Call Me Zelda
by Erika Robuck
"Tender isn't selling enough. My best work yet-my soul splayed open for all to feast upon-and the readers simply do not care."
I nearly laughed aloud. His soul? I could not find any words to answer him.
He looked up at me and then stood as anger flashed over his face.
"I know what you're thinking," he said. "It's her soul-her soul that was used. But don't you see? her soul is my soul, and not because it belongs to me but because we share it."
This book explores the next stage of the Fitzgeralds life: after the wild Paris days, after the elaborate courting. You can feel the inspiration for his novels as you turn each page. The love between Zelda and Scott is twisted and confusing. They are devoted and despising in one fell swoop.
Call Me Zelda is not only the story of their later years, it is the story of a fictional nurse named Anna who falls under the Fitzgeralds spell. This is the real gem of the story. Anna has a life filled with loss. As she becomes intwined in the Fitzgeralds wild web, she finds it impossible to remove herself. But her work with Zelda and Zelda's need for her will ultimately open her up to life again. This is a tragedy and an uplifting story wrapped up in one.
Heading Out To Wonderful
by Robert Goolrick
This is a dark story and "haunting" tale of love gone wrong. A young country girl marries a rich older man, but falls in love with the mysterious young butcher in town.
She parades around town in her ridiculous, handmade Hollywood frocks. She is almost a child-bride at the age of 19, and behaves impulsively and without fear of consequence.
But what will happen when the secret is out, as always is the case? And who will live to tell the tale?
And ending on a (much) happier note....
The Day the Crayons Quit
by Drew Daywalt
This might be the best book ever. It is hilarious. The crayons write accusatory letters to their young owner, begging him for more time of the page, to be the color of the sun, and not to peel back their cover so much! It is hysterical, and a great way to study persuasive writing in a primary classroom.
After reading A Reliable Wife, I had great hopes for Heading Out to Wonderful. I loved the beginning part, when he comes to town, settles in, makes friends, meets Sylvan, but I then it became a little too soap-opera-ish for me. Good writing, though! As far as The Day The Crayons Quit, it's so clever and I love the illustrations!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you! I actually was a little hesitant to write about it. I do think it's a book people would enjoy reading. He is a great writer. I was a little horrified by the darkness of it as it progressed. I liked the narration of the young boy though.
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