It’s a long time since I laughed out loud at a book. It’s even longer since I cried from laughing out loud at a book. But last weekend I was convulsed with hysterics. You know that belly ache sort of laugh that just takes over your body like a convulsion that won’t stop and when it does you suddenly start convulsing all over again.
When I tried to share the reason for this reaction by reading out loud the passage, this simply made me worse. I laughed even harder, the tears were flowing and I was seized by those rare moments in life when something touches your funny bone.
The problem with such moments is that unless you are sharing with them who is equally tickled by the moment it can be sad and lonely affair. Certainly MT thought I had lost my marbles. He couldn’t see what I was seeing, or indeed feeling but he was quite amused by the fact that I couldn’t stop laughing, then chuckling, then smiling and then laughing again. And all this from a book that on the surface looks to be deep and meaningful look at believing.
I’m not going to give you a commentary on the plot. There are plenty of other places you can get that from.
You can read an extract for yourself.
What I learned most about this book is that that I’m missed books with substance. I don’t mean books with something significant to say. But rather books that have characters that come alive for me. That however, unbelievable or cliche the story may be, the book is so well written you just want to enjoy the words.
There are one or two cliche moments which if I was being picky I’d say let the story down a little. But on the other hand there is no sense in being too clever about things when the characters are so engaging, lovable, hateable and down right hysterical that you can forgive the downsides in the plot.
Don’t read this book if you’re looking for a “story” don’t bother. This is a book of many stories because it’s all about the different paths and lives of its characters. If you love writing that is straight from the hip and the heart then this is a book for you.
This is a book I enjoyed lying in bed, curled up on the window seat, flat out on the sofa and parked out on the veranda. Once I’d got into it I couldn’t put it down. I simply had to know what happened next. I was looking for another comical moment in the book that would make me belly ache again. I didn’t find another.
I’ve read the passage that made me laugh so hard again and again. Whilst I still smile what’s best about it is that it’s a masterful piece of writing. Insightful, so honest and so very very real. All I’ll say is that you need to watch out for Nana. She makes only two fleeting appearances in the book but they are both well waiting for.
Thanks for the recommendation, Julie. I’ll add this to my ever-growing list of books to read. Now I have a little bit of time on my hands I’ve joined a reading group and look forward to the meetings as it’s good to be introduced to different authors. I have just finished The White Tiger which you mentioned in a previous blog – I can understand why it won the Mann Booker Prize for last year. Keep up the reading and passing on your recommendations.