The Dark Flood Rises - Margaret Drabble

The Dark Flood Rises - Margaret Drabble

She Read

I’m not a huge fan of Margaret Drabble’s, but I did enjoy this book.  It is very literary and a bit of a slog to get through. I liked the characters and thought the reflections on aging were spot on. Although the effects of age and one’s mortality are ever present, the book was more comforting than depressing. Not a lot of action…just the ever passing on of everyday time and life. 

Anything is Possible - Elizabeth Strout

Anything is Possible - Elizabeth Strout

She read

Fans of Elizabeth Strout will be delighted with this new collection of loosely linked stories.  All of the characters have in common that they were familiar with the young Lucy Barton (My Name is Lucy Barton) as she grew up in a small midwestern town and now weave in and out of each others’ lives.   Strout is a gifted writer whose characters are beautifully drawn and her poignant observations of life are right on.  This book can be enjoyed on its own, but I think it my be more meaningful if one has read My Name is Lucy Barton. 

The Cutaway - Christina Kovac

The Cutaway - Christina Kovac

She read

This is a mystery from the perspective of a television news producer/investigative journalist. In addition to the main plot line described in the book synopsis, office relationships, the effect of family history on current characters’ functioning and the precarious position of tv news in today’s world are all subplots.  There are some twists, but as I was reading felt the story and characters to be somewhat flat; there was just something missing to connect with.

I thought the author was a little sloppy in pulling it all together as the mystery climaxed, but it moved along at a good pace, held my attention and I didn’t want to put it down.  I believe this is the author’s first novel.  It’s a good debut and I look forward to more from her.