Author: AJ

The Hero’s Walk by Anita Rau Badami

The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau BadamiA sweeping story of a multi-generational Indian family near Madras: a mean-spirited mother of two, a spinster daughter aged 42 and the older brother Sripathi who is the major figure in this story. Sripathi is married with a stay-at-home son and an estranged daughter living in Vancouver. Sripathi is angry is angry with life: his job; corruption in India; but his major disappointment is his family relationships, in particular his daughter who defied him by rejecting an arranged marriage. All live in a single big house that is decaying literally. A very important element in this book is dealing with change, their declining standard of living. When their estranged daughter is killed in a traffic accident, the 7-year-old grand-daughter (who they have never met) comes to live with them, a fourth generation, forcing them to cope (poorly) with even more change. This is a very fine book about India.

Note: this book is also from the CBC list mentioned above. And later was in the 2016 CBC Canada Reads list)

The Cure For Death By Lightning by Gail Anderson-Dargatz

The Cure For Death By Lightning by Gail Anderson-DargatzThis is a remarkable book, told in the voice of 14 year-old Beth who is growing up in rural B.C. in the early 1940s. There is exceptional detail in the writing, ranging from the recipes and remedies in her mother’s scrapbook to farming details like milking cows and separating the milk. There is also a very strong magical/mystical element. But be warned, there is some very unpleasant detail, described in a completely understated manner. So, highly recommended but with a warning.

Note: this book is from the CBC list: 100 novels that make you proud to be a Canadian, a superb reading list.

Kicking The Sky by Anthony De Sa

Kicking The Sky by Anthony De SaEvocative story telling about the late 70s in Little Portugal, Toronto. De Sa captures the rapid (<1 year) and heart  breaking transition in the life of a 12-year-old, from blissful innocence (well, not quite complete innocence because these are young boys), from simple adolescence to the knowledge that the world is a tough and gritty place with sinister characters. The nature of the time with rampant homophobia is described vividly. Thanks Steph, for this recommendation. De Sa’s previous book, Barnacle Love, has some back story but is not as good as Kicking The Sky.

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

This is a cracking good mystery, with misinterpreted observations, deceit and lies (intentional and unintentional). The writing is reminiscent of Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, et al) with two time lines that precede and follow an apparent crime. The main character in this novel is delightfully flawed, a real train wreck.

The Unspeakable by Meghan Daum

A collection of essays that are introspective, insightful and (apparently) honest appraisals of life in general and the author’s life in specific. Two of the essays on mother-daughter relationships and motherhood are sensational. Overall the writing is breezy and ironic. Note: this title is from Lola’s Literature Lounge, so thanks Chris.