Sense of an Ending

This is not a long book, I read it in two settings - although really I spent more time with it but do not recommend trying to read it at the end of the day.  You want to be wide awake for this one.  I liked the beginning setup of friendships made at school, and it was clear this would frame the book.  Having just returned from a weekend reunion with my dearest college friends this struck a chord with me.

I just love and treasure writers who know how to write!  The story was interesting but the writing was amazing.  Julian Barnes sets a mood that is impossible to avoid - even if you wanted to, which I didn't.  It was enigmatic and melancholy - intelligent and plain spoken - the perspective is from Tony Webster, the main character, and he tries to be honest and truthful with his life, even when it's difficult to look back and remember what actually must have happened.

A lot has been written about the ending, and I had to reread it myself to make sure I understood.  In any case, I am so glad I spent time with this book.

Caleb's Crossing

Not sure how I came across this book - I have a spider-web approach to finding books I think I'd like to read.  Sometimes it comes from Amazon book lists, sometimes from annual lists of books to read, not often enough from friends who are reading (yes, that's you - a thinly veiled request for contributions to my blog).

Geraldine Brooks won a Pulitzer for one of her earlier books, and she lives on Martha's Vineyard.  The historical fact that this historical fiction is built around is this:  a young son of a chieftain from the island became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard in the 1660s. 

The story is told by Bethia - other reviewers have said it would be more aptly titled "Bethia's Crossing".  My favorite part of the book happens in the first few chapters when she is a young girl exploring Martha's Vineyard, sneaking to learn lessons taught to her brother, and learning the island's secrets from Caleb. 

I don't know if this is a plot spoiler, but I do think it's important to know that Bethia experiences death of loved ones over and over again.  It got a bit predictable rather than sad.

Usually it's easy for me to say I liked or didn't like a book.  I kept going on this one even though I wanted to stop.  Cathy Heiser told me it was a universal thumbs up from her book club so I kept reading.  I think the real evidence is that I wanted to stop reading it, but didn't.  So I guess I liked some of it, but it wasn't a favorite.  How's that for an ambivalent review?