Everyday I Write the Book

Guest Review: "Ms. Hempel Chronicles" by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a book called Ms. Hempel Chronicles, by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum, which was a recent finalist for the PEN/Faulkner award. EDIWTB reader and frequent contributor Nancy West wrote a review of Ms. Hempel Chronicles, and shared it with me for the blog. Thanks, Nancy!

The most interesting thing for me about reading Ms. Hempel Chronicles was that it inspired me to think a lot about the fine balance an author must navigate in creating characters who are unusual enough not to be stereotypes but at the same time familiar enough not to be impenetrable. (Actually, the very most interesting thing for me about reading this book was halfway through when I suddenly realized that when author Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum was in college, she used to babysit for my niece, and I met her at my niece’s second birthday party, but that has little to do with this review.) To be artfully crafted, characters need to be on the one hand wonderfully new and unique; while on the other, we should be able to easily imagine the things they do and the words they say. They are simultaneously original and familiar. A paradox? Yes, but that paradox is what makes for great writing. I’d offer any of Curtis Sittenfeld’s characters in Prep or American Wife as examples. We believe these people, because they seem familiar and real; on the other hand, they’re original enough that we’re always curious about what they are going to say or do next.

There are plenty of characters in contemporary popular fiction who fall into the stereotype category. (Almost any secondary characters created by Jodi Picoult, for example.) Sure, we can picture them, because we’ve run into them a hundred times before, but that doesn’t automatically make for good fiction; we don’t want to read about characters who never ever surprise us. At the other end of the spectrum, however, is Beatrice Hempel of Ms. Hempel Chronicles – I just don’t get her. I just can’t see her or hear her. She’s quirky and interesting, sure, but so uniquely drawn that she doesn’t remind me of anyone I know and I find her inexplicable enough that I don’t really care what she thinks or does.

That said, lots of reviewers love this book, and to once again give Bynum credit for eschewing stereotypes, Ms. Hempel (as she is referred to throughout most of the book) does not remind me of any other teacher protagonists. Her middle-school students really like her, though she doesn’t seem to understand why and as a result neither do I. She likes her profession, but again, I can’t tap into her thinking process. It’s true that Bynum has given us a snapshot of teaching life well beyond the cliché – Ms. Hempel and her peers dance at eclectic bars for Friday afternoon happy hour, take sabbaticals in Yemen, and have flings  – but for much of the time I was reading it, I was thinking about recent novels whose teacher protagonists were more interesting to me: Ruth in Tom Perrotta’s The Abstinence Teacher; Alice (actually a school librarian) in the aforementioned American Wife, even Jack in John Updike’s frightening novel Terrorist.

The most engaging and believable scene for me in this novel was the one where Beatrice goes to her family home to celebrate her birthday, visit with her mother and help her much-younger sister write an application essay. Finally, there were actions I could understand and characters I found accessible. Further research into Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum proved to me that she’s getting plenty of acclaim as a young writer – she’s a contributor to the New Yorker, after all -- and clearly I am in the minority in not celebrating this book. Thinking about characterization made it interesting for me, though. Where exactly is the fulcrum on which perfectly drawn characters balance between too quirky and too stereotypical?

I remember a reviewer writing about a “Sex in the City” episode several years ago who said about a particular scene, “We wait to see if Miranda will do the Miranda thing.” Frivolous as the example may sound, that sums up my point pretty well. We know what the Miranda thing would be: will she do it? Probably – that’s why it’s called “the Miranda thing” – but not definitely, and therein lies the intrigue. After finishing this book, I still couldn’t tell you what “the Ms. Hempel thing” to do would be.

The Books That Came In The Mail Today

I got three review books in the mail today. They make an interesting group - very different from each other.

First, from Ecco/HarperCollins: Tunneling to the Center of the Earth, a collection of stories from Kevin Wilson.  From Amazon: "Kevin Wilson's characters inhabit a world that moves seamlessly between the real and the imagined, the mundane and the fantastic. 'Grand Stand-In' is narrated by an employee of a Nuclear Family Supplemental Provider—a company that supplies 'stand-ins' for families with deceased, ill, or just plain mean grandparents. And in 'Blowing Up On the Spot,' a young woman works sorting tiles at a Scrabble factory after her parents have spontaneously combusted. Southern gothic at its best, laced with humor and pathos, these wonderfully inventive stories explore the relationship between loss and death and the many ways we try to cope with both."

I don't usually read short stories but I will give these a try sometime.

Next, from HarperCollins: The Lie, by Chad Kultgen. I hadn't heard of Kultgen before, but he wrote a book called The Average American Male, which apparently got a lot of attention. Here's what Amazon says:

With the publication of The Average American Male -- and the release of the shocking viral videos that made it a water-cooler sensation -- Chad Kultgen became one of the most talked-about authors of recent years. Now, with The Lie, Kultgen returns with an even more salacious -- yet also more searching -- novel that reaches deeper into the craven inner workings of some of most depraved minds in America: college students.

His subjects are Brett, the rich hedonist whose appetite for sex is matched only by his contempt for women; his best friend, Kyle, the brooding science geek whose good intentions lead him to one disastrous decision; and Heather, the social-climbing sorority girl who has the power to destroy them both. As this devil's triangle plows through four years of college, Kultgen offers a astonishing take on the wild and amoral universe of college today: a frathouse world where sex is social currency, status means everything -- and winner takes all.

Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.

Ok, where have I been? I hadn't heard of The Average American Male or its accompany viral videos, but I am intrigued.  (If you are too, try YouTube - I just watched one of them). I flipped through The Lie and it appears to be nonstop sex.

Finally, I was lucky enough to win a copy of Everyone Is Beautiful, by Katherine Center, from the Does Mommy Love It blog.  I wrote about Center's book The Bright Side of Disaster earlier this month, and I am excited to read Everyone is Beautiful. Center left a nice comment on the blog and I am looking forward to trying out her books. From Amazon:

When Lanie Coates moves from Houston to Cambridge, Mass., with her musician husband, Peter, she loses her support system and quickly becomes overwhelmed by her three small boys and a self-image that's sagging both literally and figuratively. In this agreeable mom-lit entry, Lanie, a former painter, finds beauty in everyone but herself, and especially adores Peter, even though the two of them seem to be drifting apart. The early chapters nearly sink beneath the weight of routine housekeeping details and scenes describing the children's bodily functions and fascination with their body parts, matters most parents have experienced, but which don't necessarily make for great fiction. However, as Lanie begins to find herself through a newfound passion for photography, the story gains traction, and the tension grows as her photography teacher turns out to be a smitten kitten. Like real-life marriage with children, this book offers enough sparkling moments to compensate for the tedium.

I must enroll in a speed-reading course.

 

"A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick

I read a review of A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick on Booking Mama this week, and while it's not the type of book I'd usually pick up, the review was very compelling. From Amazon:

Set in 1907 Wisconsin, Goolrick's fiction debut gets off to a slow, stylized start, but eventually generates some real suspense. When Catherine Land, who's survived a traumatic early life by using her wits and sexuality as weapons, happens on a newspaper ad from a well-to-do businessman in need of a 'reliable wife,' she invents a plan to benefit from his riches and his need. Her new husband, Ralph Truitt, discovers she's deceived him the moment she arrives in his remote hometown. Driven by a complex mix of emotions and simple animal attraction, he marries her anyway. After the wedding, Catherine helps Ralph search for his estranged son and, despite growing misgivings, begins to poison him with small doses of arsenic. Ralph sickens but doesn't die, and their story unfolds in ways neither they nor the reader expect. This darkly nuanced psychological tale builds to a strong and satisfying close.

So here's what Booking Mama said:

I cannot rave enough about this book -- it's riveting. Mr. Goolrick is an extremely gifted writer, and I was blown away by the way he told this story. I'm not exactly sure how to describe his writing style, but to say it's almost understated. Every word was carefully chosen for a reason and to evoke a particular feeling. His descriptions of the Wisconsin countryside and the town's inhabitants are just perfect -- I could visualize the desolate, snow-covered countryside and even understand how some of the people in this town went mad.

Here's the whole review.

Reading Group Guides has a post by three librarians about A Reliable Wife, along with some questions for book club discussion.

Anyone else out there read this? S. Krishna - do you have a review coming out?

"Vince and Joy" by Lisa Jewell

I'd never heard of British author Lisa Jewell before, but I read this blurb about her book Vince and Joy on my Book Lover's Page-a-Day calendar earlier this month, and I thought it sounded good:

Try this classic love story about perennial love. Vince and Joy were each other's first kiss, first love, first hit to third base - well, you get the idea. Separated by time and distance and a good-bye note that Vince couldn't read because the rain washed away the writing, the two have met again after almost 20 years. The attraction is still irresistible, but what of Joy's pending marriage and Vince's child by another woman?

Here is a positive review of Vince and Joy from the Better World Blog, who says that even though Lisa Jewell is sometimes considered chick lit, it's really more accurate to call her books "contemporary fiction".

The Thrifty Reader liked this book too.

Has anyone out there read it, or anything by Lisa Jewell?

"College Girl" by Patricia Weitz

OK, I've moved on (temporarily) from books about high school to ones about college. Here's one I want to read: College Girl by Patricia Weitz.

From Entertainment Weekly:

Very little actually happens in Patricia Weitz's novel: Natalie, a straight-A college senior, develops a crush on a not-so-nice boy, loses her virginity to him, and consequently self-destructs. Yet College Girl might as well be a dissertation on quarter-life female behavior. Weitz is so adept at capturing the pain and insecurity attached to campus life and love, it's impossible to read without squirming — or at least without recalling the stupid decisions of your own early 20s. The book wraps itself up a bit too neatly, and not everything rings true: How is it that brainy Natalie has never heard of Ayn Rand? But it's still more memorable than a boozy night at a frat party. B+    

Here is a book trailer for College Girl (which is directed by Paul Weitz - director of About a Boy and American Pie - any relation?):

The Book Lady's Blog was not a fan. Muse Book Reviews didn't love it either. Fashionista Piranha said "It's a fun, light read – almost too light, somehow, for the topics it talks about – with a tidy little ending to tie everything up neatly. I thought it was fun, and made me rather nostalgic for my golden, wasted youth."

Confessions of a Bibliophile said "I enjoyed this read, though I don’t think it captures the college experience as well as it purports to. What I think it does do is speak to anyone who has felt left out and confused, unsure of themselves, or been infatuated with the wrong guy for the wrong reasons while knowing it was wrong, deep down."

Hmmm. I may have to try this one out myself.

 

Kids' Book Review: "Duck! Rabbit!"

First, a quick announcement: the next EDIWTB online book club will take place here on Wednesday, April 1. The book is Buffalo Lockjaw, by Greg Ames. If you are participating in the book club, visit this site on April 1 and join the discussion!

Now, a kids' book review. I was recently offered a review copy of a new children's book called Duck! Rabbit!. I jumped at it, because it is co-authored by one of my favorite children's book authors, Tom Lichtenheld, who wrote What Are You So Grumpy About?. The new book, also authored by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, is about two people observing an animal who is either a duck or a rabbit. (The two protusions on he left are either a beak or ears, and the bulb on the right is either a duck's or a rabit's head). The two observers go back and forth, both convinced that their interprtation of the animal is right. The commentary is cute, and my girls enjoyed discussing the fact that a drawing could look like two different things. I highly recommend this picture book -it's a neat idea and a good introduction to artistic interpretation.

"Beginner's Greek" by James Collins

I finished Beginner's Greek by James Collins today. It's the story of a young man, Peter, who falls in love at first sight with Holly, his seatmate on a cross-country flight. She falls in love with him too, and gives him her number on a piece of paper torn from a book, which he promptly loses. So he never calls her. The years pass, and he can't forget about her. Of course, he eventually crosses paths with her again, but she's married to his best friend by then. And the book takes off from there... will these two attractive New Yorkers ever tell each other how they feel? Will they end up together, or will they let circumstance or societal pressure or the fear of being honest get in the way of their happy ending?

Beginner's Greek is an entertaining, very readable book. It's not heavy (at all), but it sure is a lot of fun to read. Collins' writing is effortless - I can't think of a better way to describe it. The book just flowed. There were some pretty ludicrous plot twists, but if you suspend your need for a realistic story and just go with the flow, the book is quite enjoyable, if predictable.

A few observations:

• All of the characters in Beginner's Greek live in a rarefied Manhattan existence, fueled primarily by Wall Street excess and profit. The book is only a year old, but given the current economic climate, it felt like it was written 50 years ago.
• The last chapter is a bit bizarre and, in my opinion, unnecessary.
• I was slightly annoyed that the main female character, Holly, was so perfect, while the other  women in the book, particularly Charlotte, had serious character flaws. It made me suspicious of Collins' attitude toward women. Are there two types - perfect, and the rest of us?

Beginner's Greek is a fun read. I've heard it described as chick lit in male drag, and I can see why.  Collins' wry observations about Wall Street and marriage and the effects of true love made the book even more appealing. A recommended read, as long as you know what to expect.

Please weigh in if you've read it!

"The Sinner's Guide To Confession" by Phyllis Schieber

I've read a number of reviews among the book blogging community of a book called The Sinner's Guide to Confession, by Phyllis Schieber. I like that this book is about 50-somethings and women's friendships.  Here's what Amazon says:

Barbara, Kaye, and Ellen, longtime friends, are inseparable—but each nurtures her own secret. As a widowed mother, Barbara hides her persona as a writer of erotica. Kaye is having an extramarital affair that reawakens her passion but fills her with conflict. Ellen has lost her husband to a younger woman who is now pregnant—a painful blow, since Ellen and her husband were never able to conceive. But she is not childless…

Ellen is still haunted by the memory of the baby girl she had at sixteen and was forced to relinquish at birth. Estranged from her family, Ellen realizes that if she is ever to find her lost daughter—now a grown woman herself—she will have to confront her shame and rely on her dearest friends.

Here's what some of the bloggers have had to say:

Diary of an Eccentric says: "Schieber does a great job moving between the characters and their points of view, and I loved the bantering between them. I didn't always agree with their decisions, but they seemed real. Schieber doesn't shy away from presenting their weaknesses; after all, the title implies that we're all sinners.... Schieber's writing flows with such truths, and I was surprised the book covered so many heavy themes while remaining hopeful. By the time I finished reading, Barbara, Ellen, and Kaye felt like old friends. I definitely recommend The Sinner's Guide to Confession if you read a lot of women's fiction and even if you don't."

Savvy Verse and Wit says: "Of the three women, Ellen's story was the most heart-wrenching and deeply moving. Readers learn early on about Ellen's secret, but as her chapters unfold, the devastation of one decision she makes early on in her life has significant impact on how her life unfolds. Ellen's decision establishes her reactions and interactions with others, her husband, and her friends. It's amazing how a decision not completely in her control molded her into the woman readers see in the beginning pages of this novel. Ellen is afraid of making decisions, hides behind the confidence brought by her false eyelashes, and holds deep grudges against her parents.... The intricate relationships between these characters are intense, and the relationships with each family member provides a realistic glimpse into the dynamics of family. Each member plays a specific role in how the family operates, and these women are central to those families.

Booking Mama says: "Ms. Schieber did a wonderful job of developing these characters -- they were all extremely complex (and even rather sexual.) They weren't afraid to think about, dream about and talk about sex. At first I was a little put off by all this frank talk (I mean who wants to think of their mothers and grandmothers like this) but eventually I learned to appreciate that women are still women no matter how old they are. Another part of this novel that I found to be interesting was that all three of these characters were living with major secrets. While most of us aren't keeping this level of secrets from our family and friends, I do think the author makes an important point that we are all hiding things from those we love. This novel points out very clearly how secrets can affect not only your life, but also the lives of your family and friends."

Many of these blogs also featured interviews with Phyllis Schieber, so if you're interested in learning more, click through to these sites and check them out. And please weigh in if you've read The Sinner's Guide to Confession.

"The Bright Side of Disaster" by Katherine Center

If you're looking for a lighter read, you might be up for The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center. I learned about this book from Heather at Book Addiction. Here's what Amazon says:

Jenny Harris is nesting in her Houston home with her fiance, Dean, awaiting the birth of their child, to be followed by their wedding. But Dean grows more distant, especially after a coworker dies in a plane crash, and Jenny ends up becoming a single mother. Determined to take good care of her child, she tries to forget about Dean, relegating him to the past. Coping with a baby takes all Jenny's time, so when her perfect single neighbor takes an interest, Jenny is flattered but exhausted. Then, when she finally decides to take a chance and get to know him, Dean comes back into her life. In her stellar first novel, Center paints an accurate and humorous view of motherhood, from the physical changes to lack of sleep and exhaustion as well as the changes in friendships and feelings about men.

Heather at Book Addiction says: "This novel was overall a very fast-paced, enjoyable, and heart-warming story that truthfully brought tears to my eyes.  I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend the book."

Melinda at Planet Mom Blog had a lot of really good stuff to say about The Bright Side of Disaster:

In any event, you need to buy this book. Immediately or sooner. Abandon your beloved computer this very instant, sprint to your local bookstore and demand that Center’s debut novel be placed within your hot little hands at once—lest you die not having savored this 225-page nugget of remarkableness. It is a positively scrumptious read, in every palpable, plausible and profoundly irresistible sense of the word. Indeed, I was smitten from Paragraph One till the bitter end and completely wooed for a host of reasons: I was charmed to death by its cast of characters, intrigued by the narrative’s wealth of unpredictability and awed by Center’s sheer brilliance as it relates to the telling of tales.

Trashionista also gave it a good review, calling it "highly recommended".

Katherine Center has a new book out as well, called Everyone is Beautiful - the blog Does Mommy Love It? is giving away a copy of the new book, and reviews it, here.

Now, can someone give me an extra hour every day so that I can get to some of these books?

"Ms Hempel Chronicles" by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum

The winner of the PEN/Faulkner award was announced last week (Netherland, by Joseph O'Neill). The book that caught my eye, however, was one of the four finalists: Ms. Hempel Chronicles, by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum.

From The Christian Science Monitor:

 Teachers, take note: You’ve got an articulate new advocate in novelist Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum. Bynum’s Ms. Hempel Chronicles is not only a warm-hearted novel-in-stories about a young 7th-grade teacher navigating the final passage to her own adulthood even as she ushers her students through the tricky narrows of adolescence; it is also a testament to how hard – and important – the work of teaching is. ... Bynum’s take on teaching is instructive. But it’s her sensitive consideration of complex emotions and situations on the road to maturity that’s truly heartening.

 

 

And from Entertainment Weekly:

The heroine of Sarah ShunLlien Bynum's smart, fizzy novel, Ms. Hempel Chronicles is Ms. Beatrice Hempel, a middle school teacher who chaperones field trips, endures dull assemblies, and reads endless topic sentences. Tedious? Not at all. Though she has a sexually adventurous fiancé and a drunken flirtation with a fellow teacher, Ms. Hempel's most fascinating relationships are with her students, at that age ''when they were most purely themselves.'' And while the book skates on the charming surface of life, Bynum also manages to suggest the sobering depths below. A-

And here's a how a very favorable review from Book Forum ends: "[This] is not a saccharine novel, and heartache, sexual confusion, and resignation rear their heads. When Ms. Hempel observes that a colleague’s messy desk is 'both hopeful and doomed,' she is, in her succinct, winning way, describing both her outlook and the predicament of so-called adults everywhere."

Bookwormygirl didn't love this book, though, because of a meandering plot and being "too drawn out".

Would love to hear from others who have read this.