I have no particular interest in old Norwegian stave churches or even life in Norway in the 1800’s, so if a writer can have me riveted he must be good, hey? I realize this book may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I loved it and couldn’t wait to get back to it. The wondrous power of good storytelling..... p.s Sally please lend to Henry.....or at least read him the bits about architecture.
When the Music stops by Joe Heap is an unusual and compelling story about life, loss and music. It’s the story of Ella, a session musician, through the course of her life with alternating chapters of her as an 87 year old dementing woman stranded alone on a sinking boat with a baby. Haunting and lyrical, it is a truly comforting book and the image of life as a record is for me a helpful way of holding love and loss close and being in the wholeness of one’s life. Very readable and hard to put down.
Thank you Richard for the link - an interesting article by a passionate and understandably emotional Palestinian and thought provoking points. And it’s terrifying to think what Spielberg might do with the book. However, I don’t think the book’s purpose is to state the Palestinian case or to slate Israel. For me it’s about the bigger picture of war and conflict world-wide and our common humanity. And if even a Palestinian and an Israeli get it, so can we all.....A must read if the human condition intrigues you.
I tried to read Kate Atkinson years ago and couldn’t finish the book. But now I’m hooked on her Jackson Brodie novels. A cast of well rounded characters and interweaving themes - with the detective story being part of a larger canvas - takes this genre to a more literary level. Although it has the serious theme of human trafficking, Atkinsons sharp sense of humor helps to keep perspective and entertain. I lapped this one up.
Loved it! Riveting theme and dialogue and I think it would make a great movie. And if you ever wonder if you should do something potentially a bit crazy a quote from the book: “...better to regret the mistakes you made than the ones you didn’t make. At least then you know what you’re regretting.”