Gush
I keep meaning to write about some books I've read recently, but until now, that hasn't happened...
Over the past few years, Russell Banks has emerged as my favorite writer. Every book I've read absolutely captivates me, but never at first. The initial third or even half of every book is often confusing, as Banks plays freely with setting and time, chapter by chapter. So the story often takes a while to piece together. In many cases, the plot isn't necessarily sensible or even believable, but no matter, because what sucks me in every time is the strength of the characters. Banks has a way of developing characters I can relate to, in strong and meaningful ways, and not just the protagonist. In fact several books don't even have a single leading character. No, Banks manages to skillfully develop a whole cast of characters to whom I can relate and even identify with in at least some way. I can see myself reacting similarly in that situation; I can recall a time I felt that way, or responded the way that character did. And as that personal connection with the characters develops, and the plot evolves, or in some cases, as significant history becomes revealed, my interest in the book increases, my reading accelerates, and more often than not, I read the last quarter of the book in one very late night session.
My first Banks book was a few years ago, Rule of the Bone. It was a book I chose randomly from the fiction shelves at the nearby Walker Library. I don't even know why I picked it up; probably the bright cover caught my eye. My reading followed the formula above -- the first half was a bit of a chore to get through, and it wasn't obvious at all where it was going, if anywhere. But gradually I became captivated, and read the latter part of the book in a single, marathon sitting. And there's something about the characters that grabs me by the heart and won't let go. To this day, when I'm in Borders if I want my heart to sink and swell simultaneously, I grab the book from the shelf and re-read that final three pages. Boom! like a punch to the belly. I'm sure I gushed about that book here a few years ago; it's remains one of my favorite books ever.
Recently, I've read two more of his books. Earlier this year, I checked out his latest: The Reserve: A Novel. Like every other Banks books I've read, this one would be classed as a separate genre from all of the others. It's not a coming-of-age tale like Rule of the Bone, it's not historical fiction like Cloudsplitter, it's not a tragedy like The Sweet Hereafter. In fact, on the surface, I'd class it as a historical romance novel, not a genre I would ordinarily enjoy. The plot is wacky and at times just a bit too contrived for belief. But once again: it's the characters. Every character in this novel has significant flaws, and I see how each responds to crises, I can empathize with the decisions they make, and ponder what I'd do in their shoes, even if I share nothing else in common with the wealthy spoiled daughter of a world-famous doctor in the 1930s. In this book, Banks masterfully crafts the cast at the edge of belief, each more of a caricature -- the extremes of their archetypes. Yet I can relate to the situations, decisions, and responses each makes. And although the plot seems ludicrous at times, spinning wildly out of control, doesn't life feel that way at times? Maybe it isn't so outlandish after all. The lack of a true protagonist, and the open ending left me feeling a bit hollow and unfulfilled, but like I said, doesn't life feel that way at times?
And sitting on my nightstand right now is Trailerpark, which I just finished Saturday night. Another awesome read. In this case, the book is more a collection of short stories, with the same setting and mostly the same cast. The setting is a trailerpark outside a small New England mill town, but the characters are portable -- this could be anywhere. And the characters, although improbably extreme and even one-dimensional, again are identifiable. I can find myself in every one of them. Here, let me give you a sample of Bank's writing, his own description:"It's true of trailerparks that the people who live there are generally alone at the center of their lives. They are widows and widowers, divorcees and bachelors and retired army officers, a black man in a white society, a black woman there too, a drug dealer, a solitary child of a broken home, a drunk, a homosexual in a heterosexual society -- all of them, man and woman, adult and child, basically alone in the world. When you share the center of your life with someone else, you create a third person who is neither you nor that person you have cleaved to. No such third person resided at the Granite State Trailerpark."
There you go, that's Banks. Like all of his books, this isn't a happy story. It's about life, and life isn't always happy, and we don't always live happily ever after. As such, Banks isn't an easy read. It can be pretty deep stuff to bond with a character and then see them face life's uglier sides, marvel at their response, and wonder if I'd do any better in the same circumstances. And reflecting on how I did at some similar point in my own past. And like other Bank's books, I'm left wrenched by the ending; just like life, I want to know how it ends, I want to know how those folks turned out, but no, that isn't to be.
The library has 3 or 4 other Banks books that I haven't read yet, but I can't handle another one right now. I find his books emotionally gut-wrenching, and I need some breathing time to get over the last one before I delve into another. But if you're looking for a deep, haunting read, check out Russell Banks, and stick through the initial confusion. I'll bet by the end you'll be pondering the deeper questions of life, and like me, wondering what became of these wonderful characters that Banks shares with us through his writing.
Over the past few years, Russell Banks has emerged as my favorite writer. Every book I've read absolutely captivates me, but never at first. The initial third or even half of every book is often confusing, as Banks plays freely with setting and time, chapter by chapter. So the story often takes a while to piece together. In many cases, the plot isn't necessarily sensible or even believable, but no matter, because what sucks me in every time is the strength of the characters. Banks has a way of developing characters I can relate to, in strong and meaningful ways, and not just the protagonist. In fact several books don't even have a single leading character. No, Banks manages to skillfully develop a whole cast of characters to whom I can relate and even identify with in at least some way. I can see myself reacting similarly in that situation; I can recall a time I felt that way, or responded the way that character did. And as that personal connection with the characters develops, and the plot evolves, or in some cases, as significant history becomes revealed, my interest in the book increases, my reading accelerates, and more often than not, I read the last quarter of the book in one very late night session.
My first Banks book was a few years ago, Rule of the Bone. It was a book I chose randomly from the fiction shelves at the nearby Walker Library. I don't even know why I picked it up; probably the bright cover caught my eye. My reading followed the formula above -- the first half was a bit of a chore to get through, and it wasn't obvious at all where it was going, if anywhere. But gradually I became captivated, and read the latter part of the book in a single, marathon sitting. And there's something about the characters that grabs me by the heart and won't let go. To this day, when I'm in Borders if I want my heart to sink and swell simultaneously, I grab the book from the shelf and re-read that final three pages. Boom! like a punch to the belly. I'm sure I gushed about that book here a few years ago; it's remains one of my favorite books ever.
Recently, I've read two more of his books. Earlier this year, I checked out his latest: The Reserve: A Novel. Like every other Banks books I've read, this one would be classed as a separate genre from all of the others. It's not a coming-of-age tale like Rule of the Bone, it's not historical fiction like Cloudsplitter, it's not a tragedy like The Sweet Hereafter. In fact, on the surface, I'd class it as a historical romance novel, not a genre I would ordinarily enjoy. The plot is wacky and at times just a bit too contrived for belief. But once again: it's the characters. Every character in this novel has significant flaws, and I see how each responds to crises, I can empathize with the decisions they make, and ponder what I'd do in their shoes, even if I share nothing else in common with the wealthy spoiled daughter of a world-famous doctor in the 1930s. In this book, Banks masterfully crafts the cast at the edge of belief, each more of a caricature -- the extremes of their archetypes. Yet I can relate to the situations, decisions, and responses each makes. And although the plot seems ludicrous at times, spinning wildly out of control, doesn't life feel that way at times? Maybe it isn't so outlandish after all. The lack of a true protagonist, and the open ending left me feeling a bit hollow and unfulfilled, but like I said, doesn't life feel that way at times?
And sitting on my nightstand right now is Trailerpark, which I just finished Saturday night. Another awesome read. In this case, the book is more a collection of short stories, with the same setting and mostly the same cast. The setting is a trailerpark outside a small New England mill town, but the characters are portable -- this could be anywhere. And the characters, although improbably extreme and even one-dimensional, again are identifiable. I can find myself in every one of them. Here, let me give you a sample of Bank's writing, his own description:"It's true of trailerparks that the people who live there are generally alone at the center of their lives. They are widows and widowers, divorcees and bachelors and retired army officers, a black man in a white society, a black woman there too, a drug dealer, a solitary child of a broken home, a drunk, a homosexual in a heterosexual society -- all of them, man and woman, adult and child, basically alone in the world. When you share the center of your life with someone else, you create a third person who is neither you nor that person you have cleaved to. No such third person resided at the Granite State Trailerpark."
There you go, that's Banks. Like all of his books, this isn't a happy story. It's about life, and life isn't always happy, and we don't always live happily ever after. As such, Banks isn't an easy read. It can be pretty deep stuff to bond with a character and then see them face life's uglier sides, marvel at their response, and wonder if I'd do any better in the same circumstances. And reflecting on how I did at some similar point in my own past. And like other Bank's books, I'm left wrenched by the ending; just like life, I want to know how it ends, I want to know how those folks turned out, but no, that isn't to be.
The library has 3 or 4 other Banks books that I haven't read yet, but I can't handle another one right now. I find his books emotionally gut-wrenching, and I need some breathing time to get over the last one before I delve into another. But if you're looking for a deep, haunting read, check out Russell Banks, and stick through the initial confusion. I'll bet by the end you'll be pondering the deeper questions of life, and like me, wondering what became of these wonderful characters that Banks shares with us through his writing.