THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING by Colum McCann

5.5

Title:  Thirteen Ways Of Looking

Author:  Colum McCann

Pages:  256

Publication Date:  10.13. 2015

Publisher:  Random House
                    ARC from NetGalley
                    & Random House

Synopsis:

In the exuberant title novella, a retired judge reflects on his life's work, unaware as he goes about his daily routines that this particular morning will be his last. In “Sh'khol,” a mother spending Christmas alone with her son confronts the unthinkable when he disappears while swimming off the coast near their home in Ireland. In “Treaty,” an elderly nun catches a snippet of a news report in which it is revealed that the man who once kidnapped and brutalized her is alive, masquerading as an agent of peace. And in “What Time Is It Now, Where You Are?” a writer constructs a story about a Marine in Afghanistan calling home on New Year's Eve.

My view:

# 1 THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING by Colum McCann
_____________________________________________________
We are in New York's Upper East Side. Somewhere in this City a man awakens to a snowy day, his name is Mendelssohn to all, Mr J to his nurse Sally.
Retired Judge, widowed, father to Katya and Elliott.
At an advanced age, Mendelssohn has become a creature of habit. Chiallis is no exception, an upscale restaurant his only indulgence. A coat, hat and cane will take him to his favorite table regardless of snow. Today his son Elliott will join him, a rare occasion.
Much awaits Mendelssohn at Chiallis

I absolutely loved the protagonist, Mendelssohn, he will stay with me a long time, no cranky old man

A gem, this novella

# 2 WHAT TIME IS IT NOW, WHERE YOU ARE
____________________________________________
Having agreed to write a short story for a New Year edition, a writer seems unable to see his way beyond a first sentence. Month pass, nothing.
Close to his deadline, an idea, how about the viewpoint of a soldier in a far off land ?
He chooses a Marine, names her Sandi, alone in the desert, on watch duty, a satellite phone by her side. Will she hear her son's voice or will the light from the phone make her a target.

# 3 SH'khol
___________
Rebecca and Tomas, her son, celebrate Christmas together at home in Galway, Ireland. Tomas thirteen, a tall handsome boy. Born in Russia, abandoned as an infant, deaf, beside various disabilities. Rebecca's love for this lost child, shows itself much stronger than any affliction. A new life and family awaits Tomas.
Christmas will be a turning point in both their lives.
Do we truly know our child ? Born to us or adopted ?
Rebecca will try to understand Tomas, and perhaps her own actions in this heartfelt tale.

# 4 Treaty
__________
Long Island, a peaceful stretch of land along the ocean. A perfect  home for a convent, run by Catholic sisters. We meet Beverly who arrives from Huston to find peace among her own, she also is a nun.
Until a certain evening, while watching the news, a face appears on the screen, questions which need answers will take Beverly to London.
Can evil ever transform into good ? To find the peace she so desperately needs, Beverly will face a past of unimaginable evil.


Colum McCann's prose and story telling is such a pleasure to behold, there isn't a short story that shines above others, each in it's own right is a gem.

It is a must read and deserving all of 5 stars

I received this ARC from NetGalley & Random House
in return for an honest review

THE BOY WHO STOLE ATTILA'S Horse by Iván Repila

                                         

                5.5                   

Title: The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse

Author: Ivan Repila

Publisher: Pushkin press

Length: 112 pages

Release date:  November 10 2015

Summery:

Powerful, disquieting and highly original, Repila's unique allegory explores with bravery and emotion the debth of human desperation and, ultimately, our almost unending capacity for hope.

My review;

This novel could be about a deep well, where two children find themselves, it could be about prisoners of war, sequestered in a small hut, unable to escape...or it could also be your neighbors, living a life of desperation...it also reminded me of Korea, the simple everyday fight for survival in a totalitarian state. It is about any circumstance which challenges the human will to live, to survive in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Author Yván Repila chose to tell us the story by giving voice to two children, who find themselves in a deep well. Big and Small are brothers, how they fell into the well isn't readily clear, until later. How can two individuals live in such a small space, with little hope of ever being found, without being able to climb out...with death and starvation their constant companions. The human spirit is an amazing gift, through these boys the author answers the question: why do some survive and others do not, without spoiling his tale, the answer isn't necessarily what we have grown to believe.

On a personal note, there is so much beauty, insight, and knowledge in these few pages, it made me wonder if the author had experienced a suffering which gave him such a clear view on the subject of survival.

I admire his choice of children in an otherwise adult novel. Children are pure at heart, their emotions lay at the surface, truth is readily spoken.

These brothers came to life for me, I feared for them, I even found myself with tears, which doesn't which doesn't happen often.

  

I would like to see other novels by Iván Repila translated.

I highly recommend this novel.

5.5

Thank you to Pushkin press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in return for an honest review

The Fun Of Coloring

Ah ! the pleasure of coloring, thanks to Meredith at dolcebellezza I discovered this beautiful coloring book.

Coloring Flowers Mandalas

I chose, as is recommended, watercolor pencils. There are many different brands to chose from, I happened to have PRISMACOLOR waterpainting pencils on hand, they should do beautifuly.

Great activity for relaxing or simply enjoying coloring :)

Available at amazon dot com

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Certainly you can find English translations of French books, however many times these books date back a few years and the choices are scarce. ALBERTINE offers English translations of newer, more popular French reads. They cover many preferences, crime, literary novels and many more...

If you read French, you are in for a treat, I usually have to order my French novels as they are published, through a store in France or Canada.
ALBERTINE carries French language books as they are published in France.....a real treat!

Yes, they take mail orders...ALBERTINE is a book store located in New York, no extra fee as there is when you order from Canada or France.

http://albertine.com/