How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly - Connie May Fowler

Title: How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly
Author: Connie May Fowler
Published: 2010 Pages: 276
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Clarissa Burden, a writer in her thirties and married to a strange and mildly abusive South African man Iggy, lives as a bystander in her own life. She allows people to walk all over her, including the gorgeous women Iggy brings to the house to parade around nude while he photographs them (for art, of course), and she suffers from a terrible bout of writer's block. Set during one hot summer day in the northern Florida town of Hope, Clarissa , through a series of unpredictable circumstances, takes a hard look at her life and finally learns how to fly.

At first How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is a little strange. Written in a kind of stream-of-consciousness, the writing can be a little choppy and abrupt (or it could have been my 10 page at a time reading) but as the pieces of the story come together it was difficult not to fall in love with Clarissa and cheer her on with every self-discovery she made. This is my second Fowler novel (the other Before Women had Wings), and Fowler has a keen sense of characterisation. Clarissa is a woman that many can relate to--unsure of herself, unaware of the small abuses she puts up with, lost in her own self.

"For the last fourteen years, she had lived with an ordinary face: no underbite, no overbite, no buckteeth, nothing to prevent her from operating in the world as if she had every right to be treated with the same respect as any other person. On that hot solstice day--one that had already proven to be extraordinary for Clarissa--she gazed into Olga Villada's unblemished mirror and realized that the person she was in her head was not the person whose reflection stared back at her" (177).

As I got further into the story I loved watching Clarissa discover how she truly was the beauty she saw staring back at her in the mirror and how she determined that despite the cruel words that came out of her husband's mouth she did have worth.

I'd recommend this one to those who like character-driven novels, but also because there is so much that happens within the one day (or so) those who like more plot-driven novels would enjoy this one as well. Again, stylistically this one did take some getting used to and the lack of chapter breaks my own "here and there" reading a little difficult. The stream-of-consciousness can be distracting but I think it also helped portray how conflicted Clarissa was. In many ways this book actually reminded me of Mrs. Dalloway and as I was reading I wondered if Woolf might have been an influence on Fowler. In the end, though, I think you'll find yourself applauding Clarissa and eager to see her learn to fly.




Big thanks to Connie May Fowler for sending me this book! How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is available April 2, 2010.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford

Title: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford
Date Finished: March 21, 2009 #14
Published: 2009 Pages: 285
Rating: 4/5

Isn't that the most beautiful cover? I don't remember requesting this book, so I was so surprised to get it in the mail right before Christmas--right before I decided to stop taking in ARCs because Trish has too many books!! Eeeep! :)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is the story of Henry Lee as he looks back on events that shaped his life. One afternoon he passes by the Panama Hotel in Seattle and notices that the hotel has come under new ownership and will be opening its doors for the first time in decades. Buried in the basement of the Panama Hotel, however, is a world of treasure from a lifetime forgotten--items that were left behind by the Japanese who were relocated to internment camps during WWII.

Seeing these items being brought into the open takes Henry back forty years to when he was a 12-year-old whose traditional Chinese parents stop his education at the Chinese school so he can attend the "white" school. At first Henry is the only Asian student, but soon he discovers a beautiful girl, Keiko, who is of Japanese descent. Their relationship is rocky at first and then one of necessity as they are teased by the other students--especially in light of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Soon they grow to be the closest friends, but they will have to part when Keiko's family is forced to leave Seattle for an internment camp in Idaho.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a really touching book about friendship and love, but also an important story of a piece of American history that is quickly looked over. I don't remember learning about the internment camps when I was in school--the first time I remember any mention is when I was read Snow Falling on Cedars several years ago. While this was a beautiful story, we don't learn very much about the internment camps other than they were heavily guarded, very large, and in the beginning not very pleasant (I felt that Ford sometimes simplified the camps). I do have a few books jotted down that I'm interested in reading, but I had hoped there would be more detail or perspective in this book.

While a great deal of the book takes place in flashbacks to the 1940s, there is also Henry's story in the present time. He is dealing with his wife's death and a shaky relationship with his son. I enjoyed both portions of the book, and thought that Ford pieced them together very nicely. I would recommend this book--while it won't be my favorite of the year (for me it was lacking a little ooomph), it was very enjoyable--heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I guess like the title: bitter and sweet.

The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde

Title: The Eyre Affair
Author: Jasper Fforde
Date Finished: March 8, 2009 #11
Published: 2002 Pages: 376
Rating: 4/5

Do you ever just not wanna? I don't want to think. I don't want to type. But I also don't want to let my thoughts on this book to disappear to wherever my thoughts on books disappear to. What's a girl to do?

I can't remember where I first heard about this book--maybe the Something About Me Challenge two summers ago? I had forgotten what the book was really about (those thoughts must have gone where my other thoughts go), and I had it in my head that this was some type of Jane Eyre romance spin-off. How wrong I was!

The Eyre Affair is set in 1985, but it is a type of futuristic 1985 "where time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taking very, very seriously" (back cover). Thursday Next, the main character, is a SpecOps agent in charge of literary crimes--such as forgeries and manuscript theft. She is called into a special case when the original manuscript of Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit mysteriously disappears.

In an effort to recover the missing manuscript, Thursday finds herself in the midst of the most heinous literary crime--a villain by the name of Hades is going into original manuscripts (literally going in) and disposing of characters. Hades next victim will be Jane Eyre if Thursday cannot stop him first. Imagine--a world without Jane Eyre.

While I was expecting more of a literary feast with this book, it was an incredibly fun read. You hear about books for book lovers, and this is one in full force. Literary allusions abound on each page, Fforde uses metaphors and wit, and I often found myself chuckling out loud. I love the idea of being able to travel into a book and cavorting with the characters--such as Thursday did with Mr. Rochester (Jane never knew of Thursday's existence, but boy was she suspicious!). But when she travels into Jane Eyre, will the story as we know it change and be lost forever?

I'd recommend this book as a light and entertaining read. When I mentioned thinking about reading it for the read-a-thon, I got a few comments about the complexity of the book, but other than piecing together how Thursday's 1985 world looks and musing about some of the literary references, I found it to be a pretty quick read. And again, who doesn't love books about books--especially one about one of the most beloved classics?

Also read by:
~ Amanda ~ Raidergirl3 ~ Dewey ~ Samantha ~ Eva ~
If I've missed yours, let me know. I know some of you others (Chris!) have read it, but I couldn't find a review.

Down to a Sunless Sea - Mathias B. Freese

Title: Down to a Sunless Sea
Author: Mathias B. Freese
Date Finished: Jan 15, 2009 #2
Published: 2007 Pages: 134
Rating: 2/5

From the Back Cover:
"Down to a Sunless Sea plunges the reader into uncomfortable situations and into the minds of troubled characters. Each selection is a different reading experience--poetic, journalistic, nostalgic, wryly humorous, and even macabre. An award-winning essayist and historical novelist, Mathias B. Freese brings the weight of his twenty-five years as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist into play as he demonstrates a vivid understanding of--and compassion toward--the deviant and damaged."

I knew going into this book that the material is on the darkish side--maybe even a little depressing. What I wasn't prepared for was how uncomfortable some of the stories would make me feel. Re-reading the blurb from the back of the book made me think that this was done on purpose--but I'm not sure for what purpose. The stories range from all different topics--from friendships, parent-child relationships, Holocaust survivor, troubled student, obsessive worrier--topics that in some way or another we can find a little bit of ourselves in.

In the collection there are 15 stories, mostly very short in length. One of the difficulties that I often have with short stories is that the author does not have room to develop the characters fully, but that isn't the case with these stories. Focused more on the character than the plot (you know I love that!), even in the shortest of the stories, we get a really intimate look into the characters' thoughts and feelings. Yes, many of them are uncomfortable--ranging from suicide to inadequacy to rage to lunacy, etc etc, but they all leave the reader with something to think about and muse over.

So you're thinking: You love character-driven books, Trish. What's with the rating? First, I think it is worth mentioning that this is a work of literature. There is something very poetic about Freese's writing style. But on the other hand, the language often felt stuffy and unnecessarily complex. I feel like a philistine as Stephen Dedalus would surely call me (although I never really liked Joyce anyway), but I found myself re-reading sentences and passages to figure out exactly what Freese was trying to say. For instance:

"One of padded felt and thick, lush carpeting, Clare had a voice that made you attend. It was deeply textured, had a surface gravity to it that was entirely alluring, irresistible. It was a resilient voice; it could incorporate when pressured only to rise once more, project. It was Clare's one attribute, and not unattractive in a svelte woman so vigorous in her opinions. One attended to her because of that voice. Neither seductive nor sensuous, it had a convincing nature, very much there, as if an original flow of magma, now firm and fundamental" (129).

Yes, it is such poetic writing, but by the end of the paragraph, I am lost. I read it again and finally figure out what exactly the author is getting at. Nearly every paragraph in the book is equally rich, and given the wide cast of characters, the language began to feel stilted and unauthentic. Philistine? Maybe--especially given the fact that so many others have truly enjoyed this slim collection. I think poetry lovers, especially, would appreciate this one. Not recommended to those looking for a light read.

Kim L.; Jeane; CJ; Terri B.; Bookfool; Literary Feline; Gautami ; Bellezza; Tanabata (if I missed yours, please let me know)

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (and Giveaway!!)

Title: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Date Finished: Oct 18, 2008 #60
Pages: 258
Published: 1947

This probably was not the best book to pick for the read-a-thon, but since reading Anne Frank Remembered several months ago I've been looking for a good time to revisit this one (it's been about 15 years since I read it last). I loved getting to know Anne again, but her story is so heartbreaking. Just as I was coming to the end of the book, with about 15 pages left, I started thinking about how it would probably be best if I put the book in the freezer and pick something else up for the read-a-thon. And then I flipped the page. And the book was over. There was nothing left except the Afterward. And that was enough to leave me a sobbing heap on the couch as I cried for the hope that Anne felt, her hope that was never realized.

For those who might not know, Anne and her family, who were Jewish, went into hiding in Amsterdam in 1942. Her father, Otto Frank, and his coworkers devised a plan for him and another family to live in the secret annex of his work office. For two years, eight people lived in the cramped quarters of the second and third floor of the building. Anne, who was 13 when her family went into hiding, kept a journal (which she named Kitty) about the daily happenings in the Annex for the two years they lived there.

There are several things that surprised me about Anne. First, she has become so immortalized and idolized that I think we forget that she was a just little girl (whew...going to try and make it through this without balling my eyes out). While Anne was incredibly brave, she was hardly perfect. At times she was love sick, others she fought with her parents (and really did not like her mother). She didn't want to stay cooped up in the Annex and at times she was a little bit of a pest. And all of these things, all of Anne's imperfections, make me love her all the more:

"In spite of all justice and thankfulness, you can't crush feelings. Cycling, dancing, whistling, looking out into the world, feeling young, to know that I'm free--that's what I long for; still, I mustn't show it, because I think if all eight of us began to pity ourselves, or went about with discontented faces, where would it lead us? Sometimes I ask myself, 'Would anyone, either Jew or non-Jew, understand this about me, that I am simply a young girl badly in need of some rollicking fun?' I don't know, and I couldn't talk about it to anyone, because then I know I should cry. Crying can bring such relief" (111).

Another thing that surprised me was how mundane some of the entries were. This goes back to the idea that Anne is a real girl, not an idealistic caricature. And while some of her entries were simply what the dinner conversation was that night or what their weekly menu was or how she was tired of Mr. Dussel, she also talks about her dreams and desires--some immediate and some for the future. She is a hopeful girl who is full of life. But the book was not written as a memoir in hindsight of the events--what she writes about is immediate. To me this makes her story a little more untainted than some of the other accounts might be (I hate to say that any of the others might be colored--but she was writing about what she knew/felt when she knew/felt those things).

Anne Frank's diary is incredibly touching. Not only is it a look into the lives of the eight in hiding, but it is also the look at how the hiding and war affected a teenaged girl who on one hand grew up entirely too fast but on the other never really got to grow up at all. If you haven't read it, I would highly recommend it. The book isn't terribly long, and while it isn't necessarily "light" reading it is insightful and beautiful.

GIVEAWAY!!

Several months ago I read Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies. I was surprised at how many people had not heard of this wonderful book. I have an extra, gently used copy that I would love to pass on to you. To be entered to win Anne Frank Remembered, please leave a comment below letting me know you're interested. To be entered TWICE, also leave a comment on the original post (please make it more substantial than "hi"). To be entered THREE times, blog about the giveaway. Don't forget to tell me about it! Because I feel that this is a very special story that needs to be shared, the giveaway is open to everyone (but be sure I can easily get ahold of you).

I'll draw a name on Thursday October 30 at 6:30 am central time.

*If you want to be entered and have already commented on the original post, you don't need to do so again. ;)

Short Story September #1: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Fitzgerald

Title: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

When I found out about CB's Short Story September Challenge I had all of these grand ideas about reading a ton of short stories. The truth is, I'm kind of bad when it comes to reading them. I do love them, but I think I have a tendency to pick apart the stories so I don't necessarily enjoy them as much when I'm reading them alone. I do short stories better in a classroom setting where I can analyze with others.

But, I'm going to try and put all of that analyzing aside and simply enjoy a few great stories!! So, with the upcoming movie, I thought "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" would be perfect. And I love Fitzgerald--so how can you go wrong with that?

"The Curious Case" follows the life of Benjamin from birth until death. The curious part about Benjamin is that he is born as an old man and ages in reverse so that at the time of death he is an infant. Kind of reminds me of the criticism that we spend our youth working our butts off so that we can enjoy it when we are too old to. But with Benjamin, as he "ages" his mentality goes with it. When he is born, he has all of the stubbornness of a 70 year old man and in old age has all of the purity and innocence of a child. The story touches upon all of the milestones of a man's life with the twist of Benjamin's reverse aging and the troubles and incongruities it presents.

This is a heartbreaking story in many ways, and Fitzgerald tells stories so beautifully.
On the night that Benjamin meets Hildegard Moncrief:

"It was a gorgeous evening. A full moon drenched the road to the lustreless color of platinum, and late-blooming harvest flowers breathed into the motionless air aromas that were like low, half-heard laughter. The open country, carpeted for rods around with bright wheat, was translucent as in the day. It was almost impossible not to be affected by the sheer beauty of the sky--almost" (from The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald p. 170)

Other Fitzgerald stories I'd recommend: "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz," and "May Day."

How's that for enjoying? And now for your viewing pleasure--watch the gorgeous trailer for the upcoming movie. It's hard to understand how the movie will work, but doesn't it look enticing anyway? I have a weakness for previews (and Brad Pitt), and I could watch this one over and over.

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! - Fannie Flagg

Title: Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!
Author: Fannie Flagg
Date Finished: July 9, 2008 #39
Pages: 467
Rating: 3/5

Dena Nordstrom is finally making it big in TV--she is being recognized for awards and is being offered jobs of a lifetime as journalist/anchorwoman. However, her life feels empty and as of late she has been suffering from panic attacks and stomach problems. When she is ordered to go to a psychiatrist for help handling her stress, she begins to take a deep look at her life and the source of her continual push for success at all costs.

Set mostly in the 1970s, with the exception of a few flashbacks, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! is Dena's story of self-discovery but also of discoveries she makes about her mysterious past. Dena's father died while fighting in World War II before Dena was born and she and her mother moved around from town to town throughout her childhood as if they were running from something. Dena's mother, too, has passed away although Dena does not like to talk about the details and prefers to keep her life a secret--but could this be because Dena doesn't really know her past or her mother? When she begins to dig deeper into her life will she be prepared for the secrets she will uncover?

Along with Dena there is a cast of characters from a small town in Missouri where Dena's father was from. As Laura from Reading Reflections mentioned in her review of Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, the characters of Aunt Elner, Norma, and Macky were a lot of fun and very endearing. Relatives of Dena, they take her in when she is trying to hide from the present and trying to figure out her past. Also Dena's college roommate Sookie is a hoot--and through these characters I got the true Southern Lit feel that I was hoping for in the novel.

After reading and loving Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man last year, I had high expectations for this book that unfortunately weren't met. Overall the writing is pleasant and the story was interesting, but the big surprise at the end was totally out of the blue taking me on a tangent that just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story. Also, there is a sort-of love story ends up working out perfectly with little development. And the book spans about five years, but the only way the reader would know this is by reading the chapter headers--again the development of the novel doesn't quite fit the time span. All that being said, I'm glad that I read it and hope the next Flagg book I read is more like Daisy Fay in all of its wonderful, sassy quirkiness.

A Million Little Pieces - James Frey

Title: A Million Little Pieces
Author: James Frey
Date Finished: April 19, 2008
Yearly Count: 21
Pages: 432
Rating: 1.5/5

I'm not sure where to begin with this one. Most of the time I hated this book--I seriously considered abandoning it. There have been books that I've put down before--even for years--but none with the thought that I would never return to them again. I resorted to skimming--something I also rarely ever do. By the end, I had stopped skimming but reading most of what was on the page, but I'm glad to be finished!

Yes, I read this for the "In Their Shoes" Challenge--yes, I know that parts were fictionalized--yes, I know the controversy of the book. After finishing I started looking up the falsehoods, but honestly I don't even care anymore. Good riddance! I don't care to give Frey any more of my valued time (well, after this post anyway).

James Frey, age 23, goes to a rehab facility in Minneapolis for treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. He is wanted in three states, his teeth are knocked out, he has a hole in his cheek, and he can't remember the past few weeks. He is stubborn, unwilling to take the necessary (well, recommended anyway) steps toward recovery, and his body is a mess of...I don't even want to recall his descriptions. This is the story of his time in the rehab facility, the relationships he has made, the love he has found, and his eventual domination over "The Fury" that resides within him. There are many redeeming aspects of the book...but plain and simple I didn't like it.

I don't claim to be a book critic. Other than my degrees in English, I don't have any qualifications to deem a book quality writing or not. I don't claim that these are true reviews of the books that I read--but rather my thoughts for I am not an expert on writing or literature. But I have read enough and taken enough writing courses that I know literary devices and how they are used and when they are effective. Can you see where I'm going with this? I hope so because I don't really want to say in a public forum what I thought about the writing in this book. OK, I guess I've said it in a roundabout way. :)

Do I recommend the book? I guess the basic message Frey presents is that You can gain control of your actions and overcome anything based on You alone--which if true can be a strong statement. I have known a few people who have had addictions and have been hospitalized, but I haven't gone through it myself or really know what others have gone through. I couldn't relate and most of the time I was really angry at Frey for seemingly making light of the situation. Ladi-da. Mooooooving on!

Thirteen Moons - Charles Frazier

Title: Thirteen Moons
Author: Charles Frazier
Date Finished: January 6, 2008
Pages: 420
Rating: 4/5

I chose this book because I loved Cold Mountain, so I thought it would be perfect for the Seconds Challenge. Thirteen Moons begins in the early-mid 1800s and is set mostly around and in the Cherokee Nation. The story follows Will Cooper, a young orphan boy who is bound into servitude at a trading post at the edge of Cherokee Nation. Will quickly adapts to the rough surroundings around him using his quick wits, business savvy, and befriending a chief, Bear. The rest of the novel follows Will's story through middle age into old age--tracing the history of the native people he is adopted by--mainly the exodus of natives to the west.

Frazier's writing is exquisite--many complain about his writing style, but I don't agree that it is exaggerated or overdone. Frankly it is what will drive me to buys his next novel. The plot, however, did not grab me like Cold Mountain did. I really liked Will as a character, but I never warmed up to Claire--his sometimes love interest throughout the novel. I found the premise believable, but I wanted it to take hold of me and consume me like Inman and Ada did.

I would recommend this to those who love language--and a little patience is required. I appreciated the insight into the removal of a huge population as well as the customs of the Native Americans during this time, both of which Frazier detailed at great length and with great feeling.

Johnny Tremain - Esther Forbes: A Novel

Title: Johnny Tremain
Author: Ester Forbes
Date Finished: December 21, 2007
Pages: 256
Rating: 3.5/5

This is my desperate move to finish the Decades Challenge since I obviously was not going to finish All The King's Men (and probably never will--urg!). It could also qualify for the Book Awards Challenge since it won the Newbery quite some time ago, but I still have a few months to finish that one. Ohh, challenges challenges.

Johnny Tremain is the story of a fourteen year-0ld silversmith apprentice in pre-revolutionary New England. He is bossy and proud, but also very talented; one day, though, he disfigures his hand after another apprentice purposely gives him faulty equipment. He cannot craft silver anymore, but he finds another job as a rider for the Boston Observer. During this time he meets many of the key revolutionary figures in Boston, including Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams; Johnny is key in keeping these figures abreast of the revolutionary situation in Boston--especially as the fighting begins.

I liked this book, but I didn't think it was anything spectacular. I would recommend it--as I tried doing to my 11 year-old brother--but the plot isn't very exciting. I think perhaps its just the style of writing because of the history of what was happening at the time is very exciting. Easy and light--a story of forbidden love, fighting for what one believes in, discovering one's heritage, and growing into the responsibilities of adulthood.

As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner: A Review

Title: As I Lay Dying
Author: William Faulkner
Date Finished: October 6, 2007
Pages: 261
Rating: 3.5/5

I chose this book both for the Book Awards Challenge and By the Decades Challenge (1930s), but I have been putting it off for months. I have a bitter-sweet relationship with Faulkner. I am fascinated by him, and in many respects he is one of my favorite American authors (at least non-contemp), but nothing about his writing is straight-forward. Frankly, sometimes his writing is exhausting, which usually tires and bores me, but with Faulkner its almost as if I know he is playing some joke on me and I won't be made the fool. Anyone reading this who is not a bibliophile is probably thinking, "Cuckoo!" :)

As I Lay Dying is the story of The Bundren family: Anse, Addie, Cash, Darl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Vardaman. Addie, the matriarch, is dying, and Cash, the eldest son, is building her casket while she watches. Once Addie dies, the Bundrens make an arduous journey to Jefferson to bury her-a journey which is the key of the story. What I love about Faulkner is his experimentation with point of view; I was first captivated with this years ago when I read The Sound and the Fury. Had I continued with my graduate studies, I probably would have focused on narratology. Throughout As I Lay Dying each character helps narrate the story giving his/her unique perspective on the events--which is why the reading can be so exhausting because the reader constantly has to be the judge of what is really going on and which narrators can be trusted. And Faulkner doesn't give anything to his reader for free. The reader must work for it (and I did my fair share of secondary reading while working through this book).

Did I like the book? Yes and no. I liked most of it, but it was difficult and sometimes I just need a no-brainer. But I love a good reading challenge. In terms of content? Faulkner is always depressing. I'm not sure if I have ever really liked any of his characters. He loves to show the dark and sinister, which I also like, but come on guy--can't you give just one character a break?? See what I mean when I say bitter-sweet?

Howards End - E.M. Forster: A Review

Title: Howards End
Author: E.M. Forster
Date Finished: Sept 30, 2007
Pages: 236
Rating: 1.5/5

I read this book for the Decades challenge (1910) and every single minute of it was pure struggle. OK, not every minute, but mostly every minute. This book is only 236 pages, but it took me two weeks to finish!!

The story is about Margaret Schlegel who befriends her neighbor Mrs. Wilcox. When Mrs. Wilcox passes away, she leaves her home, Howards End, to Margaret--although Margaret is unaware of the bequest. After the death, Margaret then befriends Mr. Wilcox. A strange type of courting pursues and they eventually become engaged. On the sidelines of the story are Wilcox's extravagant and snotty children and Margaret's aloof sister Helen. In the side-sidelines are the Basts, Leonard and Jacky, who are of a lower class but become entwined in the story. Its difficult to give a summary without giving away any of the plot, so that's basically it. Most of the story is wrapped up in class issues, the Mr. Wilcox and Margaret's courtship, and family scandals.

I've recently heard good things about Forster, particularly his A Passage to India but this is quite possibly the worst book I have read all year. Granted, I did just start a new job on Monday, but I was struggling even before my time got cut in half. And I'm not even really sure why I disliked this book so much! The character development wasn't half bad, but I found the writing a little confusing and very anticlimactic. The last couple of chapters were the best in the book, but I thought the writing was boring and without passion. I would not recommend this book and if you are reading it or plan to, I hope you have much better luck than I did. :(