I can’t start this post by saying it’s just another Monday. Here in Seattle the sun is going to be 95% obscured by the moon. Kind of crazy if you think about it. I’ve read all sorts of things about what happens. Not the mystical end-of-world things, but that in the natural world it causes birds and other nocturnal animals to begin their preparations for sleep and that the increased pull of the moon causes subtle changes in the weather and the tides. All kind of fascinating and a powerful reminder that while we may be destroying the planet, ultimately it’s us who will be gone and the planet will live on.
The solar eclipse is just one of the things that seems to be impacting my reading. Last week I marked another year in my life. Between that and the feeling that America’s descent to a place I never hoped to live in is picking up speed has left me turning towards something different in my reading. I’ve always loved books as escape, but now, maybe in response to how foolishly and ignorantly words are being used by this president I want need reading that is careful and filled with words used as they’re meant to be—with thought and precision. With meaning.
All I can do for this novel is to share a brief snippet of the synopsis, which should make it clear why I’m reading it.
Epic, propulsive, incredibly ambitious, and dazzlingly written, The Resurrection of Joan Ashby is a story about sacrifice and motherhood, the burdens of expectation and genius. Cherise Wolas’s gorgeous debut introduces an indelible heroine candid about her struggles and unapologetic in her ambition.
Despite the fact that I never had children I am always fascinated by novels that look at the complexity of the decision in relation to ambition and women’s lives. This reminded me of one of my favorite books from 2016, Forty Rooms. I’ve just started it and am hopeful. Strong prose and a deep dive into one woman’s heart and mind as she moves through life.
I’m going into this novel completely blind because what little I’ve heard as been mixed. Several bloggers I trust found it too slow, but as that’s what’s working for me right now, I’m going to give it a try. Plus, it seems to be rooted in the same premise of children and a woman’s role. From Goodreads:
Yejide and Akin have been married since they met and fell in love at university. Though many expected Akin to take several wives, he and Yejide have always agreed: polygamy is not for them. But four years into their marriage–after consulting fertility doctors and healers, trying strange teas and unlikely cures–Yejide is still not pregnant. She assumes she still has time–until her family arrives on her doorstep with a young woman they introduce as Akin’s second wife. Furious, shocked, and livid with jealousy, Yejide knows the only way to save her marriage is to get pregnant, which, finally, she does, but at a cost far greater than she could have dared to imagine. An electrifying novel of enormous emotional power, Stay With Me asks how much we can sacrifice for the sake of family.
I been dying to read stay with me as my boyfriend is Nigerian. I love books that explore that culture.
I’m really enjoying Joan Ashby too! The whole motherhood/work theme resonates with me! I just wish I had more time to sit down with it for a couple hours.
And I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on Stay with Me…the writing style didn’t work for me.
Hi Catherine, I’ve been in Vancouver, BC, since Saturday and I think we’ll get 88% of the solar eclipse at 10:21 a.m. But I don’t have the special glasses so I’m not supposed to glance right? I’ll be here for the week and I’m stoked to be in such a nice area of the world. I’d like to read Stay With Me and have had it on my list since the critic for NYT raved about it, but I will wait to see what you think. Right now I’m reading The Locals by Jonathan Dee though it’s busy this week so not sure how much time I’ll get with it. cheers!
Have fun! Apparently, if you’re the president you didn’t need those glasses because he couldn’t be bothered to use them. And that about sums him up…
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby definitely sounds good to me, but right now the length is keeping me away. I’ll be anxious to see your full review.
My feelings about Stay With Me were mixed, but in the end I think there were more plusses than minuses.
Happy Birthday a tad late!
The length is turning into a problem. It is part of what feels like a complete shift in the novel so waiting is a good idea. Not sure where I’ll end up on this one!
The cover (and blurb) of Joan Ashby scream out at me, but Susie mentioned length, so I’m guessing it won’t make my list unless you really rave about it. Sounds right up my alley, though. Actually, these both sound really good. I just finished Kevin Catalano’s Where the Sun Shines Out, which is a tough read in all the worst/best ways. Stellar stuff, but man, sharp-edges.
I was at work all day on Monday but, thankfully, one of the nerds from the IT department supplied me with some eclipse glasses (HA!) and I was able to go outside and enjoy the view with lots of other coworkers; it was a nice break from the norm! We were able to view it at just over 90%; from what I understand, we will enjoy 100% totality during the one in 2024.
What fun! I was not able to get glasses so stayed inside and got a swim workout in! Buy your glasses now for 2024!