Really more than one specific sentence but - actually more about the power of books. This fiction skirts around the biographical reality that Erdrich owns Birchbark Books in Minneapolis. She even appears briefly in the story as herself and maybe parts of her live in the other characters as well, all members of various Native American traditions. Typical Erdrich, the mythical and supernatural are just as central to the story as the realities of Covid and the George Floyd tragedy. Flora, a regular at the bookstore, has died but her ghost lingers. Her favorite target for misty mischief, is Tookie. Tookie believes books saved her in prison and fears Flora's actions will drive her from the bookstore job she loves. Tookie's story and struggles are shared with humor and stunning language for most of the book but the events of 2020 drive the rest of the novel. So much to ponder - one sentence at a time.
Saturday, June 11, 2022
The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
Although Garvin's book has a "Hallmark Special" feel about it, these days a happy ending is welcome. Plus - it is about bees in Hood River, Oregon. Alice is 45 and hoping that raising bees will fill the "love of the land" void created when her family loses the apple orchard they love. But the work is hard and she knows she will need help. Enter Harry, a lost soul with a record, but looking for a new way to be. And then there is Jake, bitter and isolated. One foolish act ended his HS hijinks to begin life in a wheel chair. When she almost runs him down one evening, he is added to the crew - and the bees lead the way forward for all of them. There is a good bit of environmental conflict to add to the huge amount of bee information and life lessons. All raised up sweet as honey. You knew that was coming.