Over the weekend I finished The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. I thought it was pretty good. The ending was a bit far fetched for me but it was an interesting book. My favorite Amy Tan book is The Kitchen God's Wife and my second favorite is The Joy Luck Club. Why I suggest that everyone should read at least one of her books is because she not only introduces you to the culture of the Chinese and Chinese-Americans but she was an amazing way with words. Her writing has a way of drawing you in and describing things in a way I never could have even imagined. After reading one of her books I could only dream of being able to write that beautifully.
I just started reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I am introducing a new category to my palette. Biographies. In the library I usually sit at a table in the biography section and I stare at the plethora of biographies wondering what all of those people were like and why they are special enough to write a book about themselves or have a book written about themselves. Anyway, as I have begun this book I decided I cannot share my opinion on this book. Who am I to comment on whether I like someone else's life or not? It reminded me of an experience I had earlier this summer. I briefly reconnected with a friend I haven't spoken to in over 4 years. She contacted me out the blue. It was nice to reconnect until she made judgments on my life. We are both in very different places since we last spoke. We are probably different people than when we last spoke. But it was hurtful to hear her dissect my life and make it seem as if I led a miserable life. So I cannot judge Elizabeth Gilbert's life because it is her life.
I can say that I think she is a great writer. I can also say that she is such a good writer that I have been able to say, "Wow. I've been there. Wow. I've felt that." But there are also some parts that I can't even relate to. I wonder if I was to write an autobiography some day, what would I write? Would it be funny? Would it be sad? Would I have enough meaningful things to write about?
For now though, I think I will stick with blogging and reading about other people's lives.
2 comments:
I'll have to put an Amy Tan book on my list. And if you haven't read "The Glass Castle", you should. It's another biography/memoir book that is fun!
The song from MY TURN ON EARTH by Carol Lynn Pearson popped into my head as I read your entry: "A WONDERFUL STORY, of sadness and glory, is written by Jesus and me." Sounds better if you have the tune in your head.
Also, I know you have read The Glass Castle. I think it should be mandatory reading in all high schools. An incredible story of sadness and glory by an amazing woman.
Post a Comment