More Great Reads

I finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn last week. I almost didn't plow through because of some objectionable elements but more than that a nearly overwhelming sense of despondence that came over me while I was reading. I just knew the main character and her mother were going to make terrible choices, and I didn't feel up to handling that. (I'm a very empathetic reader.) However, I did persevere and was glad I did so. Francie makes such an amazing journey and gathers so many images along the way. My favorite image was of a young Francie sitting on the fire escape with her pillow and book sucking peppermint disks and watching girls in other apartments get ready for their Friday night dates. The image recurs at the end of the book when Francie is leaving the old neighborhood and sees a little girl reading and watching her. When Francie tells the girl, "Goodbye, Francie," it's a real heartstring puller.

I'm now reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. It's a Pulitzer Prize winner that is deeply reflective--a work that cannot be rushed and will most likely never be plumbed (at least by me). Will probably comment further on this when I'm finished.