MaddAddam

Satire. It takes a great writer to weave together a story that engages readers while at the same delivering a disturbing message about our possible future. Margaret Atwood is such a great writer, and her new novel, MaddAddam, completes a trilogy that presents a vision of the world we may be creating. This satire projects what may happen if some trends continue. In Atwood’s future, genetic engineering has gone amuck, a pandemic devastated humanity, while species have gone extinct. Amid this bleak landscape, there is the development of community and bonds of enduring love. Readers who have read the earlier novels will certainly want to read this one to be able to enjoy a satisfying conclusion. New readers to the series or Atwood can start here, and will likely want to read more. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase MaddAddam from amazon.com.

The White Princess

Tudor. Readers looking for a fat and juicy historical novel are those most likely to enjoy the latest book from Philippa Gregory titled, The White Princess. Protagonist Elizabeth of York finds her life upended after the battle of Bosworth field. Gregory develops Elizabeth and each historical character with sensitivity to historical facts, a view on speculative theories, and a lively writing style. I find that I enjoy the ways in which well-written historical fiction can help me think about historical figures in a broader way, beyond the few sound bites that I recall of their place in history. Gregory’s fine writing makes me think about these characters as more complete human beings, and her development of them in all their complexity provided me with hours of reading pleasure. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase The White Princess from amazon.com.

The Shelter Cycle

Cult. I finished reading Peter Rock’s The Shelter Cycle and found myself thinking about the many ways in which my past formed me into the person I am today. Protagonists Francine and Colville grew up in a cult, and when they reunite after fifteen years, their past takes center stage. They are survivors but remain in a state of emotional constraint as a result of their experience. Rock writes with great skill that many readers will enjoy. I found myself disinterested in the characters and the plot. Read an excerpt before plunging into this book. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase The Shelter Cycle from amazon.com.

The View from Penthouse B

Demographic. Every now and then my eclectic reading has me stuck inside a book that is targeted at someone very different from me. Sometimes, I just stop reading. For some reason, I finished Elinor Lipman’s novel, The View from Penthouse B, even though I retained the feeling throughout that the book was written for the audience of women over 50. While I was mildly entertained by the novel, I never felt that the characters became fully formed. While Lipman throws big challenges at the protagonists, they respond in ways that were predictable and simplistic. If you’re inside the target demographic for this novel, you may want to read a selection to see if you might like it. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase The View from Penthouse B from amazon.com.

Zero Hour

Countdown. If the summer has passed you by without letting you savor sticky cotton candy or some fried food on a stick, it’s not too late to enjoy the reading equivalent from a novel like Zero Hour by Clive Cussler. This novel in the NUMA series follows the predictable and reliable formula: Kurt Austin comes close to death while outsmarting a villain. Fans will enjoy the wit and dialogue from a familiar cast of characters. As usual, Cussler weaves a good story, keeps the action lively through a countdown toward peril, and the bad guy loses in the end. The short amount of time I spent with this novel delivered a large dose of entertainment. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Zero Hour from amazon.com.

The Silver Star

Courage. Readers looking to read something that will promote good feelings should consider Jeannette Walls’ novel, The Silver Star. I finished the book with a reminder about the difference that a single individual can make on a community, and the ways in which courage can overcome injustice. Walls could have crossed a line into sentimentality, but she avoided that with skill. This is a short novel that can be read quickly. When I finished it, I felt refreshed and optimistic. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Silver Star from amazon.com.

Big Brother

Size. The two words in the title of Lionel Shriver’s novel, Big Brother, reveal something of what’s inside. Pandora’s brother, Edison, flies in for a visit, and when she arrives at the airport to pick him up, she doesn’t recognize him. He has gained hundreds of pounds. In a way that will resonate with members of any dysfunctional family, Pandora says nothing to Edison about his weight. These ingredients of sibling relationships, obesity, and dysfunction are blended well with broader relationships including spousal, parental and offspring. Shriver writes with great skill, blending all these elements into a novel that presents modern American life with clarity and precision. You may not see a copy of this novel at your local Weight Watchers, but when you see it, be sure to buy, read and enjoy it. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase Big Brother from amazon.com.