Recently Read Books: Ones That Don't Get An Amazing Rating From Me (I'm probably missing something, but it's how I feel!)

1. Island of the World by Michael O’Brien

Beautifully written and deeply moving, this book traces the life story of a boy born in the Balkan mountains. Throughout his life, Josip Lasta endures multiple cycles of suffering from the cyclical violence that ravages his country. While describing his experiences, the story focuses on his inner life; the journey of his soul and its repeated resurrections from the inner deaths wrought by suffering. I have only heard raving reviews of this book, but I must say that I can’t give it five stars. I was wishing it would go ahead and end; over 800 pages of this cycle of suffering and healing began to seem a little far-fetched to me.  Moreover, about halfway into the book the tone changes, and Josip seems more of a ghost with a mechanical soul that chooses forgiveness again and again. The ghostly, soul-less feel is totally merited; I would become a ghost with a mechanical soul after the things Josip endured by page 400. However, that’s where Josip’s renewal, soul-resurrection (if you will), and baffling choice to forgive and give love almost seem mechanical. It feels like it is coming from a person who has already died, because he has already lost everything that matters. I think if O’Brien would have shortened the story, it would have meant more to me. But who knows? You’ll probably love it!

2. My Antonia by Willa Cather

I finally finished Cather’s most famous work and I must say---I really didn’t like it! I felt like it was an endless, pointless rambling. I have to chuckle though; I’m sure that is what others may feel when they read Cather’s book Death Comes for the Archbishop, which I count as one of the most poignant, beautifully written, subtly meaningful books I’ve ever read. So I feel a little guilty about disliking My Antonia---perhaps I’m missing something grand!

3. A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith

This is another book that garnered rave reviews, won awards, and was highly recommended to me, but it didn’t meet with my grandiose expectations. It was an interesting read however, and it helped me appreciate Florida’s history and look on the land around me in a new light. I don’t think I had quite understood how much of a wilderness this place was even after the Civil War! This book traces the lives and struggles of three generations in the McIvey family, whose patriarch moved to the scrub-bush in Florida in the 1850’s. The accounts of wilderness survival, cattle drives, and friendships with the Seminoles fascinated me because the names of these remote outposts are well known to me---but now they are anything but remote! While I won’t be raving about this book like others do, it did give me a great appreciation for the Florida Crackers’ and their toughness, as well as a sadness for the plight of the Seminoles and for the destruction of the Florida landscape.