Nevermore: Un-American, POWs, Hidden Figures, Trigger, Sotomayor, Girl Before, Roanoke Girls, Grandma Gatewood

Reported by Kristin

Nevermore met in one of the rooms of the Jones Creativity Center this week.  The verdict: a very nice space with much more light than the usual Frances Kegley conference room, and the Blackbird doughnuts and coffee were tasty as always.

Moving beyond Blackbird and onto books, our first reader introduced Un-American: The Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II: Images by Dorothea Lange, Ansel Adams, and Other Government Photographers by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams.  In 1942, the United States government hired these noted photographers to photograph the internment camps which were becoming home to over 120,000 Japanese Americans.  While this was supposed to be positive publicity, showing what nice places the camps were, the photographers did not always comply.  Some of their images were suppressed by the Army and only recently released.

The same reader continued with The Train to Crystal City: FDR’s Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and America’s Only Family Internment Camp During World War II by Jan Jarboe Russell.  Describing one particular family in the book, he discussed how a German family from Cleveland was sent to the Crystal City camp in Texas.  First, the father was held as an enemy alien and separated from his family.  Eventually, they were given the chance to reunite if all of them went to Texas, with the condition that they might even be involved in a prisoner exchange during the war.  Even though the children were born in the United States, the entire family ended up in Germany where they were despised as “Americans.”  Our reader was fascinated as this was part of history with which he was not familiar.

Several readers have been enjoying Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margo Lee Shetterly, the book that inspired the newly released movie.  This is a compelling story of the African American female mathematicians who calculated trajectories and timing to put spacecraft into orbit, and more importantly, bring them and their human cargo home again.  Most Nevermore readers have enjoyed the volume, but the current reader was just a bit disappointed that pictures of the historic women were not included.

Next up was Trigger: Hunting the Assassin Who Brought the World to War by Tim Butcher.  Focusing on Gavrilo Princip, who killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand and sparked the first World War, Trigger also discusses that there were several plots to assassinate the Austro-Hungarian heir that day.  Our reader noted that the first plaque posted on the spot condemned Princip, then was later changed to call him a hero.  Now, a brief sign low to the ground simply states the facts: “From this place on June 28 1914 Gavrilo Princip assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia.”

Continuing in non-fiction, three readers have recently read My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomeyer.  As only the third woman and the first Hispanic appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sotomeyer writes of her childhood in the Bronx and the struggles she faced as she became a college graduate, a lawyer, a judge—all on the way to sitting on the highest bench in the land.  Our readers loved it, were so impressed by what she overcame, and were struck by the fact that Sotomeyer’s mother had found it important to buy the Encyclopedia Britannica so that her children could learn.

Turning now to fiction, our next reader enjoyed The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel.  Set in rural Kansas, the novel is based on multiple generations of teenage girls growing up in the family’s sprawling farmhouse.  Reviewers have compared this to a modern day Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews.  Our reader said that it was suspenseful, read quickly, and definitely kept you guessing till the end.

“Girl” titles have been very popular in the publishing business lately, additionally evidenced by the next book, The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney.  Jane (the girl in the present) and Emma (the girl before) alternate storytelling in this murder mystery.  Recommended for fans of Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, this well written book was much enjoyed by our reader.  She said that there were “no wasted words,” always a sign of a good book.

Finally, our last reader had high praise for Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery.  In 1955, sixty-seven year old Emma Gatewood walked the trail alone with a homemade gunnysack thrown over her shoulder and no more than a shower curtain for a tent.  As Gatewood became well known, her advocacy may have saved the trail from fading into history.  Gatewood walked the trail not once, but two additional times.  Our reader very enthusiastically said, “If you have not read this book, you need to read it!”

Nevermore: Almost Famous Women, Whole Town's Talking, Tresspassing Across America, and More!

Reported by Ambrea

This week, Nevermore started with The Whole Town’s Talking by Fannie Flagg, author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.  Elmwood Springs in Missouri is like most American small towns, except something strange is happening at Still Meadows, the local cemetery—which, of course, gets the whole town to talking.  Full of surprises and unexpected depth, The Whole Town’s Talking is both enjoyable and funny.  Our reader said she enjoyed Flagg’s latest novel immensely, saying it was well-written, accessible, and unexpectedly hilarious.  She highly recommended it to her fellow readers, especially if they’ve ever enjoyed the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.

Next, Nevermore took a look at Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman.  In this collection of stories, Bergman takes a look at the lives of women who were very nearly famous.  Although a few of these women were celebrities, more still possessed famous relatives or did something so scandalous that their exploits were posthumously swept under the rug.  Bergman explores the lives of Butterfly McQueen, Allegra (Lord Byron’s illegitimate daughter), Dolly (Oscar Wilde’s troubled niece), Beryl Marham (author of West with the Night) and many more.  Our reader was incredibly pleased with Almost Famous Women, calling it insightful and interesting.  She commended Bergman’s inclusion of photos and portraits, and she recommended it highly for its fascinating stories and interesting essays.

In Trespassing Across America:  One Man’s Epic, Never-Done-Before (and Sort of Illegal) Hike across the Heartland), Ken Ilgunas details his hike following the entire proposed route of the Keystone XL Pipeline, traveling all the way from Alberta to Texas.  Beginning September 2012, Ilgunas hiked more than 1,700 miles from Canada to the Gulf Coast, walking almost exclusively across private property.  Described by the cover as “both a travel memoir and a reflection of climate change,” Trespassing Across America was an instant hit for our reader.  She said it was a fascinating book that was introspective and thoughtful and incredibly endearing.  Although she felt the book left a bit of an open ending, leaving readers to examine their own answers, she highly recommended Trespassing Across America for its political and social relevance, as well as its humor, wit, and consideration of the natural world.

One of our more popular discussions arose from Erik Vance’s book, Suggestible You:  The Curious Science of Your Brain’s Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal.  “This riveting narrative explores the world of placebos, hypnosis, false memories, and neurology to reveal the groundbreaking science of our suggestible minds,” reads the cover.  “Journalist Erik Vance explores the surprising ways our expectations and beliefs influence our bodily responses to pain, disease, and everyday events.”  Our reader said he was fascinated Vance’s book.  He pointed out that Suggestible You is not a narrative that opposes chemical medicine, rather it looks at the effects of placebos on the human mind and how both medicine and neurology (i.e. the mind) can work together to help heal the human body.  He found this book incredibly interesting and discussed several topics, including how medical science might be able to personalize medicine based on one’s level of suggestibility—or how a lack thereof can make a difference.

Next, Nevermore shared In the Name of the Family, a historical novel by Sarah Dunant.  In the Name of the Family draws from the high drama of Renaissance Italy, offering an insightful look into the power and prestige and politics of the House of Borgia.  It opens in 1502 with Rodrigo Borgia—otherwise known as Pope Alexander VI—and his political machinations, which include his daughter Lucrezia, his son Cesare, and a Florentine diplomat, Niccolo Machiavelli.  Although our reader is a lover of history, she said she found Dunant’s novel a little disappointing, even pedestrian.  She sincerely wanted to enjoy In the Name of the Family, but, after 46 pages, she finally gave up and moved on to her next book.

Last, Nevermore rounded off their book club with a memoir:  My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor.  Sotomayor was the first Hispanic and only the third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court and, in her memoir, she recounts her life from the Bronx housing project of her childhood to the federally appointed position of Supreme Court Justice.  Our reader said she absolutely loved reading My Beloved World, calling it lovely, well-written, insightful and “just so very good.”  It provided an intimate story of Sotomayor’s experiences, including her childhood in the Bronx, her fight to receive an education, her struggle with Type 1 Diabetes, and much more.  My Beloved World immediately passed on to the next reader, who couldn’t wait to read more about Sotomayor.

New Biographies of Celebrated American Women

Sylvia Plath is the subject of two new biographies, both by male authors.  American Isis:  The Life and Art of Sylvia Plath by Carl Rollyson uses some newly accessible files from Ted Hughes’ archives to present a fresh look at the poet.  Rollyson is a professor of journalism and has a particular interest in American popular culture, so his emphasis is on how pop culture influenced Plath and how in turn she has been turned into an icon. Readers looking for an analysis of Plath’s work may be disappointed.

Mad Girl's Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson examines Plath's early life, the loss of her father, her relationship with her mother, and her school years to show the foundations of Plath's writing.  It's an interesting and very readable look at how in this case biography shaped art. Wilson draws on material from Plath's mother as well as interviews with friends and relatives.  As one review noted, this is a book that will appeal to people who enjoy a good biography even if they are not familiar with the subject. 

Nancy:  The Story of Lady Astor by Adrian Fort is a new biography of the brash, outspoken  American woman who made her mark in the UK. Born in Danville, Virginia, she went abroad after a bad marriage ended in divorce.  Her wit and beauty quickly won her a place in society as well as a new husband: the very wealthy Waldorf Astor. She ran for the House of Commons and became the first female in MP, exerting an influence on both the political and social scenes. 

In My Beloved World, Sonia Sotomayor tells the inspirational story of how the child of immigrant parents overcame numerous disadvantages to become the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. Sotomayor’s father was an alcoholic who died when she was nine years old, one year after she was diagnosed as being diabetic, but she still describes a life made rich by family.  She was encouraged to reach for her dreams, despite the many obstacles that should have deterred her.  Sotomayor’s writing is good reflection of her intelligence and vivacious personality.

The first female Supreme Court justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, is no stranger to the best seller lists, either. She’s the author of The Majesty of the Law, which discusses the way the American Supreme Court has evolved over the years and presents some of her own experiences as a justice.  In Lazy B, she told of her early life growing up on a cattle ranch in Arizona.  It’s a fascinating look at a vanishing way of life, well told with humor and grace.  O’Connor’s newest book just came out this year:  Out of Order is a brief but informative history of the Supreme Court, including some information on justices and important  cases. 

In Marilyn: the Passion and the Paradox, Lois Banner brings to the public new details of the star’s life, fifty years after Monroe’s death.  A well-known scholar, Banner explores Marilyn’s childhood, sexuality, and premature death, paying particular attention to the political and social landscape of the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Topping out at over 500 pages, this new biography also includes sections of black and white and color photographs.  Fans of Marilyn Monroe will likely enjoy this volume.