by Katie,
The Land of Love and Drowning is a novel set in
the Virgin Islands, an area of the world I think we have not explored
too much in our readings. It is a multigenerational epic that promises
breezy beaches and cool oceans which might be a nice change from my work
pace. The story is told by several narrators which I find always
points out easily fixed misunderstandings. There will be some magic in
our story but whether this is actual fiction magic or just character
qualities that give off a magical feel, we will have to find out. A
review from Huffington post said, "Though rough at points, Yanique’s
debut novel bursts with imagination and intoxicating atmosphere, and the
deeply felt characters at its heart demand to be heard." Hopefully the
atmosphere and characters make the rough points easier.
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteHope you and your families are well, and that the summer is still glowing, Katie. I envy you Bangkok, Nancy. We loved it. Is the Australian winter coming to an end? Leaves are beginning to fall here, which is distressing. Seems like summer just began. We’ve returned from five days in Northumberland, known poetically and justifiably as the Land of Far Horizons. The weather was kind, the scenery beautiful, and the B&B very hospitable. Feel much better for it. The prime minister has promised a review into the nation’s social and racial inequalities. A little ray of hope. And America seems to have the benefit of Mr. Farrage’s wisdom now. Sorry about that Katie.
I took this month’s novel with me to Northumberland and found much to enjoy. I knew nothing about the Virgin Islands, British or American, so was both educated and entertained. The impact of American rule was wonderfully described through its impact on people’s lives: so much more effective than a history textbook.
I very much admired the author’s control over so many characters, major and minor, who appeared, re-appeared and pushed forward the plot. Some of the characters really lived in the mind: Owen Arthur and Esau, for example. I wasn’t sure why some of them were there – Ronald Small and Ronalda certainly demonstrated aspects of other characters, but perhaps this could have been achieved in other ways. I liked the changing perspectives in the narrative – and, unusually for me, appreciated the islands’ acceptance of the supernatural as part of life. Wouldn’t be supernatural now, of course - just something science can deal with.
It was the women who dominated: Eeona and Anette in particular. Sadly, I couldn’t really empathise with either of them. Abused, mistreated, lonely and courageous, I should have admired and forgiven, identified with them. However, neither of them seemed “real” – rather, they were supernatural figures manipulated by others. I can see the author’s point in characterizing them this way - but it made me feel an observer rather than a participant in the story.
But what a story and what an amazing setting, gorgeously described. It was a fascinating read. Thank you, Katie. Another book I’d never have read and have learned much from.
Much love to both of you and your families.
ReplyDeleteHello Ladies,
Well, it has been an eventful month here. Our visit to Bangkok was wonderful, made more special by having Sam with us on his first OS trip as an adult. Bangkok opened his eyes to a very different world than he was use to and he throughly enjoyed himself.
We are now in preparation mode for our US trip which I am really looking forward to and have begun my training program so I’m ready for all the hikes I’ve been reading about. I do wonder if I may have overestimated my endurance for travel!!!
I have also had some surgery to remove an early stage melanoma on my back. Doc gave me the all OK and now Sammy has me on a regime to improve my immune system, eliminating some things increasing others and adding in some nasty tasting concoctions, so now after 3 weeks detox, some ugly mood swings and stitches removed yesterday, I have to say I feel pretty good and looking forward to much better health.
I have mixed feelings about our story this month. While I really enjoyed the setting and learning about this part of the world and its history, Tiphanie Yanique has said a lot of the events in the novel are very loosely based on actual historical events, I also found myself conflicted by some of the character’s behaviour.
Normally, I enjoy magic and myth, but I felt at times it was used in this particular story to cover some awful abuses. The incestuous relationship between Eeona and Owen Arthur seemed to have occurred because of her irresistible magic, not a lecherous older man. The story of the McKenzie men, their personalities and treatment of women also seemed to be somehow magical.
On the plus side I thought the racial issues were very well written and I found much to champion in our story about this. My feminist antenna was tweeted a few times though.
I really thought I would enjoy this novel so much more, and in fact I did enjoy much of it and this got me to thinking about how much our own state of mind influences our enjoyment or not of a novel. I wonder had I read this in not quite as snarky a mood and maybe by the pool with a cocktail in hand in the Summer…...
Thank you Katie for recommending this story it is also one I would never have heard about and I always enjoy learning about different cultures and exotic places in our beautiful world.
It was great to hear Sue that you and Jay enjoyed some R&R and relaxed. I have been reading about this company on the internet called trusted housesitters where you can just travel around the world and stay in peoples homes and look after their pets…sounds good hey!!
Katie I hope you and your gorgeous little family are all well. I know it gets hectic but it is such a joyful time.
My love to all,
Nancy
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting rid of the melanoma, Nancy. And how wonderful to have a son who is both concerned and well informed.
Whereabouts in America are you planning to hike? Sounds as though it will be a memorable (and well planned) trip. Jay and I hope to drive from Seattle to Chicago next summer, but haven't got a visa, booked a flight . . .
Couldn't agree more, Nancy, about the supernatural and men's behaviour, but Rebeka (maybe haven't spelt that correctly - given the book to a friend) seems to be responsible in some ways for what happens, and Eeona's mother is not a positive influence.
You're so right, Nancy, so much depends on the situation and mood in which one reads a book. So, I hope you've been able to read in auspicious circumstances, Katie.
Much love to you both
Sue
Hello to you both!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to be the tardy one again. We just got back from a mini vacation with the kids. Nowhere as exotic as you Nancy nor as relaxing as you Sue, but no less enjoyable. I'm sorry to hear about your rough past couple of weeks, Nancy. Hope your US trip helps clear that from your mind. We've been having such a nice summer.
The Huffington Post comment said that this novel was "rough at points." I have to say I found the story very easy to read. Maybe they are referring to the incest in the novel. Usually this taboo topic makes me a bit uncomfortable but it was pretty inoffensive given that Annette and Jacob didn't know their lineage prior to conceiving a child together. As for Owen Arthur and Eeona, it was a short lived relationship. I disagree a little bit about Owen and Eeona's relationship being solely caused by Eeona's magic. I agree Eeona's beauty was a very powerful magic but I believe Owen was also a lecherous old man. His thoughts about the young girl at the beginning of the novel and the fact that having a wife and mistress was not enough to keep his hands off his daughter make me judge him a bit harshly.
Like you both I enjoyed how the native people accepted magic in their day to day life. It was not an over the top tale of magic but a subtle one that did not overshadow the historical events or even our characters' lives. I loved the beachy warm setting of our novel. I also commend Ms. Yanique on maintaining such control over a long list of characters that were woven in and out of the Bradshaw children's lives. I did not particularly like when Anette was our narrator. Her island slang was frequently very distracting for me.
I did feel some sympathy for both of the Bradshaw women. They both ultimately wanted love. In the end, Anette found it with Franky and Eeona settled without it. However, it probably would have been simpler if they had found it within each other. Not in the way that Anette found with Jacob or Eeona with Owen Arthur, but in a sisterly way. It could have prevented so much unhappiness in their lives. In addition, Anette would probably have listened to Eeona and avoided Jacob if their sisterly bond had been a little stronger. And Eeona may have just told Anette the truth about Jacob if she had had more love for her sister.
I hope both of your trips to the US are wonderful. Please remember if either of you are on the East coast of the US, feel free to give the Chong family a buzz! We'd love to see you both!
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to report I am felling much more energized and busily planning our US trip which will hopefully include hiking in Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon and the parks of Southern Utah. The scenery looks amazing and I am very excited to experience it first hand. Katie, and East Coast trip will definitely be in the planning sometime in the future and it would be wonderful to catch up with you and Franklin when we do.
In October it will be the fifth year anniversary our our little book club. Before I post up our new book suggestions I thought I'd just check in with you both and see how you are feeling about things.
Is their anything either of you would like to change?
Are you happy to continue on as usual?
Would you like a break for awhile?
Would you like a free choice month where we talk about and recommend different books to each other?
I am so proud of us and how we have maintained contact with each other for five years now and been able to build our friendship online, and through facebook and a little visit to Yorkshire.
I am happy to go with the flow, just putting it up for discussion is all.
love to all,
Nancy