Iris

This was an ok biography about Iris Murdoch written by her husband.  The one thing that is clear about this book is that John Bayley loved his wife.  He talks about her Alzheimer's and her writing.  He even discusses her unfaithfulness without getting mad about it.  I’ve read a couple of books by her and I love her writing especially “The Bell.”  I’m going to read another biography about her since I want to learn more about her writing process. Also, this doesn’t discuss her childhood at all.  However, I feel like I got to learn more about Iris so it was worth the read. 

A Candle in her Room

   

This book rocks.  I have no idea why it’s out of print.  Ruth M. Arthur is pretty much a forgotten children’s writer from the 60’s and 70’s.  This is the second time I’ve read this.  I read it three years ago.  This is Ruth M. Arthur’s masterpiece.  It’s about an evil doll that passes through three generations of a family.  The most interesting story is about a good and bad sister. The doll influences the bad sister’s art.  She’s always adding a wicked element to her art thanks to the appearance of the doll. Eventually, the doll drives her into madness.  There’s also a subplot about World War II.  This is usually around $100 or more on Amazon.com.  So I suggest doing what I did, get it free off interlibrary loan.  

Victoria

This is my second time reading Victoria, the first was more than ten years old.  It’s extremely simplistic and the plot’s been done before but there’s something very lovely about it anyway.  It’s about a relationship between a poet and a girl named Victoria.  The two seemed doomed as other engagements and social status get in the way of their love.  Hunger is the book that Hamsun is remembered most by and while that book is superb I don’t think this little gem should be overlooked either.  

Store of the Worlds: The Stories of Robert Sheckley

This is a pretty good collection of science fiction short stories from the 50’s and 60’s.  Sheckley is a master of twists at the end of a story.  Three stuck out for me.  The Native Problem is about a lone man on a planet. The invaders that come refuse to believe he’s an Earth man and the only inhabitant on the world.  He romances one of them. He deceives the invaders in a pretty funny way.  My favorite story was Watchbird about creatures being made to stop murders, only it backfires.  One example is that when cars stop they consider that murder.  Also, Double Indemnity (no resemblance to the Cain novel) is pretty clever.  I’m going to read a Sheckley novel sometime.  I’m hooked.

Venus Plus X

A man finds himself in a peaceful hermaphrodite society.  However, the ending completely throws off the reader.  I liked the ending though and it makes you examine the whole book you just read from a different angle. Theodore Sturgeon is one of my favorite science fiction writers.  He was one of the best out there during the 50’s and the 60’s.  This is the second time I’ve read Venus plus X. I originally read it fifteen years ago.  I had two problems with the book.  It mentioned its influence - Philip Wylie’s The Disappearance (a great book which I read in my early 20’s and need to read again) which should be a big no no to writers.  I think that authors can mention influences they’ve had in interviews but not within the book itself.  It leads the reader to think that oh they are just copying off that book. Though there are similarities both books are different.  Another problem I had is that ten pages are just him on his soapbox.  The plot and the characters aren’t discussed.  It’s just his philosophy of gender.  I wanted to get back to the book.  This is a good book but it’s not Sturgeon’s More than Human which is absolutely amazing.   

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.