Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Book Review - Third Wish by Robert Fulghum


I was thrilled to discover that Robert Fulghum had written a novel.  I knew it would be unusual, creative, imaginative, outside the box and superlative in nature.  I was not wrong.  Fulghum never does anything half way.

You all know I have a great love for Robert Fulghum and his work.  I don't agree with it all, but his view of life and living is fresh and has influenced me greatly.  I must say that this tome intimidated me a bit.  It is enormous in size and scope.  Volume 1 is 502 pages and Volume 2 is 416.  Don't despair, many of the pages comprise wonderful original art that perfectly enhances Fulghum's storytelling.  Holding such substantial books casts the illusion that what is being said might be substantial as well.

I thrilled at the storytelling.  I was swept away by the travelogues.  I was charmed by the characters.  And I was dismayed by the message.  After all the serious chasing around Fulghum has done seeking a philosophical anchor he still hasn't hit on anything but existential, self indulging emptiness.  As a witness of life he is remarkable.  As a participant in life he is fun.  As sage or even mentor of living, he keeps on falling flat for me and that is a huge disappointment.  He seems to me to be like the thirsty man the Lord spoke of who dreamed that he drank, but when he awoke he was still thirsty.  This author is supreme in his wonderful gift.  He is superlative in his observation of the human condition.  But what he keeps delivering to me is a wonderfully crafted, ornate box with nothing inside.  He seems to think silliness is happiness.  He seems to think that education is wisdom.  He seems to think experience is a trophy.  He seems to think he can distract himself from despair by novelty.  He seems to believe that self indulging fondness is love.  He seems to think that a full life is a fulfilling one.  And he seems to strongly suspect that God is himself.   I don't.

I think the central theme in the book is Fulghum's quest to find himself.  So far he seems to be looking in all the wrong places.  I hope, for both our sakes, that he keeps looking.  Onward!

Now, please do not hesitate to read this wonderfully entertaining story.  It is really well written.  Lots of fun and worth your time.  If perchance you should decide not to pick it up, scroll down and I'll give you the briefest of synopsis's.

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-The book can be encapsulated in words I once saw hanging from a secretary's desk: 

I've gone out to find myself.  If I should happen to return before I get back, would you please keep me here?


Sunday, January 3, 2010

Movie Review - The Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency


If you're looking for good wholesome, educational, delightful entertainment, The Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a must see!  Sweetie and I loved the series of books written by Alexander McCall Smith and read or listened to every one.  Now they've spawned an HBO series that is in every way true to Smith's masterful work.  Flawlessly cast, wonderfully directed this charmer is classic story telling and refreshing in every way.

The stories are set in modern Botswana and depict the charm and life of a sweet and deliberate people.  I have never dreamed much of visiting Africa, but Smith has magnetized the place and drawn my heart and hopefully, one day, my person, to this magical place.

The lead character Mma Ramotswe, perfectly played by Jill Scott is a resolute, traditionally built Botswana woman, who is a masterful detective with the heart and insticts of a mother..  Mma Makutisi, her secretary is the funniest, sweetest perfectionist you'll ever meet.  She is played by Anika Noni Rose and will win your heart from the very first.  The director, Oscar winning, Anthony Minghella hit a grand slam with this cast including Lucian Msmati as the kind, patient JLB Matekoni, proprietor of Speedy Motors and frustrated suitor of Mma Ramotswe.  Also included is the flamboyant, meddling next door hairdresser, BK played by Desmond Dube. 

The first season is out on DVD, rent it and enjoy!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Movie Review - Cranford

Set in the village of Cranford, England in 1840, this wonderful series is so wonderfully crafted.  Judy Densch leads a magnificent cast of warm and credible characters.
1840 was a different time and great care was taken to make it so in this charming mini series.  This is the period in which thousands of English converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and migrated to America.  Seeing how customs and morays governed their lives and compassion, goodness and charity guided their hearts, I felt I could better understand such women as Eliza R. Snow and Mary Fielding Smith.
There was a refinement and quality of character that is so lost among us today as to make me jealous.  Yet there were such formalized restrictions as to make me rejoice to live now and not then.
If you are a Latter-day Saint of English stock, I highly recommend you spend the time and get acquainted with your wonderful roots.  Surely there were many who came from poverty amongst the factories of Manchester or the wharves of Liverpool, but I think many many are of stock such as these, whose integrity out weighed convention and whose courage stood the test.


Friday, January 1, 2010

Book Review - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society


Set in post war England and the Island of Guernsey, this little gem is a brilliant examination of the German occupation of the Channel Islands.  Mary Ann Shaffer is the principal author who was assisted in the book's completion by her niece Annie Barrows.  Mary Ann had some health issues that prevented her from finishing it herself.

The story is told in a series of letters to and from most of the characters.  Each is brilliantly formed in character and content.  I have been fascinated with the mostly lost art of letter writing.  Shaffer has given wings to that wonderful means of expression and perhaps new life to it as well.  Good letter writing is a joy!  You could sense it in the feelings of both writer and reader.  The trouble with email is not in it's length, but in it's quality.  We don't take the time to really write in email these days, we simply blurb.  Read the book and tell me you don't feel the same way. 

I was amazed at the German occupation of the Channel Islands.  A little corner of history that never even occurred to me.  It was both fascinating and appalling.  Through all the hardship, the quality of character and courage that prevailed is utterly inspiring.  The best part is that these were very ordinary people.  In Guernsey, even the Germans suffered untold privation. 

This was a book I was loathe to hurry through.  It was a delight on every page and I didn't want it to come to an end.  I count it as one of my favorite books of all time.  It is deep with substance and yet breezy with charm and cheer. 

Of that post war period one character, Amelia wrote, "Sorrow has rushed over the world like the waters of the Deluge, and it will take time to recede.  But already, there are small islands of - hope?   Happiness?  Something like them, at any rate."

Another time Amelia wrote, "My worries travel about my head on their well worn path, and it is a relief to put them on paper."  It became abundantly clear that correspondence was critical therapy and was in it's very nature cathartic.

I love this style of writing and hope to employ it someday.  Each character told her story in first person and in such an intimate and personal way that I found it hard to believe I was reading fiction.  I'd give my eye teeth to be personally included in that round of conversation or one like it.  Anybody want to be my pen pal?
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