Julia Glass

Beautifully written character-driven saga that features the McLeod family. It is a story in three parts. The first, set in June 1989, follows Paul McLeod who, shortly after the death of his wife, is traveling with a tour group in Greece. The substantial second part, set in June 1995, features eldest son, Fenno. He lives in New York with his dog and parrot, runs a bookshop, and travels annually to the ancestral family home in Scotland. We meet his twin siblings, David and Dennis, and their show more wives and children. Fenno’s relationships with Mal, suffering from AIDS, and Tony, are told in flashback. In the short third section, set in June 1999, we find characters from the first two parts vacationing at the beach house of a mutual friend.

This book is subtle and understated. It is about love, loss, friendship, and family connections. I loved the characters – they feel so authentic. They are complex and fully formed, with strengths, weaknesses, and eccentricities. The relationships among the characters have that realistic ebb and flow of closeness and distance. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of animals, the focus on art, and the use of food in bringing people together (one character is a chef). The writing is stellar. Glass brings the reader into the lives of these characters through describing the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of their lives. The dialogues are believable. I always know I have loved a book when I do not want it to end, and it lingers in my thoughts. show less

A book in three parts, of which the first is good, the second brilliant and the third a bit of a let down, but I had such a great time reading it I could not possibly give it less than five stars. The second part with its forensic analysis of its characters smallest thoughts and interactions was quite superb. Loved the small moments of humour (“from which military junta???”) and the interplay between the characters. Here is an author who knows her setting and its people inside out. The show more writing was absolutely top quality throughout, with the unusual backdrop of sheepdog breeding proving impressively earthy and tactile in the first section, followed by the deliciously claustrophobic second section. The third enabled a storyline to be rounded off, whilst adding an element of circularity to the novel as a whole. So glad to learn that there are more books out there about these characters. show less

When author and illustrator Mort Lear dies, his assistant Tomasina (Tommy) is left carrying out his wishes: rather than leave all his works and papers to a museum that has had much of his collection on loan for years, his will directs her to disperse it widely and use the funds to create a home for boys in the author's native Tuscon. Meanwhile, the museum curator is beside herself, and the actor playing Mort in an upcoming film wants to visit and learn as much as he can about the man himself show more for his performance - and seems to know a little more than even Tommy does about Mort's past.

Many of the books I read for my book club seem to tease out the question, "How well can you really know another person?" Well, this one does it in spades. Who really knows Mort Lear, and in the end is it really important to fully understand him? His character is at least partly based on Maurice Sendak, who was also gay and had loaned materials to The Rosenbach in Philadelphia who had to return items to his estate after a legal battle. This focuses most on the characters, however, and how their relationships intertwine but how ultimately no one really knows another person. show less

This is a meaty novel by the author of the wonderful Three Junes. This one follows four different New Yorkers as they live their lives, reflect on the past, and struggle with life-changing events or decisions. Greenie is a pastry chef who feels restless as she and her husband seemingly grow apart. When the visiting governor of New Mexico tastes her coconut cake, he offers her a job as his chef. Greenie's husband Alan is adrift when she suddenly moves to New Mexico with their young son show more George, and he must reexamine his life while wondering what remains of his marriage and family. Walter is Greenie's friend and biggest cheerleader who encourages her move out West. Walter's orderly life is upended by a painful breakup and his generous offer to host and mentor his underachieving 19 year-old nephew for a year. Saga is a young woman recovering from a traumatic brain injury living in the care of her elderly uncle but on the periphery of his family. Ms. Glass weaves their stories together beautifully, and I felt really drawn to all of the characters. Best of all was the reappearance of Fenno McLoud, a favorite character from Three Junes. I would love to spend some more time with these people. show less