By Jose Saramago

The Short Take:

Start with the true story of an elephant’s trek from Lisbon to Vienna in 1551. But tell that elephantine tale with sly wit, delightful language, and a bemused modern viewpoint. It’s hard not to be completely charmed. I was.

Why?

It didn’t occur to me until I had almost finished this book that it could be true. There was something so magical about how the story unfolded, its characters, and the mere fact that an elephant would walk across Europe, including through the Alps in winter. Of course, my history is not what it should be, but I figured at best the late Saramago had thrown in a few historical characters like the Archduke Maximilian. Not so. This is a real tale from start to dramatic finish. But it is also very much a novel.

I will warn you that punctuation and customary capitalization are pretty much non-existent in this slim book. One single sentence can actually contain lines of dialogue by two people. But I quickly fell into the rhythm of the writing and I bet you would, too. The story is told in such a me-to-you fashion that you accept the punctuation as part of true story-telling pacing.

The elephant’s trainer, or mahout, is a delight with his curiosity, concerns, and private schemes. And while the elephant itself is never anthropomorphised, it’s dignity, determination, and intelligence are clearly on display.

Of course, I have a lot of gall even writing a review about a book written by someone who received the Nobel Prize for Literature. But I’m so glad I read this totally delightful tale.

A Little Plot:

King Jaoa of Portugal offers to give his elephant to the Archduke Maximilian and the Archduke accepts the gift. That means the elephant, Solomon, and it’s Indian mahout, Subhro, must make a journey of epic proportions and largely on foot. Of course, transporting an elephant requires special provisions as well as protections for the dignity of all parties involved. Then there is the awe and delight people all along the elephant’s route experience when they see the first — and probably only — elephant in their lives.

But the journey is largely a framework for the musings of our storyteller. Here’s just one observation about humanity that really impacted me: “We are, more and more, our own defects and not our qualities.”

It’s because of lines like these that you should read this book. If you want to know more about Saramago and his works, you can go to his Wikipedia entry by clicking here.

By Keith Richards

The Short Take:

If, like many people, you’re surprised Keith Richards has actually reached the ripe age of 67, you’ll be even more so after reading his autobiography. However it’s not his lifestyle but his commitment to music that will make a lasting impression.

Why?

I’ve never been a huge Rolling Stone fan  – just ordinary “like them” — but there’s something about Keith Richards that fascinates. I knew I had to read his autobiography, and though it’s not the sharpest writing in the world (it has a certain rambling style that I found endearing but which others might find distracting), it is certainly revealing. And, while I don’t particularly mean “shocking,” there’s some of that, too.

The dust cover flyleaf gives you an idea of what’s in store. It reads: “This is the Life. Believe it or not I haven’t forgotten any of it.” No cute little essay about what you’re going to discover inside: Just start reading and get on with it.

The drugs, the arrests, the fights within the band, the loves, and the escapades are all in here. You’d be disappointed if they weren’t. But it’s his amazing passion for music — both his and others — that really defines the man. And there’s plenty of ink devoted to his musical life in this book. Some of it was beyond me — like his discovery of open tuning — but I loved reading about his love and respect for other performers and how they influence his own work.

Of course, being a Memphis native, I was thrilled to see local legends like Jimmy Dickinson, Scotty Moore, and the Stax and Hi recording stars prominently mentioned. But Richards’ musical interests not only encompass Blues but also Country, Bluegrass, Reggae, and pretty much everything else you can think of. And, you can feel his unfettered enthusiasm in every word.

One thing that struck me while reading this book was just how much things changed in such a short period of time in the 60s. Richards repeatedly points out how the establishment felt deeply threatened by this sea change in dress, behavior, and music. It sounds almost amusing today — the stuff of tabloid featurettes rather than mainstream news. But those truly were the times.

And, boy, didn’t Keith Richards fully represent most parents’ greatest fears for their own children? Absolutely!

A Little Plot:

You know the basics already. Richards’ autobiography covers everything from his school days as a choirboy soloist right up to his mother’s recent death. Along the way, some rumors are put to rest while others are given the stamp of approval.

More time is spent on the early years of the Rolling Stones, when they struggled simply to get a chance to play, then suddenly burst through and worked practically every day for years. Richards also includes segments written by others in his life who give their own point of view about various occasions. These observations highlight both some of his worse behaviors and some of his greatest moments. Heck, sometimes the two are one and the same.

But you expect nothing less from a man who was proud to be number one on the Rock Stars Most Likely to Die list for 10 years. You’ve got to say this: Richards delivers, both on stage and in this fascinating autobiography (with the help of James Fox).

If you want to know more about Richards, this book, and his many musical collaborations, click here.

By Kevin Fenton

The Short Take:

This coming-of-age-and-then-some novel follows a group of friends from a small Minnesota town through high school, college, and then more of life’s ups and downs. What sets this one apart from similar books is that it’s much more nuanced and focuses more on each individual’s growth (or lack there of) rather than their relationships. I liked that difference. Very much.

Why?

Even though the territory has been explored many times, this book has a very fresh feel. A lot of that is due to the richness of the writing style. Unexpected descriptive phrases and brief philosophical insights raise everything to a higher level. The characters aren’t the usual suspects, either. Well, at first you think they might be, but first-time-novelist Fenton brings unexpected characteristics, interesting vulnerabilities, and surprising set backs to enrich his portraits.

While it certainly contains the angst and alienation  you expect from a book that begins in the teenage years, Merit Badges presents a rounder, more realistic portrait of a small community and one group of young people it unleashes on the world.

Each chapter is titled like a Boy Scout merit badge and includes one requirement for earning that badge. I’m not sure this really added anything, but it didn’t hurt either. I think most readers would understand how the book’s title describes what happens in this novel without it.

The plot pulled me straight through in a very short time. I just wanted to know what would happen next. And, how can I not enjoy a book that uses the word “ghosty?”

A Little Plot:

A tight group of friends, all growing up within a few blocks of each other, finds high school changes their relationships and perspectives. When his father dies, Quint (ostensibly the central character), sinks into delinquency and drugs. Slow tries to become his family’s father figure when his dad moves out. Barb doesn’t understand why the group doesn’t relate to each other the same way anymore.

By turns amusing and touching, as well as highly nostalgic if your high school days were in the 70s, Merit Badges follows the separate paths these friends take over about 25 years. A lot happens, but it’s not ridiculous stuff. It’s more like real life.

Kevin Fenton has a website but it’s more about his career as an ad writer and creative director. In the interest of full disclosure, that describes me, too. But I don’t think that influenced my opinion. To visit his site, click here. There’s also a website just for this book, to visit that, click here.

By Kate Morton

The Short Take:

In the best gothic romance tradition, this book combines family secrets, craziness, a long lost letter, eccentric characters, even a decaying castle complete with tower, filled-in moat, and secret passage. How can you possibly resist? I couldn’t.

Why?

Though set in the recent past, the roots of this enjoyable novel lie much farther back in the creation of a timeless children’s book, Raymond Blythe’s The True History of the Mud Man, and the years of England’s entry into  WWII (yes, this is fiction and there is no such book — unfortunately).

Two generations of an ordinary modern family become intricately involved with Blythe’s daughters and their historic castle. Secrets abound among the characters, as they all strive to hide lost loves and frustrated plans. Until Edie. She seeks to unravel the mysteries and lies that strain her relationship with her parents as well as those that trap the three Blythe sisters together.

This haunting gothic novel brings together all the elements you want most in one gloriously complex tale. It contains so many half-truths, lies, and omissions that even those most skilled at guessing a mystery’s outcome are bound to be at least partly wrong.

A Little Plot:

Edie’s mother receives a letter that has been lost for 40 years. Though obviously shocked by its contents, she hides her reasons. Edie pushes for information and discovers that during the war her mother was evacuated to Milderhurst Castle and the letter came from there. But her mother reveals little else.

When Edie stumbles across the castle while lost in Kent, she wrangles a tour and meets the elderly Blythe twins and their mad younger sister. She doesn’t tell them who she is or about her mother, creating secrets of her own. But her visit sets the stage for the unraveling of family intrigues that stretch back for decades.

And, let me tell you, there are a LOT of intrigues.

For more about Kate Morton, The Distant Hours, and her other books, click here.

By Keizo Hino

The Short Take:

Like a haiku poem, this eloquent novel packs vast quantities of beauty and meaning into a mere 168 pages. Acclaimed in Japan 25 years ago, I’m grateful it has finally made it into English. Brilliant.

Why?

There are so many layers to explore and think about in this book, it is a true literary treasure. If you’re the type of person who enjoys existentialists works and classic European movies, this one is tailor made for you. Even if you’re not that type, this book still deserves your attention.

Of course I have no idea how Isle of Dreams read in its original Japanese, but Charles De Wolf’s translation certainly felt right: landfill dumps take on rare beauty, nature writhes with intense sensuality, even concrete skyscrapers come alive.

Sleep walking each day

Unaware that everywhere

Life and death entwine.

OK, that’s my poor haiku verse that tries (and certainly does not succeed) to encapsulate the core of this lovely novel. This is a rare gem that deserves to be read far beyond courses in Japanese Literature.

A Little Plot:

On a whim, middle-aged architect Shozo Sakai stays on a public filled bus filled with young people till they reach their destination — a comic convention taking place on “reclaimed land” in Tokyo Bay. It is just one part of an immense landfill project where Tokyo’s waste is reborn as more Tokyo. Struck by the wide open spaces, so different from the Tokyo concrete canyons he builds and loves, Shozo lingers till twilight, when he encounters a daring motorcyclist — a young woman.

Shortly afterwards he is irresistibly drawn to a shop window display, where a young woman is adjusting mannequins that somehow convey more awareness that actually beings.

These two events reshape Shozo and his world. It is a journey you should take with him.

By Sena Jeter Naslund

The Short Take:

I read and loved Ahab’s Wife quite some time ago and so pounced on this book when I saw it. Though very different, it is maybe even more rewarding. I put the qualifier in there because this one is more magical reality (a la Gabriel Marcia Marquez or Alice Hoffman — and, yes, I know how different they are). Plus, it has a fair amount of religious thinking. I really liked it a lot. But that combo isn’t for everyone,

Why?

I might have handed it all out there with my not-so-Short Take. At first I was a touch confused about Adam’s Eden — where was it and what was it; and how it all related to the experiences of Lucy, the grieving widow of an astrophysicist. Not to worry: The author did an excellent job of magically pulling it all together.

The conflict in this novel comes not only from the confused feelings of the protagonists (the afore mentioned Adam and Lucy) but also from the actions of religious fundamentalists including Jews, Muslims, and Christians driven by fear and repression.

While much of the book is very dreamy and thoughtful, you will also find the thrill of danger and pursuit.

Lovely writing, danger, science, faith, rebirth, even some paleolithic cave art — this was a perfect combination for me.

A Little Plot:

Lucy’s husband discovers that there is life elsewhere in the universe — then dies violently before he can share the news. Adam, an American soldier, is brutalized and left for dead in the Middle East, but wakes up in what appears to be Eden.

Lucy winds up in that same miraculous place when her mission to transport ancient documents with an alternative reading of Genesis goes down in flames.

While the two of them heal… and change, fundamentalists work together to find and destroy both the evidence of extraterrestrial life and those ancient documents.

I couldn’t find a website for the author, but if you can click here for some additional information courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

By David Sedaris

The Short Take:

This is a sweet and fun book of tales starring very anthropomorphic animals, such as a pot bellied pig that is a museum director. It’s an enjoyable read, though not as touching or caustic as Sedaris’ usual tales from life.

Why?

For some reason I have a sneaky suspicion that someone wanted a David Sedaris book out in time for holiday gifting. And, goodness knows, this would be a gift that virtually anyone would enjoy. But it is a touch on the slight side when compared to his often satiric, often moving, and always enjoyable collections of observations from life, like Me Talk Pretty One Day or When You Are Engulfed in Flames.

Some version of several of  the tales included in this book were first broadcast on This American Life on NPR. And, the human qualities of the different animals are not consistent from story to story: The dogs in The Faithful Setter act just like dogs except for talking to each other. Other animals are completely humanized.

But these are mere quibbles. David Sedaris is a brilliant and insightful humorist in the vain of Mark Twain. And, it’s rather nice of him not to again use his family and friends for material in order to produce another highly readable book.

A Little Plot:

No plot here. Just a winning collection of stories highlighting human foibles but starring animals. They don’t have the succinct moral endings found in Aesop’s Fables, but you get the point and have fun getting there.

To visit his website and learn more about Sedaris and his books, click here.

By Andrew Klavan

The Short Take:

Klavan is a modern day Dashiell Hammett. This powerful crime thriller is exceptionally hard-boiled and exceptionally well written. It also makes some strong statements about modern culture.

Why?

This book is almost entirely populated by bad people. The opening chapters featured a burglary turned very violent and a cool assassination in an unidentified city facing flooding and anarchy (think New Orleans and Katrina). Yet Klavan actually makes you care about habitual thief John Shannon, who can only soothe a “crawly, itching” feeling by committing another crime.

Like Dashiell, Klavan presents a sleazy, morally corrupt world, but updated for the 21st century. Honor hides behind barred doors while feral young men rule the streets; cops are not to be trusted — just like politicians. It all sounds distressingly dark but Klavan’s writing is so perfectly textured for this genre that you willingly dive into his world.

Despite all that crime and toughness, I actually cried at the end. But I’m not going to say why.

A Little Plot:

Shannon pairs with a psycho for a burglary that turns into something worse. On the run with no options, Shannon responds to an enigmatic text message. Without his consent, his entire identity is changed and he awakes in a devastated and largely lawless city. It looks like a new chance at a good life. Guess again.

You know his path must cross that of police lieutenant, Brick Ramsey — the brutal enforcer for a government administration absolutely riddled with corruption; in a town that’s dying from violence and destruction. To find out why or how this happens, you’re going to have to go elsewhere.

Oh, there is a love angle, too. Imagine that.

If you want to know more about Andrew Klavan, you can visit his website by clicking here. Frankly it mainly focuses on his politics and religion so you might want to leave that to your imigination.

By Nicole Krauss

The Short Take:

This is a brilliant book, but it isn’t easily digested. Krauss is an incredibly gifted writer, and this elegant novel is proof to her prodigious talent. The longing and loss expressed through her four interwoven stories are embodied by a desk of many drawers that looms over lives, creating obsessions and fears in those who encounter it. It’s not a hard read, but you’ve got to care about existential questions to fully enjoy it.

Why?

I have to admit I left this book wanting more — more plot, more resolutions. But life isn’t exactly like that, is it? And neither is Krauss’ third novel. However, the way her characters express their feelings (largely through unspoken monologues) gives great depth to this study of relationships and how we close ourselves into separate rooms of one Great House.

Finding ways to somehow come to terms with the past plays a major role throughout. Yet, the importance — and unreliability — of memory is just as pervasive.

It’s a lovely read, but very existential in tone. If that’s your thing, you would be hard pressed to find a better book. If not… maybe you should give it a try anyway. Because Great House is a very special book.

A Little Plot:

Four different stories twine through this book:

A writer offers to keep the furniture of a poet headed for great danger in Chile, including a huge desk with many drawers. Over the years, the desk becomes unexpectedly important to her writing.

A man marries a writer who much earlier owned the same desk.  He grapples with the secrets of her life both while she lives and after she dies.

Another man tries to figure out how to reach his younger son after decades of estrangement before it is to late.

Two siblings live lives of isolation and despair, under the protective tyranny of a father who searches the world for objects and objects the Jews lost during the Holocaust, as well as the desk his once father had.

But it’s not about the plot. It’s about the human condition. And Krauss  does it beautifully.

To visit Nicole Krauss’ website click here.

By Andrew Taylor

The Short Take:

As much a modern novel about secrets and identities as it is a mystery story, this elegantly written book surprised me. It’s certainly not typical of the genre.

Why?

Trust is a major issue in this book by the prolific British writer, Andrew Taylor: Who should you trust? How far should you trust them? Frankly, I didn’t trust anyone in the book — but that just added to the enjoyment.

Few of the mysteries I’ve encountered have the high level of personal angst found in this one, or the low body count. There’s not one central mystery here, but several lifetimes of them — all coalescing in one mess of secrets, half-truths, buried memories, and general unease.

Taylor lets his story unfold gently, exploring relationships both in the present day and from years earlier when the narrator, James, was still a teen. James has put that past firmly behind him, but now it is flooding back, disruptinghis marriage and his life.

A Little Plot:

Out of nowhere, James hears from Lily, the dying mother of one of his adolescent friends — and with whom he had an affair ages ago. She tells him they have a daughter, and the daughter is in desperate need of his help.

While unsure whether or not to believe Lily, James let himself be drawn into their circle — as much to resolve festering issues  in his own subconscious as to help his supposed (and highly erratic) daughter, Kate. A suspicious wife; Kate’s violent half-brother, Carlos; a man who may be murdered and his estranged family — each of them sometimes lie and sometimes almost tell the truth.

In his struggle to separate their facts from fiction, James realizes he has been running from the truth about his own past, too. But no longer.

For more about Andrew Taylor and his works, click here.