As I said in the previous post, I’ve been into light and frothy lately–and there’s nothing better to soothe a frazzled mind than intelligent, well-written froth. If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend was a delightful read about a woman who works in an art gallery. Her life is falling apart when she is sent on tour with the gallery’s most important artist. And then, of course, Things Happen.
I am so, so far behind on book reviews that I am only posting things I remember.
So. Mukherjee’s The Tree Bride. Found this in the new books section in the library and pounced on it immediately. I have loved each and every one of Mukherjee’s books (with the possible exception of Leave it to Me). I opened it with a great sigh of pleasure when I got home thinking that, more than anything, I want to be Bharati Mukherjee. She does that difficult thing of melding past and present, East and West–and in the most improbable, metaphysical ways. This is what I want to do with Razia, this is what I aspire to.
But two chapters in, I found myself puzzled.
It was the same story as The Keeper of the World. Yeah, sure, different characters, different storylines. But ultimately, the same themes: modern character in search of truth from the past, technical innovation as part of religion. With every page I read, echoes of Keeper resounded in my head. I found myself thinking, “Ah yes, here is the historical figure,” or “Okay, here’s the technical slant.”
And so it was with a great sense of disappointment that I put the novel down and I never quite got around to picking it up again.
Let me say, though, that I’ve been insanely busy lately, and most of my reading material has been light and frothy–and my thoughts could really be a reflection on my state of mind at the time. So, considering that I think Mukherjee is one of the best writers of our time, I will check this out again and try again.
At some point, when my head is less fuzzy.
Small Kayak, Rowboat, or Canoe
I’m looking for a small canoe, row boat, or kayak for my disabled brother so he can putter around on my pond and fish. He is NOT physically handicapped, so please don’t send me any more hate mail, saying I’m “scamming” people to get a free boat. I DON’T fish, thank you.
He’s a Viet Nam Vet who cannot deal with being around people. He has MAJOR panic attacks. He lives in a tent in my woods and his ONLY enjoyment in life is fishing in my stupid little pond that I stock with trout.
Not looking for perfection, but not a major project either.
Thank you
Well, we meant to go surfing this weekend, but Steve was feeling lazy and I slept until ten. I’ve been awfully tired lately. I imagined that as a freelancer again, I would work 4 hours a day–and then spend the rest of the time lying on the couch reading and eating bonbons.
As if!
It’s 1:30 in the morning, and I’m working on stuff that I should have spent more time doing on the weekend. It’s my own damn fault. I keep telling myself, “If I can just make it through June … ”
But really, I think that’s just too long-sighted. So let’s amend that to, “If I can just get through this project!”
I’ve also decided that I’m taking two weeks in July, and Steve and I will go off and do something fabulous.
He slurped up all the spilled beer from last night’s bottling escapade.
Why is it bleach when it’s in a bottle, and chlorine when it’s in a pool?
“Would you go over to the dark side for me?” I asked Steve.
“Not just no,” he said, quick as a whip, “but hell no.”
Honestly, the man didn’t even stop to take a breath. The sad thing is that if it were between the dark side and beer, he’d be wracked with torment.
Luckily, he doesn’t have to make that choice, and he bottled up his first batch tonight. Who knows how it’ll turn out, but he’s gung ho.
Not to mention cute.
Tomatolettes!!
Luobo radish sprouts
Some heirloom lettuce, can’t remember the name
