Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

That Old Cape Magic

How does Richard Russo do it? How does he keep writing fiction about middle-aged cranky men that I can't put down? I was introduced to him via Empire Falls about ten years ago, and then, raiding my mother's library, devoured all of his others, riveted by his bittersweet, comic, tragic portraits of our human condition. (Straight Man is about a man in his 60's with a prostate problem, yet I was not only intrigued, I was able to relate.)

I picked his latest up at the Katonah Library the other day, not caring what it was about, just knowing that I would be in for a treat - Russo succeeds in seamless writing - creating the universal human experience through the multi-dimensional details of a specific character. The "plot" is simple: Jack Griffiths has to scatter the ashes of his parents and he can't seem to do it. The backdrop is two different weddings, where Griffiths weaves in and out of his memories.

I always wonder about book titles, since I had such an interesting relationship with mine. Is a deeper meaning reflected in the title, is it catchy for marketing purposes, or both? The reason for title of the book is revealed at the beginning: Griffiths and his wife are going to a wedding on Cape Cod, and he is flooded with memories of summers spent there with his parents. Every time they drove over the Sagamore they would make up a song to the tune of That Old Black Magic, singing, That Old Cape Magic instead. (Kept me reading too, because I sang that song to my own husband at our wedding . . . That old black magic has me in it's spell, that old black magic that you weave so well, those icy fingers up and down my spine, that same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine . . . but this is another subject!))

Griffiths is "congenitally unhappy", but is he? Is that the inheritance he is carrying around in urns in the backseat of his car to two weddings? He is also strangely but passively looking for moments of grace. He is in crisis, but we root for him to change his perspective.

Just wanted to share my thoughts as I finished the book this morning. Now I promised my kids that I would finish reading them Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone! (We've had LOADS of read-aloud time this week!)


Enhanced by Zemanta

1 comment:

  1. A size plus volume level might be a challenge if you’re driving countless clues a number of several regions. replica burberry handbags Originates from recommended to travel poly baggage is definitely greatly a reduced amount of plus enables you the flexibleness with redirecting extra laborers on the way to alternative projects. replica chanel handbags One time political election year or so is now over, poly travelling bag back garden clues can be recyclable. louis vuitton outlet Extra Environmentally friendly –The consumer is constantly on the demand from customers kind to the environment campaigns out of both confidential plus consumer area. rolex replica You must weigh up the following variable if you’re checking out marketing marketing and advertising fabric. A development with poly back garden clues necessitates not less than three moments a reduced amount of vigor as compared with cardboard clues. replica handbags sale Considering cardboard incorporates newspaper, them lets out about 70% extra pollution while in the developing approach. Additionally manufacture 80% extra sturdy waste material plus take about three times the quality of waters as compared to its poly travelling bag counterpart.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.