“The problem of connecting is partly that of fitting mood with opportunity.” Judith Guest‘s book was such a pleasant surprise. In a nutshell, it’s about a family dealing with tragedy, focusing on that odd relationship of individual and family. Nothing new there, but the writing is so tight and so focused. What I really like is that Guest can slide so smoothly from narration to thought to dialogue and every which other way. The writing as much as the style makes it a compulsive page-turner. Add in some great male characters whose internal world feels really genuine, and some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments balance the more patient, reflective meditation on family. This bit was perfect:
He would do it, too, if it were not for a frenetic-butterfly manner that she radiates. It grates on his nerves. She has an endless supply of nervous energy. Tiny women are often like this, he thinks. They never run down. They overwhelm him, make him feel lumpish and stupid. Too large.
Another priceless bit of craft was husband and wife driving out to a dinner party. Within their routine dialogue, Guest makes the next scene transfer so seamlessly…
“We’ll go in the spring,” he says. “I promise.”
She doesn’t answer.
“Who’s going to be there tonight?” Testing. Her tone when she answers will tell him if she is angry.
“Well, the Murrays. It’s their house.” She slides over next to him. Happily grateful, he squeezes her hand. Wonderful, unpredictable girl. “And Mac and Ann Kline, Ed and Marty Genthe. And us.”
“Why us? We hardly know the Murrays.”
“That’s why. That’s why you have people over, darling. To get to know them better.”
(thanks for the recommendation, Kelli)
Mark Larson 