Book Review: The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar

A few weeks ago I realized that one of my favorite authors, Thrity Umrigar, had written a new book - The Weight of Heaven. I have read two of Umrigar's other books - If Today be Sweet and The Space Between Us. I really enjoyed both of them, but The Space Between Us is one of my favorites.

The Weight of Heaven tells the story of Frank and Ellie Benton whose only child, 7 year old Benny, has died from a sudden catastrophic illness. In the wake of Benny's death, Frank is offered a job in far off India and he and Ellie decide that a change of scenery may help them navigate their profound grief and remove them from painful memories. Being in India does seem to help Frank and Ellie move forward with their lives, but Frank's burgeoning friendship with Ramesh, a bright and engaging boy, threatens to destroy the fragile balance Frank and Ellie have managed to recreate for themselves.

The Weight of Heaven is written in four parts. Book 1 takes place in the present and deals heavily with Frank's job in a big American corporation that has opened a facility in Girbaug, India and the ramifications the company has on the local villagers. This part of the story has a subtle political tone, which is usually something I don't like. Thankfully, the political undertones are mild, but I typically do not enjoy these types of stories. I decided to stick with the book, however, because I have so enjoyed Umrigar's other books. And I'm really glad, because Books 2 and 3 go back in time and deal with the time period before Benny's death when Frank and Ellie were living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This part of the story was much more interesting to me and more of what I was expecting. Book 4 takes the reader back to India in the time period just following the opening of the book. Gone is the political content and the story deals with the unfolding human drama. Again, this is more to my liking. The Weight of Heaven is one of those books that gets more interesting the further you get into it. It's not my favorite of Umrigar's books, but it's a good solid read. It's not a book I will be recommending to everyone who will listen (like The Help and The Gargoyle), but if someone was interested in reading it I would not discourage them. I would give it 3 STARS (I liked it). *

*I've decided to add a RATING SYSTEM to all the books I review here. I will use the same rating system used by Goodreads, so ALL the books I read (whether I review them here or simply list them on Goodreads) will be rated on the same system.

1 STAR Didn't like it (most likely I didn't even finish it)

2 STARS It was OK

3 STARS Liked it

4 STARS Really liked it

5 STARS It was amazing

Image from Google images

The Color Purple

Last Tuesday night was the final show in Providence Performing Arts Center's (PPAC) 2008-2009 season - The Color Purple. The story takes place in rural Georgia between 1909 and 1949. It tells the story of Celie, a young black girl, growing up in rural Georgia. The story follows Celie from the age of 14 to 54 and chronicles her growth from a poor, subservient, abused young girl into a strong, independent and wealthy woman.

I will be honest and admit that I wasn't all the interested in this show. I had read the book years ago and didn't really like it all that much. And I didn't really like the show all that much either. There were a couple of very energetic dance numbers, which I did enjoy. And aside from Kenita Miller (who played Celie, the lead), I didn't really think any of the actors were amazing singers. Although Lynette Dupree was very good in the role of the boisterous and no nonsense Sophie (the character played by Oprah in the movie - which I have not seen). The show was 3 hours long and it felt it. Act I was interminable. There were at least 3 times when I thought intermission was going to start, but it didn't. Finally I began to wonder if maybe there wasn't going to be an intermission. There was. And there was a (mercifully) shorter Act II, as well. I didn't dislike the show, it just didn't grab me and hold my interest. I just wasn't all that engaged with what was going on on stage. As a matter of fact, I was painfully aware that I was looking at a stage and a group of actors. There was no willing suspension of disbelief, which I feel is necessary to be absorbed by a theatrical performance.

All that being said, I am beginning to wonder if maybe I'm wrong about all of this. The review of the show in the Providence Journal couldn't disagree with me more. And this surprised me, because Channing Gray (the reviewer) and I have had eerily similar opinions about all the other shows this season. So much so that even some of the specific things I've liked, disliked or noticed end up appearing in his (her?) column. And until now we've always had the exact same opinion. Weird. Not so with The Color Purple. This time the exact things I specifically didn't like, he/she mentions, but in a positive light. The first sentence in his/her review reads: "No question about it, The Color Purple is the best show to hit the Providence Performing Arts Center this season." Wow! I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, Spring Awakening was by far the best show this season. Oh well. To each his own I guess.

Musing Mondays

MUSING MONDAYS are hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page. Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about sticking with it…

How much time (or how many pages) do you give a book that you aren't really enjoying before you'll set it aside? If you're reading it for a book group discussion, or for review, will you give it more of a chance then, say, a book you're reading for your own interest? Why, or why not? (courtesy of MizB)

There was a time in my life where I would finish absolutely every book that I started - whether I liked it or not. Not anymore. I don't really have a set "rule" for how long I'll give a book before I give up. I am familiar with the 50 page rule, which states that if you are younger than 50 you should read 50 pages before deciding to set a book aside and if you are over 50 then you subtract your age from 100 to determine how many pages to committ to. This is a good guideline, but I have "dumped" a book after as few as 2 pages and as many as 600!

I will usually give a book the benefit of the doubt if it's by an author I really love, it was recommended by someone whose book opinion I trust or I've read some amazing reviews of it. And I (almost) ALWAYS finish any book that is for a book club discussion. (I have been in at least one book club since 1996 and I can think of two instances where I wasn't able to finish a book club book, but it didn't have anything to do with not liking the book). For me, being in a book club means that there are times when I will NOT like the chosen book. That's the point -to be exposed to books that I wouldn't otherwise have read and discussing them with people who feel differently about that very book. And many times I come away from those discusssions feeling a bit more positive about the book.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here. Thanks.

Sentimental Sunday

Last week I wrote about the first part of our trip to France. Today I'd like to share some cool "architectural" type photos from our second stop in France - Paris!!! But first, some background information. In 7th grade I began taking French in school and I continued right through my first year of college. (And I can barely speak it!). Anyway, in all those years of learning about the French language and culture I developed a real desire to see all of the wonderful places, monuments, cathedrals and chateaux that I had heard and read so much about. It was a dream come true for me to finally get to see Paris. And I was not disappointed. One day we ventured to the Place de la Concorde and looked down the Champs Elysees and there was the Arc de Triomphe at the other end of this beautiful, wide, tree-lined street. I just HAD to walk that street. Everyone was tired, but I couldn't be dissuaded. During the entire walk (and it was much farther than it looked), I didn't even really notice the shops and cafes I was passing, because I kept saying over and over in my head, "Somebody pinch me! I am walking down the Champs Elysees!". I was smiling from ear to ear the whole way. (Meanwhile my kids were complaining and my husband was kindly indulging this fantasy of mine). When we finally reached the Arc de Triomphe, I realized that it is possible to go inside and climb to the top! And I do mean CLIMB! No elevator. Of course, we HAD to do it. All 298 steps (I counted). Many of them spiral. It was worth the effort. It's a memory I will never forget. (Neither will my kids). Here is a picture from the very top of the spiral staircase.

No trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Once again, I was awestruck and dumbfounded that I was actually at the Eiffel Tower! And, of course, I HAD to go to the top. There was an elevator this time (much to my kids relief). My daughter, Katie, who has a great eye for photography took these next few pictures of the Eiffel Tower from unusual angles. I really love them.

When we got to the top, we enjoyed the view looking out over Paris. Imagine our surprise when we saw this in the grass of a park that is adjacent to the Eiffel Tower:





I would like to think that some romantic "Romeo", wore this heart into the grass so that he would take his "Juliet" to the top of the Eiffel Tower and propose to her. I really hope that's what happened. How could any girl say anything but YES after a gesture like that? We were all a little "squealy" when we saw that. (Well, the girls and I were. But, I think deep down Geoff was touched too. He's a big romantic at heart).


And here we are at the top of the Tower with Paris laid out behind us. Ah, Paris! The city of LOVE! I hope I get to go back some day!

TV Quick Quips

And then there was one. What a sad and sorry TV Quick Quips this is. This past week was the last episode of the last of my favorite shows for the season. *sniff* It's always nice to have a slower pace in the summer, but I do miss my favorite shows.

*****WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!*****

The Tudors - OK, I know I've said this for the past two episodes of The Tudors, but I'm not liking the Duke of Suffolk's new cruel and conniving persona. And I can't really quite figure out where it's coming from. Purposefully getting the executioner drunk before Cromwell's execution so that it was an absolute butchering was just the last straw for me. I no longer have any sympathy for him. As a matter of fact, there are very few redeeming or sympathetic characters left on the show. Princess Mary is somewhat sympathetic, but her zealousness is starting to be apparent (of course, I know how she behaves when she finally takes the thrown). Anyway, I'm looking forward to next season. Can't wait to see how they portray the rest of the story and I hope it won't be the last season. Of course even after Henry dies, I suppose they can continue through Elizabeth's reign. Afterall, she is the last of the Tudor line. I hope that is the case. I guess we'll find out next season. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long.

Book Review: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

I am on a book roll! On Wednesday night my library book club, Books on Main, met to discuss Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Mudbound is one of the books being considered by RARI for 2010. When it comes time to discuss and vote for books, I am going to give this one high marks. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. That is 3 books in a row that I have really, really, really liked. That is unprecedented! Unheard of! Amazing! A book roll! Now that I've said all that I've probably jinxed myself and won't read another great book for the next 6 months. (Gosh, I hope not.)

Mudbound takes place in rural Mississippi in 1946. It tells the story of two families, one white and one black, who are trying to eek out an existence on a hardscrabble farm. The story centers around two young men, Ronsel and Jamie, two soldiers returning to the farm from the war overseas. While serving in Germany, Ronsel was treated as an equal. There was no distinction between the races, even among the German people that he encountered while on leave. This is quite a shock to him, but he soon becomes accustomed to it and he states, "[f]irst time in my life I ever felt like a man first and a black man second." However, it's quite a different story when he returns to rural Mississippi. His reentry into the Jim Crow south is not a smooth one. Jamie also struggles upon his return. Like many returning soldiers he can not escape the horrors of the war. Jamie and Ronsel develop a fragile friendship based on their experiences and this friendship causes ripples of shock, not only through their families, but more ominously throughout the town.

Also central to the story is Jamie's brother Henry and Henry's wife, Laura. Laura is shocked and unhappy when Henry announces that he has bought a farm (without consulting her) and that they will be moving there from Memphis. Laura is a city girl who finds herself living in a rundown shack with no indoor plumbing or electricity. To make matters even worse, Henry's mean-spirited and racist father will be living with them. Tensions continue to rise when Jamie returns from war and moves onto the farm to help Henry.

Mudbound drew me in right from the start with a dramatic opening scene that hooks the reader. Right from the very beginning, Jordan skillfully reveals small seeds of information that leave the reader asking questions and wondering what actions led up to this moment. And that's all within the first three pages. It is hard to believe that this is Jordan's debut novel! Not so hard to believe is that she was awarded the Bellwether Prize for fiction for Mudbound. The intent of the Bellwether Prize is "to advocate serious literary fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships. The prize is awarded to a previously unpublished novel representing excellence in this genre."* As I said, I'm not surprised at all.

Image from Google Images

*Quote from Bellwether Prize website

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday. You know what that means. Time for me to slow down for a minute and think back on all the good in the last week.

1. The absolute best part of last week was the holiday weekend. We did not have a single thing planned. Three glorious days with no plans, no pressure and no schedule. The days seemed so long and leisurely since we spent them reading, going to an impromptu movie (Angles and Demons, which we both liked) and just generally goofing off. This does not happen often enough and I'm very thankful that we didn't have any Memorial Day plans.

2. Speaking of the holiday weekend, I am grateful to all the service people who lost their lives in wars and other military action to protect our freedoms. And likewise, I am thankful for all of our men and women serving in the military now and all our veterans. You all have my heartfelt thanks.

3. I am thankful that I cleared my calendar last Friday to make sure I could get caught up on all the "stuff" that was piling up around here. Phew! It was a busy day. But good busy. And I felt such a sense of relief to have all those little (and not so little) things done! Hallelujah!

4. And lastly, I am thankful to Valentine and Demosthenes at Letters from Valentine , Beth at be careful what you wish for , and Clare at this and that for awarding me the Queen of All Things Awe-summm!!! Award! Wow! I'm so flattered and honored to be the recipient of such a cool award. Thanks ladies. I really do appreciate it. It made my week.

How about you? Can you think of any thing (big or small) that went well this week? What are you Thankful for?

Image from Google Images