I'm feeling soooo much better now. That was one heck of a nasty cold. I was so sick at one point that it was almost impossible to read anything – my brain was just a big snotty blobby blur. But even before I got sick my reading habits were spotty for a couple months. Nothing seemed to really grab me or inspire me – every book I picked up I eventually put down, to be read at a later date when I was more 'into it'. But I finally seem to have my book mojo back, thank goodness. I just finished P.D. James' latest Inspector Dalgleish mystery, The Private Patient, which I enjoyed very much. I find that my favourite 'comfort reading' is usually a beautifully written and deftly plotted British murder mystery. I'm not sure if anyone else can do it as well as P.D. James. Ms. James has hinted that this may be her last novel, which is a shame, but she is 88, and has had heart surgery a few years ago. I may have to start re-reading all her works just to get my fix. And I've never gotten around to The Children of Men, either. I'm also in the thick of Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union, and am just devouring the story and the rich, dark characters, and thoroughly enjoying Chabon's delicious writing. I was a bit hesitant about reading this novel at first, because the concept of alternate history has never really appealed to me. I don't read speculative fiction or fantasy, but I wouldn't put this book in that category. Yiddish noir mystery, perhaps? However you describe it, as many characters throughout the novel attest, it's "a strange time to be a Jew". Finally, next on the list will be Canadian author Lisa Gabriele's second novel, The Almost Archer Sisters, and I just cannot wait to read it! If you're not familiar with Ms. Gabriele's writing, get a copy of Tempting Faith Di Napoli and be prepared to laugh and cry almost instantaniously. This gal is one hell of a smart, savvy writer.
So there you have it! Now leave me alone. I'm reading.
I thought The Almost Archer Sisters was wonderful! I hope you like it too. And glad you're feeling better.
Posted by: Kerry | January 16, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I'm reading The Yiddish Polismen's Union now, too, and it's a lot of fun so far. I've been wondering what it's like for people who don't understand Yiddish or the nuances of inside culture (like the diff between Lubavitchers & Bobovers.)
Posted by: Lilian Nattel | January 16, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Thanks for the heads up re: The Almost Archer Sisters.
Glad you're back in the land of the living and that your book mojo is back! (The worst kind of mojo to lose...)
Posted by: Beth | January 16, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Glad you're feeling better! I just saw this:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081204.wjamesdiscuss0412/BNStory/globebooks/home -- you can ask PD James anything you like...
Posted by: Isabella | January 17, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Lilian, I have a Yiddish dictionary which helps a bit, but I must admit that I get tired of looking up words in the middle of reading the story. For me, I can pick up some of the nuances and language, and the rest I hope I can figure out by paying attention to the main story. I guess I the only comparison I can think of off the top of my head is Anthony Burgess' novel 'A Clockwork Orange' where he created an entire new language. Not every book had the 'Nadsat' glossary in the back, and without out I think one can still understand the story. But yes, knowing all the words and the culture in detail in Chabon's book would certainly add another level of understanding of the story.
Posted by: patricia | January 21, 2009 at 11:43 PM
I don't know Lisa Gabriele's work at all. I'll have to give both those novels a try.
Posted by: Kate S. | January 24, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Kate, I think you will LOVE her work. I'm pretty sure it's your cup of tea.
And Isabella, thanks for the reminder re: PD James! I wonder if most of the questions will be of the "are you done with writing" variety.
Posted by: patricia | January 24, 2009 at 09:44 PM