The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King
One of my reading goals this year is to at least try all selections of the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club and this is the July book. The Phoenix Pencil Company is debut historical fiction with dual timelines and a bit of magical realism. It was inspired by the author's own family who ran a pencil company in China around WWII. Initially I found the premise interesting, but after about a hundred pages the story became repetitive and my interest flagged. I also preferred the historic timeline to the present day story. Overall I liked the book and look forward to watching the author chat.
⭐⭐⭐
By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham
Nobody can write like Michale Cunningham! As I read By Nightfall, I often stopped to reread his beautiful sentences. But as for plot, there really isn't much. This is basically a novel about New York art dealer Peter Harris's mid-life crisis. Peter is self-centered and insufferable, and the reader spends a lot of time inside his head. If anyone other than Michael Cunningham had written this book, I doubt I would have finished it. And even with Cunningham's writing, it sometimes bordered on tedious. On the plus side, I enjoyed the many literary references, including quite a few to The Great Gatsby which I reread last month. This was a read/listen combination for me and the audio edition, narrated by Hugh Dancy is excellent! It is available on hoopla.
⭐⭐⭐💫
Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven
I enjoyed Michelle Huneven's novel Search a few months ago and her new novel, Bug Hollow, is even better! This family drama begins in southern California in the late 1970s and gradually moves forward through time. Chapters are told from the perspective of various family members - parents, children as they grow into adulthood, and various significant others. Bug Hollow had it all for me - great characters, a propulsive plot, an interesting structure, and a final chapter that made me cry. I wouldn't be surprised if it lands on my list of favorites at the end of the year.
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Growing up in South California in the 1970s, Bug Hollow sounds like something I'd enjoy. I've not heard of it or the author!
ReplyDeleteI've read two novels by Michael Cunningham (Day and The Hours) and will take a hard pass on By Nightfall. His novel Day was a struggle to read. From my review, "I don't remember much about the author's writing style for The Hours, but Day is most certainly an erudite literary work and not one to breeze through. The first section required close reading, and as I reread passages and sought the definition of several words, I grew impatient, eager for the hook to propel me into Cunningham's story. "
Les - Bug Hollow is such a good family drama! The author did a live chat with MMD earlier this year...so engaging! She teaches at UCLA and lost her home in Altadena in the fires this year :( This is one of those books that I like more and more as I continue to think about it.
DeleteAs for By Nightfall, you should definitely avoid that one! I wasn't looking up words this time, but it was a struggle to stay interested in the story. My daughter is a huge Cunningham fan. She says The Hours is an all-time favorite, but I recommended she skip this one. I don't think I could have gotten through it in print alone.
Bug Hollow is going on my TBR list and I'll see if I can get one of my book groups to read it.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I think Bug Hollow would be a great book club selection!
DeleteI like a family drama so I will add Bug Hollow. You've had some good reading this month. I've ben immersed in the Paris in July but have kept up with reading. It's very hot here, triple digits expected today and tomorrow, so I imagine I will get loads of reading and puzzle time in.
ReplyDeleteTina - I've been on a roll with some good family dramas this year and always have a few among my favorites every year. I think you would like Bug Hollow, too. It looks like I won't get to any of the books I earmarked for Paris in July this year, but have been enjoying seeing some of the posts. I think August and September are the hottest, stickiest months in SWFL and I'm wondering if September is as miserable for you... sure hope not!
DeleteThat's too bad about the first book. I love the pencil factory premise - especially since it was inspired by the author's own family. I'm adding Bug Hollow to my TBR. It sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Lots of other readers seem to like that book, but it mostly missed the mark for me. Hope you get a chance to try Bug Hollow.
DeleteYeah thanks for the Bug Hollow review. I need to check it out. As a Californian I'm curious. Is it a Northern Cal story or Southern? I have not read Huneven before so it's cool to find a new-to-me author.
ReplyDeleteSusan - The author lives in Altadena, lost her home in the fires earlier this year, and teaches at UCLA. Most of her books are set in southern CA, but the characters do spend a little to the north also. I enjoyed Search, about a search for a new pastor at a UU church, a few months ago, but thought Bug Hollow was even better!
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