It's been a dark and gloomy day today, mild but very cloudy. We're feeling sort of blah in the old homestead. Ah well, tomorrow is another day.
I finished my 4th book of December the other day. I'll provide my review of it and also the synopsis of the next book in line. I'll also provide the synopsis of the book I received in the mail the other day as well. Then I'll continue with my ongoing look at my favorite authors.
Just Finished
"One of my favorite all-time books is The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by American writer Carson McCullers. This novel explored the lives and relationships of a group of misfits in the South. I found The Member of The Wedding, written in 1946, was the 3rd of 4 novels she had published. It explores similar themes but it was a darker story in some ways than Lonely Hunter.
The Member of the Wedding follows twelve-year old Frankie who live with her widowed father and their maid Berenice. The story mainly focuses on Frankie and also Berenice and Frankie's young cousin, John Henry. The tale takes place over the period of a couple of days. Frankie's older brother is in the US Army (the setting is towards the end of WWII) and is on leave as her prepares to get married. The wedding will be out of town and we don't really meet the betrothed couple.
It's a hot summer in southern town and Frankie is lost, jealous of the wedding, frustrated with her life and angry and depressed at the same time. She plans to go away with her brother and new wife after the wedding. (Note: Dad is an absent figure in this story, it revolves around the 3 others)
The story follows Frankie as she wanders about her town on the day before the wedding. She meets people, tells about her plans for the wedding and afterwards. There is a disturbing incident that takes place and throughout their is a sometimes darkness and feeling of unease as she wanders.
It is a fascinating story and the three main characters are well-developed and unique. The story alternates between Frankie's journey around town and their interactions in the kitchen of Frankie's home. These interactions present many interesting themes and show Frankie's feelings and thoughts, but also those of Berenice and to a lesser extent, John Henry.
The story is in three parts and in each we meet a different Frankie; Part 1 - 12 year old Frankie, Part 2 - she becomes F. Jasmine (part of her desire to leave with her brother and future sis-in-law, both F.J.'s) & Part 3 - she is Frances). Each name explains her attitude and personality and the events taking place. There are interesting discussions especially in the kitchen. I especially found the discussions on the Negro experience and feelings of Berenice as poignant and touching. Berenice's wish for a future world were profound - "But the world of the Holy Lord God Berenice Sadie Brown was a different world, and it was round and just and reasonable. First there would be no separate coloured peopled in the world, but all human beings would be lighter brown colour with blue eyes and black hair. There would be no coloured people and no white people to make the coloured people feel cheap and sorry all through their lives....." It really struck a chord with me and still resonates today in the US / world.
The story had a different, darker tone than The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and there was an ominous feel throughout. But so well-written and crafted, it was an excellent, touching, emotional story. Based on solely two stories, but she was a great writer who painted fascinating pictures of the lives she portrayed. The Member of the Wedding was also made into a movie in 1952. I may have to see it, but I don't need to cry anymore (e.g. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter....) (5 stars)"
"This was to be melodrama. All the ingredients were there. There was Dominick Hadden, America's leading actor, and all his theatrical family - his beautiful sister, Terreta, film-star idol of millions; his dim brother, Tony; his talented daughter, Serena; and finally his tall half-sister, Catherine Hadden, Cinderella of the family, who ran the Victorian enormity which was home to all of them. In this bizarre stone setting the Haddens knew how to come in cattily on a cue, pump passion into a scene, or exit effectively through the massive doors. You forgive the scepticism of Bill Farland, private detective, when Catherine came to him with her hints of poison and violence; you could understand her own doubts. And you will understand the horror when suddenly murder is real and bloody with the grease-paint off."
New Book
"Lord Peter Wimsey bent down over General Fentiman and drew the Morning Post gently away from the gnarled old hands. Then, with a quick jerk, he lifted the quiet figure. It came up all of a piece, stiff as a wooden doll . . .
But how did the general die? Who was the mysterious Mr X who fled when he was wanted for questioning? And which of the general's heirs, both members of the Bellona Club, is lying?"
My Favorite Authors - George R.R. Martin
George Richard Raymond Martin was born in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1948 and is the author of one of my favorite fantasy series. I discovered it in the mid-2000's about the same time that Jo and I discovered the HBO TV series based on the books. I spent the next few years trying to read the books and also watch the series and just basically keep up. Martin has completed 5 books in the series and the next two have been 'forthcoming' since 2011. Both the books and the TV series were fantastic. 
George R.R. Martin
"Long ago, in a time
forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a
land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is
brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of
Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the
kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks
of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were
born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime
kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies,
soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a
time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear
swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into
madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his
throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of
journeys. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and
terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs
perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of
conflicts: the game of thrones." (4 stars)
"Absolutely loved this story, the sequel to Game of Thrones. Excellent story telling, fascinating world and exciting characters. The story revolves around various characters that were introduced in Book 1, Daenys, Jon, Catelyn, Sansa, Arya and also focuses on some other characters, Bran and Davos to name a few. Martin is definitely not precious about his characters, who lives and who dies. There are characters that you hate, Joffrey comes to mind and some that you want to go on and on, Tyrion, Arya, etc. It's such a great world that has been created and the story has developed more and more from the first book. I look forward to getting into the next book, A Storm of Swords to see where the story leads next.. Great stuff. If you love an adventure, a fantasy, a sword and sorcery series, this one is for you! (4 stars)"
"Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, victim of the sorceress who holds him in her thrall. Young Robb still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. And as opposing forces maneuver for the final showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost limits of civilization, accompanied by a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords..." (4 stars)
"I can understand other peoples' frustrations with the book. It does deal more with lesser characters, or rather, with a limited scope, focusing mainly on the Westeros folks. I still enjoyed very much, but at times wondered where it was all going.. I guess it was going to Book 5.. lol.. There were many momentous events taking place, but often they seemed to be happening off-screen and once again, Mr. Martin has demonstrated that he doesn't feel any particular character is untouchable. All in all, I enjoyed the book, I liked the focus on characters like Jaime and Sansa and Brienne and the chance to develop them more. It's a great series and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment and watching Season 3... What a great world Martin has created! (3 stars)"
"In the aftermath of a colossal battle, Daenerys Targaryen rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way east--with new allies who may not be the ragtag band they seem. And in the frozen north, Jon Snow confronts creatures from beyond the Wall of ice and stone, and powerful foes from within the Night's Watch. In a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics lead a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skin-changers, nobles and slaves, to the greatest dance of all." (4 stars)
If you like fantasy or feel like exploring the genre, this is an excellent series. The books are long but worth working through. The complete listing of Martin's books can be found at this link.
The weekend is soon upon us. Take care, read a good book and stay safe. 😷
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