Book & Baking Blog Entry 22

I have a friend who is very well-read.  She reads literature with an occasional foray into pop-fiction (I still can't believe that she read and enjoyed The DaVinci Code.)  I will say in all honesty that our book tastes are not similar.  For example, I read almost exclusively pop-fiction but wouldn't be caught dead reading The DaVinci Code.  OK, I read the beginning, but how many times does the author have to explain that the curator is renowned.  Clearly he has nothing but contempt for the unwashed masses that he believes will buy his novel.  Enough about that.  So, on my friend's recommendation I picked up Case Histories by Kate Atkinson.

I love a novel where you really don't like anyone.  I think it's fun to have a novel where everyone is a stereo-type.  However, it is novel.  I, for the most part, did enjoy this novel.  I would recommend it for those who enjoy literature and want something a bit different.  I think for mystery fans it might be a tougher sell. 

The non-formulaic format was both refreshing and confounding.  It's nice that Atkinson writes in a different style. I have no idea if she regularly begins chapters in the middle of a thought.  The desire to surprise her reader can be befuddling and annoying at times.  I like a good surprise.  I like a good mystery.  In general I don't want to try to have to figure out where, when, and why I am in a novel.  Atkinson consistently works to surprise and really, she doesn't. 

As I said I did enjoy the novel over-all.  I did think that it got bogged down in too many stories and the attempt to bring them all together.  And yet, leaving us hanging with some.  I like my mysteries wrapped up and with an ending.  I don't mind one story trailing into another.  But there were a lot of stories that had, really, nothing to do with each other trailing around randomly, working to find each other.  Seriously.  And, yes, we can all guess who we're supposed to think that Lily Ann is.  And we can guess what happens to Michelle.    The rest of the stories were wrapped up with a bow.  Why not those? 

So, here's the kicker.  I am SURE that I've read this before.  Yet, I can't lay my hands on it, nor did I remember it prior to opening the book.  But it was so familiar.  How stupid is that?!  Seriously.  So through the entirety of the book my tiny brain worked hard to remember where and when I had read this.  Yet, I had no recollection of specific parts.  Namely, our hero and his daughter.  Except the scene where he (OOOOOHHHH, SPOILER) finds out that his ex-wife is taking the brat to Australia with her new husband.  Wow, could the ex-wife have been much more of a caricature? Gee, she left him for no reason, forced him to give up his child, took all the money and the good stuff and left nothing but his one treasure from his murdered sister...

Ooops.  Yes, I did like it.  Did it drag in places, most definitely.  Would I read it again?  I'd say no, except clearly I've read it twice already so who knows how many more times that I can forget it.  Oddly, I would say that it is unique enough in premise that it should be unforgettable.  Oh well.  Never say never.

Happy Reading.

Now, if only I had a lovely Copenhagen pastry...yum.