Reading is Vital to My Conscientious Resilience!
Estimated reading time: 27 minutes, 30 seconds
National Book Award Finalists
In 2024, I dove into the captivating worlds of all five finalists for the National Book Award for Fiction and several shortlisted titles that caught my eye. Reflecting on this literary journey, I would have made different choices for the finalists. The books—James, Ghostroots, Martyr!, All Fours, and My Friends—sparked lively discussions in my mind. I would have taken a different path if the decision were mine!
James
The 2024 National Book Award winner “James: A Novel” by Percival Everett is outstanding. While it incorporates familiar elements from “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “James: A Novel” provides a unique perspective. It highlights Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion, challenging our preconceived notions and offering a fresh take on a classic narrative.
“James: A Novel” is not just a book but a cornerstone of twenty-first-century American literature. It is a testament to Everett’s literary prowess, solidifying his status as a true icon in the literary world.
Ghostroots
“Ghostroots: Stories” by ‘Pemi Aguda features twelve imaginative tales set in Lagos, Nigeria. In this collection, ‘Pemi Aguda explores the tension between our desire for individuality and the impact of our past. One of the stories, “Breastmilk,” was shortlisted for the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing.
The stories in “Ghostroots” explore emotional and physical realms, revealing the profound impact of family, myth, tradition, gender, and modernity in Nigerian society. Pemi Aguda’s storytelling, enriched with empathy and humor, establishes her as a significant emerging literary talent. Her profound understanding of human emotions and thorough examination of these societal influences will leave readers feeling enlightened and informed, eager to discover more of her work.
Martyr!
“Martyr! A Novel” by Kaveh Akbar is a tribute to our quest for meaning in faith, art, ourselves, and our relationships with others. The story follows Cyrus Shams, a newly sober orphan and the son of Iranian immigrants. As he embarks on a search for a family secret, the voices of artists, poets, and kings guide him. His journey ultimately leads him to a terminally ill painter who is spending her final days at the Brooklyn Museum.
Cyrus Shams, our protagonist, struggles with a legacy of violence and loss. His mother’s tragic death and his father’s limited life in America have left him deeply scarred. He battles with alcoholism and has a substance use disorder, but above all, he is a human being on a journey of self-discovery. His fascination with martyrs leads him to delve into the mysteries of his past, including his uncle’s inspiring yet haunting role on Iranian battlefields and a painting that suggests his mother may not have been who she appeared to be.
All Fours
“All Fours: A Novel” by Miranda July follows a semi-famous artist who announces her plan to drive cross-country from Los Angeles to New York. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, checks into a nondescript motel, and embarks on a completely different journey.
Miranda July showcases her unique approach to fiction in her second novel, reaffirming her storytelling brilliance. With her wry voice, perfect comic timing, and unabashed curiosity about human intimacy, July creates a palpable delight in pushing boundaries. “All Fours” tells the story of one woman’s quest for a new kind of freedom.
This novel blends absurd entertainment with a tender reinvention of the sexual, romantic, and domestic life of a forty-five-year-old female artist. July transcends expectations while examining our beliefs about life as a woman. Once again, she transforms the familiar into something new, thrilling, and profoundly alive.
My Friends
All four novels are good, but I preferred Hisham Matar’s “My Friends: A Novel.” This book delves into themes of friendship, family, and the harsh realities of exile. Hisham Matar is also the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Return.” As I read on my Bookshop app on my iPad, the pages turn as swiftly as autumn leaves fall.
One evening, a young boy named Khaled, growing up in Benghazi, hears a captivating short story read aloud on the radio. The story, about a man being eaten alive by a cat, leaves an indelible mark on Khaled, igniting a lifelong fascination with the power of words and the enigmatic author, Hosam Zowa. This transformative experience sets Khaled on a journey that will lead him far from home to the University of Edinburgh to pursue a life of the mind.
In a new and unfamiliar environment, Khaled finds himself far from his home in Libya. His resilience is put to the test when he attends a protest against the Qaddafi regime in London. The event takes a tragic turn, leaving Khaled injured and unable to leave Britain. Despite the danger posed by monitored phone lines, his determination to communicate his situation to his parents demonstrates his strength.
When Khaled meets Hosam Zowa, the author of a life-changing short story, at a hotel, he begins the most profound friendship of his life. This friendship supports him and ultimately compels him, as the Arab Spring unfolds, to confront the complex tensions between revolution and safety, family and exile, and to redefine his sense of self about those closest to him.
“My Friends” delves deeply into the intricate dynamics of friendship and family, compellingly revealing how the passage of time can test and reshape these vital connections. Hisham Matar’s novel transcends mere storytelling; it stands as a poignant and beautifully written meditation on life and relationships, showcasing the exceptional talent of its author. This impactful book will stay in my mind long after the final page, emphasizing friendships’ deep and enduring importance in our lives.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
