I finished a few days ago the fourth book in The Southern Vampire Mysteries ... it was one of those books you find yourself tapping your foot to. I wanted it to end! But then when it did, I was sad that it was over so soon. Strange how some books can pack all of that action into the last few pages and as soon as the drama picks up again the book stops dead. Time to move on to the next one? Not so soon.
Scott picked my newest book for me off of our hanging bookshelves. His choice? Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. I started reading the book on Thursday night, and as of this morning I'm already over 200 pages into it. At first I hated the book. It introduced so many characters at once and the plot was not entirely clear. The book focused on a small English town's reaction to the death of Barry Fairbrother, a very popular man (to some) who died suddenly at the golf club from a brain aneurysm. The story then takes off from the couple who went to the hospital with him and wife relaying the story to their parents/in-laws ... and thus the gossip begins.
Once the largest issue that divides this town is revealed, the plot picks up and you start to gain a more thwarted insight to the lives of these townspeople. Some people are despicable, some you hold sympathy for, but all of them at some point take on the very human quality of despair. Their dark longings and wishes, as well as their family members, hold them back from being truly "authentic." Even if authenticity is the thing they strive for most.
The book is not over yet, but I am entirely engaged with it. It's surprising to read an adult novel from the Harry Potter creator, Ms. Rowling. The novel is stacked from the first page to (what I'm assuming will be) the last with hatred, drugs, sex, teenage longings, bullying, politics, death, reactions to death, love (of some kind), and truly grotesque inquiries into the human soul.
This brings me to update you on my life. People are truly grotesque. They are selfish and greedy, and an incident in my family has led me to believe that some people don't know how to trust or love, and will stab anyone who gets too close to them in the heart. Life is short, and family is dear. Hold them close, unless they substantially (SUBSTANTIALLY) give you a reason to back off. Pettiness, jealousy, conceit and rash decisions are the worst of all grotesque features that people carry.
Scott and I will be heading off to see a movie this afternoon, and then I'll be home to grade some papers and get ready for tomorrow. I like escaping into the world of books and movies ... it makes me feel better to witness other characters struggle with the complexities of their surroundings - it makes me know (solidly) that I'm not alone. Yes, movies and books may sometimes be fictional, but usually the greatest fiction is founded on some basic truth. I need to continue to work on myself, and stop some of my own grotesqueness from seeping out, to be better for those I love. I encourage everyone who might be interested in my ramblings to do the same. Keep working on yourself to be better for the ones you love. Use the stories that you love so much to inform you, educate you, and to give you that escape that sometimes you just need so much ... Life is hard. People are hard. But we're here ... so let's keep trying to make it all matter.
Hope that makes sense. Keep reading.
Love, Britt.
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