This fourth book about the four septuagenarian members of the Thursday Murder Club has the usual crime mystery elements, notably missing heroin and multiple murders. What distinguishes this novel is the emotional content, not just reflections on aging but on dementia and death. Funny, moving and suspenseful, a delicious read.
Month: June 2024
Beautyland – Marie-Helene Bertino
Adina is an extra-terrestrial sent to earth to a single mother in Philadelphia; she is “born” in 1977, simultaneously with the launch of the Voyager-1 spacecraft. Her role is to observe and report on human behaviour, using a fax machine (!) to communicate with the extra-terrestrials. Her communications are both wistful and insightful, for someone in exile at home. Adina’s life is endlessly surprising – highly recommended, thanks Amy.
Wobegon Boy – Garrison Keillor
John Tollefson, a Norwegian of course, is raised in Lake Wobegon in Minnesota, according to the following philosophy (page 1): “Chin up, make yourself useful, mind your manners and … don’t feel sorry for yourself. As an adult, he moves east to manage a college radio station in upstate New York. Witty asides abound, especially about the contrasting idiosyncrasies of Lake Wobegon inhabitants and New Yorkers. Stories about Norwegian ancestors and relatives provide both poignancy and comedy – very entertaining.
What David Read 