Sunday, August 22, 2021

The Sunday Salon: Stormy Weather

 


Suddenly it's late August and we're back in central New York, at least temporarily... thanks to Hurricane/ Tropical Storm Henri. We watched as tropical storm warnings turned into hurricane warnings. Prolonged power outages seem to be a foregone conclusion (all the neighbors have generators) regardless of the ultimate storm track or intensity. Then the town issued a voluntary evacuation order. Since the house we are renting is on a narrow peninsula, we decided this might be a good time to visit my parents. We got here late yesterday evening and plan to stay until power is restored.

On to the books...


Recent reading//

The Street by Ann Petry

I really loved this lesser-known classic of the Harlem Renaissance and am so glad I chose to read it in the author's hometown of  Old Saybrook, CT. Look for a review post later this week.





A Streetcar Named Desire by Tenessee Williams

I listened to this classic play, available free for audible plus members. It must have been assigned reading at some point, but I had very little recollection of the story. The program is a live recording of a production from the Williamstown Theater Festival. While I enjoyed it, I felt like I was missing something. If I had been reading  the play, the stage directions would have added to my overall understanding. By listening, I missed everything I would have seen  had I been watching the production. Sigh.




The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor

I was planning to listen to this novel but, after purchasing it from audible, I discovered the audio production was abridged - very disappointing! Thankfully audible has excellent customer service and quickly refunded the charge to my credit card. My library had the ebook available and I reread the first "story" to see what I missed and continued happily to the end. 

The Women of Brewster Place, published in 1982, is a novel told in stories. They center around the women who live in the eponymous housing project and their struggles of daily life. It's a touching and beautifully written book. Oprah Winfrey produced a television miniseries in 1989, which I don't recall watching at the time. I plan to now.

Earlier this year I listened to a short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw, which now feels like an homage to this work by Gloria Naylor.



Current reading//

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

My daughter brought me her copy of this book last weekend and, since I already had the audio version, it's currently a read/listen combo. Just over a third in and I am enjoying this family drama so far.



The week ahead//

It's full of uncertainty. As I type, Henri has made landfall just over the border in Rhode Island. There are reports of power outages in the area where we were staying, but we haven't heard from the neighbors yet. For now we stay put until we know there is power...

How was your week? What have you been reading?


The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

35 comments:

  1. With a son in NYC, I've been paying close attention to Henri. Hopefully his bark is worse than his bite.

    Definitely reading The Street next year. Nice authorial connection to read it in the author's hometown.

    Yes, I can see how listening to a play would be a less than optimum experience.

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    1. JaneGS - I was shocked when they cancelled the concert after it had already started in Central Park last night... sounds like a soggy mess there today.

      The Street was such a good read, but so sad. Also angrier in tone than I've seen from that period.

      I listened to A Raisin in the Sun earlier this year, loved it, and was encouraged by the experience. I wonder if visual effects are more important with A Streetcar Named Desire. Unfortunately listening was not optimal.

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  2. That's a smart move to go to your parents' place in NY. Who knows what Henri could do. I lost power for a week once in Va (think it was Hurricane Isabel in 2003) and it's no fun! The Women of Brewster Place is a good one -- I might still have a copy on my shelves. I could do a reread. Do you ever go by your old house in Central NY? how is it doing? take care there.

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    1. Susan - It looks like all is well in CT now... we'll probably head back midweek. We haven't been by our old house lately, but know there are some major renovations happening. We basically rebuilt the place ourselves, but that was nearly 20 years ago now. Time marches on...

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  3. That was smart to head to central NY during Henri. We are about 1.5 hours from Old Saybrook and right now its super windy and torrential rain but no loss of power (yet.) Hopefully, we will weather the storm. I'm glad you are enjoying: We Are the O'Briens.

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    1. Diane - So far it looks like power stayed on in Old Saybrook. We'll probably head back midweek. Hope your power stayed on, too!

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  4. I'm glad you are in a safe place, JoAnn. A hurricane/tropical storm is not something to play around with. I've been through five terrible hurricanes/tropical storms, and we don't hesitate to evacuate if the storm is coming our way. I hope Henri doesn't cause a great deal of damage.

    I read A Streetcar Named Desire a few years ago. I can see where an audio of the play might be difficult to follow.

    I'm eager to hear more about We Are the Brennans.

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    1. Deb - It looks like Henri wasn't as bad as feared. Our neighbors texted and have power tonight, so we will head back in a few days. I definitely don't want to be caught in a hurricane without power if I can avoid it!

      I really enjoyed the audio of A Raisin in the Sun a few months ago, but this was a very different experience.

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  5. It’s so unfair you can’t get away from hurricanes that far north! When will you return to Florida? We had Fred move through and cause trouble but so many others had real problems from that storm, we only lost electricity & a few tree limbs.

    Glad to hear the Brennens book is appealing as I was curious about that one. Stay safe and dry!

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    1. Tina - What struck me as even more ironic is the owner of the house we're renting is near Tampa right now... no hurricanes on his radar at the moment! I'm sorry you had such a rough week. Will let you know about the Brennans after I've finished. The story seems familiar, but I'm still enjoying it.

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  6. Oh no! The East coast is getting all the storms right now. I hope power is restored soon. Glad you were able to get away. Stay safe!

    I watched the movie version of A Streetcar Named Desire with Vivian Leigh and Marlon Brando and I think an updated version was done in the 90s? That story was depressing.

    The Women of Brewster Place looks really good. Glad you enjoyed it!

    Stay safe this week!

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    1. Heather - We just heard from a CT neighbor and it looks like we didn't lose power at all! We'll head back in a day or two.

      A Streetcar Named Desire is a definitely depressing story. I was thinking about getting that movie from the library.... and then The Women of Brewster Place.

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  7. Glad you were able to get out of the way of the storm and hoping you can go back soon!

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    1. Angela - So are we! Still kind of ironic that we left FL to escape the worst of hurricane season...

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  8. I hope you stay safe...and enjoy your books. I like the look of We Are the Brennans. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - We Are the Brennans is a good distraction from the weather, lol!

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  9. I havent read a Streetcar Named Desire, but I love the old movie with Marlon Brandon

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  10. Intriguing assortment of books. I'm glad you had a safe place to go when you evacuated. Sounds like quite a mess in that area. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - The rental house is about 30 miles from the RI border and things could have been much worse. Hope to head back there in another day or two...

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  11. I pray for you and anyone affected by Tropical Storm Henri. My week was a blustery but exciting time beside the seaside, where I was kept very busy, but I did enjoy winding down of an evening at my cosy guest house with a chapter or two of the thrilling Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart. Take care, stay safe and happy reading. 🙂

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    1. Jessica - Our experience with Henri was not serious, but my heart breaks for those flooded out of their homes and still without power. Glad you got to enjoy a vacation by the sea and another Mary Stewart. It's been a few years since I last read one of her books, so I am due for another soon!

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  12. It's always something these days, isn't it? I hope everyone up there weathered the storm OK and that you are/were able to return to the house you had to leave.

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    1. Sam - It sure is! We're chuckling at the irony of leaving our FL home for hurricane season, then having to evacuate in CT. On the plus side, my parents are delighted by the unexpected visit and we love being here, too. We'll probably return to CT on Wednesday.

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  13. Your books all sound good and I haven't read any of them. Adding The Women of Brewster Place to my TBR now. Where I am in Mass., Henri didn't do much damage, but I saw somewhere that three tornadoes touched down elsewhere in the state!

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    1. Laurie - I'm surprised The Women of Brewster Place got past me when it was written... though my kids were all very young in the 90s and I wasn't reading much for a few years there. Be sure not to get the abridged audio though. The book is fairly short anyway and it seemed like huge significant chunks were left out of the first story. Glad your escaped the worst of Henri!

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  14. I'm so glad you're staying out of harm's way!

    As for A Streetcar Named Desire, the actual contents (beyond the iconic photos and 'Stellaaaa') were very sketchy to me until I read the script a couple of years ago. https://www.exurbanis.com/archives/11586

    I find reading plays almost as enjoyable as watching them. I agree that listening would leave one wanting.

    Take care and stay safe.

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    1. Debbie - This was only the second time I've listened to a play. My experience earlier this year with A Raisin in the Sun encouraged me to try another. Maybe A Streetcar Named Desire is more visual? I'll either watch the movie or read the play soon...

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  15. I hope you weathered Henri okay. My brother flew into NJ in the thick of it, but said it wasn't too bumpy. I am glad it will be past by the time my daughter flies to NY for college on Friday.

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    1. Helen - Thankfully, this area didn't see much damage at all. We got back this afternoon and all is well. Safe travels to your daughter!

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  16. I'm glad you decided to evacuate. My in-laws live in Naples, FL. The last big storm they had was Irma. They were without power for two weeks in that south Florida heat and humidity. They were so miserable. They still talk about it pretty frequently, and they lived in Miami when Andrew came through. I guess the more recent storm is the one that stands out for most people.

    I've never understood the point of abridged books. I'm glad you were able to get a refund.

    Streetcar was on a list of books we could choose from in my senior English class so I read it. It wasn't my favorite but I can say that about all of my assigned reading! I do remember that even in a play, the sultry heat came through on the page.

    Enjoy your week!

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    1. Jen - My FIL was in Ft. Myers for Irnma and he was miserable without power, too. Our plan is to always evacuate for a hurricane... either in FL or CT!

      I made that mistake with abridged audiobooks once before, so am surprised it slipped past me this time. Audible's customer service is excellent!

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  17. Glad to read (in your comments) that Henri didn't cause any problems at your rental. Nice that you were able to have an impromptu visit with your folks!

    I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on We Are the Brennans. I'm listening to The Most Fun We Ever Had. I spent over three hours in the yard this afternoon and the time flew since I was listening to the book. I even got another 30 minutes in while out on my walk. What a family!

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    1. Les - We just got back to CT this afternoon. Everything is fine here now and the long weekend with my parents was so much fun! I finished We Are the Brennans last night and will likely give it 4 stars. I absolutely loved The Most Fun We Ever Had... definitely worth doing 3 hours of yard work to keep listening!

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  18. Sounds like getting to New York was a good idea! Hope all is well! I can see an audio production of a Tennessee Williams play kind of falling flat. His dialogue is so sparse it really leans on the stage directions to really come through. That's too bad about the audio being abridged. I'm not a fan of those myself. I hope you have a wonderful week!

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    1. Katherine - We had such a nice visit with my parents! Just got back to CT this afternoon and all is well here, too. I may end up watching the movie of A Streetcar Named Desire to catch everything I missed listening.

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