What, no Kate Atkinson? No "A God In Ruins????" What about "A Brief History Of Seven Killings, by Marlon James, which was one of the most highly acclaimed novels of the year??? And what of Ann Packer, and "The Children's Crusade??????" And Garth Stein's stunning debut, "A Sudden Light?" Lastly, where the hell is Jane Smiley????????
These titles say as much about what The Times thinks should be on their 100 Notable Books Of 2015 list, as I do, but these glaring omissions are disturbing. Especially as much of what has ended up here, save for one title, has garnished little to no attention. And then there is that controversy about many of the books being translations of foreign works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From this list will be culled the five best works of Fiction, which should be interesting. Fiction is my beat, and while I do not avoid non-fiction, I don't qualify enough to write about it. Though I must say the omission of "The Salem Witches" is appalling. No reader can get enough of those Salem girls, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for what did make this list, it is, as "The King And I" says, "A Puzzlement!" Just take a look!!!!!!!!!
"City Of Fire," by Garth Risk Hallberg--I have heard good things about this one, with comparisons to Dickens, which means this is their selection for the big panoramic novel of the year. I do look forward to reading it, and feel it is worth a look.
"Facts And Furies," by Lauren Groff--You know, I always meant to read "The Monsters Of Templeton," but never got around to doing so. At first, I thought this was a story collection, and I clearly prefer novels. But it is a novel, and has garnered enough attention to make it worth my while. I have it waiting on my shelf, so if it makes the Top 5, I will be reading it sooner than later.
"Fortune Smiles," by Adam Jonson--I also have never gotten around to reading "The Orphan Master's Son," which Johnson wrote. This is a collection of stories, and while I would rather read a novel, I am at least willing to entertain the notion of reading this.
"A Little Life," by Hanya Yanagihara--I have noticed this about, and have been unclear whether it is a memoir or novel. A little of both I think; a work of fiction, detailing the lives of a group of friends in New York, so who can resist that? But the author also wrote "The People In The Tree," which has been recommended by those I hold in high esteem. So I am not sure whether I will read that first, or this. Only time will tell!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Mare," by Mary Gaitskill--Hey, I read "Veronica" years ago. It didn't do much for me, but I read it. The cover alone interests me, as the top half is a replica of an edition of "Black Beauty" I once owned. But, a horse novel, at MY age??????? I shall have to keep a close eye on this one, and see how things transpire.
"My Struggle, Book 4," by Karl Ove Knausgaard, Translated by Don Bartlett--This is the final in a series that has been highly recommended to me. I have it on my radar, but as I have not even cracked the first volume, it is very likely I will get to this one, for awhile. I will let you know, darlings!!!!!!!!!!
"Purity," by Jonathan Franzen--Ah, yes, the great disappointment of this year! The most highly anticipated novel from this author is impressively written, eminently readable, but has none of the passion and drive that characterized his other works. Even his criticisms of technology, which I happen to agree with, were too--well, technical-- to follow or engage my interest. If you are determined to read Franzen in spite of it all, by all means, go for it. If not, skip it!!!!!!!!!!
"The Story Of The Lost Child, Book 4, The Neapolitan Novels, Old Age," by Elena Ferrante, Translated by Ann Goldstein.--Another series finale, and one I have been curious about. Like 'My Struggle,' I expect to read it, but, unless circumstances prevail, not for some time.
"Thirteen Ways Of Looking," by Colum McCann--It's his latest. I will see how it fares with The Times. And it is short stories. What more can I say????????
"Vanessa And Her Sister," by Priya Parmar--I have seen this in paperback already, can you believe it?????? Bu the subject matter--Virginia Woolf and her sister--is right up my alley, so I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this one!
No one expected the Harper Lee book to make it, though I am glad I read it! But "Go Help The Child?" Is it there because it is actually good, or because it is Toni Morrison???????? I wonder??????
I am fast approaching my notions of what should comprise a list, and will soon be announcing what I think is the Book Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never mind what The New York Times says! The Raving Queen has spoken!!!!!!!!!!
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