A Complicated Kindness

"Imagine the least well-adjusted kid in your school starting a breakaway clique of people whose manifesto includes a ban on the media, dancing, smoking, temperate climates, movies, drinking, rock'n'roll, having sex for fun, swimming, make-up, jewellery, playing pool, going to cities, or staying up past nine o'clock. That was Menno all over. Thanks a lot, Menno" (A Complicated Kindness, Miriam Toews).

Miriam Toews has skillfully recreated a diary of sorts for the voice of a 16 year old girl. I actually remembered - vividly - what it was like to be that age for 246 pages. That is NOT to say that my experiences were similar to those of the protagonist Nomi. Nomi truly comes to life, she is a character carefully developed with unending depth.

The plot, skillfully mimicking "Menno" life, moves like still water - evaporating slowly over time without creating any form of dramatic ripple. Nomi speaks at one point about spending life in two gears; neutral and fourth - going nowhere fast. She is internally held hostage by the love and personality traits she shares of both her mother - a rebel 'excommunicated' and her father - a passive follower of what is familiar and safe taking solice in his inability to stand out.

Nomi carries gracefully (albeit her constant 16 year old struggle with rebellion and acceptance) an incredible dry sarcasm. Toews created a voice that is fresh and unique and keeps the reader interested when the lack of plot or pace may have otherwise suggested they ditch and run for something more exciting.

Furthermore - I am always a fan of prose that appears the author's pen was flowing smoothly without any blots - seemless lines that leave the reader paused so that due justice is given; "On hot nights when the wind is right, the smell of blood and feathers tucks us in like an evil parent. There are no bars or visible exits".

This book turned out to be something I wasn't expecting and although it struggled to win me over I am more than pleased it fell into my lap.

Still Life with Woodpecker

Once again I had a good friend recommend a great read.

It's hard to know where to even start when attempting to discuss Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins. He is a writer unlike any other and I mean that whole-heartedly. Having said that - do not expect a typical page turner of pop fiction leaving you with a life lesson, a tear shed, and a refreshed moral integrity. This writer does not follow any scripts and answers to no one (likely not even his editor). He is a true 'outlaw' in the literary world.

Robbins writes in the way a social anarchist with very strong weed and endless summer nights talks to the moon (and anyone else who cares to listen in). Still - it is, not unlike a night described above, packed with interesting discussion topics and unique (if not weird for lack of a better word) characters.

Definitely worth a read - especially if you are looking for something that doesn't fit into any of Chapters pre-destined stacks.

Because nothing will peak your interest more I will leave you with the back cover description:

"Still Life with Woodpecker is sort of a love story that takes place inside a pack of Camel cigarettes. It reveals the purpose of the moon, explains the difference between criminals and outlaws, examines the conflict between social activism and romantic individualism, and paints a portrait of contemporary society that includes powerful Arabs, exiled royalty and pregnant cheerleaders. It also deals with the problem of redheads."