BOOK REVIEW: Ahab's Wife

Once upon a time, back in college days, I took a class in American literature. To make a long story short, it turned out to be a class on Melville’s Moby-Dick. By the end of the semester, I had promised myself never to kill another whale. Of course, as I matured I learned that Melville may have written the Great American Novel. It takes several exposures to appreciate this great book.

Flash forward several years and my favorite book group picks AHAB’S WIFE by Sena Jeter Naslund for the next meeting.

I still did not feel in the mood to go killing whales, but that is why a person belongs to a group--to try something that would normally get overlooked. Believe me, the book was a beautiful surprise.

The book captures the reader with the first line: “ Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last.” Immediately, the author has you caught in Una’s story.

Most of Una’s early life is on an island with her uncle, a lighthouse keeper, his wife and their young daughter. The stairs to the light prepare Una for the life that she really wants, that of a whaler. Masquerading as a male, she ends up as a cabin boy on a ship that sinks far from land. She and her two best friends endure the open ocean on a small lifeboat and the circumstances alter their lives forever.

They are rescued by Captain Ahab and his crew. The captain officiates at the marriage between Una and one of the other survivors, but we know that there is more to come. We have read the first line in the novel.

AHAB’S WIFE is much more than a short summary could ever capture. The book is beautiful. The language is lush, almost poetic at times. We are taken to a time in history as seen through the eyes of a very strong woman. We see people, a combination of products of the author’s imagination and real people from history. So true are the author’s fictional characters, that you forget that Captain Ahab was not real.

This is a terrific book. It is a story that covers racial issues, cannibalism, warm family life, rich drama on the high seas, in fact almost everything that makes a good tale. It is a story told in an easy flowing style by an author who knows how to use language. It captures the feel of Melville’s writing but has certainly earned its own place in literature.

It is not necessary to have read Moby-Dick, but it would give a deeper appreciation of Naslund‘s talent. (The movie with Gregory Peck was well done-- and I do not say that about movies too often.)

Keep reading, and as always, let me know what you think about any of the books that I cover.

THEATRE REVIEW: What The Bellhop Saw

This week’s trip to Millbrook Playhouse was to see a very funny bedroom farce in the Cabaret. The Cabaret theater is a converted milk barn that has been filled with tables and chairs and is always great fun even when the play is so-so. Theater goers take food and drink and the atmosphere is very informal. It makes for a friendly evening. Patrons have even been know to share samples of food with each other---and in some cases, with the actors.

Tonight we saw WHAT THE BELLHOP SAW and, believe me, that was a lot to see! The plot was typically “bedroom farce”.  A bellhop helps his mild-mannered brother into the best suite of the best hotel in the city in order to help the brother seduce his prim secretary.

Of course, the room has many, many doors, an irate neighbor, a maid in a very interesting costume, an author who is being targeted by a terrorist, a wronged wife who bears a striking resemblance to the terrorist…..well, you get the picture. There were a lot of people in and out of closets, bathrooms, the room next door, and in and out of windows high above the city. This type of play is dependent on the timing of the actors and this group never slowed down.

Marc de la Concha plays Wally, the bellhop, with all of the body moves we have come to expect from him. This is an actor who I predict will be well known in the theater world. I first saw him as Smee in Peter Pan at Millbrook. He went on to a national touring company as Snee and it is the perfect role for him. His professional credits keep growing.

Also notable was Hanna Botsford as Missy the maid- but- star- wannabe. One of the reasons Ms. Botsford is a stand out was her costume. (She has very good legs for a short girl.) All of the cast was good. One mistake would have ruined the rhythm of the show and if there were any made, I never noticed. I was too busy laughing.

It would appear that Millbrook Playhouse is going to have a very good season. I hope to see some of you there. If you go, share your experience with the rest of us. I love hearing from you.

BOOK REVIEW: The Eyre Affair

Before we get to this week’s book review, the following test is required. Please answer A or B.

Question number 1:
A. Do you believe that THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY is of real help so that intergalactic travelers don’t panic or forget their towels?

B. Do you believe that THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY is a silly book written only for nerds?

Question number 2:
A. Can you recite “The Jabberwocky” so that it makes sense?

B. Do you think that a Lewis Carroll is something sung at Christmas time?

Question number 3:
A. Do you know all of the lyrics to “Spam, Spam, Spam” and do you find ways to work, “Nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition” into a conversation?

B. Do you think that Monty Python sounds like a real neat guy and you wish that you had his autograph?

If you answered A to any of the above, you are ready for a Jasper Fforde book. If you answered B to any of the questions, please give me a call. You need help!


THE EYRE AFFAIR by Jasper Fforde introduces the reader to Thursday Next in a surreal version of Great Britain around 1985. Thursday is a renowned Special Operative in literary detection. Her job involves hunting down forged works of literature in a world that sees forging Byronic verse as a punishable offense. Literature is taken very seriously and Baconians heckle performances of HAMLET.  RICHARD THE THIRD is always playing and everyone goes regularly to see it. The scene where Thursday and a friend go made me laugh out loud. It was very much like going to see “Rocky Horror Picture Show” except instead of throwing rice, the audience holds up paper horses when Richard calls for one in exchange for his kingdom.

In this world not only is time travel possible, but an aunt can get lost, literally, in a poem. She did get to meet Wordsworth, though as she wanders through the daffodils.

Then, characters from the great works of literature start getting kidnapped. Thursday is involved in the case when Jane Eyre is plucked from the pages of Bronte’s novel.

This is a fun book. It is one of the most inventive things that I have read in a long time of reading off-beat literature. I have to admit that I caught myself thinking, "That is not the plot of JANE EYRE that I remember," but it had been a long time since I had read it and my memory is not what it was.

Naturally, all ends well, thanks to Thursday. It does make you want to see how she handles the literary woes in the books to come. The other books in the series are just as funny, but I would suggest reading THE EYRE AFFAIR first.

THEATRE REVIEW: Hairspray

There is cause for celebration at our household--Millbrook Playhouse has opened for the season. Millbrook Playhouse is a true summer stock theatre and so provides a venue for aspiring actors, directors, producers, tech people, and teachers. Started in 1962, Millbrook has presented over 200 different plays and entertained about a quarter of a million people. I am writing this at midnight, just back from Mill Hall and a little tired, but I wanted you to share my excitement.

The opening play on the main stage is usually a big musical and this year was no exception. The season started with Hairspray. It is a perfect show to highlight the young, energetic cast that I have come to expect there.

If you are familiar with Hairspray you know that the mother, Edna Turnblad, is played by a man. Jean-Pierre Ferragamo had the part just right. He never over played the role so that it felt that it was a drag-queen act, but rather we saw a warm, caring mother who was self-conscience of her weight. This is the part that could possibly make or break the show.

It would be hard to talk about the complete cast. They were a talented group. Over the years, we have watched some of the local students go from child actors to some very promising romantic leads. (Nicholas Carroll and Johnny Haussener have grown up.)

I was glad to see the return of some of my favorites from the past.  (Watch for the name “Ali Kresch”. She brings so much to any role.)  I hate to start listing names because the whole cast was in voice and character throughout the evening. I can not wait to see what they can do the rest of the season. I am sorry that Ellisha Thomas [Motormouth Maybelle], is not going to be in anything else this summer.  She is fantastic.

The only problems came from the new sound system. The clarity of the lyrics and some of the dialogue was lost. I am sure that by tomorrow’s performance that will be ironed out.

I love Millbrook Playhouse. Theatre is one of my three vices and it may be my expensive one. This is a theatre where a seat won’t cost you an arm and a leg and you can count on everybody giving their all to entertain you.

Check their schedule at www.millbrookplayhouse.com. I hope to see you there.

BOOK REVIEW: The Burden

Agatha Christie has been my yardstick for measuring other mystery writers for years. That is not to say that there are not other excellent writers in this field, it is just that she has reigned over the rest. I was aware that she also had written under the name of Mary Westmacott and have searched on and off for a copy of any one of the six titles written as Westmacott. Interestingly enough, this small collection falls into the category of ‘romance’.

Recently, in a used book store, I lucked out. THE BURDEN tells of the conflict between an older sister’s sense of responsibility and a younger sister’s sense of freedom.

In the beginning, Laura is only interested in seeing the new baby sister, Shirley, dead. There are times when the reader thinks that she will be successful. After saving the infants life in a fire, Laura spends the rest of her life protecting her sister.

Shirley falls in love with a man who is very unsuitable and though Laura does everything to try to stop the marriage, the couple wed. After years of watching her husband go through her money and being embarrassed by his affairs, Shirley finds herself widowed. How her husband died and by whose hand is no big surprise.

Christie kept these books a secret for nineteen years. The reason that such a celebrated mystery author would create a separate and hidden identity is a bit of a mystery in itself. Maybe knowing something about Christie’s personal life gives us a clue.

These books seem to be intense with personal feelings. Agatha Christie was a very private woman. The Westmacott identity may have given her a chance to air some feelings about her youth and first marriage.

To me, THE BURDEN does not come close to the Agatha Christie that we expect. The author who is known for developing complex mystery plots here has given us a predictable story line. For Christie fans, you have to try a Mary Westmacott novel. If only to see a bit into this woman of mystery herself.

Post Script:

The term ‘romantic’ here is used in the best literary definition. It means more personal, more passionate, even more revealing of inner-feelings---not bodice-ripping sexy.

We have taken so many good words and put sexual meanings to them. To prostitute means to sell cheaply and the town of Intercourse, Pennsylvania was a place of commercial exchange, not what you are thinking. To keep this kid friendly, I will not do a long list of words that started out as perfectly good words that we have made dirty. Anyway, I think George Carlin has done that for us.

POST SCRIPT: 22nd Annual Final Cruise

     If you grew up in a small town during the 1950's, you probably took part in what we called "lapping the block".  We drove around the same block for hours, honking and yelling at friends. It passed a Saturday night.

     Bellefonte will be hosting the 22nd Annual Final Cruise on Fathers' Day weekend and the committee always does a good job of capturing the spirit of those golden high school days.

     The main attraction is an antique car show, but what sets this car show apart from others is the "Open to the Public Cruise".   That's right, you get a chance to lap the block in Bellefonte one more time.

     What I enjoy--I am not really into cars-- is the traditional Sock Hop held in the middle of town. This year Your Dad's Friends will be providing the music from the '50's and 60's for dancing in front of the Court House on Friday the 18th.  If you come , make sure your saddle oxfords and poodle skirt are ready to dance into the night.

For more information, please go to:  http://www.bellefontecruise.org.

See you there!

BOOK REVIEW: The Book Thief

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak is not a happy book. But then, what would you expect from a book that takes place in Nazi Germany and is narrated by Death.

Twelve year old Liesel Meminger and her six year old brother were being taken to the small town of Molching, near Munich to foster parents by their mother, when the little boy dies. At the quick burial along the way, Liesel finds a book dropped in the snow by one of the gravediggers. Putting it in her jacket, she has stolen her first book. This becomes her only touch with her dead brother.

Liesel is delivered to her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Hans is a quiet man who makes a meager living painting homes of the wealthier residents of the town. Rosa does laundry for those who can still afford it.

Hans teaches Liesel to read from the book that she had stolen, "The Grave Digger’s Handbook". The book has come to stand for the last time she saw her brother and mother. Her next stolen book is taken from the large bonfire that the Nazis used to burn the dangerous books owned by the Jews of the community.

Liesel uses stealing books as a type of comfort as life get more precarious in the small town. Her reading becomes important to her neighbors as she reads to them in the basements used as bomb shelters during air attacks.

The neighbors themselves become an important part of the story. Liesel’s friend Ruby is obsessed with the image of Jesse Owens. So much so that he paints himself black and trains as a runner. The woman who lives next door hates Rosa Hubermann and never passes by without spitting on the Hubermann’s door. By the time her son is killed in Russia, we know her well enough to cry with her.

We have to mention the important Jew hiding in the Hubermann’s basement. To tell you too much about him would ruin the story for you.

All of the characters are so well defined that we could be living on Himmel Street and watch its demise with them. The plot of THE BOOK THIEF is what would be expected, a young girl during the Nazi uprising in Germany. If you are thinking, "Another story of the human ability to overcome adversities." you could be right, except in this book we learn how tired Death gets picking up souls too soon. We also learn how important words can be-- from Hitler’s use of words to stir up a nation to words saving a young girl’s life on Himmel Street.

I have to admit that I finished this book with tears running down my cheeks. It is brilliantly written. Using Death as the narrator keeps it from getting overly sentimental, in fact Death may have a bit of a sense of humor. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a well written book.

POST SCRIPT: Book Sale Wrap-Up

The Book Sale is over. I am tired, slightly richer, and 10 boxes of books lighter. The fun of talking to other people who love to read is the big attraction for me. (People who drove by without checking out the boxes would not have been interesting anyway!)

My first job was with the Centre County Library. That job helped me form one very bad obsession---the NEED to know what a person is reading. I have been known to ask strangers the title in their hands, much to my family's embarrassment. By having a book sale, not only do I get rid of books and make enough money to buy more, but I get to see who reads what. Always a surprise!

Thank you to everyone who made the Book Sale so much fun----especially Jackie, Denny and Honey.

My husband helped also. He has offered to pay me $50.00 if I promise never to do it again. He ended up doing the heavy grunt work.

POST SCRIPT: Book Sale!

ooops!! Jim has noticed that I have a few books around the house.  Come to Hickory Street in the Continental Courts Community Yard Sale where I will be having my BOOK SALE on June 4th and 5th (Friday and Saturday).

Good prices: for example - mass market paperbacks-25cents or 5 for a $1.00.

Details and map in the right column!

(Jim really wants me to clean out.)

Keep Reading!

Introduction

For several years I wrote a weekly book review column in our local paper entitled "Park's View".  It is now time for me to move to a wider audience through the internet and widen my opinions to other joys I have, such as theater, music, art and local community service.  I will continue to post a review a week and you will see some some of my "oldies" thrown in every now and then!

I'm back!!

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