Tuesday, November 22, 2011

More Bookish Thoughts...

The Marriage Plot

Instead of the three generations featured in Eugenides' Pulitzer winning "Middlesex," "The Marriage Plot" presents three individuals: Madeleine Hanna, an attractive, unconfident WASP; Leonard Bankhead, her on-and-off brilliant and brooding boyfriend; and Mitchell Grammaticus, a Michigan Greek who yearns in alternation for Madeleine and for God. The novel opens on the day the three graduate from Brown, returns to back story, then follows their first year in the "real world". Seeking sanctity, Mitchell heads to Europe and India; the other two keep house on Cape Cod, where Leonard studies yeast in a genetics lab and Madeleine applies to graduate school.

The novel contains a marriage but concerns itself neither with matrimony nor love; at heart, it is a coming-of-age drama that possesses the joys and pains of lived experience. With sympathy, modulation and deftness, Eugenides gives immediacy to Mitchell's struggle with spirituality, to Leonard's battle against mental illness and to Madeleine and Leonard's tenuous relationship.  But, despite a wry, engaging and beautifully constructed story, "The Marriage Plot" sells its characters short.  Mitchell's religious exploration grows tedious and ultimately gets dismissed as a sublimation of his desire for Madeline. And, though the novel's point of view alternates, Leonard receives only a single section before it virtually shuts out his voice.

Madeline, the supposed protagonist who initially seems to be on an interesting journey to maturity, eventually recedes behind Leonard's needs.  No journey comes to fruition; she never discovers her vocation, which leaves the reader unable to imagine her as an adult. Perhaps that's the point of this deconstructionist novel but, if so, such obscurity comes at the cost of a truly enjoyable read.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Fall Beauty

After almost a week of no internet access (thanks to a dead modem), we have happily re-entered the 21st century!  Eliot and I actually enjoyed our off-line time and spent a couple afternoons outside surrounded by the late fall colours.

Central Ave.
Brighton Trail
Pemberton Park
Peek-a-Boo!
Eliot can't have all the fun!

Friday, November 11, 2011

11/11/11




Whenever I dig my passport out of its drawer, I become conscious of what the little booklet represents: privilege to travel the globe, and citizenship of a beautiful, safe and liberal country.  


Today, let us Canadians honour our veterans, the brave men and women who, from Vimy Ridge to Juno Beach to Afghanistan, fought and continue to fight for our freedom.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
(Laurence Binyon)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Hand Knits

Thirty odd years ago, my Godmother, Great Auntie Millie, knit me a collection of intricate sweaters, hats and mitts.  Many of the items now fit Eliot so he has a great variety of woolies to choose from just in time for the cooler weather.  

Auntie Carol's fine work
Peruvian sweater from cousin Josephina 
Great Auntie Millie's famous red bobbles

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Nana and Grandpa

Eliot has so far thoroughly enjoyed his grandparents' visit: outings to the park, a trip to the symphony, two birthday parties and trick-or-treating!  Unfortunately, Grandpa has postponed his trip to Thailand due to the disastrous flooding but, as a silver lining, he now gets to accompany Eliot on his first trip up to Qualicum Beach next weekend.  So much to look forward to!

Twirling the globe
At the library with Nana
Birthday puzzle
Helping Grandpa prune
Go Habs Go! 
Not too cold to swing!
Happy Hallowe'en!