I read Flight just now, in one setting, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Alexie is hilarious, and I love how he's not afraid to get emotional.The main character is truly lovable, and his vision quest felt very real, very urgent. An interesting take on "historical fiction" elements.
Black, White, and Jewish would be a great book for young adults, especially in 11th and 12th grade.
I LOVED Secret Daughter by June Cross. An extremely compelling story, and a very American one. Cross does a wonderful job of placing her family/ies in a historical context, and I thought her portrayal of her young self was sensitive and nuanced, without being sentimental, self-pitying, or melodramatic. I highly recommend this memoir to anyone.
Next I'm reading Caucasia, which has received mixed reviews from folks I know. But I'm eager to read it, and surely will be full of opinions myself. I'm intrigued because of my favorite poets is Fanny Howe, Senna's mother, and I've read most of her work including her wonderful memoir, The Wedding Dress. My co-editor Rachel Moritz and I have even had the pleasure of publishing Howe's work through our micro-press, WinteRed Press. In her memoir, Howe describes the desegregation era in Boston, when she was a young, poor, single mother of biracial children.
Ah, yes, Alexie. I've been meaning to read Flight. I've heard good things.
By the way, as I mentioned to you in my e-mail, I LOVED your book! The whole thing is amazing, but the third section and the poem in the fourth section where the "skirt full of black/wings" appears ---simply incredible. You're what I'm reading these days.
Have a great time in Korea.
Posted by: Lee H. | July 23, 2007 at 10:53 PM