We should all be challenging ourselves to read more. More volume. More broadly. More viewpoints. More better.
January – a great start to 2020’s Reading Challenge (please see 52 books by women of color in 52 weeks).
I figured I would chronicle my progress by month, hoping that perhaps others will (a) benefit from reading the same incredible books that I have, (b) be inspired to participate, or (c) share their own progress reading books by women of color this year.
JANUARY
The Magical Language of Others, by E.J. Koh (released January 7, 2020)
In short, poet E.J. Koh’s memoir, told as interspersed with her mother’s letters to her from South Korea, shows her coming to terms with love, reconciliation, family and intergenerational trauma. As described by the publisher, the book “weaves a profound tale of hard-won selfhood and our deep bonds to family, place, and language, introducing―in Eun Ji Koh―a singular, incandescent voice.” (also available at Eso Won, Indiebound)
My review:
Magnanimity. It has been several years since a book compelled me to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning finishing it, and yet E.J. Koh’s extraordinary, magnanimous memoir, The Magical Language of Others, did just that. Eun Ji’s recounting of her relationship with her mother and family over the last 20 or so years exhibits power and grace in poetic (not surprising, given her experience and success as a poet) prose.
I particularly enjoyed the description of Eun Ji’s recounting of her experiences persevering, coming of age, and ultimately triumphing. Her journey to forgiveness is a paradigm of magnanimity. Even more riveting, the parallels raised by her description of the lives of her grandmothers brought to mind the incredible writing and stories of Min Jin Lee (Pachinko), Krys Lee (Drifting House) and Crystal Hana Kim (If You Leave Me). I could not offer higher praise.
One of Eun Ji’s mother’s letters offers the advice that “[w]hat we see changes according to what we look for.” In The Magical Language of Others, I was looking for a moving story. The book beautifully offers that and then some. It will undoubtedly touch common elements in each reader’s experience, while at the same time providing a poignant context of one woman’s (and one family’s) history, experience, love and compassion.
Finally, a note on the audiobook (I so wanted to finish the book to see what became of the Koh family that I purchased it as well): E.J. Koh’s reading of her own memoir is heartbreaking at times, calming at others, and riveting throughout. Highly recommend, and I’m overjoyed that this was my first read of 2020.
Little Gods: A Novel, by Meng Jin (released January 14, 2020)
What better way to debut reading in 2020 than with a debut novel that has been described by Claire Messud as “meticulously observed, daringly imagined, rich in character and history,” and posing “profound questions: how might we know ourselves, or the people we love? And what truths, if any, travel with us?” Gina Apostol described it as “merg[ing] science, politics and art: the kind of audacity our world needs now.” The story tracks a daughter returning to China with her mother’s ashes, and her discovery of her mother’s past and its effect on her. (also available at Eso Won Books, Indiebound)
My review:
This story of a mother and daughter’s relationship, and the latter’s cogent journey through the rediscovery of the former, through stories, information and wisdom imparted by others, is both magnificent and captivating. I particularly liked the complex facets of Su Lan’s history, as relayed by her neighbor, friends and ultimately her daughter, Liya. Meng Jin’s use of multiple characters rounded out a rich, fulsome narrative. This debut novel had me wishing for more from Meng Jin, and SOON. Highly recommend.
Remembrance: A Novel, by Rita Woods (released January 21, 2020)
Rita Woods’ breakout historical debut novel juxtaposes modern day Ohio against Haiti in 1791 and New Orleans in 1857. Rita has spent more than 30 years practicing medicine, managing to “eke out the occasional short story or medical article for various journals.” I’m very much looking forward to her weaving of the three tales. (Eso Won, Indiebound)
My review:
Rita Woods’ deft writing and compelling narrative makes it difficult to believe that Remembrance is her debut novel. While some commenters have remarked that the jumps between points of view detract from the stories, I find that to be one of the novel’s strengths. Rita’s intriguing descriptions of Gaelle’s and Winter’s interactions, Margot’s survival and escape, Mother Abigail’s overarching presence and life in Remembrance propel the novel and compel contemplation of the women’s positions, predicaments and powers. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found her characters in all four settings memorable, remarkable, and relatable in their loss, endurance, suffering and flourishing.
The Majesties: A Novel, by Tiffany Tsao (released January 21, 2020)
Originally published in Australia as Under Your Wings, with the subtitle, “Blood Is Thicker Than Water, but Poison Trumps All,” Tiffany Tsao’s The Majesties gets its North American publication in January 2020. The novel depicts the “secrets and betrayals that can accompany exorbitant wealth [as] two sisters from a Chinese-Indonesian family grapple with the past after one of them poisons their entire family.” Seriously, what could be more fun? (Eso Won, Indiebound)
My review:
So, I’ve been long overdue on writing this review, and I’m actually glad. My esteem for this book and Tiffany Tsao’s writing, considerable at the time I finished The Majesties, has only grown over the intervening few weeks, as I’ve found myself thinking of/remembering Gwendolyn and Estella.
I’d go so far as to venture that you not read any reviews of this book (including mine!) and take it for what it is, a great story about the Sulinado family and its pressures, influences, experiences and rancor. Going in with any preconceived notions of books to which it is or is not akin does a disservice to The Majesties, the comparison books and the reading itself.
Tiffany deftly paints a portrait of not only the families at issue, but her spot-on description (of at least the California locations and milieus) brings the story to life in vivid color. I thoroughly enjoyed those aspects, which served to add rich context and propel the novel. (Short aside, a propos of nothing: shout out to Tiffany Tsao for referring to Interstate 405 as “the 405,” as any Southern Californian would.)
Finally, a note on the audiobook. I’ve listened to Nancy Wu narrate multiple great books, and she is a consummate pro. As I wrote following my experience listening to her narrate this great roller-coaster mystery, “I can unequivocally say that I would listen to Nancy Wu narrate anything. Sign me up for crop reports & weather patterns, it doesn't matter. She is THAT good.” Nancy is the exceptional narrator that you will search out and buy books that she narrates BECAUSE she narrates them. Putting works of art like The Majesties (pun intended) into her hands just heightens the awesomeness.
Other notable January publications (not yet read): Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories from the Harlem Renaissance by Zora Neale Hurston (Eso Won, Indiebound); Blue Flowers by Carola Saavedra (Eso Won, Indiebound).
Other January reads for me: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo.