By Oliver Potzsch

The Short Take:

This fascinating historical novel is drawn from the family history of the author — whose forefathers were once prominent executioners (!) in Bavaria. Set in 1659, it’s a complex mystery involving witchcraft, town rivalries, murdered children, and forbidden love. Sounds good to me!

Why?

The town executioner of Schongau also conducts torture to secure convictions and picks up the garbage once a week. Not surprisingly, he and his family are largely shunned by the local citizens. Quite surprisingly, he has a vast store of herbal and medical knowledge and is not above using it to protect those in need. This is one executioner who doesn’t mind giving justice a little nudge in the right direction.

However, I’m not sure I get the book’s title: the hangman’s daughter, Magdalena, doesn’t play that big of a role. Plus, the physician she loves (and who loves her) seems to have an awful lot of unexplained money for fancy clothes. Is it possible the editors decided to eliminate parts of the plot in this translation? One wonders. I do like that the translator preserved the Bavarian feel of the story without getting you mired in too many Germanic terms.

The hangman himself, Jakob Kuisi, is a terrific character and a fitting tent pole for this book. You will stand solidly in his corner from cover to cover. His sort-of-sidekick, Simon, the physician his daughter loves, comes across as rather weak and self-absorbed by comparison. I don’t see what Magdalena sees in him. But don’t we say that about so many relationships?

All in all it’s a highly enjoyable historical mystery/thriller and I bet we’ll be hearing a lot about it in the future. After all, someone had to be paying attention to the success of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

A Little Plot:

A young boy is savagely murdered and a strange mark is found on his back. Immediately everyone thinks witchcraft and, of course, the town midwife is the number one (and only) suspect. Hangman Jakob believes she is innocent and strives to find the real culprit while delaying her scheduled torture as much as possible. But when more children disappear and a strange fire burns down a warehouse, he’s hard pressed to delay much longer. The town council burghers want that witch executed as soon as possible: the last time there was a delay in executing a witch, 60+ other women were also accused and burned. That is a scandal the town does not want to see repeated.

And who can blame them?

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a website for the author or this book — at least any sites in English — but there are a number of other reviews out there.

By Margaret Dilloway

The Short Take:

This endearing novel centers on the life of a WWII Japanese war bride who is now an old and ailing woman, sadly estranged from her family in Japan. She asks her unhappy daughter to go to Japan to help rebuild her relationships with surprising results all around. I suspect this sweet little book will become a book club favorite.

Why?

All the elements are here: the young Japanese woman who leaves everything behind in hopes of a better life in America, a frustrated mother/daughter relationship, old secrets and sorrows, the need for new beginnings. You find yourself simply devouring this book to discover how it all turns out.

Shoko, the Japanese wife, is a delightful protagonist: genuine, clear-eyed, familiar but also foreign. Dilloway drew from her own mother to craft this wonderful character and that lucid portrait is the star of this book. Shoko is the rock this book stands on, and worthy in every way.

Another delightful touch is the short entry before each chapter, purportedly drawn from a book (imagined by the author) with the same title as this novel. These entries give advice to Japanese women who come to America as brides. Brutally honest and sometimes scathingly funny, the inserts let Dilloway explain the obstacles these Japanese war brides women faced every day of their lives without bogging down her story. It is an artful and insightful addiiton.

This is no great literary tome, but it is a lively read that can’t help but touch you in some way. And, it may also open your eyes to some aspects of WWII and Japanese culture — which is no bad thing.

A Little Plot:

The aging Shoko has a bad heart and must face a dangerous surgery. Before she faces the scalpel, she wants to rebuild a relationship with the younger brother who turned his back on her when she married an American soldier shortly after WWII. When her deteriorating health makes it impossible to take the trip to Japan, she asks her daughter, Sue, to heal the breach.

Sue is a divorced mother, unhappy with herself and her job. Unsure what to expect, she agrees to go and takes her own young teen daughter on the quest. What results changes everyone’s life.

Flashbacks reveal Shoko’s early life and why she came to America as well as sketching in her relationships with her husband, son, and the often confusing American world she has lived in for decades.

To visit author Margaret Dilloway’s website, click here.

By Joseph O’Connor

The Short Take:

In this outing, O’Connor’s rich tapestry of words wraps around the real love story of Irish playwright John Synge and a young actress, Molly Allgood. Short on action but long on atmosphere, this portrait of a doomed love affair is incredibly rich as well as heart wrenching.

Why?

While the characters and general outline of this love affair are true, O’Connor has invented most of the events depicted in his compelling novel. The focus is on Molly Allgood, who we see both as a lonely and broken old woman and as a young, up-and-coming actress. But it is how Synge impacts her life — both while living and since his death — that forms this book’s essence.

Semi-literate as I am, I had never heard of Synge. Though the title of his most famous play, “Playboy of the Western World,” was familiar to me, it had no context. Synge had a short yet brilliant career as a playwright before dying at age 37. When he met Molly, he was already quite ill, not to mention almost twice her age. He was from the landed aristocracy, well-educated, and Protestant. Molly was everything he was not. Yet they formed a deep relationship, tempestuous at times, and often carried on in secret as both of their families thoroughly disapproved.

O’Connor hops through time and sometimes changes his narrative from Molly’s first person account to Synge’s point of view or even into the third person. In addition, Molly’s own drunken and confused memories as an old woman sometimes mix and merge like a crowded dreamscape. Some readers might not love this. I liked these fractal images with their quick insights that made Molly’s attraction to Synge more understandable, as well as his passion for her. Plus it felt real — the mind hops and skips when you think back on your life, with one memory sparking another.

The book’s title refers to an old theatre custom where one light is left burning in a dark theatre so that its ghosts may perform. O’Connor’s gorgeously written novel lets the ghosts of Molly and Synge perform — and love — unhindered.

A Little Plot:

The novel opens with an aged Molly living in poverty, drinking heavily, yet with still enough spark to turn on her charm and acting powers when needed. Her memories take her back to the days of her largely secret relationship John Synge, when she was a young actress at the prestigious Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

He wants to improve her mind but also finds in her his muse. Young and inexperienced, she is often confounded by this complex and haunted man who seems lonely in his very soul yet experiences life with frightening deepness.

Together they explore the wild landscapes of Ireland and each other, against the wishes of everyone who knows them.

Then she carries on alone, through successes and failures, until she is just another old actress lucky to have a small part in a radio play in bombed out, worn out, 1952 London. But she remains quite aware of how loved and even fortunate she has been.

By Louise Collis

(This year I’m highlighting some books that really made an indelible impression on me — as well as continuing to review new books)

The Short Take:

This book is phenomenal! It’s the true story of a 15th century Englishwoman who goes on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem — and it’s largely drawn from her own autobiography. It’s a wild journey and an even wilder woman. You simply can’t make up stuff this good.

Why?

Just the fact that an English mother of 14 would set out on this massive journey through Europe and into the Holy Land is pretty astounding. The fact that she later dictated her experiences to a priest, creating what may be the first memoir written in English, is even more amazing. But the real show stopper here is Margery Kempe herself — a woman so opinionated, so over-the-top pious, and so vocal in all things that she even manages to alienate her fellow pilgrims.

MArgery Kempe is a character for the ages. And, Collis does a great job of not only presenting her but providing all the context you need to fully understand the scope of her travels and the times she lived in. This book includes both jaw-dropping incidents and scenes that are flat out hysterical. You seldom find all of that in a work of fiction — and this story is true!

A Little Plot:

Margery Kempe was a well-off woman, married with 14 children. She also believed she talked to God and various saints. And she wanted to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to atone for some secret sin. Today her visions and conversations would probably get her committed – and there were those who thought she was pretty odd back then. However, Margery was also a woman of unbelievable drive, determination, and courage. She got what she wanted, no matter how much it discomfitted those around her.

This real story about a real woman also gives you a brilliant portrait of medieval times, not just in England but across Europe and in the Holy Land as well. But this is no stuffy history. It’s full of passion, outrageousness and daring. No wonder it’s still in print after more than 50 years!

It’s one of my all-time favorite reads — a book I’ll truly never forget. I simply had to tell you about it.

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.

Unlike the lists of respected publications like The New York Times, I don’t claim these are the best books of the year, just my particular favorites. In other words, I might have read more serious and literary books, but these were the most enjoyable — to me. Most were reviewed on this blog. A few were listed on my “What I’m Reading Now” page. And not all are 2010 releases.

So, in no particular order:

Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving.

Irving is a long-standing favorite of mine. I love his quirky characters, recurring themes, and his delightful writing. This book seemed his most self-referential yet, but that didn’t hurt it any. Of course, he and his father were never on the run from a violent lumberjack bent on revenge. Go to Jan. 22, 2010 for my original review.

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

I’ve been recommending this book to lots of friends. Its interrelated stories feature people working on a newspaper and cover the gamut from laugh-out-loud funny to heart rending. It was thoroughly enjoyable, though I do warn people the first story is a bit of a downer. Go to July 22, 2010 for the review.

Super Sad Super True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

Set in the near, highly-possible future, this book is both quite unnerving and wildly funny. People largely interact through what is basically a smart phone on steroids and youth is prized above all, yet somehow a technology-challenged man approaching middle age and a young beauty still connect with each other. More or less. An awesome satire. Go to August 22 for the review.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I expected to be intrigued by this non-fiction story exploring how the cells of a poor African American woman changed medicine forever. Actually, I was wowed. Skloot could have made this a real melodrama, instead it’s a clear-eyed portrayal of accepted medical practices plus the impact on Henrietta’s troubled children when they discovered their mother’s cells are alive and used around the world. Reviewed on March 9. 2010.

A Visit from The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

Another book set in the near future (and the near past), the characters in this novel swirl in and out of the music industry. This book just grows in richness the further you delve into it and the more you learn about each character’s past and future.  Reviewed on September 10, 2010.

The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell.

With her entertaining yet quite serious exploration of the Puritans who sailed to the New World on the Mayflower, Vowell delivers a deep understanding of her subjects: the highly educated and highly opinionated Puritans.  While her respect is obvious, her witty observations keep this book enjoyable as well as highly informative. Reviewed January 2, 2010.

Star of the Sea by Joseph O’Connor.

I read this for one of my book clubs and thought it was fantastic. A group of starving Irish immigrants sail to America during the Potato Famine, along with some supposedly wealthy passengers, and one person intent on murder. The events of the crossing are interspersed with backstories about the main characters. This was simply an awesome read.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry.

Another book club selection, this book might be short on plot (in its first half at least) but it is long on pleasure — if you like philosophical discussions, which I do. The central characters are a rich 12-year-old girl bent on suicide and  her apartment building’s old, plain, and secretly intellectual concierge. A lovely and rewarding read.

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir.

Noted historian Alison Weir can weave an outstanding non-fiction tale, too. This novel about Lady Jane, the young girl manipulated by her family in hopes of snatching the throne from Elizabeth Tudor, is far above the usual for this genre. Plus, Lady Jane’s story is as remarkable as it is tragic. With Weir’s impressive body of factual work about the Tudor years, you know you’re getting an accurate description of the times. I didn’t originally review this book, but did praise Weir on July 26. What’s not to love?

The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry.

This fast-paced thriller deserves to be on someone’s list! Berry’s cunning combination of fact and fiction runs circles around Dan Brown. This outing includes the lost, legendary treasure of Napoleon Bonapart as well as a secret group of international tycoons bent on enriching themselves further by using catastrophes to manipulate financial markets. How can you resist?

So those are my favorites. What were yours?

And, a Happy New Year in books to one and all!

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.