August 2015 donation stack |
I recalled that I read this one long ago, a new author to me but a superb writer and tale teller. I purchased it in September 2004, as I contemplated imminent retirement and moving to MN. I noted that it took me a long time to read it, finally finishing in February 2005. We were so very busy with moving even though we had been aware of the imminence since 2003 when we bought this MN home. Surprisingly this book traveled back and forth across the country and back to CA to return to MN and a top shelf space in my library. It is a wonderful book, an excellent story, that as the back cover states, from the opening line you know you are in the hands of a master story teller, "Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last..." As with the other books I donated, I paused, do I let it go or not. Well I know no one who would want it and so off to the next reader wherever that person may be.
Here is but one wonderful passage from Ahab's Wife, page 197, Captain Ahab is talking with Mrs. Sparrow, : "What does the word mean, Nantucket?
It's the Indians' name for the faraway land, for its distance from the mainland.
And Kentucky--its meaning?
Also an Indian word--the dark and bloody land.
*****Beware the treachery of words, Mrs. Sparrow. They mean one thing to one person and opposite to another. They are like all conventional, land born habits. Words seem to be well woven baskets ready to hold your meaning, but they betray you with rotted corners and splintered stays."
Or page, 553, "It is a splashing spanking surf tonight. Earlier, there were fists in it and the water pow pounded the shore. "
Another book carefully donated is the Kate Jacobs tale, The Friday Night Knitting Club. An interesting tale from the opening page, "choosing your wool is dizzying with potential. The waves of colors and textures tempt with visions of a sweater or cap and all the accompanying compliments you hope to receive but don't reveal the hard work required to get there. Patience and attention to detail make all the difference. And willingness. Challenge keeps it interesting, ..."
Weekly a group of women gather at a New York City yarn shop to work on their projects and share the stories of their lives.
Page 137 caught my hi liter back when I read this and it still strikes me today, too little too late..."..when you're young you always think you'll meet all sorts of wonderful people, that drifting apart and losing friends is natural. You don't worry at first, about the friends you leave behind. But as you get older, it gets harder to build friendships. Too many defenses, too little opportunity. You get busy. And by the time you realize that you've lost the dearest best friend you ever had, years have gone by and you're mature enough to be embarrassed by your attitude and frankly by your arrogance." So true as I have learned moving here to MN where the people are into their lifelong routines and seldom make room for new friends. Sure e have acquaintances, but few real friends.
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