Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Lieutenant

Even though I only skimmed it for my Saturday book club, I was reminded of how fabulous Kate Grenville's The Lieutenant was (I read it fully a few months ago). Grenville, also the author of the similarly-set The Secret River, is extraordinary at placing us in newly-settled Australia. Slowly, but with the sense of a timely unfolding, no rushing, this story takes the reader into the life of Astronomer Daniel Rooke. Rooke is initially hoping to find Haley's Comet but instead he finds a link to humanity--his own and others'--through language. Grenville does a masterful job of underplaying tension so that it builds and builds. She doesn't over-sentimentalize the brutality of the soldiers, or Rooke's friendships, and Rooke's courage is not of a super-hero variety, nor are the others completely one-dimensional. The book is quiet, and the protagonist is quiet, but if you take the time, you will not be sorry. Everyone in the book club loved it, and I think that's a first.

In addition to the two above-mentioned books, Grenville is also the author of The Idea of Perfection, which I also really enjoyed but which, if you read without knowing the author, you would never suspect it had been written by the same. The Idea of Perfection is filled with quirky characters doing odd-ball things, and really running amok through the story. It's a completely different subject matter, not historical at all, and not really something you'd want to give as a Father's Day gift. My mother hated it. I loved it...but then, I really like strange people doing strange things.

I know some people like an author to stick to one genre--they want a story to be what they expect it to be. But I like to see an author with range. It keeps things interesting, as far as I'm concerned.

11 comments:

  1. I picked up "The Lieutenant" today per your recommendation. I figured all I would be getting for Father's Day is a tie or some socks so I had better take the initiative and buy it for myself. I'm eager to give it a read and I'll let you know what I think. Thanks for the suggestion.

    -----Donkey
    http://joustingwithwindmillstoo.blogspot.com/

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  2. Did you read it yet? I'm eager to know what you thought!

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  7. Ok. I've written two replies about what I thought of the book and I've deleted them both. The first reply was lengthy and drawn out and complicated. The second was too trite and simple. So here's the skinny. I loved the story. I just finished it as a matter of fact. I liked the character and how he started out as a socially awkward boy genius and grew up to be a socially awkward grown up genius. I like how Grenville gave him depth and compassion during a time when NO one showed depth or compassion. And I liked the trifecta of struggles she presents: Daniel is forced to decide between dedication to his work, allegiance to his country, and his protective devotion to Tagaran and her people.
    I also enjoyed how she was able to touch on a complex part of history with just a few thoughtfully composed sentences. Sadly, the theme of conquer, convert, educate and punish is not a new concept and one that is seen all too often in history.
    She also has an uncanny ability to bring whatever atmosphere she is writing about alive enough to make you feel like you are there. It made ME miss the ocean, and I'll be heading to my favorite spot at Two Lights this weekend because of it. So all-in-all....great recommendation! Probably the best Father's Day gift I've ever bought myself. Now, I suppose, I should probably check out "The Idea of Perfection". You mentioned its quirky and filled with odd ball characters. Sounds like its right up my alley.
    Thanks for leading me to "The Lieutenant". It was a great read. OH! I read "The Time Traveler's Wife as well per you mentioning it. A bit TOO girly for my tastes story wise, but I'll admit I liked it. Some of it made my head hurt though.
    Now, here's two for you to check out if you haven't already. They've been out for a while, but I just read them and both of them FLOORED me & one of them actually made me curse out loud: "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay, and "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. If you HAVE read them, I'd be interested in knowing what you thought about them.

    ---------Donkey
    http://joustingwithwindmillstoo.blogspot.com/

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  8. I guess that reply was lengthy and drawn out as well. Sorry.

    ---------Donkey
    http://joustingwithwindmillstoo.blogspot.com/

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  9. I'm so glad you liked it! And what agreat, well-thought out review.
    I'm afraid you won't love "The Idea of Perfection" if you found "The Time Traverler's Wife" "too girly." I think the former is even more so...but, I'll be interested to see what you think.
    You're the second person to suggest "We Need to Talk about Kevin," so I will for sure pick that up. I've heard mixed things about "Sarah's Key"(mostly lukewarm)...but, I'm pretty open-minded so I might try that one, too. Happy reading!

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    1. I had read lukewarm reviews about "Sarah's Key" as well. But I am very glad I put them aside. Sometimes I have to remind myself that book reviews are subjective to the person doing the reviewing and not the final word. HOWEVER, that being said, so far your reviews have been dead on.
      I think why I might have thought "The Time Traveler's Wife" was "too girly" is at times I felt that Audrey Niffenegger's portrayal of Henry and his personality and reactions to different situations seemed liked guess work into how a man thinks or would react. Obviously, being a female writer, she works with what she knows as far as the male point of view, just like me writing about a female character would be guess work to some extent. To quite an extent actually. Its just, quite often, I found myself thinking that I wouldn't have reacted that way or think that way or I would never have said that.....does that make sense? I hope so. Its hard to explain. I loved the story though. Either way, I picked up "The Idea of Perfection" today see if you can maintain a perfect track record as far as book recommendations go. I'll let you know what I think as soon as I'm finished. I'd be interested in knowing what you think of "Sarah's Key" if you read it.

      -----Donkey

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  10. Ok. I read "The Idea of Perfection." The WHOLE thing. You were right lol...I didn't care for it. But I read it! I stuck with it until the end! It was very well written and filled with quirky characters like you said it would be, I just couldn't "grok" it. Oh well. You still have a great batting average as far as book recommendations go and you DID warn me that it probably wouldn't be my cup of tea.
    Still waiting to hear what you think about "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and "Sarah's Key". Please, please, please read "Sarah's Key" I would really like to hear your thoughts on it, especially after the lukewarm reviews you read.
    If you're interested in reading the most gripping, non-gory Stephen King novel to come down the pike in years check out "11/22/63" Almost 900 pages long and I couldn't put it down for 2 days. VERY different from his normal fare of shock horror and so, so, so immersible and well put together. Love story, thriller, and time travel (and of course most of it takes place in Maine)...what more could you want?

    --Donkey Ote
    http://joustingwithwindmillstoo.blogspot.com/

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