Lucci's List: June 2019

How lucky are we to live in an era so rich in culture? Whether it's the local library, a townie newspaper, independent book store, or good 'ol Amazon, literature is easily accessible to us, everywhere! My reading this month has included library books, borrowed paperbacks, audiobooks, and e-books. The themes of my choices this month include school graduation, Father's Day, and Pride Month.

MEMOIR

"Boy Erased: A Memoir" by Garrard Conley is a behind the scenes look at religiously biased programs that train gay people to become straight.

This memoir details the author's life as a young gay person, and the struggles his family encountered when his father became a pastor at the time that he came out as gay. The family dynamics were shattered and the closeness between mother and son became irrevocably strained.

Told in flashbacks, the boy's voice comes through as honest, pained, and discouraged. His love of literature leads him to think differently about the fact that he is gay.

All in all this is an important book to read, particularly for anybody who has never heard of the kind of "straight camp" the author was subjected to. It is hard to believe that these institutions led by untrained and hurtful are still active and promoted by many churches and religious communities throughout America.

SELF HELP/INSPIRATION

Women. Does this look familiar to you?

PLEASE CHECK ONE:

-Married

-Divorced

-Widowed

-Single

Has your pen ever hovered, unable to press down the indelible checkmark of your status?

This book, "Fear of Flying Solo: Recovery from Divorce," helps you rediscover your personal identity after marriage ends.

At times humourous; others heartbreaking; and throughout empathetic to the emotions of a woman prodding through divorce and its aftermath, author Marsha Vaughn covers it all.

NOVEL

"Pandemic" by Robin Cook is a medical thriller exploring the possibility of a communicable disease spreading as a result of unregulated genetic experiments.

Interesting premise, clearly written dialogue, and insightful view of the relationship between politics and medical research.

The story felt redundant and slow going. The rising action was ridiculous rather than adventurous. The quickly packaged syrupy happy ending was a cop-out.

I have not read other books by Robin Cook, but I felt that I was brought up to date with the characters as they came into play. Perhaps if I had read previous books featuring the lead character, Jack Stapleton, I would have appreciated his personality and quirks more. Instead, I loathe him.

I found myself dismayed then disgusted by Jack's qualities. The ways he negatively described other people were the same ways he defined himself positively. It made sense to me that his character would experience self-loathing, while maintaining the bravado of someone who believes in his superior skills in all layers of life.

Jack ignores his wife, is rude to his in-laws, barely notices his two young children, and sings the poor-me blues to himself in his head. He needs to "distract" himself from his three year old daughter's possible autism diagnosis, so he chooses to further separate himself from his family, immersing himself even more in work, while keeping time open to play basketball with his buddies.

I completely understand and agree that it is healthy physically and mentally to take time for yourself each day to participate in something that lifts you up. I also feel it is important to talk with friends. Jack does this healthfully, but he completely neglects his children. He's worried about his daughter's prognosis. So: he leans into the playpen which is situated by the TV with the grandparents watching hours of news programs. And he strokes her arm. Then peeks in on his eight year old doing homework as the nanny cooks dinner. His wife is barely acknowledged, mostly as a sparring partner. She is in fact avoided because he cannot face her with his lies.

If he is so worried about his daughter, why doesn't he pick her up out of the playpen? He could buckle her in a stroller to the park and build sand castles with her, then roll her over to the basketball court while he plays. He is focused on her lack of "interaction," but he is doing zero to engage her. The big brother has been given the job of playing with her for 15 minutes, in her playpen, if he wants to watch TV. I have empathy and respect for busy families but this situation reeked of neglect for the three year old.

The unrecognized sexism and racism itched me. Women were described more thoroughly, particularly how pretty or young they were. Out of shape men were depicted as lazy or bumbling idiots. in Jack's world, if you are not good looking, you are less than, in every way.

The character descriptions regarding physical traits were split into three groups: Asian (which was important to the story and made sense), African-American, Latin, and Every One Else Whom We Assume To Be White.

I found one typo, which made me feel better as an author. I wonder if Robin Cook would be pleased or pissed if I let him know. How close is he to his main character?

"The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" is one of the most powerful books I have read this year. It is a tale of history, war and unrest in China, cultures eating each other up; family, love, religion, loyalty; equality, suffering, poverty; heartache and hope.

The fascinating backdrop of a changing Chinese culture intrigued and taught me. The inspiring maternal love through generations is heart pounding. Infanticide, births, adoption: life and death begins and ends with the women in this book. The changing yet ever-entwined relationships between mothers and daughters through generations is striking.

Please, please read this book. Share it with your maternal figure. Give it to your daughter. This book is pure.

SCI-FI/FANTASY

"Childhoods End" by Arthur C. Clarke is a true sci-fi novel, with elements of believable aliens, nuclear power, an evolving world, as well as paranormal aspects. Believable, poignant, and thought provoking, this book encourages questions that many sci-fi readers have never before contemplated. Despite the subtle inconsistencies, the story was fast-paced, exciting, and human.

STEAMPUNK

"Clockwork Fagin" is the best "Oliver Twist" inspired tale I have read. This steampunk short story is rife with bombshells, class clashes, creepy characters, and innovative heroism. The first-person narrative is smooth and endearing.

Sneak Peek at Lucci's List: August 2019

"Leading from Your Best Self" by Rob Salafia (local author)

"Tresor's Miracle" by Tresor Samantha Williams (New England author)

"Ten Lives" by Christian Terry (indie author)

"Something Wicked this Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury

"A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller, Jr.