A fever, the plague, and some terrible advice
The new year started out with a light-hearted book, but quickly turned to darker tales.
Book 1: Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
I have such a clear recollection of Mom bringing Pippi Longstocking home to me from the library back in the mid-1960s. I’m pretty sure I read it in a day.
When the Folio Society offered this volume with such delightful illustrations, it was time for a re-read.
Pippi’s energy and strength are unmatched. And that hair!
The re-read? Took one sitting. Then it was time for a nap – that girl is exhausting!
Book 2: A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
What a book.
I’d seen it recommended on BlueSky, only to realize we already had a copy.
The title says Heartland, but really, that’s code for Indiana, I’m sorry to say. The author’s research into the resurgence of the Klan a century ago is horrifying, as the fever spread from city to city.
When the Klan marched on South Bend, the students of Notre Dame ran them out of town, earning for the first time their moniker, The Fighting Irish.
This is one of those books that lives with you long after you’ve finished reading it. As absurd as this may sound, though, I came out of the last chapters with hope. Hope that we can once again, as a nation, overcome the hatefulness and bigotry that consumes those who will wear a hood or a mask.
Book 3: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Two “lives with you for weeks” books in a row.
The author pulled together all the tidbits of information we have of William Shakespeare’s life and then imagined how the plague death of his 11-year-old-son, Hamnet, may have affected his life and his artistry.
Don’t worry if you’re not a Shakespearean scholar. In fact, the book never refers to the character by his famous name. He’s “the son,” “the tutor,” “the father,” “the husband” throughout.
Hamnet is written in a lyrical style. It’s almost poetry. I can’t recommend it enough.
Books 4 & 5: a pair of Nancy Mitford books
After the heaviness of A Fever in the Heartland and Hamnet, my choice for lighter fare was this pair of semi-autobiographical novels from Nancy Mitford:
Both volumes use the same narrator; however, they focus on different characters of the same extended family.
A character in common – Uncle Matthew – was my favorite. The blustery old chap was forever bellowing at guests and family alike. He gnashed his teeth to the extent that he was on his fourth set of dentures!
Book 6: We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
This was part of the stack of cat-themed books Gary received for Christmas.
A series of troubled souls wander into a clinic seeking life advice, and receive a prescription of a week or two with a cat.
Overall, the fantasy of cat therapy that only appears when you need it is a satisfying concept.
Book 7: How To Cook a Hippopotamus by Ian Pindar
As the name implies, this is a ridiculous book.
The sub-subtitle is: Being a Brief Anthology of Dubious and Dangerous Information.
This compendium of advice from long ago features recipes, remedies, and tips for everything from etiquette to proper bathing to how to behave on a sinking ship.
My advice: Perfectly fine in small doses and with a total lack of naivety.
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