More May Books
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
I read this one because I enjoyed Atonement, and this one was even better. It’s about a couple’s wedding night in 1963 and the connection between sex and love. McEwan brings everything together to a shocking and poignant end. There’s even scope, with historical context and how small things can affect an entire life. Brilliant!
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Cool book. Not much to say about it. I enjoyed it. It’s about a dog.
City of God by E.L. Doctorow
Wow. I loved this book, but it wasn’t a fun or easy read. The narrative style was challenging; Doctorow jumps POVS without telling you who you’re reading about (figure it out from context, dummy!), and his characters pontificate a LOT. But the pontifications are fascinating. He uses science ideas as metaphors (So cool!) and song lyrics for symbolism. The basic story is a priest searching for a crucifix that’s been stolen from his church, but the people involved have relevant personal histories stretching back through the whole twentieth century. The story glimmers with thoughtful themes and vivid writing.
Fast Times at Fairmont High by Verner Vinge
This was a fun sci-fi story about students who discover a government secret while taking an off-campus test. The cool part is the technology; humans are plugged directly into communications networks. Vinge deals with how kids in such an environment might forget how to live outside the network.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
This is a sci-fi story about humans discovering alien life and the consequences of making contact. I have some friends who really loved the novel, and I did love the ideas, but for some reason it dragged a bit for me. I think I wasn’t crazy about the narrative style. I did love the female character who became an indentured slave to gain her education.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
This was a fabulous book! A bounty hunter sets out to terminate androids who are nearly-unrecognizable from humans. The setting is a bizarre future where animals are mostly extinct, so people spend lots of money for the opportunity to keep sheep, turtles or pigs as pets. There are even android pets, but they give less status. Dick is amazing at building intense complexity into the world and characters. There’s so much subtext and irony. I want to see Blade Runner now, though I’ve heard they aren’t really the same.
Next up, a Scott Westerfield novel a friend recommended. Then… I dunno! You tell me!