Kaseys Korner

Station Eleven

** spoiler alert ** It's amazing I finished this book AT ALL and even more amazing that I ended up feeling positive about it. It was almost a DNF about 20% into it. It just didn't make sense to me ~ a wandering Symphony in a post apocalyptic world ~ seriously??? What would be the point when just surviving was so precarious?? Or is that when music and art are most necessary?? And the guy who performed CPR on Arthur Leander in the very beginning (Jeevan) and seemed at first to be a pivotal character, just fell off the pages never to reappear again (until after I decided to continue reading, he showed back up about 50% thru??) It seemed crazily disjointed.

I didn't understand what the whole obsession was with the 'Station Eleven' story until the pieces of the book all started coming together. It almost seemed Miranda unknowingly wrote a graphic comic about the future (it eerily mirrored life after the pandemic.)

Why is it that Tyler, who called himself 'The Prophet,' acted in the most un-prophet like ways?? Killing, coercion and fear are not tactics of "the light" or Divinity. Living in these primitive conditions really brought all the characters temperaments to the surface.

I'm sure I'll think about this book for a long time, even tho I didn't love it. That's because it played into a hidden fear of mine. Every time I hear of a new strain of the swine flu (which caused the pandemic in 'Station Eleven') or the bird flu or whatever kind of flu, it makes me really apprehensive. It's been over a hundred years since the last deadly pandemic & with viruses becoming resistant to antibiotics it makes the possibility scary real. I never thought of one wiping out 99% of the population tho, like happened here, and having to go back to such a rudimentary existence. That gives a person pause if not anxiety and makes one think what they'd do if put in the same predicament.

At least it ended on a uplifting note. Clark musing about the possibility of life returning as it once was, a tribute to the indomitable spirit & resourcefulness of man. 'Station Eleven' was a book club pick, I would never have read it of my own volition. I think I'm glad I did?????

Britt-Marie Was Here

I think Fredrik Backman has an ulterior motive in writing his popular fiction books. It seems like (after now completing my second book of his) that he's wielding his pen to make the readers of the world more empathetic citizens. Making us reconsider our outlook (and rethink making quick judgments) about people who are socially awkward, nonconforming and lacking in social graces. In 'Britt-Marie Was Here' we get another such person. She's got quirks out the wazoo. However, in Backmans slow methodical style, he chips away at her sharp edges until he's softened her up and revealed how life shaped her eccentricities. By the time we finish the story, she's spun 360 degrees and endeared herself to the other characters and to us. It's really fantastic his ability to transform our initial opinions of his characters!

Once again, it's the younger generation that forces the change. God love them for getting old people out of their ruts.

A point to note. Soccer is a huge theme in the book. It followed Britt Marie from her marriage to her "job." I don't follow the game or understand the rules but it's easy to see it's the thing that keeps the whole town from folding and facilitates the change in all the characters. If you're a fan, it might make the book better??

I did not love the ending but I confess to not loving ambiguous endings. Of the two Backman books that I've read, 'A Man Called Ove' was hands down my favorite and wrapped in a way that was more satisfying to me. This was not a bad book by any means, it just didn't have the same powerful impact.

The Giver of Stars

I had no awareness AT ALL of the WPA Packhorse Library Program or the fact that women were paid to deliver books in all kinds of inclimate weather & over treacherous terrain during the Depression. Wow. Eye-opening! These were AMAZING women who signed up & stayed committed to such a physical job done on horseback no less. No doubt they helped accomplish exactly what the programs goal was ~ improvement of the literacy rate in remote populations. I can imagine how their visits were welcomed (after the initial distrust and wariness wore off) reading about how isolated life was in the hollers & on the mountainsides of Kentucky. They would be the bright spot of the week.

I loved that each chapter started with a passage from a classic book and that the "book ladies" were avid readers themselves. Maybe their love of literature is what drove them to be so dedicated to their jobs? It would take a special woman to endure the rigors they described going thru.

Loved the story, the characters in it, the evolution and resulting fellowship portrayed between the women and the authors writing style. It's the first book I've read by Jojo Moyes but now I see why she has such a following. I will definitely be open to checking out other books of hers. Great insight into this incredible project. It was quite a formidable & ambitious proposal, made all the more remarkable that it was successfully accomplished.

Magic Hour

Every person in this book was emotionally broken. You'd think it would have been a depressing read then, right?? Except, oddly, it wasn't!!! It was actually quite fascinating & I couldn't put it down. The little wild girl captured my heart from the first mention and every section of the book dealing with her, was my favorite. At the end, I wasn't quite sure she could progress so fast in 9 months to go from cave to the chaos of school, but that was such a tiny detail, I can't perseverate about it.

Kristin Hannah is a wonderful story teller and this book is another testimony to that. If you've enjoyed other works by this author, you would definitely like this one.

The Night Tiger

A book steeped in the superstitions and beliefs of the Malaysians (and Chinese.) I kept thinking of the Chinese proverb about 'The Red Thread' the whole time I was reading.

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break."

Tho the proverb is never brought up in the book, the characters nevertheless seemed destined to intersect & play a pivotal role in each others lives, brought together by the mysterious circumstances in the story. Instead of the proverb, the book sources the connection between them to their names ~ each one named after one of the five virtues of Confucianism. It's such a fascinating read and insight into these co-mingled cultures. The story is relayed thru multiple points of view, dream sequences, and even communication with the dead, which makes it truly unique & interesting. I didn't grow up knowing or following any of these beliefs but they come across as strong guides in life (and thinking) in this region.

I'm still a bit confused about the phantom(??) Night Tiger. Was it supposed to be a reference to the deranged Lydia?? What happens to them now that several of the five namesakes of the virtues are gone?? I wonder if I need more insight into this culture to fully appreciate the book?? Not understanding it, gave the story more of a fantasy feel, at least to this Western reader!!

The step brother & sister relationship/romance is bound to be off-putting to some readers. Technically they're not related at all, so it's not incestuous but I can see why Ji Lin's Mom would be embarrassed to tell people they were together. It's the appearance it projected more than anything else.

I don't think this is a book for everybody, despite recognizing it's beautifully written, and I also don't believe I'm the best reviewer for the material. Let's just leave it at that.

What the Wind Knows

Anytime a book is promoted as something of interest to fans of 'Outlander,' I take notice. That's how I happened across 'What the Wind Knows.' It might be the way I came to it, but it definitely deserves recognition on its own merit.

It's the most beautiful story of time travel coupled with the turbulent fight for Irish Independence. The book picks up with the Easter Rising in April 1916. It seems very well researched, but why wouldn't it be, with the author being of Irish descent? It  highlights the period from the Easter Rising thru the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. I felt the struggle was brought to life in the pages. The patriotism and commitment to cause, so excruciatingly detailed for historical figures of the time, especially the legendary Michael Collins.

The circle of time along with the romance between Anne Gallagher and Thomas Smith was wonderful. If you're open to the theory that time might not be linear at all but more concentric, than this book is for you. Anne's relationship with her grandfather, Eoin Gallagher expertly illustrated that point. When we're introduced to them, their connection is enviable. Then as the book unfolds, it makes you wonder if (or wish) the special relationships in our own lives are deeper & more entwined than we are cognizant, missing only the magical revelation that occurred with Anne & Eoin. It will blow your mind thinking which really came first. Theirs is really the love story that is most compelling in the book.

There's even the added bonus of some Irish folklore sprinkled in the pages. Splendid!!

My reading goals for 2019 were 70 books, this was #70 and it was a fantastic book to mark reaching that achievement. I already feel like I want to start over with it ~ go back to the beginning and sink into the story all over again, not trying so desperately to get to the ending but rather appreciating the sweep & nuances of the journey. When Eoin watches Thomas Smith row away in that little red boat, omg, brain explosion. I soooo want to believe time works in this manner. It's much more hopeful and with a lot less finality than the establishment belief of a beginning and an ending.

Beautifully, beautifully written Amy Harmon!!!!