The Thirty Something Reads

Abraham Verghese is a New York Times best seller and this recent novel holds a spot as one of Oprah's Book Club Picks.

I wasn't aware of all these details until after the librarian passed the giant novel through the book slot window, a slot in which it almost did not fit, but I was excited to begin. This novel would take me over a month to read and I was finally able to really carve away and untimatley finish during a bout with the flu.

Our story begins with a young bride who leaves her family to take her place as the matriarch of a new family. As she begins finding her place as a new wife, mother and woman, I was immediately drawn in to her story and that of her budding family. After a devestating loss, she learns of The Condition, one that brings fear and death by water to many in her husbands lineage. As her story pauses, and she prays for deliverance from The Condition to heal, another story begins.

Our novel goes back and forth between characters until the ultimate convergence in the end. A though the novel is long, I found interest in all the characters stories and development, and wanted to finish this read. This novel reminded me a lot of “The House of Spirits” in the way it’s organized and how it carries on through generation after generation.

Overall, I don’t know that I would take on this read again but I was happy with the book in the end.

I previously read The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by the same author and was impressed with the way the author built scenes. I believe Mexican Gothic proceeds Doctor Moreau but the authors use of detail as she describes scenes is consistent in both novels. It really allows the reader to imagine, and build the world in which our characters live.

Noemí is a socialite from the city and is sent on a mission to High Place, in the very rural country, to investigate the odd musings of her cousin, Catalina who has married into the family at High Place.

Upon her arrival she is met with less than a warm welcome. The house is not only drab but dreary, lacking electricity, warmth and love. Only faint whispers are allowed and her first interactions with the Doyle family members are haunting. Howard Doyle, the patriarch of the family who’s interactions send shivers down your spine. Victor Doyle, the next in line and Catalina’s husband. Florence Doyle, the cousin who tends to Catalina and the home with an iron fist and Francis, seemingly the only one with a soul and with whom our main character connects.

Noemí immediately starts having nightmares, every time she closes her eyes. Leaving her tired, confused and weakened as the days pass. Upon the height of the story we learn the truth about the Doyle family, their mines and how the house and everyone in it is connected. Upon this discovery, Noemí must fight for her life and that of her cousin.

I really enjoy Silvia’s story telling and would love to dive into more of her novels.

I tried but I simply can’t finish this novel. I was excited to start this one, thinking it was going to give Mulan style vibes and in ways it does. I was drawn in by the story of a starving and overlooked girl who was destined for nothing but decided to change her fate and become Monk Zhu. I was interested during her journey at the monastery and intrigued at the mention of ghost and spirits but it lost me.

The writing style has peaks and valleys; points where the characters are acting and the plot points are pushing forward and then points of story telling and description. During those points I begin to lose interest. This may be that I am not big on war and politics and this story revolves around an ongoing war. I also became annoyed with the literal overuse of fate in the story as a whole. It’s almost as if we were constantly being reminded what the story was about but as the reader, the driving point is developed early in the story.

Overall this one wasn’t for me. I just didn’t feel excited to keep reading and coming back to know more.

Reviving my book journey allows me to finally get into those novels I’ve eyeballed over the years. Layla was on that list and I enjoyed it!

Leeds and Layla are realm crossed lovers. They bond immediately at her sisters wedding and are inseparable until his ex, Sable, shoots them both. In an effort to reconnect with Layla after the shooting he takes them to the BnB where they met but encounters paranormal activity that would have sent me running but send Leeds into a blurred relationship with that of Willow; a ghost.

Without “spoiling” too much we discover Willow isn’t Willow at all and Layla isn’t Layla and Leeds is left to make decisions that blur reality and morality.

This novel gave me a good dose of love, horror and a dash of paranormal. I was definitely spooked while the story was developing and for me that’s a good thing. I enjoyed Hoover’s writing style and would read more of her work.

4/5

Since this book is old news I don't think it worth discussing a summary but I think a deep dive into Evelyn Hugo and characters, like her, is. Evelyn Hugo isn't a good person, she says so herself.

However you can't help for root for her, despite her lies, deception and manipulation. Our main character even struggles with her conflicting emotions in regard to Evelyn. She hates her, loves her, sympathizes with her and I think this type of character is incredibly human.

Humanity isn't black and white, there are a lot of gray areas. We lie, we hide our true selves and we do what we must in order to survive. To build characters in such a way is mind fuck, especially once you realize the gravity of all the missteps the character has taken. Key example, Walter White aka Heisenberg. Yes he was dying but can we really justify every action he took in order to survive? Yet didn't we root for him to keep surviving, a murderous, lying, manipulative drug dealer? We ached for his good fortune however he was truly terrible but I digress.

Yes, this novel told a great story, but the character development is what sold it for me. I rooted for Evelyn and I cried for her because of her humanity. I enjoyed her fight to survive no matter what, I enjoyed her plotting and scheming, I enjoyed her secrets. I enjoyed Evelyn Hugo. She is smart, witty, talented, bold and self aware and despite her flaws, we could all strive to become a bit more like her. Stand in your truth, good, bad or ugly.

This novel really gave me everything I enjoy in a read and I lapped it up in a couple of days. Love, lies, secrets and betrayal all wrapped in a slow burn. I will be recommending this to my fellow readers and would read again.

5/5