The Middle Ground - Margaret Drabble
Kate is appealing, complex and quirky; she not only came alive, she was someone I wanted as a friend. She interacts with a wonderful (and varied) cast. The book has a pleasing density, and though not every character or situation or idea was fully developed, it didn’t matter; loose ends are allowed, because they’re part of life. That’s what Drabble captures – life in both its light and dark shades, with its humor and sadness. She had the right character to pin everything onto, and she went at her story with verve and style and skill. *
Nightmare Abbey - Thomas Love Peacock
This is an inside joke, a send-off of a type of literature; not being acquainted with the literature (or manner of thought) being parodied, much was lost on me. In fact, I often felt lost. Peacock didn’t help matters by using esoteric vocabulary as a humorous device. Still, I got enough of the gist of things to be somewhat entertained. And the oddity of the characters was amusing. The book was mercifully short, under a hundred pages; I don’t believe I could have stayed with it for much longer.
The Farmers’ Daughters - William Carlos Williams
Most of these stories involve Williams’ practice as a doctor among the poor immigrants of urban New Jersey, so illness and its treatment is a main element. The “ugliness” that’s depicted (with a no-nonsense bluntness) is merely a part of life. What’s inside people – their character – is what matters. Williams comes across as intelligent and tough, sane and solid. He uses a jumpy, shorthand style of prose; actually, he states that the stories weren’t done with much care – he would “bang out” one in a break in his busy medical practice. Most aren’t really stories – they’re sketches or fragments. The much-anthologized “The Use of Force” is the standout success; it rises up from the subconscious, and I wonder if Williams knew that he was writing about a sexual assault.
4 comments:
I have to say I have had a change of heart regarding Drabble's 'Middle Ground'. I put it aside after reading more than half, thinking that although I LIKED the book and the main character (as you say, she is complex, quirky and likable)I was not looking forward to it at the day's end as I usually am with truly enjoyable books. So.. I decided to abandon ship. Now however, after reading your review, I am realizing that perhaps it was also partly what was going on with ME (not feeling well, preparing for a transition, etc) that could have dampened my excitement. I do agree that some of the characters are not as complete as they could be and that was also seen as a problem, but as you say - that's life. Yes, I will give it another chance, my bookmark is still in place. I'll let you know if and when I make it to the end. In fact, I'll let you know either way!
I sometimes wonder if my mood affects how I respond to a book. I recently posted a review of a Drabble novel that I didn't like (The Garrick Year). Was I in the wrong mood?
In my case, I don't think so. Unless I'm preoccupied with extraneous thoughts (and thus can't read), I escape into a book -- get lost in its world.
Maybe Ground just wasn't your cup of tea. I would say, offhand, that after dropping a novel that isn't engaging you, it's futile to try to go back from where you left off.
I have just finished reading "The Middle Ground" and am very happy that I went back to it. I DO think that my physical state had much to do with my putting the book away originally. I still maintain that there were parts of the book that were a bit like quick sand, passages that went on too long, were too detailed (with somewhat meaningless details), and just plain overwhelming with too much information. Once successfully climbing out of the quicksand, however, one is rewarded with rejoining the characters on the other side - Kate and Evelyn ready to welcome you back. Yes, the road was a little rocky at times, and as with any travel, not feeling well can make it that much more difficult, but it was well worth the trip. I, too, want Kate as a friend!
My review says nothing about content - and I find that I can't remember anything about this book!
But I read it in 2008. Four and a half years ago.
I avoid using the word "memorable" in my reviews. Because how do I know that I'll remember any book?
Still, I clearly liked The Middle Ground a lot at the time.
In my more recent reviews I do include some info on content. When I was writing them only for my own use I didn't need to tell myself what a book was about.
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