A few months back, I joined a panel of book reviewers for a major magazine. I was totally excited about the project…until I received the first book.
On a tiny, desolate, windswept island off the coast of Southern California, two families, one in the 1880s and one in the 1930s, come to start new lives and pursue dreams of self-reliance and freedom.
Thirty-eight-year-old Marantha Waters arrives on San Miguel on New Year’s Day 1888 to restore her failing health. Joined by her husband, a stubborn, driven Civil War veteran who will take over the operation of the sheep ranch on the island, Marantha strives to persevere in the face of the hardships, some anticipated and some not, of living in such brutal isolation. Two years later their adopted teenage daughter, Edith, an aspiring actress, will exploit every opportunity to escape the captivity her father has imposed on her. Time closes in on them all and as the new century approaches, the ranch stands untenanted.
Then in March 1930, Elise Lester, a librarian from New York City, settles on San Miguel with her husband, Herbie, a World War I veteran full of manic energy. As the years go on they find a measure of fulfillment and serenity; Elise gives birth to two daughters, and the family even achieves a celebrity of sorts. But will the peace and beauty of the island see them through the impending war as it had seen them through the Depression?
If you read or peruse this site on a regular basis, it is quite obvious that I lean heavily toward books written by Black authors, but I am open to reading from any and everybody, though, as long as the book is written well and is entertaining.
I draw the line at “Woe is me” white woman stories though. And that’s exactly what I got from San Miguel by T.C. Boyle.
I’d never heard of the author, so I did a little research and saw that he’s had a few successful books, so I ignored my hesitation and delved into his newest novel.
This long ass book. This long ass, boring, woe is me I suffer all the live long day, nearly 400 page book. It was miserable and dragged and put me to sleep countless times, but as I told someone the other day, I have a problem with not putting books down. If I start it, I have to finish it. Plus, I agreed to review it and the book was free and my opinion would be published. Why not?
Biggest waste of my life ever. After the 300th page, I liked it a little but no one should have to wait that long before they start enjoying the reading experience, in my opinion. I can say, though, that I am obviously not the intended audience. The author is a great writer and idid a superb job of rendering the emotions of women. This novel very well may be a hit for 40+, white, soccer moms.
I was some what worried that my review would be too scathing to print, but it seems as if the mag is still going with what I sent them, so I’ll save my more detailed review for then.
Grade: D