The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For one short little book, "Plot Against America" is two brotherly stories beating each other senseless in the basement while the parents watch TV upstairs. The first book is an alternate 1940 where Roosevelt is voted out, Charles Lindbergh voted in, and the day is won by Isolationism and Antisemitism. The second is a look at Roth's childhood reflected within the mirror of that alternate history, based on the real-life tensions in his neighborhood.

Not to be THAT parent, but I have a favorite.

I really got into the portrait of 40's America where the negative feelings towards Jews, bubbling under the surface, was suddenly given a gate to roam free; and how that would look to a child who has had the city, and land, that he grew up loving turn it's back on him for no reasons he can understand. Roth's writing is just as good, as the previous book of his that I consumed. The way that current events alternately tear apart and cement together Roth's family, feels like a real life. And there are little touches, like Roth's childhood stamp collection played as adolescent innocence: Held proud, worried over, and eventually lost. I really liked those aspects of the book, which there were not nearly enough of.

Unfortunately, there's the other brother, and man, those other brothers always ruin everything, don't they? (What?) Look, I saw all the books Roth took in for historical context, clearly he did his homework on this one. I just didn't need so much detailed history. Or rather, I didn't want it, when I was enjoying the smaller, personal look at Roth's family. And the plot twist at the end, when it is revealed that famous Lindbergh kidnapping in 1932 was done by the Nazis, in an attempt to eventually place Lindbergh in power so he can force an American holocaust...that took the collective goodwill that Roth had built up and smashed it all over the sidewalk. I have nothing against Alternative History, but the struggle to focus on the parts of the book I liked was tough enough, and a Nazi-Lindbergh conspiracy was the sucker-punch that won the basement war, and left me disappointed. I like "Plot Against America", but I think about what it could have been.


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The Count of Monte Cristo Take Three

I appreciate a good bit of Schadenfreude more than most.  Although I absolutely indulge in the pleasure for sports or trifling matters, there is nothing comforting in vengeance or "joy in damage" as to people's lives.  However, it can make for a rip-roaring story.

I finished part two of our assigned reading for the Count of Monte Cristo for my book club this weekend.  My first few posts inspired me to comment on the greater morality play I anticipated as well as some thoughts on Edmund Dantes as he transitioned from innocent youth to the vengeful Count.  This second section of reading, which took me through 3/4 of the book, displayed only the Count in all his vengeful glory.

The transformation is complete and the Count of Monte Cristo begins his intricate dismantling of the lives of those who have wronged him.  He is cold, calculating and fantastic.  For much of this section, his plans are executed to perfection and he displays how much intricate planning can be accomplished when money supplies are unending.  But, as I approached the later portions of this section, the control begins to slip.

Here comes the inevitable parade of innocent victims, collateral damage and all other symptoms of overreaching so common to the human condition.  He is boldly paving the road of danger so well articulated by Yoda. Anger, fear, hatred, suffering.  They are all on display.

Edmund Dantes, even as the Count, is losing himself yet again.

"Almost a Perfect Book"

SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***

This post contains spoilers.  We take each book in a row, but allow references to flow freely.  So, if you do not want spoilers, go finish the books and come back!  Seriously, you should read these books.  Trust us.  This chat represents but a portion of the conversations any of us have had about the Song of Ice and Fire series.

The following is a chat that included three of us, Joe, Dave and James, on a Thursday evening. We have included a few areas, located in shaded text, dealing with questions in the story.  So, you can read us geek on A Song of Ice and Fire below.   We had fun.

Joe: Should we start GOT?

Dave: what?

James: Joe has an abiding need to finally discuss some Starks... or at least, to include me.

Joe: Well, we did discuss doing that... Starks be hurtin.

Dave: Oh. OH. That's what the chat was... holy shit, I'm a dumbass.

James: so Joe, how long is your list of discussing questions?

Joe: I didn't get to one, so I figure I'd go by book.  Unless you have a different idea... we could just go with the "key" moment from each...

BOOK ONE: GAME OF THRONES

Joe: Must start with poor Ned... Quick thoughts on Ned.

James: I was quite pissed.  It wasn't until the end of book 2 that I realized there would be lots more. Well, I was not surprised, but still pissed.