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One Splendid Book Rose Over Summer
Doldrums
 This
summer was not very exciting in the world of books. Yes, the publishing
houses released the typical beach thrillers, such as James Patterson’s
“The Quickie” (does he release a book every month?), “Lean Mean
Thirteen” by Janet Evanovich, J.A. Jance’s “Justice Denied” and the
latest Dave Robicheaux installment from James Lee Burke (“The Tin Roof
Blowdown”).
But, all in all, it seemed that publishers had cleared the season for
J.K. Rowling’s highly anticipated—and highly promoted—“Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows,” which sold an amazing 11.5 million copies in its
first 10 days.
A few notable books, however, did slip out during the summer months,
most particularly A Thousand Splendid Suns from Khaled Hosseini
(Riverhead, $25.95). Hosseini’s long-awaited sequel to 2003’s “The Kite
Runner” went straight to the top of the charts, and it’s no wonder,
given the power of the story and style in his debut novel, which even
today remains a best-seller.
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” is the story of two women in Afghanistan and
how their lives were changed by events that we know only through sound
bites and news reports. Like its predecessor, it’s a touching,
unforgettable portrait of a people and a country. No one who reads
either of Hosseini’s books can ever view Afghanistan with a
dispassionate eye again.
Fortunately, the fall promises some pretty good reads. This month, look
for An Arsonist’s Guide to Writer’s Homes in New England by Brock Clarke
(Algonquin Books, $23.95). Some books just have catchy titles; some have
fine writing. Fortunately, this has both. Clarke’s antihero, Sam
Pulsifer, smudges the line between reality and fiction in this story of
literature, family and human nature.
Also out in September is Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo (Knopf,
$26.95). Pulitzer Prize-winning Russo takes on a world of contradictions
when the Lynches, who have lived in a small upstate New York town all of
their sixty years, decide to take a trip to Italy. Russo’s style shines
in this tale of family, life and love.
October will see at least two new books about familiar characters: In
Exit Ghost, Philip Roth has Nathan Zuckerman, 71, return—to the pages
and to his hometown of New York after 11 years. And Walter Mosley brings
back Easy Rawlins, the detective who doesn’t want to be a detective, in
Blonde Faith, a whodunit that moves from the streets of Los Angeles to
the fields of Vietnam.
Archives:
August 2007
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