Bloodroot
Bloodroot (2010) by Amy Greene. Told in authentic-sounding Appalachian voices, "Bloodroot" is the story of a plant, a mountain, and a clan. The plant is bloodroot, with white flowers and blood-red sap which has the power to heal and to kill. The mountain is Bloodroot Mountain, home to the Lamb clan, among others, and home to the bloodroot plant, which grows in the high meadows reachable only by treacherous paths. The Lamb clan make up the central thread in this multi-thread story of love, betrayal and revenge. You'll be alternately charmed and horrified by the goings-on in this quintessentially American book. Grade: A-
Labels: Novel
Fletch
Fletch (1974) by Gregory Mcdonald. Fletch -- full name, I.M. Fletcher -- is an indelible character, created by Mcdonald and featured in a series of novels, not to mention in an eponymous movie. I found the book to be lightweight, entertaining reading -- good for passing the time, but I don't plan to check out any of the other books in the series. Frankly, Fletch is a little too clever for his own good -- and I found him less likable for it. Grade: B
Labels: Mystery
The Liars' Club
The Liars' Club (1995) by Mary Karr. With a poet's sensibility and sweep of language, Karr tells the story of her hardscrabble upbringing in the East Texas bayou town of Leechfield, Texas -- along with her family's brief, weird sojourn in Colorado. The telling of it is down-and-dirty, with apparently no detail left out. This is simply one of the best books I have ever read. It ranks right up there with "The Glass Castle" in enjoyment and profound impact. Grade: A
Labels: Memoir
