Cornflower Book Group 2010: Volume 12

 

    I hope I'm not just being self-indulgent here, choosing for the CBG a book that I've wanted to read for a long time, but seeing the comments on Marilynne Robinson's work the other day, the enthusiasm and appreciation of those who have read her, the interest of those yet to do so, I thought it wouldn't be inappropriate to pick Housekeeping as our December book, and the one to round off the group's third year.

    "One of The Observer's 100 greatest novels of all time"; "A haunting poetic story, drowned in water and light"; "A novel of quite exceptional subtlety ... as quietly humorous as it is heartbreakingly sad"; "...among the masterpieces of twentieth century American fiction".

On another book these appraisals might be seen as uncomfortably close to hyperbole, but from what I've read of this one and of its author's reputation, they are accurate and justified. It is the story of Ruth and Lucille, "orphans growing up in the small desolate town of Fingerbone in the vast northwest of America. Abandoned by a succession of relatives, the sisters find themselves in the care of Sylvie, the remote and enigmatic sister of their dead mother. Steeped in imagery of the bleak wintry landscape around them, the sisters' struggle towards adulthood is powerfully portrayed in a novel about loss, loneliness and transience."

    I know Christmas looms and reading time may be restricted over the next few weeks, but Housekeeping isn't a long book so I'm hoping we can all manage to fit it in between now and Saturday, 18th. December. I should think copies will be easily found in libraries and shops as well as online (in case of difficulty, The Book Depository has it with free worldwide delivery, and amusingly, Amazon also offer other housekeeping products on the same page (scroll  down) - dustpan and brush, anyone?).

    If you haven't read along with the group before but would like to do so now, please join us - we don't bite!

Comments

[Dark Puss]

I tried, I really did! Rushed off to local library after lunch, book listed as available but no sign of it when I arrived. After a long unsuccessful search they offered me a free recall and I hope to get this book in a week or so.

Without in any way doubting your judgement of it, I'm very skeptical of any list of "XXX greatest novels of all time" telling me anything useful about how I might feel about any particular book. What's your experience of the books on that list? I see it has the dreaded "Three Men in a Boat" and "Diary of a Nobody" on it for example. You liked TMIAB, but would you rate it as one the top 100 novels?

Regarding your last line, how kind of you to omit except perhaps Dark Puss from time to time!

[Cornflower]

I offer the back cover quotes 'for what they're worth' (and we shall no doubt find out), but in answer to your point about the "greatest novels" lists, I'm reminded of the remark by Clovis Fossey about The Oxford Book of Modern Verse (in The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society): "They let a man named Yeats make the choosings. They shouldn't have. Who is he - and what does he know about verse?"
It all depends on who 'made the choosings' for the Observer's list, but the fact that the book is included in such lists, whether rightly or wrongly, gives an indication of its stature, and we'll see when we read it whether that's justified.
I haven't read Three Men in a Boat, and while I enjoyed The Diary of a Nobody and appreciated its excruciating social nuances and (deliberately) groan-inducing jokes, I don't think I'd feel moved to include it in my greatest novels list, but then who am I and what do I know?!

[Dark Puss]

You are an avid and intelligent and careful and thoughtful and widely-read reader. That seems to me to be a pretty good set of accomplishments to comment on any list of novels.

I'm sure this book's stature is well justified and if I can actually get a copy I'll see if it would go on my 100 best novels list. Of course I don't actually have one of those and am never likely to!

[Susan in TX]

I'm chuckling at the conversation between the two of you above. Dark Puss, I hope never to have a list either -- a) it would be way too time consuming to come up with such a thing that would be of value to no one but myself, and b) for me, it would probably be constantly changing. :)

So happy about your choice, Cornflower! Thank you for being self-indulgent, as you are more than entitled to be with the CBG! I couldn't help but feel a little indulged myself as I already have this on my shelves and just needed a push to get to it.

[Juxtabook]

Amazon's suggestions based on keywords are a joy to behold at times!

I agree with you say about The Diary of a Nobody. It is one of those books that is some how less satisfying than it ought to be.

[adele geras]

Hurray! Can't wait to re read this book ....I think it's a fine book whether it's on a list or not! Dying to see what Dark Puss makes of it!

[Barbara MacLeod]

I find her books are in our library but they are out on loan at the moment.

[Dark Puss]

Wow! I'm not sure my viewws are worth that much anticipation. I'll do my best.

[Julie Fredericksen]

I first discovered her with "Gilead". I look forward to reading a second book of hers.

[Litlove]

I'm hoping to join you on this. I bought my copy of Housekeeping in 1993 and have been waiting for the right moment ever since to read it!

[Delyn]

Before I read about your December's choice, I had already ordered and received this book as one of my Christmas reads. It will be so nice to have other people's views to share although I shall have to read it before Christmas!

[Dark Puss]

Adele, if you now look at the CBG review page for this book you will find that I have read it and liked it.