A Curious Earth

Woodward is writing here about issues of direct personal relevance to me - life in the later years, how a sense of self-worth is affected by no longer being part of the paid workforce, how our relationship with our children changes as we become more child-like ourselves as degeneration forces us to be more dependent on others - so I guess it's not altogether surprising that I connected to this story. Other authors could address these issues much less convincingly, however. Woodward seems to have a knack of getting an exceptionally good balance between the potentially boring true life detail of life after 70, and the need to write a story which gives (younger?) readers enough interest to keep wanting to turn the pages.

A bit of a let down after the first two, but well worth reading if you've been following the Jones family. They're all unpleasant in some way or another (with the partial exception of Juliette), and this book is Aldous' turn to face the music. The point being that if everyone's unpleasant... well, let he who is without sin and all that. It's possible to love people who are profoundly unsympathetic, while also taking a warning from their misdeeds. But 'August' and 'I'll Go to sleep...' were great because of the interactions between family members, and Aldous' profoundly dull and unsuitable crushes don't make up for the absence of Janus and Colette.

Hauntingly beautiful novel about Aldous Jones, a retired art school teacher whose wife has just died, and his relationship (or not) with his children.
Each word so perfectly chosen, so descriptive and beautiful and sad and funny.

a hard book to give a review, it started out very strong and sort of limped to the finish line. it seems anymore the only way writers can finish their novel is by having the main character die. it is the story of a older man, his wife recently died, he is alone and has to "re invent" his life. a good theme but as i say it was weak in the finish