A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Both Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures and the Gables Book Club are reading The Candy House so in the interest of continuity I picked up the earlier book that featured the same characters. Visit was probably the quirkiest book I have ever encountered. It won the Pulitzer Prize min 2010 and has received exclamations as the perfect book.  Many critics have written how it haunts them as they revisit the myriad of characters introduced in the novel. Actually, it reads more like a collection of interlinked short stories. It is hard to describe as the stories move back and forth in time (1970s to 2020), place (New York to California to Africa), and connection with each other. 

The reader is introduced to Bennie Salazar and Sasha in the first chapter and they weave their way in to succeeding chapters of the novel. Bennie is a member of a Punk band that gets a break from Lou, who is a record producer and eventually a tragic figure. Sasha is introduced as a kleptomaniac, stealing a wallet in a woman's restroom before she meets with her therapist. Both incidents give insight as to how their lives will change through the decades.

Throughout the novel various scenes give hints to tell the story of the lives of the characters. Bennie moves up through the recording scene and eventually has his own record label. He marries twice, obsessed over his impotency to the degree that he ingests gold flakes to help improve it. Sasha had a sad life that finds her running away with a rock star and traveling all over the world. One of the most stereotypical characters is LaDoll, a slutty publicist in New York City, who is also mother to Lulu. The novel, in chapter 12, projects into the future as it is a series of PowerPoint slides called "pointers" and is written by Sasha's daughter, Alison. 

At times this was a very frustrating read because of how the novel shifted time, place, and characters. It perhaps is worth a second read, but I am not sure I could do that. I found it hard to connect with many of the characters and was even repulsed by a few. I sure hope that The Candy House is a more satisfying read.

 

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

The Magnolia Palace falls into that genre that is historical fiction based on some semblance of fact. These novels are enjoyable to read as long as one can discern fact from fiction. For me as a reader, I tend to fact check as I read, which leads me deep into rabbit warrens!

Davis has centered her book around the Frick family, especially Miss Helen Clay Frick, whose story is well known in Pittsburgh because of their home here, Clayton,  that is here and open to the public as a museum. Henry Clay Frick was a steel magnate whose relationship with Andrew Carnegie has been well-documented. The family moved from Pittsburgh to New York where he opened the Frick Collection to display his love and penchant for collecting masterpieces. 

The novel is another that blends two stories from two different time periods into a conclusion that merges the characters together. In 1919, a young model, Miss Lilly,  is hired by Helen Frick to be her personal assistant/secretary. She lives and works at the Frick home that is tied to the Frick Collection. Her past is a bit sordid, but she manages to keep that knowledge from the family by dodging their questions, all the while knowing that at some time her gig may be up. Fast forward to 1966 when Veronica, another model from England travels to New York City for a photo shoot that is being held at the Frick Collection. 

Miss Lilly's story evolves as she is promised a sum of money by Henry Clay Frick if she can arrange a marriage for Miss Helen. Richard Danforth is proclaimed a suitable beau and Lilly sets the stage. Along the way her plans are derailed and she finds herself in a sticky situation that involves Richard. Upon the death of Henry, Helen places in his casket a cameo broach with a hidden compartment that houses a magnolia colored diamond. The cameo is a silhouette of Martha, the youngest Frick child who died at age 5.  Before his funeral, it is discovered missing.

Veronica arrives at The Frick Collection ready for the Vogue photo shoot only to discover the sexist attitude of those involved.  She is about ready to flee when the electricity goes off and she finds herself locked in the mansion due to a horrific snow storm. She is discovered by Joshua Lawrence, an intern there. The two of them embark on following clues that Helen had made up for a scavenger hunt for Richard. 

As the two stories converge the reader becomes a witness to the greed, animosity, and wealth that aristocratic Americans held as well as the mystery of the cameo. Davis reveals the tragedy of the death of Martha and the impudence of Childs Frick.  The novel conveys the devotion of Helen, not only to her father, but to philanthropy. She established the Frick Art Reference Library that provides public access to materials and programs focused on the study of fine and decorative arts, the fine arts department at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Frick Art Museum on the grounds of Clayton.

Definitely an enjoyable read with much background on an American family of note.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Geraldine Brooks is a master storyteller and literary crafts-person. Her novels, heavily and meticulously researched, give the reader an insight into time, place, and events of an historical nature. Horse is no exception. On the surface, it seems to be the saga of Lexington, the most exceptional horse in American history. Lexington was not acclaimed as a race horse, but the greatest stud whose progeny have ruled the race tracks since the late 1800s. 

In what seems to be the latest literary vogue, Brooks uses a combination of time periods to tell her story. As the novel opens, the reader meets Theo, a black graduate student in Washington, D.C. who discovers a painting of Lexington in the trash that a neighbor has discarded. He is taken by the photo and begins to research its provenance. On this journey he meets Jess, a white osteologist who is working on articulating the bones of a horse at the Smithsonian, soon to be identified as Lexington.

Flashback to 1850 and the readers is introduced to enslaved Jarrett who assumes the last name of his master throughout the book. Jarrett is present at the birth of Darly (Lexington's original name) and stays with him throughout the novel. Theo's father has bought his own freedom, but could not afford Theo's. It is that goal to which the young lad works. Although Theo, Jess, and Jarrett are all fictional characters who move the story along, Brooks' research also introduces Richard Ten Broeck and artists Thomas J. Scott, and Jackson Pollock, all historical figures. 

The book is a not so veiled treatise on racism from early on when Brooks quotes Frederick Douglass' argument about white artists have never been able to capture a true portrait of Africans. It recounts Jarrett's struggles and the relationship attitudes of Jess and Theo, culminating in a tragic turn of events. 

Horse is a complex novel and one that begs to be read. The only fault that I would find in it is the ending where it seems that she was ticking all the boxes for her publisher to create a treatise on current events. Any book of hers should be put on personal reading lists.  
 

West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

It would seem that the Gables Book Club is heavily animal themed for 2023. Previously, it was an octopus and for this month it is giraffes. 

West With Giraffes is a novel that is based on a true historical facts and is captivating from the very first page. It opens with an aide at a VA home cleaning out the room of a recently deceased 105 year old resident, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, whom the reader learns is Woody Nickel. For the most part the novel is told in the first person by Woody both as he recounts his life as well as the events of the fall of 1938 as they are happening. 

Woody survives the dust bowl of Oklahoma and makes his way to New York to live with his Cuz, who unfortunately is killed in a devastating hurricane. 

Belle Benchley, the ground setting director of the San Diego Zoo has managed to procure a rhino and 2 giraffes from Africa. On the journey the ship on which they were being transported is is shipwrecked in the same hurricane during which Cuz is killed. The rhino is lost, but the giraffes survive. Riley Jones (referred to in the novel as "Old Man." was hired by Benchley to supervise the journey  from the dock to San Diego. He discover the girl giraffe has a wounded leg and calls in a vet to treat her. Woody sees the giraffes and is determined to follow them to California. At the same time Woody steals a motorcycle to follow them. In a turn of events, the driver hired by "Old Man" turns out to be a drunk and Woody convinces him that he, even as a 17 year old, can handle the driving of the rig and the huge crate that is carrying Boy and Girl. Enter Augusta Lowe knownas "Red", young woman who is photographing the trek for Life Magazine, or so she says. 

 

The novel moves quickly even as the journey moves slowly from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. over Skyline Drive and into Tennessee. "Old Man's" intention is to replace Woody with another driver, but circumstances create a bit of chaos and Woody convinces him to allow him to drive the entire journey. Red follows the rig in her green Packard, but there is something strange about her story that is confirmed by an encounter with the police and a man known as "The Big Reporter."

 The journey is precarious at best with detours, low clearance tunnels and challenges presented by nature and nefarious travelers they meet along the way. Because it is a novel based on historical truth, the reader knows that the giraffes arrive safely in in San Diego. The novel shifts as Woody recalls his life to his post World War II life and his return to civilian life. He is haunted by the giraffes and the journey and sets out to find Riley and Augusta. 

The journal focuses on Jones, Woody and Augusta, but it is really the giraffes that steal the readers' hearts. They seem so lovable except when it is necessary to protect their humans.  Rutledge has given them their own personalities and they take over story as the go coast to coast. Throughout the writing, Rutledge stays true to language of the late 1930s. We read words like pipsqueak, Tin Lizzie, 2-bit, and dunderheaded. 

A great selection for the book club and enjoyable read. On to Horse.

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

Ever since its publication in the fall 0f 2022, The Marriage Portrait has been at the top of my "free read" list, those books that can be read between books for book club and Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures. I absolutely adored O"Farrell's Hamnet  and was excited to delve into her take of Renaissance Italy. The novel is the very fictionalized story of Lucrezia de Medici, who at the age of 15 is married to Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara. 

The premise for the novel is attributed to Robert Browning's poem, My Last Duchess. as the Duke of Ferrara contemplates a portrait of his late wife and how her portrait is painted. The poem further intimates that the wife was poisoned, and more than likely by himself. 

Lucrezia is a bit of a hellion, full of spirit and independent beyond what was every expected of a woman of her time. This is attributed to the manor in which she is conceived, according to her mother, Eleanora, who had been inattentive the night her daughter was conceived. As a young girl, Lucrezia was fascinated with her father's menagerie, including a tiger that absolutely fascinates Lucrezia. 

The intended bride for the Duke was actually Maria, Lucrezia's older sister. However, when she dies, the honor is passed to the younger Medici. After their marriage the Duke whisks his new bride away to a villa where he intends to bide some time while he manages affairs of others in his family. The marriage is finally consummated in a scene that shows his lack of tenderness and power that he wields over his wife. She, being so young, has no idea of what to expect. O'Farrell is a master of steamy sex (reminiscent of the Apple shed in Hamnet), without going into details of the act. The style of writing by going back and forth in time is another hallmark of her writing. The reader sees the fear of Lucrezia as she suspects that she will be murdered and then back in time to witness how she got to that point. 

With the desire to have a portrait of his wife completed, the novel brings in 2 painters, Jacopo and Il Bastianino. They spend more time with her than Alfonso and Jacopo plays a very special role in her life. After years with out producing an heir, Alfonso takes her to Stellata, a fortress, without any of the servants. It is there that Lucrezia feels that Alfonso means to murder her. But considering that Alfonso has not produce even a bastard child, it would seem that the lack of an heir falls fully on his shoulders. 

O'Farrell had taken many liberties in writing this novel with it not being as historically accurate as it could have been. Her writing, tho, makes up for some of that. She is a master of the metaphor and descriptive passages. She endows Lucrezia with the power for women to be themselves and maintain power over their lives as she defies Alfonso's authority in the way she paints and her moves to outwit him. The novel was not as captivating as Hamnet, but it was a joy to appreciate O'Farrell's style of writing.  

The Letter by Kathryn Hughes

In this novel, there are a number of different story lines introduced by the author. Any reader knows that at the end they will all converge and it is the how and whys that determine the plot. Switching between 1939, 1973, and present day create the time warp that seems to be so popular, even though this book was written in 2013. Hughes is from Manchester, England and sets her book there. 

Tina Craig has married the love of her life only to find herself in an abusive relationship with her alcoholic husband, Rick. He has lost numerous jobs and although, as so many abusive husbands do, apologizes profusely, and repeats the same scenario. Tina has become the family's means of support and has a weekend job at a charity shop. It is there that she discovers The Letter in a man's suit that piques her interest. She finally has the courage to move out, but after learning that she is pregnant with his child, decides to give him one more chance.

Back to 1939 and the reader is introduced to Billy Stirling, and adopted orphan. He has met the love of his life in Chrissie Skinner, daughter of Dr. Skinner and his midwife wife, Mabel. Dr. Skinner imposes draconian rules on his daughter and is non-apologetic about sending her away to live on a remote farm in Ireland when he learns she has become pregnant. In a Romeo and Juliet kind of chain of events the two do not connect to learn of their love for each other. 

As the two threads of the story evolve, Tina becomes obsessed with finding the origins of the letter which leads her to Ireland where she meets William, who is in search of a birth parent.  From there serendipitous events occur and the reader is able to see the resolution coming into focus. 

There are two very despicable characters in this novel, Rick Craig and Dr. Skinner. Their actions trigger anger and outrage for the reader. They are among the most detested characters I have encountered in my reading. Supporting Tina are good friends Graham and Linda, whom you love, and from whom you wish Tina had taken their advice. They gave her unconditional love. For Chrissie, it was Jackie who became her strength as she struggle in Ireland. 

The Letter was a quick read and for the most part an enjoyable one. It is a bit predictable and one outcome has me a bit puzzled. It would be a spoiler and I will bring it up at our book club in a couple of weeks.

 
 

The Cellist by Daniel Silva

The best laid plans are often sidetracked by life's interruptions. Because our book club was canceled for April, I felt I had ample time to read a number of books before the May book club. However, IT,  happened and my free time, airplane, and travel time were usurped. 

It took me a bit longer to finish Silva's 2021 book than I had expected. Drawing on many characters from past novels, The Cellist takes place as the world is in the grip of the pandemic. There are countless references to lock-downs, masks, and COVID-19.

The book begins, as many of his do, with the very suspicious death of Viktor Orlov, a close friend of the Israeli intelligence commander, Gabriel Allon. The body is discovered by Sarah Bancroft, who had worked with Allon in previous novels and is now working at Isherwood Fine Arts. When she finds Orlov at his desks, she strongly believes that he was poisoned by some sort of nerve agent. Her connection to Orlov was in regard to money she was to collect for the restoration of a painting the gallery had sold to a Russian oligarch.She  In a very convoluted way, this leads to the introduction of the cellist in the novel's title - Isabel Brenner, who works for RhineBank, AG in Germany as a money launderer. Allon devises a scheme to find Orlov's killer and recruits Brenner to become his prime operative. 

From a London, to Geneva, to Zurich to France, Jerusalem and even Wilmington, DE, Silva whirls the reader through a maze of banks, concert halls, museums and villas as he delves into the money laundering schemes of Russia and its wealthy leader, Vladimir Putin. The novel's culmination is at the January 6th Insurrection in Washington, an ending that Silva completely rewrote having been an eyewitness that day while being in Washington on business.  One of the hallmarks of the Gabriel Allon and Silva books is how closely they are tied to the geopolitical real-world events. This was no exception and provides the author a virtual soapbox from which he can deliver his political views, which are quite critical of the 45th president and his followers. The author's notes at the end of the book are illuminating and indicative of the research that Silva does for his novels.

This wasn't one of my favorite Allon books, but a good read, nonetheless. It is my intent to finish the 2022 novel before his new tome is released in July, 2023. Too many books and not enough time.

 

 

Edge of Lost by Kristina McMorris

After reading the prologue and then continuing to the novel itself, I was not sure how the reader was going to get from Point A to Point B. The prologue, set in 1937, describes an apparent escape from Alcatraz, where a young girl has gone missing. As the  pages unfolded, it did become clear and proved to be a very good read. The Edge of Lost is an account of the life of Shanley Keagen, a young boy who is introduced as a young boy living with his uncle in Ireland. His uncle is quite taken with the drink and is eventually kicked off the dole. Shan tries to help make ends meet by performing comedy in some of the pubs. He has in his possession a photo of his mother and a man whom he thinks is his father, am American sailor. His desire is to go to the United States to find him. 

With no other recourse, Uncle Will decides that the two will leave for America to find Shan's father. However, on the voyage, Will dies and Shan is orphaned.  With a serendipitous piece of fortune, he is adopted by an Italian family, the Capellos, and begins his new life in Brooklyn as Tommy Capello. His brother Nick and sister Lina receive him into the family with just less than open arms. Shan/Tommy does will in school and begins to help out his father in the plumbing business while still pursuing the dream of meeting his father. Nick becomes mixed up in some of the criminal activities surrounding prohibition, although he was not really a criminal. Because of this Tommy Capello is sentenced to Leavenworth Prison. From there his is moved to Alcatraz, where he is a model prisoner and is assigned to work in the greenhouses and gardens. 

The intersection of the two story lines is what keeps the reader anxiously turning pages. McMorris skillfully blends the accounts of Italian and Irish immigrants with the hardships of life during the prohibition and depression in America. She has provided an intriguing glimpse into life in that period as well as what it must have been like to live on The Rock as both civilian and prisoner. The twist in the ending pages was one that was not telegraphed in the earlier part of the novel and was a surprise for sure. Good and interesting read.
 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

When Remarkably Bright Creatures was selected for our book club, I was a bit skeptical about a book being narrated by a giant Pacific octopus. I was very fearful it was going to be like Life of Pi, which I did not like at all. What a great surprise it was to encounter a perfectly delightful book. 

Marcellus, the octopus, has great insight into the human world and manages to steer the plot along. On the human side of the novel is Tova Sullivan, a widow and a mother who lost her son, Erik,  in an accident or suicide. She is a night janitor at the Sowell Bay (Puget Sound) Aquarium where Marcellus lives. 

Then there is Cameron, a thirty-year old, who just can't seem to keep a job. He was raised by his Aunt Jeanne after his mother abandoned him without him ever knowing his father.  After losing yet another job and having to find housing, he buys a dilapidated camper and heads north from California to the Puget Sound area in search of his father. He believes that he knows who the man is after finding a picture in a box of mementos given to him by his Aunt. 

Once in Sowell Bay, Cameron meets the Ethan Mack, owner of the small grocery store, who helps him with his broken camper and allows him to park on the grounds of the store.He suggests to Cameron that there might be work at the aquarium and Cameron is hired to do some cleaning, where he meets Tova. 

Meanwhile, Marcellus becomes involved in the relationship between Tova and Cameron and manages to give some hints to the reader. Pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place as Cameron tracks down the man whom he believes is his father and Tova gets information about her son about which she had been previously unaware. 

The ending is a bit predictable, but it doesn't distract from the charm of the book. The characters are well developed and the writing propels the book into an almost page-turner. I did learn that an octopus has 3 hearts - an answer to a Jeopardy question as I was reading the book. One of the reasons we join book clubs is to read beyond our comfort zone. I would never have picked this book up otherwise. It was a delight and a very good read.
 

The Maid by Nita Prose

The January selection for our book club was a delightful debut novel by Nita Prose who was inspired to write it as a result of walking into her hotel room and startling the maid. She began to think that a maid really knows quite a bit about the hotel guests, whereas the guests know nothing about the maid. So began the story of Molly Gray, a very conscientious maid at the luxury Regency Grand Hotel. 

Molly was raised by her grandmother after her mother disappeared from their lives. Gran had a profound influence on Molly in her actions and thoughts even after she had died. Molly continues the same cleaning routine of their apartment and hear her grandmother's voice when faced with a decision. Molly was not very comfortable in social situations whether because of her isolation in living with her grandmother or, perhaps, because she may have been autistic. 

She is a very hard worker and finds it difficult to understand how other maids can't be so dedicated to their work, especially the head maid, Cheryl, who steals tips from the other maids. One day when cleaning the penthouse suite, she discovers the body of Mr. Black, a tycoon and frequent guest in the hotel. Molly and Black's wife, Giselle, are close acquaintances and Molly has no idea of what has happened. Molly becomes embroiled in the investigation of what is, perhaps, considered murder.  

To detail the rest of the plot would inevitably spoil the enjoyment of the novel. Throughout The Maid reminds the reader of an Agatha Chirstie "who-done-it" with twists, turns and red herrings. At the same time it is like the game of Clue - was it Molly with a rope, Rodney with a knife, Juan Manuel with a hammer? The characters are well-developed, the writing flowing, and the resolution a real surprise! It was a delightful mystery with which to curl up in front of a fire and have a cup of tea or two!