A nice contrast from modern dystopian novels, Offred doesn’t try to bring down the government or change the system, rather, she rebels in her own private and personal ways. However, I did find the premise of such a rigid theocracy in the West difficult to accept. Atwood’s style is sometimes overly poetic. (Example: “The household. He holds the house. To have and to hold.”) While some of the characters are intriguing, others, such as the elite officers, behave predictably. The book grows more enjoyable in the second half as the lengthy exposition transitions into plot.
I hear the mini-series is great.
Rating: 7/10
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (1999)
This young adult novel bravely undertakes the issue of sexual assault. Melinda, the teenage protagonist, is raped at a party the summer before her freshman year of high school. Her friends abandon her, her classmates are openly hostile towards her, and her rapist remains a daily presence in the school. The story follows Melinda’s freshman year as she struggles to find her place and make friends while attempting to cope with the trauma of her assault.
Anderson deftly navigates the serious subject matter with gravity, eloquence, wit, and compassion. She creates a realistic protagonist whose inner strength carries her beyond her perceived weaknesses. Though the school cliques are overly shallow and stereotypical, the principle characters are authentic and relatable. Unfortunately, the ending feels contrived, granting justice and closure far easier than the real world allows (sadly). Nevertheless, Anderson has managed a well-written and enjoyable book on a difficult subject.
Rating: 7/10
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (1911)
This book is depressing. RELENTLESSLY depressing. After reading it I wanted to forsake any hope of happiness in the world. The story has all the misery you could want—miserable marriages, unrequited loves, unrealized dreams, crippling deformities—and it’s all set to the backdrop of a brutal and unforgiving New England winter. What fun!
But man, it is such a good book. The vivid descriptions of winter make the reader want to pile on another blanket. Rarely does a book’s setting give so much depth to its story. The inner monologues of the protagonist, a taciturn man more complex than he reveals, are incredibly engaging and identifiable. Countless times while reading you might say, “Yes! I have grappled so similarly with these exact issues.”
From the mysterious opening, through the bleak, yet fascinating plot, to the heart-wrenching end, Ethan Frome is a compelling and brilliant read.
Rating: 9.5/10
Delta of Venus by Anais Nin (1977)
Back in the 1940’s all that exposed leg was disgraceful
This book is a collection of erotic short stories. “Erotic” is a fancy word that means “sex stuff.”
Published posthumously, these scandalous (for the time) stories were written in the 1940’s. Commissioned by a wealthy lover of sexy books (keep in mind they didn’t have internet back then) the material is explicit in sexual detail. Despite the subject matter, the language is more romantic than vulgar.
Beyond the overt sexuality, many of the stories contain a heartfelt warmth, thought-provoking situations, and/or complex emotions. Some of the stories, however, seem to be little more than an excuse to describe bizarre sexual practices. As a whole, the collection is sometimes enjoyable but too inconsistent.
Rating: 6.5/10
Harry Fucking Potter by J.K. Rowling
“I’m so much richer than all of you” – JK Rowling
Most people haven’t heard of this obscure fantasy series, but turns out it’s surprisingly good. Check my blog archives for a thorough review of each book.
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (2006)
Bechdel’s graphic novel-memoir explores her own coming of age in small town Pennsylvania. Alison’s emotionally distant and closeted gay father runs a fun(eral) home, but the constant tension in the family’s actual home creates a less than fun environment. Bechdel examines her youth and family life in an effort to better understand her father, who committed suicide a few weeks after Bechdel had revealed her own homosexuality to her parents.
The book is beautiful on both an aesthetic and emotional level. Bechdel does a marvelous job using art to enhance her story. As Bechdel strives for understanding and closure regarding her complex and distant father, she gives the reader multiple self-perspectives, viewing an event through the eyes of her younger self, then again as an adult looking back. The journey does not move chronologically, stories from early youth are juxtaposed with her college years. All of this creates a rich tapestry of details and insight as the reader and author delve into the complexities of childhood, relationships, society, and sexuality.
The literary references are numerous and sometimes border on pretentious, although such literary elitism is in line with how Bechdel’s father (also an English teacher) operated.
Do yourself a favor and check out the Broadway musical adaptation.
Rating: 9/10
Brohemia 