Better Characters Blog

In literature we see comparatively fewer female characters which leads to a strange phenom where we eagerly grasp onto whatever representation we do get, even though these women sometimes are so incapable of taking charge of their own life, it's hard to imagine them as the protagonist of their own story. But what if we just look for and demand better characters? 

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A book that’s fun but flawed

There's a very touching back story to this book: the author, Jane Lotter, was a very successful humorist writing for the Seattle Sun and winning awards for doing it. Critical acclaim aside, she could not find a publisher for her only novel, The Bette Davis Club, and so decided to take matters into her own hands and self-publish. Then she passed away, and only after that did Lake Union Publishing come forward with interest in the book. Ms. Lotter never lived to see her book widely distributed, but it's success is a testament to her wit and writing.

Margo Just is a fifty-something woman who, while perhaps not the hero of her own story, is certainly the likeable-but-flawed protagonist of it. And this is really something because in the history of  literature we almost never see a woman over 35 who is not the mother, mother in-law, step-mother, grandmother, other quirky but secretly wise relative, bitch boss, foreign-born housemaid, life-altering nanny, cougar mistress, or other such similar accessory to the youthful, vibrant (often male) protagonist. To have a story be about a woman in her middle stages of life is relatively unheard of and the first thing that drew me to this book.

Our protagonist has arrived at her half-sister's daughter's wedding only to discover the bride has successfully pulled off a mysterious disappearing act. Despite her extended family being one of considerable wealth, Margo has been struggling financially for, well, her entire life. Through a series of truly contrived circumstances which include an audacious amount of money, she finds herself in a car with the deserted groom on a journey to locate the fleeing-but-irresistible bride. If this sounds like the circumstances of a movie plot rather than someone's life, that's not unintentional. Margo adores the cinema of classic Hollywood and her extended family is deeply embedded in the corporate money-making schemes of today's movie industry. The style of the book parallels the overt plots we often see on the silver screen and, like the comedic misadventures we fancy on our televisions, this book is an enjoyable if sometimes bumpy ride.

Margo Just is difficult. Not as a personality trait, but as a character. She is 50-something, single and floundering and this particular combination make her both wonderful and problematic. As mentioned above, we don't often get to see middle-aged women in the protagonist role and Ms. Lotter gives us someone who is at times compassionate, contemplative, and the victim of some really rough luck; but, at times is also judgmentally cruel, afraid and dependent. To put it simply, I went through waves of being delighted and disappointed by this character. While she is the center of her own story, there are few times that I felt she was steering it. Between her father, her ex-lover and her burgeoning friendship with the jilted groom who is literally driving the car, the reader is left uncertain of how often Margo has ever been in the driver's seat of her own life.

The humor is quick and sharp. The cast of characters are wildly entertaining in their heightened dramatics. The story is heart-warming and the moments of genuine character connection fulfilling. The Bette Davis Club, like it's main character, is entertaining if a bit flawed. As we begin to gently approach the warmer seasons, you'll enjoy this more as a sunny read on the beach rather than a subject of feminist discourse.

The Bette Davis Club

by Jane Lotter

Contemporary Fiction

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A book like no other

Unconventional. Raw. Honest. Discomforting. Truly beautiful.

I can say with confidence that Eileen is unlike anything I have ever read. It debunks and subverts stereotypes at every turn of the page while presenting you with what should be an entirely unlikable cast of characters who you can't help but be completely fascinated with. The story thrives in an uncomfortable environment continually pushing the boundaries, yet there is a normalcy that seems almost mundane. It's full of contradictions, but that's what makes it so fantastically, horribly, heart-wrenchingly honest.

In the snowy days leading up to Christmas, Eileen Dunlop is trapped in her small New England town (called X-ville), living with an alcoholic father and working in a boy's juvenile prison facility.  All she wants in the world is to get away, to be someone else; and, all she needs to do so is an external push. Because while not bereft of ambition, Eileen lacks the self-motivation to take her destiny into her own hands. Along comes fate, setting into motion a series of events pushing our protagonist past the point of no return, to freedom.

Told from the point of view of an older, wiser, more experienced and renamed Eileen, this could be considered a coming of age tale. A turning point in a young woman's life. Except unlike the common caterpillar to butterfly version of events, this feels more like a lone, struggling, recently-hatched sea turtle finding it's way to the sea across a vast expanse of sand with no sense of direction and any number of obstacles and predators in it's way. Some people are just born with more hurdles in their path, and Eileen is certainly one of them. A product of a distant mother who passes away at an early age and a father who wants little to do with her, Eileen has been raised to believe she is about as worthwhile as the dead mouse she has in the glove box of her car. 

Eileen is filled with self-loathing, while being completely obsessed with her appearance and the image she is putting out into the world. She scrutinizes every person she meets and every element of her own existence to see how they might be put together and where she might fit into the picture. She creates fantastical versions of what could happen someday with Randy, her workplace crush. She's simultaneously intrigued and humiliated by her own sexuality. She seems to unapologetically recognize her own failings and never once shows regret for her part in the events that unfold. Our older narrator has found peace in understanding that everything that took place leading up to that fateful Christmas day was necessary to propel her into the life she found after her flight from X-ville. And while this does not make her a pilar of virtue, it gives the reader a meticulously told pragmatic series of events which leave little room for excuse or misunderstanding. You may at times be aghast at the events unfolding, but you never doubt their truth.

I can't honestly say Eileen is likable. I am fairly certain you will be fascinated by her. What's more, I think she is a character emblematic of the kind of people who are too often neglected or forgotten by society at large. Admittedly, if I met Eileen on the street, I would likely pass her by without another thought. If I met her in a bar, I imagine I would try and escape that conversation as quickly as possible. This all says far more about me than her, and I think that is one of the strongest elements to this book. Where are the Eileens of the world? How did we create them? How did we dismiss them? These women, these people, deserve a voice too and this powerful book is a lens into that world. Add to this the slowly unfolding mystery that leads to her escape, a masterfully manipulative secondary character who I've not even touched on and some of the most poetically graphic writing I've read in quite some time and you get a book you won't want to put down. 

Eileen

by Ottessa Moshfegh

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

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A book for these times.

A short review because this book is a must-read, but it doesn't feature a strong female fictional character. It's an auto-biography of a strong female person and the subject matter is too important not to talk about.  Carolyn Maull McKinstry was attending the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church when a bomb went off inside on September 15, 1963. Four of her friends were killed in the event and this book is her testimony of the times. It covers race relations through the Civil Rights movement and the impact of the great leaders of the era, as well as the influence of local persons throughout the south. The pages are peppered with excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr's powerful oratory as well as quotes from the likes of JFK, Bobby Kennedy, various Alabama church leaders and lessons from the Bible. But what's more eye-opening is Carolyn's personal, painful struggle as she strove to digest the events happening around her and to her. From one of the most tumultuous times in this country's history, the reader get an intimate glimpse into not just the people of the movement, but how the movement affects one person. It takes the Civil Rights era beyond the realm of abstract ideas into the real life of a citizen who lived it.  In this current new presidential term where most of the country is struggling to reunite and find common ground, this book is so important in allowing one woman of color to tell her story (because representation matters). And for page after page, we realize that perhaps we have not come so far as we would like to imagine.  If we don't know and understand history - all sides of the story - we are doomed to repeat it.

While the World Watched

by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

non-fiction

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Forging Success

From the voice of Lorelai Gilmore (literally, if you’re listening on audiobook) is this fun and fulfilling book about a young(ish) actress in New York working and striving to find success and happiness in both a business and city often characterized by a certain harshness.

Francis Banks is approaching her late twenties and her self-imposed deadline to “be successful” or give up acting in favor of more “reasonable” career goals. We journey with Franny through her final year before deadline day as she stumbles through career, relationships, and life in general, all on the way to finding herself. 

This book is thoroughly enjoyable, even if a little predictable. I do not know if the story is in any way auto-biographical, though - if I were to guess - I would say it is. And this is largely due to Franny being a delightfully well-rounded, lovable and flawed character. She seems like someone you know, or perhaps she seems like a part of yourself. At every turn, you are rooting for her success even as you watch her put obstacles in her own way. Because we’ve all been there. We probably are all still currently there. 

I often find actresses difficult characters to like in a literary sense. And before anyone is offended, know many of my closest friends and a majority of my colleagues are actresses. They are great, and very much individuals like the “rest of us.” But on page, actresses often come across as self-centered and manic, with low self-esteem and, more often than not, carrying “Daddy issue” baggage. Not to mention the stigmas of the theatre not being a “real” career and acting especially just being some version of playing pretend. Taken separately, none of these things are special or specific to any one group of characters over another but throw them together and you get “Protagonist Actress Stew.” I don’t like it, and truthfully, I’m sure my actress friends don’t either. BUT like most stereotypes, there exists some truth and Lauren Graham pretty magnificently manages to walk that line. Franny is all these things at times, but she’s also hardworking, kind, compassionate, determined and smart. 

Someday, Someday, Maybe is light-hearted fare. It’s supposed to be fun and perhaps a bit frivolous, but myself and the majority of book readers enjoy those kinds of stories. Which means a strong, identifiable female lead in a fluffier piece can be just as important as the feminist manifestos of Margaret Atwood.

Someday, Someday, Maybe

by Lauren Graham

Fiction

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Wow. Just Wow.

This book is a powerhouse. I think it knocked the wind out of me a half dozen times.

A black woman named Dana lives in 1976 California until one day she is pulled from her world into the pre-Civil War Antebellum South and intervenes to save the life of a small white boy and son of a plantation owner, Rufus Weyland. In a period that is roughly two weeks in her contemporary time and more than a decade in the 19th century, Dana is repeatedly thrown between time and place to help save her familial lineage again and again. 

The layers: so many. This book comments on race relations, slavery, gender dynamics, the unbreakable spirit and human nature on a large scale. To start with the obvious: when Dana is stuck in the Antebellum South, she lives amongst the slaves. From just looking at her, it is assumed that she is a slave, probably a runaway, and the very first thing that happens to her is she meets the barrel end of a rifle pointed at her simply for saving a small white boy’s life. There is little course for her to take other than to become one of the household staff. Large portions of this book are a slave narrative and it’s an eye-opening account that is so painful but necessary to digest. We see the economic system that feeds the cruelty of the master, the brutality of physical punishments, and the strength of the community amongst the slaves. We see love growing, friendships forming, trust broken and families ripped apart. But what’s the most compelling to me is the minutia of these relationships: what it is to be “favored” among the slaves, and how the dynamic of the white/black relationship alters when feelings and convenience get involved. 

Dana, in 1976, is married to a white man, Kevin. In a brief interlude we get flashbacks to their developing relationship and how the people closest to them reacted to their interracial engagement. It’s almost an aside it’s so brief, but very effective in paralleling what we see when Kevin is dragged into one of the time-traveling excursions. Again, we see Dana accept the only option she has: that she is a slave traveling with her white master and while no one will speak of it out loud, it is widely assumed she is his bed warmer. In some ways, this makes her place much safer, though the compromises to her pride are certainly deep. But new dangers also arise, not the least of which being the wife of Mr. Weyland feels a special jealousy towards Dana. At every turn this book deals with the characters as they relate to the circumstances they are placed in, resulting in a constant series of revelations of what each would do when they find themselves in strange territory.

There is certainly an awareness of gender dynamics in the book - both in the hints about her struggling writing career in comparison to her husbands thriving one, but also in the type of slave work she is given, the continual questions to her single status, how women are seen as bearers of children and little beyond that, etc. This is not surprising coming from a female author and most of it is tied to the time periods in which the story take place. Still, it’s good to see these things are not just taken for granted as assumed.

But what I found to be compelling above all else is the struggling and developing relationship between Dana and Rufus Weyland. She is repeatedly sent - literally through time - to save his life and as he ages, their relationship dynamic does so as well. To me, it all comes back to the idea that it’s easier to vilify a group, an "other", but once you know a person within the group, you start to examine the prejudices you hold and where they come from. And I think that works both ways in this story. Rufus has much to learn from Dana about freedom, equality, humanity and in general the ways of the developing world. He is a terrible, selfish, whiny white boy; but, he has legitimate fears and feelings as well. What struck me again and again is the overly fair treatment the white slave owner characters are given throughout. Never are they completely redeemable, never are they portrayed as moral, upstanding citizens. But there is a recognized understanding of how and why they behave as they do. It’s not justification for the grotesquery of the slave trade, but its also far from the gross generalization that all white southerners were needlessly abusive and cruel. 

Finally, as brought up in the Emma post, Dana is not perfect, but she is certainly complex. She is not the black angel come to save Rufus from this white supremacist upbringing. But, like many of us, she continues to do her best to look for ways to improve the lives of those around her and when she makes mistakes, they are almost all well-intentioned but naive.

As a middle-class raised, midwestern white girl, this book is at many points uncomfortable to read as I feel my liberal white guilt consuming my everything. Which in my mind, makes it all the more necessary to do so. I would recommend Kindred to anyone and everyone. Let’s all work a little harder to understand each other, shall we?

Kindred

by Octavia E. Butler

Fiction

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The Book That is 'Clueless'

The first time I read Emma, I was 22 and I very much did not enjoy it. I thought Emma was insufferable* and the story was too melodramatic. Fast forward: reread at the age of 30 and I freaking love this book!

Recently, you may have noticed an uptick in the number of Austen books on this blog. That's because I am a part of a Jane Austen book club. So, there’s that. But if I did not mention this before, I think it’s an important piece of advice: if you have not ever read Austen before, it is meant to be funny. It’s satire bordering on parody. In the ongoing trend of readapting Austen for the big screen, most series are simply taking themselves too seriously. In their hands, the female protagonists of Austen often seem pompous, the people around them obnoxious, and the “lessons” preachy. Which is why the very best contemporary adaptation of an Austen novel is, hands down, Clueless. Emma is clueless and Clueless is Emma. When you embrace Jane Austen in this light, as a woman who is looking at the absurd contradictions in her own society and then inflating them to something close to caricature, these books become much more enjoyable.

Did it take me 8 years to understand this? No, I already knew this about her novels. So why did I not appreciate Emma the first time through? I think, perhaps, I was too much like the main character. Too confident in my own importance in the world. Too willing to assume I had wisdom to offer and too hesitant to listen to those who knew better. And when you remember that Emma is only 16 in this book, I think she becomes more endearing and her faults are more understandable.

Emma is the only of Austen’s leading ladies who is truly of the upper class. She’s a young woman who lives at home, taking care of her neurotic father. She has pledged to never marry, which makes her equal parts fiercely feminist and greatly entitled. She has the luxury to do with her life whatever she like, and she chooses to better the lives of a few who are less fortunate than herself. Emma fancies herself a matchmaker and endeavors to pair off some of her closest friends. Spoiler alert: she’s not great at it.

What is so likable about Emma? She is resilient. She is willing to break the status quo (most times). She is fiercely loyal to her family and friends (though admittedly her graciousness does not always extend past her own circle). She is educated and is not afraid to voice her opinions. She is flawed.

I feel (I hope) there is a common thread in this blog that a great female protagonist is not perfect because no one is. Point of fact, many of the most famous male literary protagonists are deeply flawed and sometimes truly unlikable, and yet we are invested in their stories. Complex characters are the better characters; and, I think Emma - especially considering she is meant to be an exaggerated character - is really multi-faceted. What’s more, she learns from her mistakes. She continues to grow and develop, often through self-reflection**. If the Emma at the beginning of the book is a tad insufferable, the Emma at the end of the book is gracious, grateful and genuinely wiser.

Emma

by Jane Austen

Fiction/Historical Fiction

*it should be noted: I clearly didn’t think Emma too insufferable since I did name my adorable cat after her. 

 **when she isn’t learning through self-reflection, she is taking her lessons from Mr. Knightley. Mr. Knightley is, and always has been, a bit problematic for me. He’s many years Emma’s senior, and while he does have a better understanding than her of how the world works, he often imparts this wisdom in a way that is grossly patronizing. He is certainly not always correct, and does maintain some level of humbleness, but there are many moments where I sort of just want Emma to throw things at him.  

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The Ageism/Sexism Combo

There’s undeniably a cultural stigma of ageism which compounds on the hinderance of women’s stories being told with as much honesty and dignity as their male counterparts. In many (most?) parts of the western world, there’s a cultural break where once a woman is no longer considered a sexually viable option, their importance is somehow diminished. It’s absurd, if not only because these are people who have so many experiences and lessons to offer the younger generations.

The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck is not about this ageism/sexism combo, but it is certainly very aware of it. Her characters are aware of it. So while the story is so much larger than that singular idea, it is made all the more compelling because our two main characters are women who would be considered older and, therefore; invisible. 

Ora Lee Beckworth is a widow living in the south post-Civil Rights era when blacks have lawfully been given equal rights but racism still runs rampant (which is painfully applicable to our contemporary era). She, to the chagrin of her fellow white neighbors, hires Eldres Mims (whom the children have dubbed the Pee-can Man) to tend to her lawn and garden. About this same time, a young white boy is murdered and speculation abounds as to who is responsible for this crime. Narratively, we come into the story as Ora Lee, now looking at her final days, records what she saw and what she knew during these controversial times.

After the death of her husband, Ora Lee finds her housekeeper, Blanche Lowery (a black woman), to be her most constant and loyal companion. As the months and years go on, Ora Lee develops a growing relationship with Blanche’s kids and increasingly welcomes them into her home. It’s a beautiful look at how we create our own families and how love transcends race and color. That’s not to say their relationship is always easy - the cultural norms that continue to place barriers between them also continuously cause conflict. The difference in their upbringings results in different ideas on how to handle almost every situation. But their relationship is a gorgeous example of how strong the bonds can be between women who hold mutual respect and affection for one another. It’s truly one of the most lovely relationships I have read this year. 

But the real crux of this story is how sometimes despite our very best efforts to do what is right, we sometimes can’t help but flounder. The best thing that can be said for Ora Lee is that she is genuinely well-meaning. In everything she does, she is doing what she believes to be the right thing to do. And at times, it is so wonderful. And at others, it is painful to see where she missteps and makes the situation worse. But in our present times (and this book continues to prove to us how little we have progressed in the last 50 years) of trying to navigate how to best be an ally to the groups and people who need help gaining and maintaining their equal rights, we are all going to flounder. We are all going to, at times, be well-meaning people who stumble. Though I think Ora Lee would agree its always best to keep trying. 

Actually, I have to retract what I just said. The best thing that can be said for Ora Less is that she listens when someone tells her she is wrong. When her well-intentioned actions have less-than-desirable consequences, she examines where she misunderstood the situation. Throughout the book she continues to better understand her own entitlement and her own biases and continues to grow. She continues to try to do what is right. It’s a painful development to witness because there are parts of her prejudices that exist in each of us, but that is all the more reason as to why her character rings as so honest, so raw, so relatable. Goodness, I think I just wish Ora Lee was my grandmother. 

This story is equal parts beautiful and heart-breaking, with a good amount of suspense mixed in for good measure. I recommend it to literally everyone as I don’t think there is a single person who can’t learn something about themselves and their neighbors from reading this book. 

The Pecan Man

by Cassie Dandridge Selleck

Fiction/Historical Fiction

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"Chick Lit" & my issues with that term

In which I discuss the term #chicklit and how good "The Awesome Girls Guide to Dating" is.

Ok. I have a somewhat complicated relationship and set of reactions to this book, but to start: it is ultimately about four friends who are professional, competent, awesome women by day, seeking romance by night. Very Sex and the City and similar to my thoughts on that show, there are moments that make my feminism cringe. But usually those moments are just honest and while not sitting on the pedestal of what it is to be a strong, independent woman...well, we've all been there.

Confession time (and I am sure this just shows my privilege but here goes): I was most intrigued by this book because it's about four black women (Sharita the lawyer, Thursday the writer, Risa the rockstar, and Tammy the model). I believe strongly that if we're going to talk about telling women's stories, this needs to include ALL women. And I trust that this book is honest in it's depiction of each character and the hurdles they face in their day to day life because I don't have the experiences to back it up. But I will say that everything felt honest to me, completely relatable to all women in their professional lives and dating experiences, and a great reminder that we're all more similar than different. It's really a book for all women.

And here's where we get to the "Chick Lit" part. First, who wants to be called a "chick"? It literally implies a baby chicken. What?!? Surely we can come up with a more dignified term for literature directed at women. But here's where my other qualm is: is there "Dude Lit"? Or is that just Literature? I've spent most of my life reading books about men, sometimes with only a couple female characters, usually just plot furthering love interests, and that's because those are the stories that are out there. And sometimes those male characters are relatable, and most of the time I enjoy the book despite the patriarchal tones. It seems Chick Lit has arisen as a reaction to this problem by creating stories that are specifically for women. This book is one of those. And that's necessary because that's how we start to tip the balance, but isn't it more powerful to have a book that is about a woman, but really accessible to everyone? Until we start to get female stories into mainstream literature, we won't really be able to change societal perceptions of gender and hiding behind Chick Lit is not perhaps the best way to achieve this.

All that being said and taking my literature snob hat off: this book is very enjoyable. It really is everything it promised to be: a story about women making their way through the trials of life, career and romance all while holding onto their sisterly bonds. The title (which does tie into the structure of the story but I still don't like it) suggests this book is about finding love, and in a sense, it is but it's about finding love for yourself. And that almost always happens outside of romantic relationships and with the support of the people who are closest to you.

Also, there's a wonderful theme underlying this entire story of how we often think we know what we want or need to make our lives better. And aren't we almost always wrong? Each of the four women in this story set out with a specific goal in mind, but life has a way of throwing us the unexpected. Watching them navigate the twists and turns of this is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.

In my opinion, this book is about as good as Chick Lit gets and if that is your cup of tea, you will have a great time reading it. I would recommend it as a beach read, but as we're looking at snow coming our way this weekend, perhaps bring it your family holiday gatherings when you need to escape for a bit. And then remember to give your girlfriends a big hug the next time you see them because none of us get through this life alone.

The Awesome Girls Guide to Dating

Ernessa T. Carter

Contemporary Fiction

It occurs to me in my Chick Lit rant, I forgot to include a description of the story, but the book jacket is actually succinctly wonderful:

"Four women. Two years.

A friendship to last a lifetime.

The only things that Sharita, Thursday, Risa, and Tammy have in common are their disastrous love lives. But the year three of them turn 30 will be different, they swear! Sharita, a plump and conservative accountant wants to make partner at her firm and find the man of her dreams. Thursday, the daughter of a formerly chart-topping political rapper, wants to stop being a serial one-month stander, and settle down into a stable life with a stable boyfriend. Risa, a skinny and audacious electronica punk rocker, wants to finally land an album deal, which she feels is the only way to win back the heart of her on-again-off-again closeted girlfriend. And after getting fired as the spokesmodel for her family’s hair company, sweet and gorgeous Tammy wants to prove that she has what it takes to make it on her own. None of these women get what they want, but over the course of two years, they get exactly what they need. And that proves to be the best thing after all."

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Characters Named Hope

On August 1, 2016 I tweeted: "I get pretty annoyed with female literary characters named Hope." I’m behind on updating this blog so despite it being September now, I am pretty sure that tweet was in reference to this book. And I stand by it: I think the same character with a less obvious metaphor for a name certainly would not diminish how great The Sudden Appearance of Hope is. 

Hope Arden is an extraordinary woman, and I mean this in the most literal sense. Because Hope is forgettable. And not in the-wallflower-at-the-dance kind of way. People literally forget having met Hope as soon as they can no longer see her. The book (thankfully) doesn’t get too far into the genetic makeup which makes this possible because, well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that she is forgettable, and this has affected her life in profound ways.

Just take a second and think about what that would mean in your life - if every single person you ever met forgot about that meeting as soon as you were out of their eyesight (I think there’s like a minute of actual forgetting). Think of all the ways our memories affect our lifetime of experiences. This means you could meet a person 20 times in the same day and each time it would be a new experience for them. It means you could never be accountable for your actions. It also means you can’t get a job because the person who interviewed you will not remember having met you. You could never maintain a lease on an apartment when a landlord wouldn’t remember you signing a lease. The lease is there. The signature is there. But there would be no memory of you existing; and, what is a signature if there is no memory of a person to go with it? It means you can never be married or form long-term relationships. Even Hope’s parents have forgotten her existence. The premise alone is incredible and while from a book jacket it just seems like a hackneyed plot device, as you explore the depths of what this means in Hope’s life, you realize that it might about the most innovative idea you’ve seen in literature in a while.*

When put all together, it seems inevitable that Hope has become a thief, a con-artist. And here, Ms. North strides through a very grey moral area. Because, of course, we are told stealing is bad but when the universe has taken from you everything necessary to lead a normal life, what choice do you have but to lead an abnormal one? 

Hope gets in a bit over her head by stealing from the makers of Perfection. Again, this could be sooooo hackneyed but instead, it’s really smart. Perfection is an app that you can download for your phone which helps you become the best you. Basically, you get points for doing things that are going to make you a better person (go to the gym, buy designer clothes, attend an event with the social elite, etc) and then when you get enough points, you get to become a member of exclusive clubs and win prizes like plastic surgery. Yes, it involves data mining and advertiser product placement and revolves around one idea of perfection and because of all these things and more its an incredibly smart and terrifying conceit.

And so we get swept up in her adventure. The jewel thief story is engaging and exciting, and the constant threat of danger really keeps the reader on their toes. There are some terrifying and violent moments, great chase sequences, a lot of subterfuge - it’d be quick to say its an action/adventure story except it’s actually a coming of age tale. The protagonist - our better character - is multi-dimensional and conflicted. Which I suppose comes from being both a thief and a moralist. Hope is engulfed with a loneliness that every reader will understand on some level, though perhaps never so isolated as someone who can’t be remembered. But the metaphor and the experience speak to the human condition at large. 

I will say this book is heavy, both in metaphor and social awareness. There are certainly some eye-rolling moments (I mean, her name is Hope) and it’s too long - some editing could have helped the pacing and I personally felt once the ideas were in place, they did not need as much reinforcement as they were given. However, for every place this book falters, it excels in three more. For every eye-roll, there’s a punch in the gut that makes you look at the things we put ourselves through to reach a standard we didn’t choose but rather was imposed upon us. It should be noted, Hope is described as having ebony skin, to which I can only say “Huzzah!” And most of the events of the book take place in the Middle East and how much more interesting are these facts when it is declared that the algorithm the Perfection program is working off of is based on George Clooney and Angelina Jolie? And then how much more when we think about how, yes, indeed, we do seem to idolize those two above even other celebrities? This book is full of moment after moment of a struggle to understand identity in a society that pressures us into conformity.

The Sudden Appearance of Hope

Claire North

Fiction, Science Fiction

Post script: It has been brought to my attention (by the internet) that this book is a YA novel. I would never have made that assumption upon reading it, though it does perhaps explain some of the lack of subtlety. Also…it gets intense. Darkly intense. Subliminal brainwashing to create assassins intense. But the idea of a young woman reading this book, reaching the end and thinking just a little bit more that she does not need to fit into a mold…well that’s a win every time!

*If this is actually a borrowed plot idea, then my apologies for not knowing - I have never read such a novel.

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The Sisterhood of Austenland

Welp, I’m behind on this blog. Not for lack of reading, just been super busy. One of the best additions to my life in the last two months is the Our Jane Austen Book Club I started (I know, I know, it’s a very creative name). Yes, this was inspired by reading The Jane Austen Book Club this summer but it’s not wholly that. I have never managed to find my way into a book club. Despite the numerous “I love books” and “It would be so great to be part of a book club” hints I have dropped everywhere, I’ve never been invited to join and so I created my own. Let me tell you, book clubs are great!  Perhaps this is not a universal truth but certainly in my experience so far, book club is more than just getting around to talk about a book - we discuss life. And roles of women in society then and now. And how these themes and causes are still battles we fight today. I feel enriched in both the conversations we have and the relationships I feel I am building. In short: get yourself to a book club!

For now at least, Our Jane Austen Book Club is simply making it’s way through her novels. We started with Northanger Abbey, but for this past month, we read Sense and Sensibility so let’s dig in there and at some point I’ll go back and write about how Northanger makes me laugh out loud perhaps more than the rest of the her oeuvre combined. (this is a compliment to the author).

If you’ve never picked it up (or seen a movie version), Sense and Sensibility is about two sisters: Elinor and Marianne Dashwood - they also have a mother and younger sister, Margaret, who legitimately disappear for at least half the book. The patriarch of the family was previously married and has a son by this other woman so upon his death, the son stands to inherit most of the estate. Because patriarchy. Father Dashwood’s current family of four women are left relatively penniless (though not penniless enough to be relegated to the working class) as their elder half-brother is easily swayed by his shrewish wife to rescind any help he was perhaps intending to give them. After some truly rude behavior from Mrs. Fanny Dashwood (half brother’s wife), the Miss Dashwoods pick up residence at the cottage of a family friend, the Middletons. But not before Eleanor develops a sincere attachment to Fanny’s brother, Edward Ferrars (“I esteem him greatly” It’s the stuff of great romances, folks). While the move to Barton Cottage separates Edward and Elinor, it introduces Marianne to the other points of the love triangle she is quickly to complete. There’s Colonel Brandon, the steadfast but perhaps a bit boring (and sooooo old…at 35. Ok, Marianne IS only 16) friend of the Middletons who is instantly taken with Marianne’s beauty and youthful energy. And there’s John Willoughby. Oh Willoughby. The guy who you know is just so bad for you the minute he walks in the door and then you promptly fall for him immediately anyway. There’s a rainstom, a twisted ankle, two star-crossed lovers, another visit from Edward(!) and then a pretty intense breakup between Marianne and Willoughby. This all serves to get us to London and….wow this story synopsis is longer than I like to spend on plot. It’s a long book and in want of some editing, but the plot events are not what makes this book as enduring as it is so, trust me, things get really gossipy and interesting once we get to London with love triangle #2 plus more heartbreak, disinheritance, severe life-threatening illness and above it all is this fantastic relationship between two sisters. Whew, we’ve gotten to the heart of it. 

Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Two sisters who possibly could not be more different and yet have a relationship stronger than most of Austen’s familial pairings. Elinor is all sense whereas Marianne acts entirely on her sensibilities. (Oh hey, is that where the title came from?) Which means they need each other to help find some balance in their own lives and I think that’s such a wonderful statement on relationships in general. Whether family by blood or bonds, those closest to us often, in some way, help to balance some of the more extreme parts of our personality. While the sisters Dashwood differ in their idea on how to handle almost every situation they come up against, they do continually support each other, care for each other, defend the other against those who would besmirch their good name and rise up in defiance against those who wish ill will on their family. It’s a solid sisterhood and, frankly, we don’t have enough of those in literature. 

So….would this book pass the Bechdel test? Maybe. One of the reasons this is not my favorite of Austen’s novels (despite how much I enjoy it) is because we seem to spend a lot of time focusing on the men and the “will they, won’t they” choose me. And I find that annoying but, also understandable. The thing to keep in mind with all Austen novels is that for a woman of high society in the 18th century, perhaps your greatest goal was to marry above your class and move your family into a higher social ranking. I hear you, it sounds abhorrent to me as well; but, without an occupation or a chance to mingle in society without being on the arm of a distinguished gentleman, perhaps the best way to get a voice in the conversation was to climb the social ladder through marriage. And that brings me to Lucy Steele.

At book club, I mentioned that I really found myself feeling for Lucy Steele. And the looks I got…woof. Because we aren’t supposed to like Lucy. She is in competition with Elinor for Edward’s affection, and she is not subtle about it. In fact, she is sneaky and conniving at every turn. And she’s feisty. So feisty, I can’t help but love her a little for it. Lucy may be the most feminist character in the book. Elinor, with all her sense, will follow the rules as written to the point where she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness rather than break from the expectations placed upon her sex. Marianne, with all her sensibilities, is determined to marry for love, for the greatest love, and this will surely come in the form of a white knight on his steed. But Lucy is making her own luck. If society sets the rules, she will follow them in public and break them in private and do what she can to better her position in the world. Sound like a certain lady politician we all know and I especially love? It is nothing short of what I would do, so while perhaps she could be a little less “Mean Girls” about it…you can’t say Lucy Steele isn’t interesting.

Ultimately, the reason to read this book is because Austen truly was ahead of her times. If you are an Austen virgin, please remember these were written to be social satire. If her characters seems excessively silly, it’s because she found a lot of silliness in the manners of her daily society. Austen was a woman who wanted to have her own occupation and a life partner who would respect her as a person with independent thoughts and opinions - and when she couldn’t find that, she chose to remain a “spinster” who was forced to write relatively anonymously for most of her life. Sense and Sensibility may be the closest thing she writes to a romance novel, but a romantic Jane Austen is not. 

Oh! If you want to follow along with Our Jane Austen Book Club, we’re reading Emma for October!

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen

Fiction

www.bettercharactersblog.com

Post script: if you have not treated yourself to the 1995 adaptation of this novel, written by Emma Thompson and directed by Ang Lee…do that right now! I would NEVER say this lightly: the movie might be better than the book. But certainly Emma Thompson (Elinor) and Kate Winslet (Marianne) will win you over in their incredible general amazingness.

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The Importance of Young Adult Novels

The last time I walked through the Young Adult section of a bookstore, my heart fell into my stomach. Not to judge all books by their covers but it was just row after row of [trashy] romance novels disguised behind vampires, witches and various supernatural beings. OR, there's the hidden confessions of terrible people ala Gossip Girl. And not to categorically dismiss these, but surely at such a formative time in a young person's life, we should be looking for heroes to guide them through adolescence and help shape a positive view about themselves and the world. There are some fantastic heroines in young adult novels, but you do seem to have to dig a bit to find them. 

The Seventh Bride is basically a new take on the classic Bluebeard tale. For those who've never heard an iteration of the story, it revolves around an incredibly wealthy man who continues to marry young women in the neighboring village after which they mysteriously disappear. We come to learn, he has them locked in his manor house in various forms of existence, depending on the version of the story you are reading. In this case, the wealthy man is also a sorcerer. He has taken 6 wives previously, all of whom are - in one way or another - trapped at his magical mansion. Rhea has been recruited as the seventh bride, but she will not go quietly. 

What did I love about this book? Gumption. Rhea is a young woman who agrees to the betrothal to save her family from certain ruin. She is hesitant and terrified, but understands there are larger forces at play and strives to hold her head high and do her part. But when she arrives at the door to her destiny and realizes that all is far more terrible than it first seems, she does not buckle under the pressure. She faces adversity head on and while constantly battling fear and doubt, she determinedly perseveres through challenge upon challenge. 

What else did I love about this book? ***SPOILER ALERT*** She does not fall in love with her captor. The most famous variation on the Bluebeard tale is Beauty and the Beast, and while I champion Disney's version as perhaps my favorite animated movie of all time, in my adulthood I've come to understand the complex psychological implications of that story. And Beast is a MILD, CARING and SYMPATHETIC Bluebeard. But it's a tale as old as time that female hostages become sympathetic to their captor's strife, comfort them, and ultimately learn to love them. Otherwise known as Stockholm syndrome. 

So here's what I didn't love about this book: the writing is just ok. I have a hard time critically reviewing YA novels because, for obvious reasons, the writing is at a level that is more appropriate for adolescents. I don't remember when I made the transition from YA to Adult novels personally, but I think it was earlier rather than later...partly because YA didn't really exist as a genre at the time. But there are some great YA books that don't read as such (see Code Name Verity) and this is just not one of them. Rhea is very young and so is the writing. But for my part, story trumps writing when we're talking about influences on young people, and I would recommend this book despite it not being up to the standards of the great Charles Dickens. 

Final thoughts: it can get dark at times. We're talking evil sorcerer who has trapped unwilling young wives in his magical fortress. There's an army of animal gollums protecting the grounds. And some strong metaphors about how he has taken something from each of his wives, including in one instance a life. Not necessarily for the faint of heart. 

Overall, I think this is an exciting young adult fiction novel with a strong female taking the lead. There's a twist of magic and a lot of lady comradery. It's an excellent, feminist-forward new take on a very old tale. 

The Seventh Bride

T. Kingfisher

Fiction

www.bettercharactersblog.com

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I’m With Her

I am not someone who can separate my political views from the other aspects of my life because, among many other reasons, this country's politics at times dictate my life. I voted for Hillary in the primaries, and while I have deep respect for Senator Bernie Sanders, I've been on the Clinton bandwagon for quite some time now.

I also feel I should include that I did not vote for her in 2008, because most days she is actually too moderate for my tastes. But it is absolutely undeniable that she is overwhelmingly qualified and a dedicated civil servant who has spent most of her life working for those whose voices aren't often heard. She is simply an incredible person and history was made this week as she was the first woman to win the nomination for a major political party to be a candidate for President of the United States. And #ImWithHer.

This blog was started as a way to find more amazing female characters in literature. But sometimes those super-women exist in our actual world, and when they do, I feel they deserve the attention of a small independent blogger who is just trying to make a small impact on the world. We're looking at a decisive time in our country's story, and for me there is really no other candidate to lead the way. I whole-heartedly understand some (many) people feel differently, but I also believe there is a shroud of sexism and a multi-decade Republican attack campaign that has obstructed many people's opinions on Secretary Clinton. This book, Living History, is a wonderful beginning to hearing, directly from Hillary Clinton, what drives her, influences her and how those White House years affected her life. 

If I haven't made this clear before, I audiobook often. My job allows me to listen and work at the same time, which is part of the secret on how I can move through books so quickly. In this case, Hillary actually reads the book to you. And, honestly, I thought it really added to the experience. I don't always believe this to be the case - in fact, there have been times where I have genuinely thought that the audiobooked voice of a character actually made me dislike that character more than I would have otherwise. But in this instance, hearing the author read to you makes it seem as if you are sitting in her office, listening to her reminisce about the past. It is delightful.

I am not going to speak to her accomplishments here because the book does that amazingly. And you can get a condensed version from Bill's, Joe's, President Obama's, Chelsea's, and Secretary Clinton's speeches from the DNC last week as well as a variety of think-pieces and the Clinton website. What I can speak to is this: this book is a treatise on her entire belief system. It maps her influences from childhood until the present, and will give you a deep understanding of what makes this fascinating woman tick. It is warm, it is humorous at times, it is terribly heart-breaking, and will make you wonder why anyone would willingly put themselves into such a harsh public spotlight. The history is engaging, the writing is smooth and enjoyable, the drama is gripping and ALL of it is just a fraction of Hillary's experiences.

If you in any way think Hillary Clinton is false, corrupt, or too entrenched in career politics; read this book. If you are unsure of her as a candidate, a leader or in any way questioning why you should vote for her; read this book. But most importantly, if you want to hear the life story of an incredible, history-making woman who will not be beaten down and will not rest until that glass ceiling is shattered; read this book. 

Living History

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Autobiography

Also, a couple quick link to other's opinions how the media has vastly skewed our opinion of Hillary Clinton:

"This may shock you: Hillary Clinton is fundamentally honest" by Jill Abramson

"The most thorough, profound and moving defense of Hillary Clinton I have ever seen" posted by DailyKos

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Everyone has a little Jane Austen in their life.

If you've never picked up a Jane Austen novel in your life, I still believe you will enjoy this book. I can't say this for certain (since I have read them all) but I feel pretty confident in that diagnosis. 

The Jane Austen Book Club is about five women and one man, all at different points in their life but with a common appreciation of good literature. As you can probably tell from the title, they come together to form a book club working it's way through the Austen oeuvre. Through a combination of literary discussions and flashpacks to their younger selves, we come to know and love each of them. At its heart, it's a simple story about normal people who are just searching for what they want in life and love.

Do you need to know Jane Austen to appreciate this book? I think not. Will you probably grasp some deeper themes if you have? Very likely. Certainly, Fowler has tied each of these characters to one of the heroes in Austen's oeuvre, though I found it particularly remarkable that she avoids a direct 1:1 correlation - there is not an Elizabeth Bennet striding confidently through the book. But she exists a little in this person, and a little in that person, and perhaps most strongly in yet another who simultaneously shares some of the Charlotte Lucas qualities. (And if you don’t know who any of those people are, fear not! The characters in the book will help you to know what you need to know) It very deliberately and delightfully stays away from being a modern-day reinterpretation of Austen's characters and instead explores what it is that makes Austen still so popular today. 

My personal history with Jane Austen started when I was in high school. I've read Pride and Prejudice so many times the book cover has fallen off my copy (though my favorite is Persuasion). I have read all her books, though there are some I come back around to more often than others. And while I understand her flaws as an author, her themes are astoundingly universal. Her characters still resemble people we know today. The situations and familial relationships and societal gender roles still ring true. It's part of what makes her work continue to live on and be adapted into movie after movie. The Jane Austen Book Club examines these universalities through an amazing cast of present-day characters.

Fowler's writing is impeccable and she, not unlike the author she is channelling, brilliantly has her finger on the pulse of modern relationships. Every character is unique, well-rounded, intriguing, familiar and completely lovable. I highly recommend this book for some light summer reading, and if you haven't picked up some Austen before opening the cover, I'd bet you will want to once you've finished. 

The Jane Austen Book Club

Karen Joy Fowler

Fiction

I just have to add this postscript for anyone who saw the movie adaptation that came out in 2007. The book is, as almost always happens, just so much better. 

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An Independent Woman in the Italian Renaissance?!??!! Oh my.

I recently took a trip to Italy. In the spirit of that vacation, I embarked on some "themed reading," and for this I looked no further than a book I had read while in college and was excited to read again: THE BIRTH OF VENUS by Sarah Dunant.

The first time I read this book, it was actually assigned reading for a class on Italian Art and Architecture, which makes it seem as if this may be closer to a textbook than a novel. Don't worry, it's not. It was chosen because it gives an incredibly flavorful and accurate (so far as we can surmise) depiction of the society that was affluent Renaissance Florence.

Alessandra Cecchi is the daughter of a wealthy cloth merchant and an exceptional woman who once associated with the court of the Medici family. Alessandra herself is an extraordinary young lady: intelligent, inquisitive and with a real talent for drawing. Which in 1492 means she is just unusual. Each of her siblings are unencumbered with independent thought and seemingly easily fit into the roles they are meant to play, but Alessandra is constantly pushing against the societal cage that has been constructed around her. Her comfort comes through her faith and art; so, when her father brings a painter from the north to complete their family chapel, Alessandra is immediately drawn to all that he represents. 

The Early Renaissance in Florence is a fascinating time: the papacy has become considerably less pious, though the church is still the center of both the family and state. This is fortunate for art and culture because as the heads of the church become entrenched in material wealth, they also become major patrons of creating massive and lasting artistic impressions with a willingness to turn a blind eye when enough cash lands in their pockets. It's a lively time of decadence with a healthy amount of corruption and, while this is never good for the longevity of a particular community, it is fantastic for the setting of a novel. 

Alessandra spends this entire book trying to find her independence, and in a time when this was all but impossible for women, it is a feat to behold. When you add to the equation that she is only fifteen years old, she puts my past teenage self to shame. And...she isn't the only great female character in this book! Alessandra's mother is her rock. She is much more quiet, but is really the heart and soul of their family and her daughter's biggest champion. As so often happens with a strong matriarch in patriarchal times, she is silently pulling the puppet strings of their lives. Also to be noted is Alessandra's maid, Erila, who is truly a force to be reckoned with. Being of a lower societal class, she has the freedom to move freely among the streets of Florence. Where her education of books is lacking, her knowledge in the ways of the world dominates and she continually helps Alessandra skirt the rules of her gender and class. 

If you couldn't tell from the writing in this post (and others)...I'm a bit of an art nerd. And a lover of history. Or, as some may point out: someone who holds a minor in Art History. And while this definitely adds to my appreciation of this book, it is not necessary to know the works they are referencing to be thoroughly drawn in by these characters and this story. The history is almost snuck in - you may not even realize how much you are learning. At the end of the day, this is an exciting and intriguing book that will leave you constantly eager to find out what will happen next. 

The Birth of Venus

Sarah Dunant

www.bettercharactersblog.com

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Z: the “it could be true” story of Zelda Fitzgerald.

There are all sorts of ways to write historical fiction (and, really, I love them all). But perhaps the one that is most rare, difficult and often leaves itself open to sweeping criticisms is this: when the time period and events are well documented, the historical figure is well known, but there are gaping holes in their story which the author tries to fill with what they think most likely took place. It does not fit into the biography genre because there is not enough information to support the character's every action, but it is heavily researched and, really, "it could be true."

Therese Anne Fowler does an incredible job of practically leaping Zelda Fitzgerald off the page. She beautifully and dynamically captures the excitement of the Roaring 20's, the passionate young love of the Fitzgeralds, the struggles of two young and independent artists trying to live symbiotically, and the tragedy of their fated demise. She also deftly crushes every rumor you have ever heard of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "crazy" wife.

I should say now that I was born a Minnesota girl and indeed, we love to lay claim to F. Scott Fitzgerald. I mean, who wouldn't? He's an evocative and exciting writer who was at the forefront of an era of literature that brought us into the modern age. He also stole, if not the actual words, event and plot lines from his wife's diaries. And later in their lives, her short stories were being published under his name. "Mr Fitzgerald...seems to believe that plagiarism begins at home," Zelda cheekily, and famously, said when asked to review THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED. To start to understand the real Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, we must first wipe away the lies we've been told surrounding her life. She was not the woman who killed Fitzgerald's career. She was not crazy, figuratively or medically.* She was an effervescent personality who lit up whichever room she was in, with an insatiable thirst to live a full life, and a brilliant artistic mind which she expressed through talents in watercolor, dance and, yes, writing.

In "Z" we meet a young Zelda Sayre on the day she meets the man who will forever alter the direction of her life. We watch their love grow, and struggle, and grow some more - the courtship is sweet and leaves you immediately enchanted with these two souls who will eventually become the Golden Couple of the Roaring 20's. We follow Zelda as she moves to New York and is presented with gifts, parties, adventure and a lifestyle that she had never even dreamed of. Seemingly, the path is laid for a modern day fairytale, but as we all know, eventually we must leave Neverland. As the book moves along, we see the Fitzgeralds through high times and low; but, since it is told from Zelda's perspective, we get a previously untold intimate look into what it must have been to be an independent woman, at the turn of the century, pushed into following in the wake of her husband. Please don't think this is a man-hating manifesto of a stifled woman - Fowler consistently throughout reminds us of the ties that bind their love so strongly, and that Zelda's continual choice to stay in this relationship is always her own.

It's interesting to note that Zelda never considered herself a feminist and kept a wide berth from the suffragettes. But nonetheless, she is. You will be fascinated by the powerhouse this woman can be, and frustrated with her inability to be just a bit more brave, and heartbroken as you watch the slow and inevitable demise of her life. She is certainly not without her faults, but where history passed harsh judgement on her actions, we see there is far more than first meets the eye. What Fowler has given us is a chance to better understand the woman behind the man, and to give Zelda a chance to set the record straight. 

This book is vastly interesting, with a cast of characters you can only dream to find in a room together - except in the salons of Paris, they truly were. There's scandal and misdeeds, intrigue and gossip, art and life, excitement and melodrama - it's everything we love about the Roaring 20's put onto the page of a fantastically fun summer read.

Z: a novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

by Therese Anne Fowler

 *There are some doctors who, having reexamined the circumstances around Zelda Fitzgerald's poor health, believe Zelda's symptoms reveal she suffered from bipolar disorder. Others claim is was likely depression, or manic depression. Almost all agree that her diagnosis of schizophrenia was incorrect and the treatments she recieved because of it would lead to later health troubles in her life.

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A Quiet Feminism

There's an entire generation of women who are pretty consistently attacked by the feminist movement for having been "content" to "just" be wives and mothers. It's an attack that is both unfair and untrue, and Elizabeth J. Church's debut novel - The Atomic Weight of Love - gives us the inside look into this, The Greatest Generation...of women. 

We first meet a young Meridian Wallace as she is embarking on her undergraduate studies in ornithology at the University of Chicago in 1941. She's bright, vivacious, intelligent and full of promise...and already an outcast. She is engrossed in her studies, determined to make it into a masters program, and genuinely enamored with science. So, while it may seem clichéd to some, it is not surprising when she develops a romantic relationship with one of her professors. Alden Whetstone gives her what the men of her age will not: a genuine respect for her intelligence and a mind equal to hers with similar interests. And...this is where the fairy tale ends.

Alden is enlisted to help with the Manhattan Project, so shortly after their engagement he heads to New Mexico. For a while, Meridian tries to straddle both her ambitions to continue her studies and her desire to support the man she has come to love. Ultimately, she goes to Los Alamos with him and this single choice will alter her life immeasurably. 

Three fantastic reasons to pick up this book:

1. The birds. Meridian's ornithological studies are brilliantly woven into the storyline of this book, and I have never in my life been so amazed by crows. Church interweaves the habits of various species of birds into each chapter in ways that are equal parts poetic and poignant. "Flight requires defiance of gravity and is really, when you think about it, a bold act...don't confuse gliding with soaring. To soar, an animal must have evolved to possess specific physiological and morphological adaptations." Beautiful.

2. The women. Meridian is a fantastic character, but so are ALL of the women in the book. Once in New Mexico, she discovers a collection of neighbors from varying backgrounds and situations. From June Jacobsen (the woman with a Masters in Chemistry who runs experiments in what soil additives will produce the best results in her garden) to Belle (the feisty nurse who brings comfort to women who are overlooked by their male doctors) to Emma (the quiet but constant source of support and intellectual equal to Meridian), we see a brood of hens who repeatedly take whatever life hands them and tirelessly continue to carve a place for themselves in the world.

3. The era. The Greatest Generation is called that for a pretty specific reason. Meridian is a child during the Depression years, a college-bound young lady during WWII, and lives through the sexual revolution of the 60's as well as observing the effects of Vietnam. And through her, we see the changing roles of women across the years as well. It's a quiet, often frustrating, brand of feminism but watching her grow and change with the times gives an honest, heartfelt glimpse into what it truly meant to be "just" a wife in those times.

The Atomic Weight of Love is a gorgeous story of one woman trying to find the strength and courage to soar. It's at times heartbreaking, and there are moments which are exasperating. But there are so many more moments which are full of love, hope, aspirations for a better future, and a constant, consistent support between women. To top it all off, the writing is superb. Add this to your summer reading list, friends - you won't be disappointed. 

The Atomic Weight of Love

Elizabeth J. Church

Fiction

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Let’s talk about Star Wars

As I was looking at a decently long wait time to get into Star Wars: The Force Awakens a few months ago, I consulted my former roommate and Star Wars guru as to some literature that would fit the theme of the evening. He did not disappoint and offered me numerous possible titles to pick up. I chose Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void by Tim Lebbon and as far as Jedi stories go, it was a good choice. 

I should start by saying you should not expect to see Luke, Leia, Han or any of your old favorites here as this story is set many years before A New Hope - 25,793 years to be exact. Nor are any of these characters meant to be the very distant ancestors to those characters. There are not even lightsabers. Really, the strongest (and maybe only) connections to the cinematic Star Wars universe are the ideas surrounding the Force, the Jedi class and a world order that focuses on a balance between good and evil. Oh, and there are spaceships. And a cranky but lovable Droid who can’t actually speak.

Lanoree Brock is one badass female protagonist. She’s a Je’daii Ranger, born with an incredibly strong connection to the force, imbued with a plethora of natural gifts, focused on her duty to the Je’daii and committed to bringing peace and balance to her world. Yet she is so incredibly human in her emotions. Her brother, Dal, is basically her polar opposite. 

At the top of the book, an adult Lanoree believes her brother to be dead until the Je’daii masters call her in for a special mission: there are rumors that Dal is not only alive, but that he is the leader of an underground society that is intent on discovering the mysteries of an ancient civilization and unleashing a power that may destroy the universe. Her mission is to stop him, by any means necessary. Yeah, it’s pretty intense. Lanoree is accompanied by Tre Sana - a Twi’lek with a seedy past and contradictory world view - who takes her into the belly of numerous underground operations that will challenge everything she thought she knew about good and evil. Alternating with chapters showing a young Lanoree and Dal growing further and further apart, this book is equal parts sci-fi adventure, old folk tale and political drama with the most intense sibling rivalry you have ever seen. 

To open up a much broader conversation, sci-fi has for decades been a friend to strong, awesome, independent female characters. This is perhaps the result of leaving the reality we know and having the ability to create new rules, new ethnicities/races, new class structure and new gender “norms.” It might be a little bit (traditionally) men writing the kind of women they fantasize about, who are far less helpless than popular media would have us believe. Possibly it is just the result of authors getting bored with the same renegade cowboy hero and looking to diversify. It might be a combination of these, or simply an indication of a more open-minded readership. Whatever the reason, I have often noticed a broader scope of characters when reading sci-fi and the Star Wars universe is no exception. Yes, the video showing all the lines spoken by women not named Leia in Episodes IV-VI is embarrassing and the complete decimation of Princess Amidala’s gumption through Episodes II-III is egregious. But that’s film. When it comes to the expanded universe, there are strong women everywhere. Just check out Aurra Sing, An’ya Kuro, Asajj Ventress, Mara Jade, Shaak Ti, Jaina Solo, and Darth Traya among others.

Into the Void was exactly what I was looking for - it’s a great foray into the Star Wars universe without being held to George Lucas’ plot line. It’s an exciting, multi-dimensional adventure story set in space with a good amount of heart. And the main character is a woman who is, at times, seemingly superhuman but also…just human, with all the conflicting emotions that come with simultaneously loving and fearing your family, and wanting to do right for the world but understanding that answer is not always crystal clear. 

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void

Tim Lebbon

Science Fiction & Fantasy