Say It With A Book #12 | ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card

With Guest Book Reviewer Ycel Dimayuga

   

ENDER'S GAME is set in the future where people are only authorized to have two children, much like in the Shadow Children series. However, the Wiggins were allowed a third child (Andrew, calling himself Ender) by the Interplanetary Fleet (IF) as part of an Earth program to produce brilliant officers to fight an alien race that has invaded the solar system. The older Wiggin children, though highly intelligent, did not make it to the program but Ender did. He was only six when he was taken from his family and sent by the IF to the Battle School, situated in Earth's orbit. Here Ender was rigorously trained and pushed to his limits, and excelled in a competitive squad-based war simulation in zero gravity. He became well-respected by his peers but was plagued with guilt and nightmares because of the terrible cost he paid to earn their respect. Soon Ender hated himself because he thought he was becoming like his brother Peter who liked hurting people.

Scott Card tackles a number of serious issues in writing this novel. He gives us a six-year old protagonist who also figures in some of the most disturbing scenes in the story. But I think the author wants to point out that children are no different from adults, that they have valid thoughts and emotion and should be treated with dignity and respect. Children are oftentimes not taken seriously, and I remember fairly well that children growing up in my generation were not allowed to participate in grown up discussions. I see my son’s frustration as I listen half-heartedly when he is trying to communicate with me, forgetting that this is how our humanity first establishes itself, by reaching out to tell others what we want, struggling to be understood. Valentine was right when she said, "Peter, you're twelve years old. I'm ten. They have a word for people our age. They call us children and they treat us like mice.” How frustrating indeed. Even the long drawn-out war with the aliens was a case of serious miscommunication. And yes, they paid dearly for that.

This book is not purely sci-fi but it is also largely about military strategy. I thoroughly enjoyed the war games in null gravity. Several characters played mind games and manipulated other characters (Graff, Rackham, Valentine and Peter). But the tour de force is in the last game. You’ll always remember Ender for his famous words: the enemy's gate is down.


About Ycel:

Ycel is a devoted wife and mother of three, lover of books and coffee, and dubbed herself as Perspicacious Loris. She is, indeed, very perceptive, but, I'm sure, she does not hang herself upside-down. Or, does she?

TFG:  What is your favorite genre?

Ycel:  I like historical fiction because it forces me to find out what actually happened so I can separate fact from fiction. Though I don't do this all the time. Sometimes I just enjoy getting lost in another time and place.

TFG:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Ycel:  Moody, so I don't have a set reading list. I will read whatever catches my fancy.

TFG:  Thank you very much, Ycel, for guesting. I hope this is not the last.

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Say It With A Book #11 | The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

With Guest Book Reviewer | Alexa Sienes

   

I've seen people constantly recommending Sarah Dessen books in my Goodreads feed for years now (most of the ladies in my book club have read at least one, I'm sure), and I always see her books in bookshops as well, but for some reason, I've never really been compelled to read any of them. I'd say perhaps I judged the books based on their cover, but I've read (more than) enough "trashy" books to know that isn't the case. At any rate, I've always found some other book to read other than Sarah Dessen's books. Until now.

It was pretty funny how it started, actually. We were challenged by our book moderator of the month at The Filipino Group, Maria, to read a YA book and post a review, and since this was one of the books I had on hand (I didn't say I didn't have copies, only that I never actually got around to reading them), I might as well read it, seeing as I didn't have the time to look for anything else.

Long story short, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I expected a tired romance plot with cliche characters that I've seen millions of times, but I'm happy to report that no, that's not really the case. Beyond Macy's development from a timid and mousy pushover to a strong and almost-fearless woman, I genuinely enjoyed her relationships with the other characters - her control freak mother, her daring sister Caroline, and especially the endearing Wish team: scatter-brained Delia, confident Kristy, "sa-woon"-worthy Wes, Bert who always looks at the dark side of life, and even half-robot Monica.

It wasn't a mystery, the way the story ended. It's something you can kind of expect from the beginning, but what I liked about this book was the process of how Macy started moving on. I liked seeing how she changed for the better, because even if at the start I was pretty frustrated with her life choices, I really couldn't help wishing the best for her. When she finally got to do what she had to do, I practically swelled with pride, even though it was inevitable anyway, which just goes to show how great Sarah Dessen is with her characters.

Beyond the sweet romance with Wes that I expected (which I got slow-burn style, just the way I liked it), I also got a story that dealt with loss, relationships, moving on, and the truth about forever with more depth and heart than I imagined. If the rest of Sarah Dessen's books are like this, then I can clearly see why there would always be people reading and reviewing them in my feed. I'm already one of them, after publishing this review. Who knows, this might not even be the last.


About Alexa:

   

Alexa is one of my TFG babies. I cannot tell you enough how much I am proud of her. She is very lively, talented, and a bad-ass doctor-in-the-making. And it's her birthday month.

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?

Alexa:   I love sci-fi and young/new adult. One brings me out of this world and the other helps me understand myself and my world better!

TPW:  How do you define yourself as a reader?

Alexa:  I'm a polygamist reader! I can't just stick to reading one book at a time, because I get antsy reading about the same thing after a while (unless the book is something I really can't put down). I always make it a point to finish everything I start though!

TPW:  Yes, I do say you are a finisher. You never back down from a challenge. Thank you for sharing your review and Godspeed to your studies. Happy birthday, again, baby!

Alexa:  Thanks so much for inviting me as well! :)

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Say It With A Book #10 | All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

With Guest Book Reviewer | Mawi Lopez

   

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES is the story of how one event joined the lives of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. I kept on coming across reviews that say this book is The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park, but honestly I don't see the comparison with either of the two. Sure there are similarities with some of the characters but the themes presented between all three books were dissimilar. Nevertheless, I liked all three of them. On with this book's review… Btw, I don't really do book reviews so please bear with me :)

I highly recommend this book to people who have gone through and have coped with loss, to readers who love young adult themes and to everyone who wanted a little glimpse of what it's like to have someone so special change your life forever.

The book tackled issues about teenage suicide, bullying, mental/emotional disorder, the feeling of being alone despite having people around, loss, divorce and the effects of broken families on the children. It was done in a way that, I think, young people would appreciate and relate to. The author’s note at the end even included organizations one can contact if they’re experiencing said problems and needed help, which is a really nice thing. On the bright side, the story of how Violet and Finch touched each other’s lives was lovely (because lovely is a lovely word that should be used more often). I can’t help but root for them and hope that everything will turn out well for them both. I, also, was utterly pained by the ending as I was so hoping for it to end the other way. I’m not saying the ending was bad, it was good, but I just wished it did not end that way.

I will end this review with a really lovely quote from the book: 

You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.

PS. I totally love the part where they did the Before I die I want to _______ thing. Because it was a really lovely scene and because it has some Jimmy Page reference (please pardon this JP fan) in it.

Book details: 

Title: All the Bright Places 

Author:  Jennifer Niven

Publication: January 6, 2015; Penguin Random House

Genre:  YA Fiction

Rating: ★★★★

...

About Mawi:

Born as Maridon Lopez, but we lovingly call her Mawi. We share a common love for dogs, and we both adored the above-reviewed book. Remembering how she felt when she first joined our TFG activity, back in January 2015, she thought that she'd be an oddball. Little did she know that we're all oddballs in our own little ways. She belongs!

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?

Mawi: I will have to say historical fiction and YA, depending on the theme though, nothing too mawkish please.

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Mawi:  I always make it a point to read for pleasure alone. If someone asks me to read a book and at some point found it unbearable, I will put it down and find something better to read. Although, sometimes, I find myself finishing just for the sake of finishing, but that happens very rarely. And I never read two books at any given period, as in I have to finish one first before starting another. 

TPW:  Thank you very much, Mawi!

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Say It With A Book #9 | UNWIND by Neal Shusterman

With Guest Blogger | Dr. Rehana V. Pallingayan, M.D.

  

There are stories which can scare the shits out of little kids when the lights are turned off but only effective for a few years because they realize these are not real when they reach their teens. There are lesser stories that can scare a teenager but its effects are more brutal, the scars won't go away even when they crossed their 20th year of life, even if they are in their deathbeds at age 80. Unwind is one such story that could scare these teens, not just because of the act itself but because it roots in their inner fear of being unwanted. As an adult reading this, I have but one fear that fiction may become real. The line is thin, so thin that a Heartland war may just be in its way.

My job makes me witness the effects of transplantation. We have good success rates when it comes to Corneal transplants and Kidney transplants. We also had successful liver and intestine transplants. We had dealt with heart transplants and lung transplants in the past. You see the effects of a second chance to these people- they try to live their lives fuller; that little kid could now dream for his future; a parent's wish could come true; and a wife is ensured of not being a widow. There is this satisfaction when one says the phrase- "A life well spent". But the other side of the story is as real as these stories of hope. The queue on the triage of who gets a kidney first is long and every day the end just gets farther. We do have a national organ donation program focused not only in the aim of delivering organs to these transplant patients but also in caring for the donors, making sure they are not victims of organ trafficking and that they are well aware that even if they still have a kidney, their lives have changed, same way that one can learn to ride a unicycle after learning to use a bicycle. A bicycle will always be stable.

What I loved about this book is the strength of its character development, these teens presenting their own stories merging into one central plot- the right to exist, to experience firsthand on how it is to live. You are drawn in their sadness, frustrate about what is lacking and cheer them further to reach greatness. The books also let you go back to the basic morals you carry within or without the topic of one's religious doctrines. Even minor characters have served their purpose, may it be the dead ones or a portion of their brain. As a young adult book, I hope the teenager gets the point of how stupid and at the same time beautiful it is to be an adult. I hope they understand how one's choices could shape the world, that it is easy to commit mistakes and harder to swallow its repercussions. But hopefully the message the kid gets is this- it is always the better option to choose life. 

Transplantation is not a bad thing. Organ trafficking however is a different structure. The concept of unwinding is the most ridiculous type of organ trafficking that I hope will never come to existence. It is not the question of a soul, a religious belief or a scientific know-how but of one's integrity as a human. We are allowed to save lives but never to be above anything to be allowed to take another's life.

Book details:

Title:  Unwind

Author:  Neal Shusterman

Publication:  June 2nd 2009; Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Genre:  YA, Sci-fi

Rating:  ★★★★★

About Ranee:

  Ranee is TFG's in-house surgeon, probably one of the wittiest and sweetest doctors you'll get to meet She is very keen on volunteering in numerous medical missions nationwide.  When I asked Ranee's permission to feature one of her reviews here, I told her I was desperate. I was, really. I have it in mind to introduce her here for a long time now, and I am really glad that she finally agreed this time. 

Friends, “the Doctor is IN.”

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?

Ranee:  No particular favorite, I do not know if I do have a favorite genre but most likely it would be lit-fic. 

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Ranee:  Definitely a moody one, oh wait a sniffer! Yes, definitely a sniffer, I smell books before I read or buy them.  

But really, it is my book collection that dictates. After finishing one book, I stare at my book case and just like in a trance, I seem to hear one book trying to catch my attention telling me to read it, so I do read it. Well it does help that I am a book hoarder so I have a vast collection of (unread) books waiting for my attention.

TPW:  Thank you very much, Ranee, for sharing this review. This won't be the last, I hope!

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Say It With A Book # 8 | Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Guest Book Reviewer | Ingrid Mae Membrere

     

It's one of those books about summer that well, isn't all about summer.

It's about a friendship between Anna and Frankie and Matt. Anna the shy one, Frankie the more outgoing one, and Matt the brother of Frankie and the bestfriend-that-is-a-boy for Anna. Happy and Sad. Befores and Afters. But it talks about grief too. I'm not entirely sold about the grief part, but this book did capture the summer vibe. The characters weren't as likeable, or relatable, as I thought they would be (or maybe it's just me outgrowing the YA genre). I could quite say it was a similar read to The Sky is Everywhere so if you've read that book and liked it, you might want to read this book. Also, if you want to know how to find summer flings (20 boys in 3 weeks at The Golden City), then this is the book for you, haha!

Book Details:
Title:  Twenty Boy Summer
Author:  Sarah Ockler
Publication:  June 1, 2009; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre:  YA Fiction
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

About Ingrid:

     

Hi everyone, meet Ingrid! She is one of the youngest members of TFG, and more of a daughter to me, since my own is just about the same age too. As it happens, this charming young lady recently passed the Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination and hooked the 3rd highest rank. We're all very proud of her!

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?

Ingrid:  My favorite genre would be young adult (Stephanie Perkins, Gayle Forman, John Green, to name a few). I'm probably a wee bit too old for this genre (?) but what I like about these books is that they're relatively easier to read. Most of the time, I read for pleasure; some young adult books would give me warm and fuzzy feelings, some others ignite the thrill-seeker in me through the intense action-packed adventures, but all of which simply take my mind off things.

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Ingrid:  As mentioned earlier, I read mostly for pleasure. I guess with that, I could say I'm quite picky and can be a book snob. Life's too short to read books you don't really like, or so someone said. You'd rarely catch me reading philosophical, historical, "heavy" literary works, and other books which would make one think, unless otherwise required (i.e. books of the month) by my book clubs (The Filipino Group and Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books, based on Goodreads). 

When I'm in the mood for reading, or when a book is really, really engaging, I'd make sure to finish it within the day (given the free time) or as soon as I can. But like all readers, I also encounter reading slumps which could go on for days, or weeks. I'm not overly conscious of how I get out of it. I just read what I can, when I can because the only way to get out of a reading slump is, well, to read!

TPW:  Thank you very much, Ingrid, for sharing. Again, congratulations and Godspeed!

Ingrid:  Thank you so much for featuring me on your blog!  ♥♥

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Say It With A Book # 7 | The Conversations by César Aira

With Guest Book Reviewer | Emir Gamis

I casually asked my friend Emir if I could copy and paste his review of this book we both recently read, and he promptly agreed. I really believed that he captured Aira's thoughts punctiliously. I also believe that this well-written review will convince you to read the book too.

...

At the start of How Fiction Works*, under the first chapter Narrating, critic James Wood extols the importance of free indirect speech or style of narration in the novel and with the hands of an expert surgeon proceeds to vivisect the body at hand. 

“Thanks to free indirect style, we see things through the character’s eyes and language but also through the author’s eyes and language. We inhabit omniscience and partiality at once. A gap opens between author and character, and the bridge – which is free indirect style itself – between them simultaneously closes the gap itself and draws attention to this distance.”

This narrative distance, the unity of character to story that neither kills or trumpets the author’s presence, is at the center of César Aira’s Conversations, whose narrator recollects his daylight conversations with friends during the night, with memory that “is a prodigious apparatus, one that amazes me night after night with its precision and reach.” Only, as opposed to Wood’s didactic exposition, the point of contention is a movie, one that the narrator and his friend watched, separately and both only in parts. The nameless narrator laughed at the scene where the movie’s protagonist, a humble goatherd in the remote mountains of Ukraine, was shown wearing a Rolex.

The narrator, avoiding the simple conclusion “The actor is not the character.” lest he'd miss the desired mark, launched a long and winding argument to arrive at the same point. 

“…[T]hat story had to be somehow “more,” that is, it had to be more intelligible than real stories, which unfold in a chaos of happenstance and twists and turns. To do this, it had to emphasize one aspect that real stories also contain: verisimilitude. This is a conventional term that includes everything mankind does in its perennial war against the absurd.”

In the narrator’s point of view, the Rolex is an anachronism, an error. This is the equivalent of John Updike’s intrusion on his character Ahmad’s thoughts in Terrorist, as pointed out by Wood.

Aira’s narrator has a good point, right?

But Conversations only begins here. César Aira, as he is wont to demonstrate, shows his magical ability to entangle himself in the most ridiculous positions as the narrator’s friend launched an equally long and winding justification of the Rolex, the main point being “actor and character could coexist”.

What is needed, the friend argued, is “not a static and narrow verisimilitude, which reality itself provides, but rather “emergency” verisimilitude, the ones that arrive at the last minute, like firefighters with their sirens blaring, coming to the rescue in a dangerous mission.”

As Conversations progresses one sees the gap between the author (César Aira) and his narrator collapsing as much as the fissure between the actor and goatherd character heals through the conversations, or the narrator's memory of the conversations. Aira opens up possibilities and his fictional terrain allows all – actor and character, author and character, Civilized and Savage, reality and fiction – “in a vertex of dissolution, of forgetting, of pure reality.”**

Despite or due to its form, inquisitive students of literature will find in Conversations a trove of lessons as it supplies a demonstration and subversion of essential literary qualities as pointed out by critics. But this is sort of a convention for Aira himself: his other works that I have read, specifically How I Became A Nun, Varamo, The Seamstress and the Wind, and An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter are demonstrations of creative power that encompasses criticism and dialogue -- all touched with infectious delight. Aira’s convention is subversion, a paradox of the first degree. To him applies the last sentence of How Fiction Works*: 

“The true writer, the free servant of life, is one who must always be acting as if life were a category beyond anything the novel had yet grasped; as if life itself were always on the verge of becoming conventional.”

And I just can't resist Aira's concluding paragraph in Conversations to illustrate his success in his art:

"Everything is made of words, and the words had done their job. I could even say they had done it well. They had risen in confusing swarm and spun around in spirals, ever higher, colliding and separating, golden insects, messengers of friendship and knowledge, higher, higher, into that region of sky where the day turns into night and reality into dreams, regal words on their nuptial flight, always higher, until their marriage is finally consummated at the summit of the world.

* Wood's great work was recently reviewed by S. Penkevich here.

** Borrowed from "The Seamstress and the Wind", the fuller text is: "Taking control of forgetting is little more than a gesture, but it would be a gesture consistent with my theory of literature, at least with my disdain for memory as a writer's instrument. Forgetting is richer, freer, more powerful...and at the root of the dream idea there must have been something of that, because those serial prophecies, so suspicious, lacking in content as they are, all seem to come to an end at a vertex of dissolution, of forgetting, of pure reality."

The narrator of Conversations professes to the same "perfect memory" as the narrator César Aira of How I Became A Nun. I suspect that this perfect memory represents "literary memory", that is the author's style or selection of all the elements of his fiction. And, at the risk of being accused of reading too much from the text at hand, I guess that this "forgetting", which is directly related to this literary memory, is the freeing, generating force behind Aira's works.

Book details:

Title:  The Conversations

Author:  César Aira

Tanslator: Katherine Silver

Publication:  June 26th 2014, New Directions Publishing Corporation

Genre:  Fiction

Rating  ★★★★

Once again, thank you Emir for allowing me to post this review!

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Say It With A Book #6 | 100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

With Guest Book Reviewer | Roo James

     

I really wanted to love this book... I really really did! I wanted to think that my putting down Grasshopper Jungle a quarter way through was only because it was the wrong time for me to read it; or because there were too many external stresses keeping me from enjoying it or what have you. But nope... Turns out I don't appreciate Andrew Smith's writing style nor do I think he's a very good storyteller. Yes I know there's Winger, and it was a fantastic read. It really was! But I am now convinced that was just a fluke. 

I also can’t help but notice Smith is churning out novels faster than ever before since the success of Winger. And why wouldn't he? It's an easy paycheque. And good pay at that. Ever since the aforementioned book's success, hordes of readers, including myself, have either marked their calendars, made mental notes, or pre-ordered his new releases. I ain't even mad at that kinda success though. You keep doing you, Drew.

Anyway, I should get to the actual review at some point I guess. This "story" is about an epileptic boy named Finn who has an odd scar on his back that he's horribly embarrassed about, but still insists on being shirtless whenever possible, practical or not. He also has two different colored eyes. Because there is a character in his father's bestselling novel also named Finn who shares similar physical characteristics, our hero struggles with whether or not his life is his own, or if he is just some character stuck in his father's book. Really? That's the best you could do Smith? 

Anyway, that's about it for the "story". Everything else is completely incidental. The way he got his scar, his 4 or 5 seizures, his girlfriend, his relationship with his best friend, all of that and more in no way moves the plot forward. Oh, and there was also no real plot.

If I considered this a 3-star book, this is the part where I'd move on to the positives rather than the negatives. But alas, it is not, and I wouldn't encourage this book to my friends, so I won't. 

With all that said, I seem to be the minority in my opinions on this book. If you loved Winger (which is likely how you know about this book in the first place) then you may just want to give this one a go. 

I also wasn't a fan of the narrator's voice. The way he measures time in the distance is silly and not believable. The way he says "Look:" before every few paragraphs become redundant and mildly irksome.

Book details:

Title:  100 Sideways Miles

Author:  Andrew Smith

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster

Publication:  September 2, 2014

Genre:  Fiction

Rating: 2 stars

About Roo James:

   

Hello! I always believe that the best part about the ‘reading world’ is gaining new friends who share the same love and passion for books. Roo is one of those friends and I admire his impartial opinions on what he reads. 

TPW:   What is your favorite genre?  

Roo:  I have been in a Young Adult phase for about a year and a half, and I don't think I will be kicking the habit soon. There are so many amazing YA series and authors out there and the more YA I read, the more YA I add to my list.   I also really enjoy self improvement books as well. Every once in a while I'll read a great book for spiritual, emotional, and professional growth.

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Roo: My reading depends on my mood. I love contemporary novels to fantasy stories to horror books and more. I keep my shelves well stocked with many different genres that way I can pick up a great book whatever my mood is. 

TPW:  Roo, thank you very much for accommodating my request. I truly appreciate it. ♥

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Say It With A Book #5 | READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline

Guest Book Reviewer | Grace Dela Rosa

   

I know it should've been rounded up but it's just not a 5-star read for me. But not a 4-star either, thus the half star on my actual rating.

This was like reading an anime with an all-important game and the imperfect and ordinary (who's really not so ordinary) hero who wins the game. It reminded me of Flame of Recca's Ura Buto Satsujin, Naruto's Chunin exam, Yakitate Japan's bread battles, and all those other animes that made me hooked up on an all-consuming competition. So despite being perpetually confused and lost on all the '80s and videogame references, I really enjoyed it. Even being a non-gamer, I appreciated the intense competition the whole plot was centered on. Aside from this, I also enjoyed the riddle solving and trivia bombs dropped all throughout the story. I enjoyed this so much I slept at 6am just to finish this. :)

My only complaint was the almost clinical and sterile interactions between humans when they were not in the OASIS world. They were more human-like in OASIS and this disturbed me a bit. I know they were socially inept young adults but the conversations amongst them all when they finally met were stilted at best. One instance is when Wade and Aech met. Despite Wade saying that they were already comfortable with each other after the initial tension, I still did not feel the camaraderie that best friends have. I guess the best parts of the book were when Wade was operating on his own.

I have a gamer friend who really enjoyed this so I guess I would definitely recommend this book to all gamers out there. This is a real gem for you. :)

P.S. I'm so excited for the movie. Hihi.

Book details:

Title:  Ready Player One

Author:  Ernest Cline

Publisher:  Crown

Publication:  August 16, 2011

Genre:  Fiction

Rating: 4.5 stars

About Grace:

Hello there! I'd like you to meet a girl who shares my birth month, and one of those people I know with a big bright smile... Grace, better known as Gwaxa. 

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?  

Grace: Favorite genres are YA and romance. I also dabble in mystery and some(times) fiction. I rarely venture in other genres because I'm a slave of the familiar.

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Grace:  I'm a very moody reader. I do not have any reading plan because I can't read a book if I'm not in the mood for it. You can also say that I'm an unadventurous reader because, as I said in my answer for the previous question, I'm a slave of the familiar. This also shows in my rereading habit. I have trusted books which I reread when I'm in a reading slump. My reading resolutions for this year include lessening my rereads (so I have to search for other ways to get out of my reading slump) and exploring other genres (classics and Filipiniana are among them). Good luck to me. :D

TPW:  Thank you for taking the time to do this, Grace. I am grateful! ♥

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Say It With A Book #4 | The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories by Carson McCullers

Guest Book Reviewer | Sheryl Darlene Lao

     

The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories is a collection of Carson McCuller’s best stories. The collection includes 7 stories below, the highlight of which is her novella “The Ballad of the Sad Café.” 

1. The Ballad of the Sad Café – 

McCullers sets the tone of her collection with the haunting tale of a human love triangle between three unlikely characters: the formidable Miss Amelia Evans, the freakishly grotesque Cousin Lymon, and the troublesome handsome Marvin Macy. With the unlikely characters, comes an unlikely story as well. 

Even with such strange characters, McCullers was able to draw me in because of her beautiful prose and genuine writing style. Though bizarre, her bare all honesty sells the characters for who they really are. McCullers was able to capture the essence of unrequited love, the pain and the glory in the below quote, she writes: 

"It is for this reason that most of us would rather love than be loved. Almost everyone wants to be the lover. And the curt truth is that, in a deep secret way, the state of being beloved is intolerable to many. The beloved fears and hates the lover, and with the best of reasons. For the lover is forever trying to strip bare the beloved. The lover craves any possible relation with the beloved, even if this experience can cause him only pain.”

2. Wunderkind

First published a story written by the author when she was just 17 years old, “Wunderkind” is about the portrayal of a musical prodigy’s struggle and futile attempt to become a great pianist. Through a vivid snapshot of a typical day in the life of the girl pianist, the reader is taken inside the heart of a struggling pianist.

This story made me ponder about the classic nature versus nurture argument. Passionate people are admirable; especially people who are passionate about their own craft and work hard at it. However, there are instances you encounter people who it would seem are naturally born and made to be geniuses in their craft and there are those who are talented but it would also seem will never be talented enough to rise above? I go for hard work, passion, and dedication but I also believe that there are those who were born to do what they do greatly.

3.  The Jockey

The Jockey features a sports man’s inability to cope with a colleague’s injury. It tackles realities that knock us off with how uncertain our future can be and pushes us to reflect where we are and where we want to be in our lives.

4. Madame Zilensky and the King of Finland

This is about a music teacher in a university and the slow discovery of her strange ways. Madame Zilensky’s mundane life leads her to create a more colorful and acceptable world. This is one of the stories which touch on humor in the midst of life’s absurdities. 

5. The Sojourner

This is about a man’s chance encounter with her former wife which leads to dinner with his former wife, a new husband and their son. You can never get away with your past; it would always be part of who you are. When faced with our own past, to which the best reminders are the people from our own past, we often get pressured to retain the “old” us when we feel that the “new” us isn’t at par. We forget though that change is inevitable and it is an acceptable reality that people from our past are willing to accept.

6. A Domestic Dilemma

An unconventional family where the father is forced to take on the role of the mother as his wife struggles with alcoholism. This is about keeping a family together and how ultimately it is the loyalties and love at the core of what binds a family together. A particular scene gets to me when the father asks himself how it seems the children are unaffected with their situation and fearfully prays that this won’t be so when they grow up. 

7. A Tree – a Rock – a Cloud 

The science of love according to the author is to go about it step by step. Love should be a gradual process and it is by starting to love the little things that we can set ourselves to love greatly.

I’m definitely a fan of McCuller’s writing. I can say she is a melancholic writer and it works for me. I find there is beauty in loneliness and unhappiness because it is the rawest emotion. A must-read! If you're not into short stories, you can try her novel “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” and if you didn't get the hint from the title, I warn you, be prepared for depression. 

Book Details:

Title: The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other Stories

Author: Carson McCullers

Publisher: Mariner Books

Publication: April 5, 2005 (January 1, 1951)

Genre: Fiction, Short stories

Rating: ★★★★★

About Sheryl Darlene Lao:

   

Hi. I'd like you to meet one of TFG's shyest and sweetest member. 

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?  

Sheryl:  Currently, off the top of my head would be Young Adult, Literary and Children’s. Literary feeds on my love for words and just the sheer pleasure of seeing them stringed together so beautifully always reminds me how great it is to read books while Young Adult and Children’s would be my all-time feel good comfort reads.

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?

Sheryl:  I'm a hodgepodge reader. I just go by feeling most of the time. You can easily recommend any type of book and if it piques my interest, I would surely give it a shot. Note, however, that I’m a slow reader but a certified book hoarder. Just dare to imagine my TBR pile! 

TPW:  Thank you for sharing this book with us, Sheryl! ♥

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