Amazon Editor's Pick for Best Literature Fiction
Named Best Book of 2020 NPR
Oprah Magazine Best Book of 2020
One of People's Magazines - Top Ten Books of 2020
National Bestseller
This is the second book I have read and reviewed on this BLOG by this Author. I also reviewed her book THE FRIEND, published in 2018. Sigrid Nunez writes introspectively and brings to the page thoughts we have but, may not say. She is also described as being a sounding board for stories of others that resonate beyond the page.
In this book she deliberates encounters she has had with others, that are at the very least awkward and weighted with all consuming deliberation. In one story, she lives with and cares for a friend from her youth who is dying of Cancer. The Author plants the seed of "a friend dying of terminal Cancer" and all the ramifications of it-quality vs. quantity of life, living with a friend and caring for someone who is dying and the "duty" of the caregiver.
Other stories involve running in to an ex-lover who she inadvertently runs into at a forum, an Airbnb owner and her responsibilities as a guest, the wisdom of cats, and a stranger who requests she visit and comfort his elderly Mother.
A sense of duty is the operative word in this Novel. Where is the line drawn? She writes of duties and responsibilities she encounters, as a friend, neighbor, guest at an Airbnb establishment, as an audience member. With wit and humor, she debates the ramifications of "Should I" to the extreme... "Why did I?"
Sigrid Nunez brings a profoundly empathetic voice to the power of human interaction and the impact on everyday lives to both ourselves and strangers.
"The only thing harder than seeing yourself grow old is seeing the people you've loved, grow old."
Other books by Sigrid Nunez
The Friend 2018
Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag 2014
Salvation City 2011
The Last of Her Kind 2006
A Feather on the Breath of God 2005
For Rouenna 2002
1 comment:
Hmm, I haven't heard of this one. But am always a fan of literary short story collections, and might have to check it out. Also, this might be a weird question, but how did you get the followers icons to scroll across the top of your page? That looks kind of cool. I have a Blogger site myself & have never seen that before. Anyway...appreciate the reviews!
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