Friday Favorites: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

I love Hamlet. It's one of my favorite stories from the bard. This book is a campy version of that classic and it's wonderful in a completely different way. The plot is the same, but it's told from the point-of-view of two minor characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They are dim-witted, but well meaning. They stumble, clueless, through the story always on the outskirts of the action. They are fools, but lovable ones.

This play was my first introduction to playwright Tom Stoppard. His quick wit and rapid-fire dialogue in this play are delightful. Part of my love for this book was probably born in the fact that I'd never read anything like it. I read it in high school and it was the first time I realized a play could be hilarious. I had read lots of Shakespeare and Miller and it took this book for me to understand that not every play is as tragic as the Crucible. I knew Shakespeare could be hilarious, but this humor was a bit more immediate.

I've frequently heard it compared to Waiting for Godot, which is on my TBR list, so I can't compare the two quite yet.

p.s. And bonus, what a fantastic cover!

In defense of bubblegum books

I read a pretty wide variety of books. Everything from classics to YA fiction to travel memoirs to brand new authors' books tend to make it onto my bookshelves. But sometimes my brain needs a slight break, something frivolous. If nothing else, reading an occasional bubblegum book increases my appreciation of other books. It makes me long for a character I can dig my teeth into and a plot where I don't know what will happen next.

My mom used to call these books "bubblegum books," because it may taste good for a second, but there's no real substance. They are also frequently referred to as "chick lit," though I really hate that term. It just sounds so damn perky.

But I think that even when you're reading a bubblegum book it should be a good one. There is a LOT of bad "chick lit" out there, but there is some good stuff too. There are some wonderfully funny characters and entertaining plots in every genre, including this one.

So here's a couple I've enjoyed over the years:

-Bridget Jones's Diary
-The first 3 Shopoholic books (it's all downhill after that)
-Maeve Binchy's books
-Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson's series
-The Nanny Diaries
-Jemima J and The Beach House by Jane Green
-The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series
-The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing and The Wonder Spot by Melissa Banks
-The Notebook
-The Sisterchick series by Robin Jones Gunn (I might like these because they are all about traveling in foreign countries)
-The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes

Bad ones to avoid (in my opinion)

-Anything by Candace Bushnell (I loved the show, hate her books)
-Babyville by Jane Green
-Just about everything by Nicholas Sparks (I really like Three Weeks with my Brother and some of his very early fiction, but that's where I draw the line. Reading his books is a bit like drinking maple syrup)

p.s. A good way to try out chick lit authors to see if there's one you can stomach is by reading collections, like "Girls Night In" or "Irish Girls About Town."

Thoughts on bubblegum reads? Any favorite guilty pleasures reads out there?

Book Reviews

August: Osage County
by Tracy Letts
★★★☆

This play dives deep into the inner workings of the Weston family and revels in their dysfunction. The family has serious issues, pills, alcohol, adultery, weed, etc., but it also has heart.

The story and writing reminded me of Tennessee Williams' work, southern families full of conflict and pain. It also has a dose of comedy and the ability to laugh at the absurdity of their arguments at times.

I think this is a play that won't appeal to everyone. At times it was hard for me to identify with the characters because they all seem to view themselves as victims. But over all I thought it was well written and didn't shy away from dark topics.

The Bean Trees
by Barbara Kingsolver
★★★

A young woman, Taylor, leaves home and on her way out west she's given a baby. The book deals with Native American culture, child abuse, illegal immigration, adoption and more.

I have heard about this book for years and I think that by the time I finally read it my expectations were too high. I never felt connected to Taylor and I had a really hard time accepting the premise. If someone gives me a baby and then leaves, I'm not going to keep the baby. How do you even know that was their baby to give away? I couldn't suspend my skepticism and embrace the plot. I did enjoy Kingsolver's style of writing, but I would definitely recommend The Poisonwood Bible over this.

Is anyone a fan of this series? Should I try the sequel, Pigs in Heaven, or is it more of the same?


The Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro
★★★★☆

The story is told from the point-of-view of a British butler, Stevens, and takes place in post-war England. Stevens served Lord Darlington's household for decades until Darlington died. He now remains in the Darlington house and serves its new owner, an American. The story slowly unfolds as Stevens travels through the countryside to visit Darlington's former housekeeper, Miss Kenton. As he travels, Stevens reflects on the events in the past few decades, including his relationship with Miss Kenton and Lord Darlington.

Although it sounds like a contradiction in terms, the subtlety of this book overwhelmed me. Ishiguro writes so beautifully. He unveils his characters slowly, giving them time to settle into the reader's mind before providing more insight into their thoughts. It's a simple plot, but the realizations Stevens faces about how he has spent his life are profound. I found myself thinking about the characters frequently after I'd put the book down. It has a heartbreaking simplicity and reminded me that stories don't need to rely on complicated plots when the characters are so well drawn.

Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes
by Roald Dahl
★★★★

I love this collection of Dahl's retelling of fairy tales. The story of Goldie Locks is particularly great. I mean when you actually think about that story, what are we teaching kids by making her the heroine? Instead of the classic stories, Dahl gives each plot a twist that hits closer to home and skips the cheesy happy endings. They are delightful.


Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
by Edward Albee
★★★

I read this just after seeing the 1966 film. It deals with two couples, the middle-aged Martha and George, and the young Nick and Honey. The older couple's twisted marriage is based on vicious banter and constant mind games. The younger couple seems sweet at first, but after a short time and a lot of alcohol the cracks in their foundation begin to appear.

The play takes place in one evening at George and Martha's home. It's a fascinating look at dysfunctional relationships. You have moments of compassion for each of the characters, but in the end realize they are each in a hell of their own making. Their selfish choices and desperate attacks on each other's psyche make it hard to truly sympathize with any of them.

Photo by moi.