Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Set in a future America, Celeste Ng's latest novel, Our Missing Hearts is disturbing, heartwarming, and realistically reflective of a time with which we can identify. Often described as a dystopian piece of literature, it is not as unbelievable at its publication date as The Handmaid's Tale or Fahrenheit 451 were. Instead, what occurs in the book is already happening in the United States.

Noah (Bird) Gardner, a 12 year-old mixed ethnic child,  lives with his father, Ethan, in Cambridge, MA. Ethan was a former professor who has now turned a library worker as to not draw attention to his home and his son. The library shelves are virtually empty because many of the books are considered dangerous to society. The books haven't been burned, but rather pulped and turned into toilet paper. Noah is befriended by librarians throughout the novel as they attempt to circumvent the ramifications of PACT. He questions why he witnesses Chinese people being accosted and abused.

 Noah's mother Margaret, a Chinese American has left the household because she published an innocent poem that became a rallying point for those who were opposing PACT - Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act that was set into place to guard against the influence of the Chinese. The act was put into place as a result of the Crisis that was describe in the novel:

"Some would blame speculation, or inflation, or a lack of consumer confidence—though what might have caused those would never be clear. In time, many would dredge up old lists of rivalries, searching for someone to blame; they would settle, in a few years, on China, that perilous perpetual yellow menace."

Noah becomes friends with a school friend, Sadie, whose has been taken from her family and been placed in a foster home. Under PACT if a parent is deemed to be subversive, a child can be removed to protect him or her from parental influence. She is determined to leave her foster parents to find her real parents. After Noah finds a note that he believes is from his mother, he leaves Cambridge for New York City on the same quest. He finds Domi, the Duchess, a friend of his mother and she becomes important in his journey. 

Margaret is not a person who stands by and accepts the government's position. Living under the radar she has a plan that will, hopefully, cause people to see how wrong PACT is. Her words will illuminate the lives of those who are so wounded. Stories need to be told. 

What resonates to the reader is the reality that many of the actions in the book. The Florida Parental Rights Act, a bill promoted and signed by Governor DeSantis in Florida is blatant censorship of texts and curriculum. After the pandemic, the hate crimes against Asians increased nearly 300% over the previous years. Much of that can be attributed to the president at the time referring to COVID-19 as the China flu. 

Our Missing Hearts is a powerful book, one that should be acknowledged as a cry to take heed of how our democracy is being threatened. It should be on everyone's To Be Read Shelf!

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

There are some books that beg to be reread and The Fraud by Zadie Smith is one of those books. Based on historical events surrounding the Tichborne trial of 1873, the novel is meticulously researched and craftily written.  Eliza Touchet is one of the central figures of the story and is a cousin of William Ainsworth, a nearly obscure writer of the 19th century, and also his housekeeper. In flashback and concurrent narration, it is also the story of Andrew Bogle, a Jamaican who was taken to England by Edward Tichborne. 

Throughout the novel as the events of the trial unfold, Eliza becomes the readers' eyes and ears to 19th century literary society where she entertains for her cousing, the likes of Dickens and Thackeray. Her dinner parties are renowned and anticipated. She knows, however, how dreadful her cousin's works of literature are and it is the one part of his life she does not manage. She even manages his wedding to Sarah Wells, his maid, with whom he has fathered a child. 

Although not a courtroom drama, the scenes at the trial are fascinating and show how Sarah, who is obsessed with the man who has claimed to be the the rightful heir of Sir Roger Tichborne and Eliza are on opposite sides. The Claimant has a very weak case in that he couldn't remember classmates, know how to speak French, and the presence of a tattoo, or absence of one. Eliza befriends Andrew Bogle and through him is able to decry her abhorrence of slavery and how the Americans vs. the English are handling that institution.

 Written in a serialized style, as Dickens would have,  The Fraud moves backward and forward through Eliza's life and also that of Andrew Bogle. The many locations in England often time necessitated having a map by my side to understand the travel and journeys made by the characters. It is a masterpiece of writing. Zadie Smith whom we were privileged to hear speak in September, 2023.

The Candy House by Jennifer Egan

The Candy House is somewhat of a sequel to A Visit from the Goon Squad, which was my previous book to wade through. It has been an interesting few weeks trying to understand the hype around these two books. It could be that I am just not as intelligent as the vast majority of readers/critics who have been so laudatory.

Many of the same characters from the Goon Squad reappear in this novel. The reader gets a closer insight into Sasha, Drew, their children, the children of her uncle, Ted Hollander, Bennie, Bix, and Dolly. Lulu, Dolly's daughter has grown up and has twins.

Again, the novel is a series of seemingly unconnected narratives told from the perspective of various characters, some of which appear and disappear with no logical explanation. Often one scratches his or her head trying to recall if that character had ever appeared before and what the connection is to the other characters. Central to the theme of the book is the role social media and technology play from circa 1990 until the futuristic 2030. Bix Bouton, trying to recreate his college days has developed a small glowing cube, Mandela, that is called “Own Your Unconscious.” This devise allow people to upload and store their memories or to share them with "Collective Consciousness. Of course there are people who do not embrace the idea and they are named "eluders" who are being sought by the "counters."

The novel is divided into 4 parts with different chapters in each part. It would seem that Egan is attempting to show the inter connectivity of human life and experiences. The characters, many of who are children of the Goon Squad characters are really connected, not only by the Mandela, but also in real life. As the reader moves from chapter to chapter bits of the history of the featured narrator are presented with those connections. One has to be aware of the point of view that changes as each character's story is unfolded. Egan reprises the unconventional writing structure of her previous novel with one chapter as a series of text messages and another as an aphoristic journal.

It will be interesting to hear the reaction of our book club and Egan's presentation on The Candy House. I am glad I read it, but it is not one of my favorites.

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.