The Freudian Slip by Marion Von Adlerstein

A quick rundown… The advertising world in 1960′s Sydney, told from the views of three women

Strengths: 60′s nostalgia

Weaknesses: No real main character, ending is very open-ended for two of the major characters.

Why I read it: Billed as ‘Mad Men meets Paper Giants‘ (Australian miniseries on 1970s women’s magazine, Cleo)

Pages: 400

Published: 2011

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Setting: Sydney and Melbourne, Australia

Rating: 7 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Fortune Cookie by Bryce Courtenay, Mad Men (the TV show)

 

I was really looking forward to this book. I adore the TV programme Mad Men and thoroughly enjoyed Bryce Courtenay’s look at advertising in Australia and Singapore in Fortune Cookie. You know I’m a historical fiction fan, so you wouldn’t be surprised to read that I stalked the bookstores of Melbourne for days prior to the release of this book. (Hachette will be pleased to know that nobody broke embargo). I really wanted this book to read on the way home as I thought it would be all-engrossing. Sadly, it was not to be. Not to be as in – 1. I couldn’t read it on my return journey and 2. That the book was not of the type where the world stands still while you read.

I was disappointed!

Let me get this straight. This is not an in-depth social commentary of 1960s Australia – people of a certain era will smile at the heavy use of old, familiar brand names while those of a younger generation will marvel at two things: 1. That some brands are so old! 2. What life was like prior to seven day shopping (although this can be experienced in Perth in 2012), no fast food outlets or mobile phones/internet. It’s a great piece of nostalgia but sometimes the brand references seem to be more crammed in than a Costco trolley on the inaugural visit.

Which brings me to a second point that I found interesting- Australia looking still to the Motherland, England but having a sneaking glance at glamorous America. The advertising agency has weekly showings of American commercials and Stella, turns to American magazines for inspiration (and plagiarism).

But I digress. Let me return to the storyline. The novel looks at three women, all working at a Sydney advertising agency. There’s Stella, former secretary and new copywriter, wanting to get herself out of the suburbs and intro the middle class; Desi, the posh society girl and TV director and Bea, divorcee with a nose for creative. The book focuses on each of them, but it’s unclear if one is meant to be the main character or if this is an ensemble cast. Should we like or dislike Stella, who is desperately crying to move up the corporate ladder (not always in an orthodox fashion)? Should we support Desi’s affair while engaged and encourage her to break from society’s bonds? Why is Desi known as Dizzy sometimes by various people at only various times? Isn’t that an odd nickname for someone breaking new moral ground? What exactly is the role of Bea? Are we to focus on the husband she left in the UK or her Don Draper-esque eye for advertising?

Sometimes it seems if this book is too much in too short a space. It also deals with homosexuality, drag queens (this is one of the funnier moments of the book!), class, aging, sex and racism. Nothing is in great detail.

Perhaps I was expecting a little too much of this book. If you think of it as a light frolic down 1960′s Sydney memory lane with nostalgia aplenty, you’ll enjoy this book. And I did enjoy it on this level. Those expecting more though, may be disappointed.

The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook by Fred Bronson

A quick rundown… The story of filming The Sound of Music, from the point of view of the seven young actors.

Strengths: Great pictures, facsimiles of tickets, scripts, diaries and a DVD.

Weaknesses: Several typos – for example, ‘Julia’ Andrews.

Why I read it: I love The Sound of Music.

Pages: 96

Published: 2011

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: watching the movie!

 

Now you know my secret – I am a long time, hard core fan of The Sound of Music. I own the LP and CD; DVDs in three languages (do check out the Japanese version – ‘delicious noodles’ are one of the favourite things) and have seen several stage versions. Nothing can compare to the original movie though. Because it was filmed pre-DVD extras (goodness, even before DVD and video invention), there has not been that much ‘extra’ information out there, although the most recent DVD release is very, very good. That is why we need this book – written by the seven actors who played the von Trapp children. The book focuses on the children’s experience – so you will find little from Julie Andrews or Christophe Plummer.

The book contains many photographs that I’ve never seen before – behind the scenes shots and photos lovingly taken by the parents who accompanied them to Austria (except for Charmian Carr, who played Liesl – she was 21 at the time). Considering this was pre-digital cameras and pre-mobile phone cameras, there’s a lot of material. Each of the ‘children’ (naturally all adults now, doing a range of things – not all involving acting) has a section of their own, explaining their lives pre and post The Sound of Music. It’s fascinating to think that little Kym Karath (Gretl) is now all grown up and that Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) now calls Australia home! There are also sections on how certain scenes were filmed (e.g. The ‘Do-Re-Mi’ montage) and the premiere. Did you know Charmian Carr got to travel the world for 2 years promoting the movie? Now I know definitely that I would like to be Liesl!

But wait – there’s even more for fans. There are several sections containing facsimiles of items to do with the movie – from Angela Cartwright (Brigitta) and Heather Menzies’ (Louisa) secret club rulebook, Nicholas Hammond’s (partial) script and premiere tickets. There’s also a DVD of home movies taken in Austria and beyond – but please remember that camcorder technology wasn’t as developed in the 1960s. While interesting, there’s a buzzing sound which is kind of annoying (I suggest you turn the sound down) and some blurred footage. It’s still a lot of fun though, from the beautiful landscapes to the gorgeous 60′s wardrobes.

There are several typos in the book – the last page has a caption for ‘Julia’ Andrews for example and there’s a few full stops missing. That shouldn’t detract you away from this gorgeous book though. It’s definitely something to treasure for fans.

I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington

A quick rundown… A baby is taken from a maternity ward. The story is the one that leads to this happening, then the aftermath.

Strengths: Easy to read, dialogue has a distinctly Australian feel.

Weaknesses: The backwards storytelling really doesn’t make sense until about 50 pages before the end.

Why I read it: Part of the 2011 Get Reading! Programme.

Pages: 295

Published: 2010

Publisher: Random House Australia

Setting: New South Wales, Australia

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: a better executed psychological thriller, such as Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster.

 

I Came to Say Goodbye was another book that I read for Australian Literature Month, hosted by Reading Matters. This was the first book that I had read by Caroline Overington (although I do have a free ebook of Ghost Child, which wins the award of Worst Ebook Cover Ever- it’s a black screen – but I digress). I was surprised at how light and easy this was to read – I finished it in two days (again, I must admit that I didn’t have a functioning leg at the time which curtailed my ability to hop away from the couch). Once again, the cover doesn’t really seem to link to the book, no matter how hard I tried to do so.

This book is somewhat unusual in which it opens with almost the end of the story – a baby being stolen from a Sydney hospital by a woman. It then travels forward in time and we meet Med Atley (short for Meredith, but Med is a typical salt of the earth Aussie bloke) who needs to prepare a statement for an upcoming court case. He can’t bring himself to talk about it, so he writes it all down. It starts with his childhood in Forster, New South Wales, a pretty coastal town, goes through his marriage and sudden departure of his wife, Pat. Med is left to bring up his three children – Kat, Blue and Fat (Donna-Faye) as best he knows how. Kat goes to high school and university in Sydney before departing for New York; while Blue goes opal hunting in Lightning Ridge. Fat falls in with the wrong man and that’s where things go downhill, with the involvement of child safety services, police and mental health services. Exactly what happened to Fat’s first child Seth and why was he removed from their care? What is the trigger for Fat’s breakdown? Finally, who is the woman who stole the baby and what did she do with it?

It’s easy to get lost in the story, but there are a couple of sticking points for me. Why did the Atleys not think to ask if they could see Seth after his accident – or even check if he was still alive? How does a baby get stolen from a hospital after hours? (All the hospitals I know have one entrance open after the end of visiting hours – the emergency entrance). Why does the hospital in Newcastle (a city) have only a registrar doctor for paediatrics? It seems Overington didn’t really know a lot about the ‘levels’ of doctors. I know that part of the point of this story is to demonstrate the differences between bureaucracy and real life, but sometimes a seemed a little too hung up on the ‘Aussie battler = good’ side of things. The voice of Kat also came across as somewhat false at times – like she is restraining herself, distancing herself from the family issues but all the same being a big part of them! The ending was also a bit strange, catching everything and tying up all the ends.

In summary, it’s an okay read, suitable for being caught short in an airport but for me there were several holes in the narrative that needed some more thought put into it.

The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman

A quick rundown… A saga of several characters, seemingly unconnected, that transcends time and moves from WWII to the present day.

Strengths: Excellent historical research, particularly in relation to Auschwitz.

Weaknesses: The explanation at the end about what was true and what wasn’t; threads of characters took a long tied to get tied up.

Why I read it: Christmas present.

Pages: 554

Published: 2011

Publisher: Random House Australia

Setting: New York, Chicago, Poland, Melbourne

Rating: 8 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

The Street Sweeper is a complex book and I’m not entirely sure how I felt about it. I know some people are dedicated fans of Elliot Perlman’s work, but this is the first of his books that I’ve read. I’m honestly not sure whether I’ll read another one.

You might wonder why I gave this book such a high rating then. It’s due to the detailed history included in the book regarding the death camps at Auschwitz. Perlman tells the story of Jewish men working for the Germans (unwillingly, only as an aid to survive) to kill and bury the Jewish people of Europe in a blunt, horrendous fashion. It’s kind of a car crash scene- you want to look away but you can’t. The worst thing is that you know that the suffering and depravity is all real.

But I digress. What does Auschwitz have to do with a book titled The Street Sweeper? It’s a story within a story linking up a number of seemingly unconnected people across New York and the world. All the characters are linked, but it takes time for both them and the reader to discover exactly how. I found that part rather farfetched. The odds of finding someone in Australia who is linked to a European immigrant to America through an Australian-born professor of a New York university studying something outside his field must be longer than winning the lottery.

Two characters tell parallel stories across New York – Lamont is a former prisoner working in a hospital, who strikes up a friendship with an elderly gentleman with numbers tattooed on his arm. This then leads into the story of Auschwitz. Adam is the Australian-born professor who risks losing his job if he doesn’t find an area of research quickly. Through his friend (and boss)’s father, he happens upon what is thought to be the first recorded oral history – from people in DP camps (displaced persons) in Europe post-World War II. These stories eventually combine, but not until the very end. In addition to the history, Lamont is looking for his lost daughter and Adam breaks up with his partner. I felt that the modern-day characters were a little superfluous at times and tended to repeat themselves excessively, particularly in the early parts of the novel. It took nearly 200 pages for me to become engrossed, and that was primarily due to the history side of things.

When I finished the book, I read that a lot of the events in the book were real – not just the things about Auschwitz, which I had expected; but the inspiration for Henry Border, was a real person. His name was David P. Boder and the wire recorder, people he interviewed and even the name of his book were all the same as the fictional version. To be honest, I felt a little ripped off. I would have liked to know this before I read the book!

Perlman’s research for this book was intricately detailed and it shows in the high level of detail of the book. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always make the narrative flow or create hooks for the reader to continue reading. I think I would read another book by this author if I was interested in the history, but otherwise, I’m not so sure.

I read this book as part of Australian Literature Month, hosted by Kimbofo at Reading Matters.

The Doctor Will See You Now by Max Pemberton

A quick rundown… Max is now in his third year of a doctor, and not quite so junior. Working in a geriatric ward has new challenges though!

Strengths: Max demonstrates the problems with today’s health care brilliantly, using real examples with emotion.

Weaknesses: Too short!

Why I read it: I really enjoy Max’s books.

Pages: 322

Published: 2011

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Setting: The NHS, UK

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Max’s other books, Trust Me, I’m a Junior Doctor and Where Does it Hurt?

Max is back for another adventure as a not-so-junior doctor. This year, he’s back at the same hospital he spent his first year at. Only this time, he’s got a rotation closer to his final specialty (geriatrics, with some psychogeriatrics and some general medicine). There is still plenty of room for odd presentations to the ED (one for example, involves a circular device being used a little too long, nudge nudge wink wink) and funny things that patients say and do. Max’s experiences are also tinged with sadness at times- at the end of life care for older people as well as the state of the NHS (National Health Service, that’s the public health service in the UK. You can easily apply the issues anywhere though).

The great thing about Max’s writing is that he has a fantastic ability to explain things, whether it be disease, treatment or bureaucracy, in easily understood terms. Even though I’m not in the UK, I was able to understand the cost-saving measures put in place for the building of hospitals and services offered. Max also wrote the clearest explanation of what a prion is and its effects on the human brain – not an easy task. This ability to put into plain words limitations of today’s healthcare (such as chemical sedation for demented patients, locking of ward pantries to restrict food after hours, shutting emergency departments) strengthens his argument – what about the patient? Isn’t the aim of healthcare profession to do what’s best for them?

Please don’t let the above paragraph detract you into thinking the book has a preaching tone. It doesn’t. There are laughs, sadness and frustration aplenty. We also see the return of Flora, Ruby and Lewis, who each have stronger storylines in this book. There is also the return of the Three Marys (secretaries) and Trudy, supplier of cakes and knowledge, along with some new characters. Max and his friends also get time off to go on holiday and attend a wedding, even if everything doesn’t turn out as planned…

I’ll be interested to see what Max does next. He is an excellent writer who always makes reading about medicine a fascinating subject. If only he could rewrite some of my textbooks!

The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

A quick rundown… The death of Erica’s childhood friend is not as it seems. Will she and Patrik the local detective find out the truth?

Strengths: The crime narrative runs very well alongside the blossoming of Erica and Patrik’s relationship.

Weaknesses: Took me a little while to get into (about 50 pages).

Why I read it: Christmas present; always looking for the next hot Swedish crime series.

Pages: 400

Published: 2002 (original version)

Publisher: Harper Collins

Setting: Sweden

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Stieg Larsson’s trilogy or Henning Mankell

I, like many others, have been searching for the perfect Swedish crime book to follow on from the immensely popular The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. I’ve had a go at Henning Mankell and others have tried Jo Nesbo. While both are good, they didn’t create the tension and gripping story that Stieg Larsson did. So now I’ve tried Camilla Lackberg. How does she rate in comparison?

For starters, the storyline is good. Very good. Not cracking pace crazy twist and turns good but a twist on the old formula. We open the book with Erica, a writer trying to write a biography in the small town of Fjallbacka while grieving for her parents and gritting her teeth against her sister’s controlling husband. Alex, Erica’s school friend, is found naked with slashed wrists in the bath by a neighbour, who takes Erica to the scene. Did Alex kill herself? Or was it something more sinister? Erica is asked to write an obituary for Alex and so gets entangled in the mystery. Enter Patrik, local frustrated detective. There are interesting twists and turns in the case- some that you can see coming, others that are a shock as well a subplot as Erica and Patrik get together. This is done rather well, not nauseatingly sweet nor does it detract from the murder case. Having a writer as the central character with assistance from a policeman was a nice change to the usual procedural format. It also allowed for Erica’s perspective to be a lot closer to what the everyday person would experience if put in that situation. It is interesting that violence against women is also a theme of this book, like Stieg Larsson’s books.

Others have described the translation of this book as stilted with ‘fake’ dialogue. I didn’t find that at all. I thought the dialogue was completely natural (although perhaps lacking in English slang, but this is set in Sweden after all) and the translation clear and cohesive. It is not beautiful literature, but a read that certainly gets the reader intimately involved after the first 50 pages. (Bear with the book while it sets everything up, you won’t be disappointed). The characters’ names are also easier to remember in my case- I have sometimes found it difficult to get names straight in Henning Mankell books. There’s only one mention of IKEA!

The Ice Princess is the first in a series starring Erica and Patrik; five of which are currently published in English. The copy of the book I read also had a sampler of the second book, The Preacher. This looks to be another page-turner – I haven’t been this excited about a crime series for some time. Lackberg’s books certainly stand up to the scrutiny of readers who have enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s books – go out and read one now!

Middlemarch by George Eliot

A quick rundown… The story of the people of Middlemarch, England.

Strengths: A lot of characters with interesting quirks.

Weaknesses: I forgot who some of the more minor male characters were at times.

Why I read it: Had not read Eliot previously.

Pages: 889

Published: 1871

Publisher: Vintage

Setting: England

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Middlemarch is not for the weak-wristed. It is a 889 page tome which contains the lives, loves and death of the small village of Middlemarch in Great Britain. It’s also not for those who like a quick read, not just due to the length, but for the fact that each carefully crafted word should be savoured. You might think that the previous sentence is shorthand for ‘confusing, hard to understand’, but honestly it’s not. I think Middlemarch is one of the more easily read classics for the modern reader. Fairly light on scandals for the modern reader, this is a true reflection of daily life. There are also some interesting comparisons to be made of medicine through the ages.

As I’ve alluded to above, Middlemarch is about several people in a village, rather than just one main character. If I was pressed to do so, I’d say Dorothy and Lydgate (new doctor in Middlemarch feature most prominently). Divided into eight books, you could say that some books feature some characters more prominently (for example, the first book is primarily about Dorothy and her marriage) while others spend time with most of the characters. The book deals with several different themes – money (or lack of it) changing opportunities, marriage (what constitutes a good or bad marriage – should one marry for love?), education and wishes versus reality. Dorothy marries Mr Casaubon for his devotion to good works as she wants to do the same, but learns that being eager to do good doesn’t add up to love. Lydgate marries Rosamund in a flurry of lust, but their financial and social lives don’t collude. Fred would love to marry Mary, but doesn’t have a fortune (and what he did have, he spent on the horses). Mary could have changed things for him, but decisions at the death bed are hard to make. The more minor male characters (such as Featherstone and Bulstrode) I found hard to delineate at times – there wasn’t enough for me to make them distinctive in my mind.

The final chapter ties up all the characters’ predicaments nicely, as well as giving the reader an insight into what eventually happened to them over the years – did their dreams come true? Or did they just blow away in the wind? Each chapter is also prefaced with a quote – generally in English, but sometimes in French and Latin, which sometimes linked to the chapter contents, sometimes not. They didn’t really add a lot to the novel for me, and I found myself skipping over them.

I wouldn’t say that Middlemarch is a book and could pick up and put down; I think it was better read in larger chunks (such as an hour a day). Don’t let that put you off reading it though. It is a big read, but a gratifying one as the village people come to life inside your mind.

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

A quick rundown… The story of Madeline, an English major in college and the two men in her life – Leonard and Mitchell.

Strengths: Eugenides writes excellent prose with a strong attention to detail.

Weaknesses: I don’t care for semiotics, and I’m still not sure what the point of this book was.

Why I read it: Loved Middlesex.

Pages: 440

Published: 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins

Setting: America

Rating: 7 out of 10

If you liked this, try: I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe is a more well-rounded account of college life. Alternately, there’s always Sweet Valley University.

I’ve thought about this book for some time now after finishing the last page, but I still can’t answer the question: what exactly is the point of this book? Reading the blurb on the back, I thought it would be a funny take on Jane Austen-style romance, but it’s not. It’s full on semiotics, mental health and finding yourself post-university.

Let me try to summarise what this book is actually about. We meet Madeline as she is about to graduate from college. An English major, she secretly revels in books of the Regency and Victorian era, but felt out of touch with her classmates. She takes a class in semiotics (the book goes into great detail about this, but it wasn’t especially interesting for me) and meets Leonard. Leonard becomes her boyfriend, but they break up just before graduation. Madeline gets it on with some random guy the night before graduation, but later gets a phone call to say that Leonard is in the hospital as he stopped taking his lithium. He has bipolar affective disorder, and he and Madeline reunite.

Mitchell has always held a candle for Madeline. A religious studies major, he decides to do a gap year post-college, travelling around the world. Madeline kisses him impulsively before he leaves and he often thinks of her throughout the trip. Meanwhile, Madeline and Leonard are trying to work through various issues with varying degrees of success- will they make it? Will Madeline work out what she wants to do with her life? Will Mitchell ever win Madeline’s heart?

I don’t think this was a version of anything Jane Austen like. There is simply not enough connection between Mitchell and Madeline that you want them to get together; while Leonard and Madeline obviously have barriers to a long term relationship. Is the marriage in the book an ironic look at the happy ever after of Regency and Victorian novels? Again, I don’t think so. Maybe there is something in there related to semiotics, but I don’t get it.

The book is well written and the characters are fleshed out well. It’s hard to be sympathetic with Madeline though – she’s a bit of a drip. Even in the 1980s, to put everything aside for a man is a bit stupid and again not like a Jane Austen heroine. Mitchell was my favourite character – he has his flaws, but works through them to become a better person for it.

To be honest, I was expecting a lot more from this book after thoroughly enjoying Middlesex. It’s an okay read, but nothing stellar.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

A quick rundown… 24 hours in the life of Miss Pettigrew that change her life.

Strengths: Very uplifting, restores faith in the human spirit.

Weaknesses: Too short!

Why I read it: Given to me in the 2010 Library Thing Secret Santa.

Pages: 234

Published: 1938

Publisher: Persephone Books

Setting: London

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: there is a movie of this book. Watson’s writings also have the charming feel of Enid Blyton.

Miss Pettigrew was a present from a Secret Santa who knows that I like books that are part of a series or set (examples: Morland Dynasty series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, Popular Penguins, Vintage 21). This eagle-eyed Santa noticed that I didn’t have any of the books published by the charming Persephone Books and soon rectified this. I had heard of the movie of the same name, but didn’t realise that like most good ideas, it was originally a book. And what a charming book this is. It’s kind of like Enid Blyton for grown-ups. There’s little sketches every so often of the action and the writing is so warming and pleasing, you’d think you had stepped into a warm bath.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is 24 hours in the life of Miss Pettigrew, an out of work governess who is almost penniless and on the brink of being evicted from her lodgings. Given an address from the employment office, she makes her way to the flat of Delysia LaFosse, who is looking for a governess. When Delysia opens the door, Miss Pettigrew is thrust into a world she has only dreamed of. A world where she is loved for what she is, opinions are listened to and respected and where happiness is not an optional extra. Delysia’s life is spiralling out of control and Miss Pettigrew’s words of advice and wisdom help her to discover what she really wants. Miss Pettigrew is also responsible for reuniting an estranged couple and there is a hint of romance for her.

This book is simply told and brims over with goodness. I don’t mean it’s goody-goody; I mean that it restores your faith in the human spirit. The gaining of confidence in Miss Pettigrew is beautiful to read, from her first evening gown and hairdo to the first twinkle of interest from the opposite sex. It’s heart-warming to see and the happy ending is also just perfect. Almost a fairy tale!

Don’t think that it’s all sweetness and light though. There are some fairly heavy issues discussed, from drug use to promiscuity to alcohol. I’m sure this would have been even more daring back in 1938 when the book was first published. It’s a fairly quick read, but one that leaves you pondering long after. Thank you Secret Santa!

The Easter Parade by Richard Yates

A quick rundown… The story of two sisters over their lives, from childhood to the end. The different paths – with very divergent results – make for interesting reading.

Strengths: Yates writes beautifully, communicating emotion in few words.

Weaknesses: Not always happy, but true to life.

Why I read it: I’ve really enjoyed his other works (so much so that I’ve searched bookshops around the world for a complete set).

Pages: 240

Published: 1976

Publisher: Vintage Classics

Setting: America

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Other Richard Yates books, such as Revolutionary Road.

I always enjoy Richard Yates’ books and know that I can be guaranteed a well-written, sensitive narrative that doesn’t shy away from the uglier side of life. The Easter Parade certainly delivers on all those fronts. Deceptively slim at a mere 240 pages, Yates chronicles the life of two sisters, Sarah and Emily, from 1940s to 1970s New York. There aren’t any ‘big’ blockbuster type dramas in this book, rather it’s two lives lived somewhat differently with the benefits and drawbacks of both. To put it simply, it’s just life. Yes, there aren’t events that happen to everyone but I bet they will have happened to someone you know (even if you aren’t aware of it). This is a story that everyone can relate to.

Through elegant prose, Yates leads us through the young lives of Sarah and Emily and what it means to have divorced parents in that era. Emily is somewhat unsure of her role in the family – is it to be the sensible side of Pookie (her alcoholic, whimsical mother) or is it to emulate the glamourous Sarah, who once had a photo in the newspaper from the Easter parade? Or it is to make her own way?

Sarah chooses the conventional side of life and marries Tony, settling down in Long Island on his parents’ estate. Emily, in comparison, chooses college, mundane jobs and dead end relationships. It would seem that Sarah has the better end of the deal – or does she? The story is bittersweet as we learn that life in the suburbs hides unhappiness, abuse and alcoholism. Each sister has a sense of unfulfilment which she is trying to solve. Yates doesn’t offer any definite answers or sense of relief. This is life with its ups and downs – take it or leave it.

You might be wondering why I rated this so highly if this book is so damn depressing. It’s Yates’ skill to make sadness and emptiness readable so that hopefully, we recognise the good things. I think this is something he has in common with Truman Capote (such as in Summer Crossing). Both write detailed stories that detail everyday life, warts and all, capturing emotion so well. I can’t wait to read more of Yates’ work, paradoxical as that may seem!

Highly recommended.