The Collected Stories of Caroline Gordon

Caroline Gordon was a Southern writer who was friends with Flannery O'Connor.  There's even a book published of their letters to each other.  I love finding out about new short story writers.  Before this, I read her novel "Strange Children".  I loved the dialogue between the characters Uncle Tubby and Lucy.  However, I really didn't like the ending.  I found it stereotypical.  There's a story here "The Waterfall" which seems pre Strange Children as it has the same characters.  I like that story more.  It had a different ending.  Another story that I liked was "The Petrified Woman" about a family reunion.  It deals with a man's obsession over a petrified woman that he sees at a carnival. He swears it moved.    As well, "Quaint" was a worthwhile read.  It's about a tobacco plantation and a white guy lusting after an African American girl.  Caroline Gordon didn't change my world but I'm glad I read it anyway.

What Maisie Knew

Henry James is definitely a love him or hate him author.  I remember in my college class we all had to read a short story of his.  I ended up being the only person who liked the story and defended it.  What Maisie Knew is about an innocent girl trapped in the deceitful adult world.  Her parents divorce and get married to others.  Her father marries Miss Overcome, the governess (who barely teaches Maisie.)  Her mother marries Claude.  However, it isn't soon until Miss Overmore and Claude are in a relationship.  Her parents also get involved in affairs.  Maisie tries to make sense of what is going on.  Her past governess Mrs. Wix is probably the only one who really cares about Maisie's welfare.  There was a modern movie based on this book with Juliane Moore. Frankly, I have no interest since I heard Mrs. Wix is not in the movie.  I really liked this book but felt it dragged towards the end.  Still, I recommend it.  

Requiem for a Princess

Ruth M. Arthur was a forgotten children’s writer for the ‘70s.  I read three of her books a few years ago.  I’m going to reread them. I remember that my favorite was easily A Candle in her room.  However, I like this one too.  It’s cute.  It’s about a piano prodigy who finds out that she’s adopted.  She sees a portrait of this 16th-century girl named Isabel, who was orphaned and an adopted child too.  The girl starts to have dreams of Isabel.  Because of the dreams, she is able to cope better with the problems in her life.  Since Arthur’s books are out of print they can be pricey.  Do what I do and get them on interlibrary loan.    

The Buried Giant

Ishiguro was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2017. I think he deserved it, particularly for his book Never let me go. The Buried Giant received mixed reviews on Amazon but then so did Never let me go.  I decided to give it a chance. It’s about an old couple who have problems with their memory.  The other people in their village also do that’s why they call it a mist.  They go out on a journey to meet the son that they barely remember. Gawain, a person that they meet along the way, slays a dragon called Querig.  With it killed they are able to get their memories back.  The ending is kind of mysterious. I guess it's up to the reader to guess what finally happens.  3/5