This is the story of a handful of Generation X-ers, defined as people born between 1960 and 1980.
In the book three late-twenty someones - Andy, Claire, and Dag - separately give up their upwardly mobile jobs and move to Palm Springs, California. There they take up residence in modest digs, take low-paying service jobs, and attempt to live more or less minimalist lives.
They entertain themselves by telling stories (made up or real), drinking, snacking, having picnics, and - for the most part - eschewing serious relationships.
Their purpose, apparently, is to reject traditional society, which they find oppressive. Though the characters reject the values of their nuclear families (which are not perfect, but whose family is?) they do maintain contact via phone calls, visits, and so on....so their isolation is not complete.
Though the hippie-ish lifestyle of Andy and his friends/acquaintances is amusing to read about, it strikes the reader (at least this reader) as unrealistic and unsustainable. Though a small segment of society can decide to 'do nothing' with their lives and suffer few consequences - if everyone took up this lifestyle the country's economy would soon collapse. And even for those who are determined to stick it out, this kind of freewheeling behavior becomes unattractive when people are no longer young (that is, approach their mid-thirties and older).
The main characters try to be committed to their 'no-strings' lifestyle, but life does impinge: Claire develops a huge crush on Tobias, an exceptionally handsome man - and follows him to New York - where their lives don't mesh.
Dag is attracted to Claire's friend Elvissa, and tries to develop a relationship with her - until Elvissa skips town for an even more minimal lifestyle.
Dag is also an obsessive vandal, damaging other people's cars and even destroying one by setting it on fire. I would have liked to see Dag punished for this, though he would undoubtedly bitterly resent the fines/jail imposed by outside society.
Regardless of my opinion of the characters (whom I didn't admire), the book is well-written and the characters are believable. It's interesting to get a peek into the thought processes of some Gen X-ers. I think the best part of the book is in the margins, where Douglas Coupland defines some of the original and entertaining Gen-X expressions/vocabulary. If you're curious about Gen X, this is a good book for you.
Examples of Generation X Vocabulary
go postal = get very angry
dip = leave
crib = home
phat = cool
grindage = food
grody = disgusting
cheddar = money
all that and a bag of chips = the best of the best
The book is "phat", but it's not "all that and a bag of chips." 😁
Rating: 3 stars
In this 7th book in the 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' series, the detective investigates a murder at a barbeque. The book can be read as a standalone, but knowing the background of the characters is beneficial.
*****
There's excitement in the tiny Quebec town of Three Pines when long-time resident, artist Clara Morrow, is scheduled to have her first vernissage at the prestigious Musée D'art Contemporain de Montreal.
Clara has been painting away, unheralded, for years - and now her genius will finally be acknowledged.
One person who isn't happy about Clara's success is her husband, fellow artist Peter Morrow, who's jealous and resentful.....but trying to hide it.
The vernissage, a private showing with food and drink, attracts a wide variety of guests, including struggling (or failed) artists who come for the free refreshments.
There's a great deal of rivalry in the art world, and some unsuccessful artists - even ones who become art critics, or art gallery owners, or art dealers - engage in backstabbing, pettiness, and denigration of people more talented than themselves. This theme runs throughout the story, leading to scenes that are both humorous, cringeworthy, and infuriating. 😫
Clara's vernissage is followed by a barbecue at the Morrow home in Three Pines, to allow friends, neighbors, and art aficionados to continue celebrating Clara's success. One of the guests at both the vernissage and the barbeque is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, a good friend of the Morrows.
The mystery part of the book kicks in when Clara's triumph is marred by the discovery of a woman's body in the Morrows' backyard.
The woman, clad in a bright red dress, turns out to be Lillian Dyson - Clara's best friend from childhood. Clara and Lillian had been like sisters all the way through art school, when they had a huge falling out. It's now been decades since Clara clapped eyes on her former friend.
Everyone at the party - and all the people in Three Pines - are suspects, and Gamache gathers his team to investigate. This includes Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Agent Isabelle Lacoste, who proceed to examine the crime scene, analyze evidence, interview people, and so on.
I won't say any more about the inquiry because of spoilers.
The suspense part of the novel is accompanied by a deep dive into the private lives of the main characters, some of whom have life-changing experiences in this story. In fact, this book marks a turning point in the series (IMO). Readers familiar with the books will understand this best, but enough information is supplied for new readers to catch on.
For instance, both Gamache and Beauvoir were almost killed in a police action in a previous book, and Beauvoir now has a painkiller problem. Moreover, some miscreant put a video of the disastrous police action on the internet, for everyone to see.
Police supervisors think the culprit who uploaded the video was an unknown hacker, but Gamache and Beauvoir believe it was an inside job....and that something is rotten in the Sûreté. In fact Gamache thinks someone is trying to push him out of the police service.
In addition to the video brouhaha, the story highlights some romantic tumult; old resentments that continue to simmer; a situation involving Rosa the duck; Peter Morrow's guilty secrets; Clara Morrow's new insights; and more.
The recurring characters in Penny's books are highlights of the novels. In this story, we once again visit with Ruth - the grumpy, potty-mouthed poet;
Gabri and Olivier - the gay couple who run the local inn;
Marge - the former psychologist who now owns a bookstore;
Reine-Marie - Gamache's solicitous wife; and others.
I enjoyed the book, which has a well-wrought mystery and clues that are interesting to ponder. I had a suspect in mind from early on.....but I was wrong. 😏
I'd recommend the book to mystery lovers, especially fans of Armand Gamache.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I'm a fan of Joan Rivers and enjoyed her comedy routines, early 90's daytime talk show, and Fashion Police program. I've also seen the documentary "A Piece of Work" and read Joan's book "I Hate Everyone....Starting With Me."
Joan Rivers had a daytime talk show in the early 1990s
Joan Rivers hosted 'The Fashion Police' for many years
In this memoir Joan's daughter, Melissa Rivers, relates amusing stories about her mother.
Melissa Rivers
Unlike Joan, Melissa is not a natural comic and some of her quips feel forced...or as if they were cribbed from her mom's joke collection. Nevertheless I enjoyed many stories in the book, which made me smile (or occasionally laugh out loud).
Some amusing yarns revolve around Melissa herself. For instance, as a youngster Melissa was part of a 'kids club' in Las Vegas, composed of children of celebrities who were performing in the casinos.
Joan Rivers with young Melissa
At one point Melissa's friends helped her pull out a loose tooth so the 'tooth fairy' would provide enough cash for the 'kid's club' to enjoy a whole night of arcade games and snacks. Apparently Joan was a VERY generous tooth fairy!
Then one time, during a road trip with her mother and father (Edgar Rosenberg), Melissa got hungry. Edgar drove to the drive-thru of a hamburger joint...which was OUT OF HAMBURGERS. This was a good opportunity for Joan to squash over Edgar to get to the car window and deliver a series of snippy, sarcastic remarks. Then the family went to Waffle House.
Joan Rivers with her husband Edgar Rosenberg and their daughter Melissa
Melissa relates how her parents - who had similar values and ambitions - married five days after they met and seemed to be happy. But Edgar (apparently suffering from depression) committed suicide when Melissa was a teen. Joan, who was never politically correct and considered absolutely everything fodder for a joke, soon worked the event into her comedy routine. Joan did the same thing shortly after 9/11...giving people permission to laugh after tragedy.
Joan Rivers was one of the first comics to return to stand-up comedy after 9/11
Joan also loved to shop at airports, especially in duty-free shops and on international duty-free flights. Melissa (kiddingly I hope) says her mom once spent thousands of dollars on a trip just to get a 6-dollar-break on Toblerone chocolate.
Joan and Melissa Rivers at the airport, where Joan loved to shop
Melissa also joshes about her mom's numerous plastic surgeries; love of clothes, jewelry, accessories, and tchotchkes; line of clothing and jewelry for QVC; and insistence that people use proper grammar. Joan once quipped that a certain studio receptionist spoke worse English than her Latino gardener who'd arrived in the U.S. last Tuesday.
Joan Rivers had closets full of clothes
Joan Rivers loved jewelry
Joan Rivers sold clothing and jewelry on QVC; this is one of her pins
Melissa recalls the innovative (at the time) "Red Carpet Show" she hosted with her mother, where they interviewed celebrities arriving at award shows like the Emmys and the Oscars.
Joan and Melissa Rivers had the first 'Red Carpet' show
The Joan and Melissa program introduced the expression 'Who are you wearing?' and spawned a million copycat red carpet shows. Melissa amusingly talks about actors/actresses who were hard to talk to because they were either self-conscious, snooty, or resentful of being B-list celebs. Apparently the most reluctant red carpet walker was Tommy Lee Jones, who gave interviewers PTSD....ha ha ha.
Tommy Lee Jones was reluctant to walk the red carpet
Joan was a wonderful loving mother to Melissa and a devoted grandmother to Melissa's son Cooper.
Joan and Melissa Rivers with Melissa's son Cooper
When Joan worked in/visited California she generally stayed at Melissa's Beverly Hills home - once hitchhiking there when she misplaced her driver. In any case, Joan took advantage of the opportunity to hang out with Cooper, keep him up too late, and ply him with candy, toys, and cash....bribes to keep his mouth shut about this and that :)
Joan tended to spoil her grandson Cooper
In the book Melissa has some harsh words for people she feels mistreated her mother. Jay Leno, for instance, wouldn't allow Joan to be on "The Tonight Show," saying he was honoring the wishes of the previous host Johnny Carson (with whom Joan had a falling out). Then, after Joan's death, Jay avoided Melissa when they were at the same awards event...not saying hello or expressing condolences. Melissa also mentions Katie Couric, who - during an interview - harped on Joan's 'insult comedy' instead of promoting Joan and Melissa's Red Carpet Show like she was supposed to. These sections bring down the tone of the book...which is supposed to be funny.
Jay Leno
Katie Couric
The book isn't screamingly hilarious but it's entertaining and moving...and Melissa's deep love and regard for her mother come through loud and clear. I'd recommend the book to fans of Joan Rivers and readers who enjoy celebrity memoirs.
Joan and Melissa Rivers had a close bond
Rating: 3.5 stars
Tana French is well known for her Dublin Murder Squad series. This book however, is a standalone, unconnected to French's other novels.
*****
Toby Hennessey always thought of himself as a lucky guy. He grew up in favorable circumstances; sailed through school; has two best mates named Sean and Declan; has a good publicity job at an art gallery; is in love with a wonderful girl called Melissa; lives in a comfortable apartment; and drives a nice car.
Toby feels like everyone likes him and he can talk his way out of any sticky situation.
An example of Toby's 'luck' occurs at work. The art gallery where Toby is employed is planning to show the works of young, disadvantaged artists - to help them break into the field. Toby is heavily promoting the exhibit across all social media when he discovers that one of the 'disadvantaged artists' is a fraud; he's really Toby's co-worker using a fake name to sneak his work into the show.
Being a nice guy, Toby keeps mum about the sham, but it comes to light anyway. Things blow up and the exhibit is cancelled.....but Toby keeps his job.
That's Toby's last bit of good fortune though. Soon afterward, when Toby comes home drunk from a boys night out, burglars break into his apartment. When Toby confronts the thugs, they beat him almost to death.
Toby sustains severe physical injuries, and the damage to his brain affects his thinking, speech, and memories. Thus Toby forgets large swaths of his past, and some of his remembrances seem to be lost forever.
As Toby is on the long, slow road to recovery - aided mostly by his mother and Melissa - the family gets some terrible news. Toby's paternal Uncle Hugo Hennessey, who lives in the family's large ancestral home, called Ivy House, is dying from brain cancer.
At the urging of his family, Toby agrees to stay at Ivy House temporarily, to assist Uncle Hugo in his final months. Melissa goes along and commutes to work every day.
Toby and Uncle Hugo start out as 'the lame helping the lame', but as Toby gets stronger he's able to prepare meals, help Uncle Hugo get around, and aid Uncle Hugo with his work as a genealogist.
The entire Hennessey family shows up at Ivy House every weekend, for Sunday lunch, and the crowd includes Toby's parents; his uncles and aunts; his cousins Leon and Susannah; and Susannah's husband and two school age children.
Toby, Leon, and Susannah grew up almost as siblings, and spent every summer together at Ivy House while their parents traveled around the world.
Events take a dramatic turn when Susannah and Leon drop by Ivy House one afternoon, and Susannah's kids find a human skull in the witch elm tree in the yard.
The shocked Hennessey's call the police, and - long story short - an entire skeleton is found in the hollow center of the elm. The bones turn out to be someone known to the Hennessey cousins, and the police investigation is on!
As the detectives pry into the lives of the Hennesseys - and their friends and acquaintances - secret after secret is revealed.
Toby seems surprised by some of the revelations, either because of the holes in his memory, or because he always thinks of himself as a good guy.
In the end all is revealed - about the skeleton and the assault on Toby - and it adds up to quite a story!
The mystery part of the novel is intriguing, but Tana French's novels are always about more than the crime(s). A large chunk of this book is about the characters and their interactions. Many readers find these sections compelling, but for me they slowed down the story too much.
For instance, the vicious attack on Toby is followed by many chapters about his therapy and healing. Toby is enraged at the goons who hurt him, and even resents the doctors - who are clinical and unable to assure him of a full recovery.
Toby takes out his anger on his mother, which he knows is cruel and unfair, but he can't seem to help himself. Toby is nicer to his angelic girlfriend Melissa, who's very caring toward Toby and Uncle Hugo.
There are also long sections about Uncle Hugo's work as a genealogist. Hugo's final client, a woman with a seemingly untraceable family tree, needs help unraveling her ancestry. Genealogical difficulties sometimes arise because of adoptions (official or not), and Hugo is determined to uncover the woman's history. There's a good bit about Hugo and Toby's work on the lady's background, aided in this case by the serendipitous discovery of a diary.
There are also long sections about Uncle Hugo's declining health and it's aftermath. Uncle Hugo's condition throws the family into turmoil.....and we get to know a bit too much about this.
The book has over 500 pages, which is at least 100 more than necessary (IMO). Nevertheless, this is an engaging suspense novel, recommended to mystery lovers - especially fans of Tana French.
Rating: 3.5 stars
