“Pastoralia” by George Saunders

For the most part, I enjoyed the short stories in this collection. The author used a slightly off kilter world view to explore the misery of the human condition among the impoverished. 

Saunders is very good at creating very human thoughts among his protagonists. There is a huge dose of ugliness or misery in their stream of consciousness, and yet they often end up doing the right thing. One loser individual did not kick out his very weird sister, even though he was convinced she was inhibiting his love life. Another, who was a father himself, jumped into very dangerous waters in what he knew would be a fruitless, suicidal mission to save 2 little girls. And of course, the story of the 2 workers in a recreation of a prehistoric park was a gem in itself.

“Katabasis” by R. F . Kuang

 Even though it’s not her best writing, I enjoyed this book. Kuang’s descriptions of the 8 courts of hell, which were an amalgamation of various sources from various civilizations, and her descriptions of how magic works were quite interesting. And I liked the happy ending. Considering how long it is, I went through this book rather quickly.

On the other hand, the book often read too much like Kuang’s personal diary rather than as a work of fiction. And I found Alice’s motivations to be described quite unevenly. The jump from one perspective to another seemed so incorrect re what had been said previously that I felt I should reread the beginning to see how Alice’s motivation for seeking Grimes in hell at the cost of half her remaining life was actually handled. I didn’t bother. 

“Elle a novel” by Douglas Glover

 I liked the first few chapters of the book because of the character’s irreverently amusing observations on life around her and her voracious sexual appetite. Quite an interesting personality for a 16th century French noblewoman. Her fiancé played tennis. Who knew that sport existed in those days.

But quite quickly, I came to be bored by the book, and to even detest it. Elle’s life after being abandoned on an island in Canada could have been an interesting tale, especially since it’s based on a true story. Instead, the book reverts to dreamlike musings that are too abstract to be of any actual interest to the reader. Also, there are a lot of references to historical characters in Canada and France, that lose any impact unless you happen to be well versed in history from that era.

The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown

 It was nice learning about non-local consciousness theory. But the book was much too long and repetitive, and too often read like a travelogue of Prague or a scientific lecture. The love story between Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon left me cold. And the revelation that the Golem was actually a split personality and possibly the result of non-local consciousness was one twist too many in this very formulaic book. It did have some exciting sections, but it badly needed a merciless editor.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt

 The writing was pedestrian and the plot had too many coincidences. I detested the 30 year old searching for his father. The chip on his shoulder and his repressed anger struck me as unbelievably juvenile and unbelievable, but I know people like that exist.  Tova, the woman mourning her son, was sweet, I suppose.  The octopus was an interesting gimmick. The book was filled with so many mundane scenes that it felt like a movie. Not impressed and amazed that it was a bestseller.

“Mammoth” by John Varley

 This book was enjoyable as light reading. It did contain some interesting philosophical observations about the nature of time. Not all of it made sense.

“Excellent Women” by Barbara Pym

 I quite enjoyed this amusing book of manners about spinsters, clerics and anthropologists in 1950’s England. Mildred is quite the sharp observer of human foibles, and I also enjoyed her descriptions of mundane activities during that era. I think I borrowed it because a critic compared this book to Jane Austen’s writing style, which I like very much. I definitely saw the resemblance.