"Redemption" by Leon Uris

"Redemption" is a story by Leon Uris of Irish rebellion around the turn of the 20th century. I had previously read some of his works surrounding the founding of the Israeli state and remembered enjoying his style of historical fiction. I was holding my breath for nearly 900 pages expecting the other Israeli shoe to drop and bring this story full circle into the content for which I'm remembering him. It never really came, other than a very brief reference to the first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. This novel follows two generations of the Larkin family of Balleytogue while connecting a deeper familial through line. The first protagonist we meet is Conner Larkin. He is a fine example of an Irish man of good blood but relatively new breeding. The second or third generation of his family to be land-owning gives him opportunity with cause. He sees the never-ending problems of religion and English rule in Ireland and has the ability to do something about it. I really enjoyed this character. He is a talented, artistic ironsmith, a world class athlete and a born leader of men. Not to mention, a real ladies man. We are introduced to his brother Liam, who moved to New Zealand to build his own opportunities as he was not in line to recieve land in Ireland. In time, he has a son, Rory. He is a voracious learner and is reading at a young age. This headstrong child is very taken when he gets to meet and spend some time with his uncle Conner. He latches on completely to the Irish Catholic struggle and as his life takes him in many directions, through love, war and parental displeasure he continues down the path that Conner forged. This book introduced me to the battle of Gallipoli in world war one. It gave me backstory and insight into the Irish struggle and entertained the whole way. It tied in characters from different beliefs and backgrounds in a deeply enjoyable way. Also, it's always enjoyable, for me, to see historical characters, like Winston Churchill, act in their own times. I'll continue to seek out works by Leon Uris.

"Prairie Fires" by Caroline Fraser

This is a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter Rose Wilder Lane as well as a analysis of the claims that Rose was, in fact, the primary author of the "Little House on the prairie" series. Having read many of the stories as a child, I was vaguely familiar with much of the biographical information regarding Laura Ingalls Wilder but much of this deep analysis, which went mostly chronologically, was new to me. I had no idea of whom Rose was, other than the purported real author of the beloved books. So much of the intrigue in this read comes from the taught relationship of mother and daughter. Rose was a real firecracker and was far ahead of her time. I imagine her as a hippy with high ambition and crippling depression. From, taking lovers, bringing in orphans, spending money as quickly as it is made and, even building homes abroad in Albania that she would never set eyes upon, she really lived a dramatic life. Not just the drama of manic depression. The final message seems to be that, though she prodded and assisted her mother, the LHOTP books are entirely Wilder's creations. The exhausting use of references is evidence that this was no 'My opinion is that..' but, rather, a definitive answer to the question that somehow permeates all of American academia and buddies the, what should be crystal clear waters, of Laura Ingalls Wilder's legacy. She was a normal woman who lived through exceptional times and proved to be incredibly capable and talented in her later years. A great recommendation for any LHOTP enthusiasts. A mildly curious researcher can just take my word for it. Laura wrote the books.

"The Captive" by Marcel Proust

This was, once again, a dual reading feat. I read the 6th installment of "In Search of Lost Time" in English as I read it in French. This portion of the greater work covers the time the narrator had Albertine as his house guest. The captive, or prisoner, is an apt title. Perhaps for both characters. It was a deep dive into what a relationship can become, how it evolves and the ego trappings associated with being unwilling to lose a romantic partner while simultaneously plotting how to escape the obligations that come along with the committal. There were some fantastic and ridiculous scenes with Charlus, Brighton, and the violinist Robert that really explored the duplicitous element of homosexuality in that era. This was a fantastic read but, after a year, I'm excited to start seeing a different book cover.

"The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane

I came across this book in a local give/take bookshelf years ago. I was familiar with the author's name but had never read anything by him. Knowing that he wrote Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone, Shutter Island, I assumed the story would be based out of Boston and it, for the most part, was. It follows a number of protagonists, from Babe Ruth, Danny and Thomas Coughlin, and Luther Lawrence. Set in the early unionizing days, this novel follows a member of the Boston Polize Department as he becomes disillusioned by the treatment of his fellow public servants. Concurrently, we check in with Babe Ruth as he transitions through his first season of "White Ball" and end up being traded to the Yankees. Lastly, we meet an african american who stumbles through life in the first 90 percent of the book and, finally, navigates the final pages with a modicum of intention. The characters were well rounded and entertaining. The buildup of the preceding events of the Boston Riots of 1918 were methodical and effective. I generally had a tough time calling it a night and putting the book down. I would be delighted to read anything else by Lehane.

"Heretics of Dune" by Frank Herbert

Onward we march into the unending adventures of Dune. This portion follows a young Fremen girl with the abilty to control Sandworms movement, the newest incarnation of Duncan Idaho and the first skirmishes between the Bene Gesserrit, the Tielaxu and the Honored Matres. Not so much a story in itself, it serves as prelude to the next chapters. These characters are established and the stage is set for what will follow in Chapterhouse: Dune. I can't wait to see what happens with the Mentat Idaho and his lover Murbella, Odrade, a new Miles Teg and the Honored Matres as the intrigue unfolds.

"Low Life" by Luc Sante

I'm beginning a dive into New York history. This Sante piece looks into living conditions, entertainment, law enforcement, gang activity and basically everything that is not shown about New York City between the 1840's and 1920's. This book dives way past the mansions and elite of the steadily growing metropolis that was NYC during this era. If I'm honest, I wasn't blown away by the organization of this book and perhaps it's because each chapter could have easily been the centerpiece of a comparably sized research project. It felt a lot more like scratching the surface lightly and planting some names that deserve a great deal more space to fully encapsulate. It was an interesting start, nonetheless, and my intrigue has been struck.

"One Summer: America, 1927" by Bill Bryson

I don't think Bryson could write enough books for my life. I am glad I haven't sought them out as I might wish to because, knowing there are more of his works out there to discover gives me a great joy. "One Summer" walks the reader through the remarkable and dramatic events of 1927, primarily the summer months. From Babe Ruth and the Murderer's Row Yankees, to Lindbergh's cross Atlantic Flight, the bombing of an elementary school, the Mississippi River flooding and the political goings on, the book skims shallow then dives deep into the personalities, precipitating events and fallout of what was, truly, an incredibly news filled summer. I love the way Bryson weaves anecdotes and unforseen side effects into the through-line of his story-telling. It's like a beautifully composed orchestral piece. Give me more Bryson, but take your time doing it. I want to savor this.