Instead of the virtues of classical republicanism, the romance of nationalism, the ructions of democracy, many modern liberals give us a vision of an Open Society that is informed by the dreams of Communism itself, a withering away of nationality, religions, social distinctions, and even the family that occurs underneath the tutelage of liberal democratic capitalism rather than a Communist party. That is why, so often, the legal suppressions aimed at Christianity are aimed at things like the principled refusal to profit from one’s labor. None of these cases involve the systematic and conspiratorial deprivation of goods, as Jim Crow did. What offends the modern liberal is something else. The mere assertion of a higher good beyond the Open Society, and beyond ourselves, something higher than profit, is itself counted as an injury, as treasonous. — Michael Brendan Dougherty
Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle
One of the perennial problems for the book blogger/reviewer is the guilt that hovers over you because of the books you received or requested but never reviewed. Once the pure joy of receiving free books begins to wear off, and it does wear off even if not completely, this guilt begins to hang around.
The guilt has multiplied for me the past year or so as I have been in something of a funk when it comes to reviewing books. I still love to read and read quite a bit but the motivation to post has been spotty at best. As a result, there are quite a few books that I requested and read but never really reviewed or offered feedback of the sort publishers would prefer.
But this is not a new phenomenon. Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle is a perfect illustration. Seeking something to read on my Kindle before bed (I have far too many serious nonfiction works on my Kindle which are not what is needed for bedtime reading most nights), I decided to finally read this novella.
Lucretia’s best friend and upstairs neighbor Sunny—a sweet pitbull of a kid, even as she struggles with a mysterious illness—has gone missing. The only way to get her back is for Lucretia to climb the rickety fire escape of their Queens tenement and crawl through the window of apartment 6D, portal to a vast shadowland of missing kids ruled by a nightmarish family of mutants whose designs on the children are unknown. Her search for Sunny takes Lucretia through a dark fantasyland where she finds lush forests growing from concrete, pigeon-winged rodents, and haunted playgrounds. Her quest ultimately forces her to confront the most frightening specter of all: losing, forever, the thing you love the most.
Having finished reading, I went back to NetGalley and discovered that I had requested this book in 2012! It was a companion to The Devil in Silver. I was just looking for an interesting story; the fact that it was a novella was a bonus.
Nearly nine years later I can say that it was an interesting read but I am not sure LaValle pulled of the trick or stuck the landing to mix my metaphors. It is supposed to be a middle grade fantasy with a dash of horror. And the publisher isn’t shy in its marketing:
From one of the most acclaimed young writers of fiction in America today comes a fast-paced and fantastical novella about a young girl’s journey into a dark netherworld to find her missing best friend. … Lucretia and the Kroons is a dazzlingly imaginative adventure story and a moving exploration of the power of friendship and the terror of loss.
Um, for me? Not so much …
Despite a strong start that pulls you in, and a interesting central character in Lucretia (“Loochie”), it soon becomes clear that the story’s identity is fuzzy. At times it veers toward inappropriate content (just straight up inappropriate depending on your tolerance for such things) for middle grade readers. It also jumps from realism to fantasy with little set up or transition; one minute it is realistic the next metaphysical/fantastic. This is jarring and leaves the reader confused about the fantasy world/horror Loochie gets trapped in; why it exists, how it operates, if it is “real” or in her mind, etc.
And the ending just makes a mess of it all. Rather than offer insight or tie up loose ends, it just drops an anvil on things and calls it a day. It was neither satisfying nor thought provoking. I’m guessing it was something of a set up for the novel it is a companion to, but it undermined any of the enjoyment that might have been had from the story.
Which is too bad because there is a lot of creativity here. But the whole is somehow less than the sum of its parts. Points for the attempt I guess but a frustrating read. The good news? It is only $.99 on Kindle and roughly 100 pages so the risk is low for those who want to make their own judgement.
Benice: An Adventure of Love and Friendship by Metin Karayaka
I’m trying to make sense of my reaction to Benice: An Adventure of Love and Friendship by Metin Karayaka. This is normally something I would love: middle grade adventure story with classic fairy tale style and illustrations; and a positive message as a bonus. Which is why I grabbed it from NetGalley.
But while I enjoyed it (3 stars), I wasn’t wowed like so many NetGalley and Goodreads reviewers. But first, plot teaser:
Levend is just twelve when he meets Mr. Ben Ice, a gruff fisherman whose peg leg, eyepatch and hook hand all but prove a lifetime of piracy. But life in Yalova is hard, and if this intimidating figure can help Levend support his family, then he’ll gladly accompany him on the fishing trip of a lifetime – even if it’s packed with more danger, adventure and friendship than either of them could ever have expected.
As Levend discovers more and more about his would-be captain, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous pirate feud, a hunt for sunken treasure, and the chance to forge friendships that will last a lifetime – even if that only means the next few minutes. Confronted by timeless love and shocking betrayal, Levend must decide who he can trust and who’ll make him walk the plank.
The first caveat I should make is that it is middle grade fiction and it might be the case that I am not that good a judge of books in this genre. I really should read it to my kids or have them read it and give me feedback …
But there was something about it that just didn’t connect with me. I found the flashback storytelling and the multiple perspectives confusing at times and many of the characters were thin and undeveloped. I didn’t feel like everything fit together and the world made sense. It was like you were dropped into this world from another culture and the backstory and history was left out. Again, this could be part of the middle grade audience.
I think the key to enjoying a book like this is to suspend disbelief and dive in, reading it in large chunks. I read it at night before falling asleep and it could be that this made it more disjointed. Who knows? Kirkus called it a “A Treasure Island for the modern era, recommended for middle-grade readers and fans of pirate-adventure tales.” But then again, my daughter did not care for Treasure Island …
I will leave it to you dear readers to decide if this is the type of book for you and your family:
A middle-grade bedtime storybook written and illustrated in the tradition of classics. While adventures teach boys and girls importance of family and friendship in their lives, adults will love the good lessons about not making the wrong decisions when life offers challenges.
If you are a Kindle user, it is currently $2.99 so low risk …
Holding the Line on the River of Death: Union Mounted Forces at Chickamauga, September 18, 1863 by Eric J. Wittenberg
My favorite Civil War author, Eric J. Wittenberg, has recently written a book on the Union mounted force’s delaying action on September 18, 1863 at Chickamauga in Holding the Line on the River of Death.
Wittenberg is my favorite author because he details the actions of individual units, but also gives a great overview of the surrounding battle. He continues this trend in this latest book. He describes the actions of the Union and Confederate units as they fight each other, but also describes how those fights affected the surrounding units.
Wittenberg has written several books on cavalry during the Civil War, including one on Buford’s delaying actions on July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg. He takes his knowledge of Buford’s actions and compares it to the actions of the Union men at Chickamauga – he gives a slight edge to the Chickamauga men. He does not discredit Buford’s or his men’s actions, but rightly points out that Colonels Minty and Wilder and their commands at Chickamauga had fewer men and fewer repeating rifles, and were fighting more Confederates than Buford.
One of Wittenberg’s greatest strengths in the book is his discussion on the role of cavalry in delaying actions. He describes the tactics that should be used in such actions, including having vedettes and outposts in front of the main line of defense. Minty and Wilder executed textbook delaying actions.
Wittenberg includes detailed footnotes that further describe figures or actions that do not bog down the narrative. Sprinkled throughout the text are numerous photographs and wonderful maps that allow the reader to follow the narrative.
The book is an excellent addition to anyone’s Civil War library.
Quick Take: One Fatal Mistake by Tom Hunt
A little torn on One Fatal Mistake by Tom Hunt. It turned out to be the fast paced thriller I was looking for when I grabbed it from NetGalley. But I was left cold by the ending. Everything went barreling toward a climax and then it just kind of ended.
When eighteen-year-old Joshua Mayo takes a man’s life in a terrible accident, he leaves the scene without reporting the crime to the police. He hopes to put the awful night behind him and move on with his life. But, of course, he ends up telling his mother, Karen, what happened.
Karen has raised Joshua on her own in Cedar Rapids, Iowa–and she’d thought they’d finally made it. He was doing well in school and was only months away from starting college at his dream school. After hearing his dark confession, she’s forced to make a choice no parent should have to make. A choice that draws them both into a web of deceit that will change their lives forever–if they can make it out alive.
The story is an interesting exploration of how things can go horribly wrong in a flash and how these intense moments, and a fierce dedication to loved ones, can make moral decision making difficult.
A fast and entertaining read but didn’t stick the landing, IMO.
Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War’s Lost Battalion by Edward G. Lengel
Next to the Korean War, World War I is the twentieth century’s other forgotten war in the United States. Many do not know of the large number of American casualties suffered in relation to the short duration of American involvement. If Americans remember anything of the war, it is of the exploits of Sergeant Alvin York. However, Edward G. Lengel highlights the heroic stand of the “Lost Battalion,” an American unit surrounded and almost annihilated, in his book Never in Finer Company.
Lengel tells the compelling stories of Major Charles Whittlesey, Captain George McMurtry, Sergeant York, and Damon Runyon during the battalion’s encirclement. After describing their lives before the war, Lengel describes each man’s path into the military (or, in Runyon’s case, his path to covering the war) and their lives leading into battle.
Unlike many books on explaining the exploits of fighting men, Lengel goes beyond the battlefield when looking at the men. He compassionately describes the struggles and trials of the men as they deal with the horrors they experienced in war. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was not a term used, but Whittlesey, McMurtry, and York all exhibited classic symptoms of the Disorder. As Lengel explains, Whittlesey may have suffered the most as he agonized over the deaths of his men.
The writing is phenomenal and engaging. Lengel is balanced in his criticism and praise of each of the men. He also rightly criticizes the American generals’ incompetence (especially General Pershing and General Alexander – the Lost Battalion’s Division commander) in planning and executing the battles. Alexander was a bully and should not have been retained in command due to his demeanor and lack of touch with the front lines.
Lengel’s book is a great tribute to those who fought in the Lost Battalion.