Foster Books

Earlier this year, my brother moved to Israel.  As part of that move, he had to give away most of his earthly possessions.  Since he doesn't generally keep many possessions he didn't mind giving them up, except for his book collection.  So he came up with a unique idea - he sent his book to foster homes.  I know that most people only send pets or children to foster homes, but he loves books.  So do the foster parents he selected for his books.  He also sent the books out to people that he thought would particularly enjoy them.  So since I've quit my job I've been working my way through some of my foster books with great enjoyment.  I've even read a few books that I've purchased.  I think every once in a while I might write a book review for everyone to read, especially Marky.

I have to admit that I love the standard Disney movie ending and the Happily Ever After concept that Hollywood and so many modern American fiction writers have jumped behind (my beloved Elizabeth Donald not among them).  So it is unusual for me to read books that don't wrap up nice and neat and happy, but sometimes I either get tricked into it, Elizabeth releases something new, or Marky loans me a book to broaden my horizons.  A few years ago he got me on Latin American literature (before Oprah read One Hundred Years of Solitude, I read it with the Marky book club).  Now I'm taking a brief foray into British literature courtesy of my foster books.

Most recently, I finished Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence.  This book was really about one man (Paul Morel) and his relationships, especially his relationship with his mother and how it interfered with his relationships with women.  But what really made this book interesting and what captured me were the characters.  Even the characters that you weren't supposed to like in the story had fantastically tender, human moments, which really made them come to life.  The portrayal of Paul's mother as an abused mother trapped in a abusive relationship by both society, economics, and even her own pride is truly compelling.  I'm starting on The Rainbow next.  I'm sure Marky is cackling with glee.