The perfect book to finish up just as the giant star goat takes a big bite out of the sun . . .
This important and highly acclaimed book has been on my To-Be-Read list more or less since it came out. So when I found a copy (left by Nancy, my co-grandmother) sitting in front of me down at Justin and Claui's, I picked it up and started in while Josie napped.
I was hooked right away by the gorgeous prose and by the engaging characters-- Marie-Laure, the blind French girl, and Werner, the German orphan -- both infinitely resourceful and both caught up in the maelstrom of World War II.
As their paths move toward convergence during the siege of St. Malo, every word, every action, seems to glow with preternatural clarity.
I found myself trying to slow down and appreciate but still reading and reading to find out what happened. And when I reached the last page, having satisfied my curiosity, I ordered the book on Audible so that I will be able to savor every scene and pay closer attention to the glorious writing.
And now I'll go looking for another of Doerr's books -- any suggestions?
We viewed the eclipse from the end of our porch. (Josie slept through it.) It wasn't total -- 90 something percent -- and I was surprised at how light it still was when only a slender crescent of the sun remained uncovered.
It was a somewhat eerie light -- not like dusk -- and the temperature dropped appreciably. Ominous.
No birds sang but crickets chirred and both dogs spoke, saying in unison Trump must go!
(Some of the above is Fake News.)
We had glasses, of course, but we had fun trying to see the progress without looking up. A steamer insert yielded some crescents.
But my favorites were the 'wild' captures, on the stepping stones under the Kousa dogwood.
8 comments:
when was the last time i have read a book, i cannot recall.
i need to have time for this. hoepfully, after a year of understanding a house
which i just bought last year and moved in sept 7, i will be a little easy and
have time to read esp now that all the reno are almost done.
the eclipse. i went to work early and went home early from work to view it but
in the location where i am, all i've seen is darkness.
miss you sister!
Isn't that the most wonderful book? I think I read it last year, and am almost ready for a second read, but knowing the ending it won't be such a rush and I'll savor it more.
Well, now I simply MUST read this book. I've been hearing about it, but just haven't made time for it. Loved your pictures of the reflected eclipse. My husband and I contented ourselves with watching it on TV.
Agreed -- a marvelous book!!! I read it for my book club in Tucson, so it's been a while but I had to own a copy because I know that I will want to read it again someday. There were places where the prose was so exquisite I felt like I was breathless from its beauty.
Not sure of title but Doerr's memoir about sabbatical in Rome with twins is wonderful! And wasn't the eclipse magical? Even 90% made me so grateful to see the sun still there when the moon moved on.
Love the wild pin-hole images through the dogwood, very cool.
We, after many hundreds of highway miles, managed to make it to Rock Bridge State Park in Missouri and while there were some worrisome clouds floating around, got a beautiful view of totality for a little more than 2 minutes. [The park was a pretty great find also, wonderful trip altogether.] A few of my photos at the top of my Instagram feed: @corybarlowphoto or www.instagram.com/corybarlowphoto if you're not an IG user.
I agree on the fact that the book is fast read and needs to be reread at a slower pace... no suggestion though I heard the one on his relocation in Rome for a year "Four seasons in Rome" is excellent.
Vicki,
Kismet is a crazy thing! I did not catch this post of yours from this past Tuesday when we saw you and John, but on this same Tuesday our youngest was just departing the very town of St. Malo that features in this book. Stars (and moons) do indeed line up, don't they ;^)
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