“Women and Children First” and other reader reviews

“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury (Simon & Schuster, new edition 2012)

Poignantly, this story of book burnings has itself often been the subject of censorship. Published in 1953, it landed on the American Library Association’s list of 100 Most Banned/Controversial Books: 2000-2009. Rereading it decades after first reading it, the violence with which firefighters, including protagonist Montag, go about their duties fails to shock the reader. Seems normal to us, right? Excesses by law enforcement officers as well as villains, international terrorists, and the neighbor next door are normal today. Yet the story’s subtler lessons resonate long after you’ve read the last page, about love lost and found, personal courage, and very human emotions. Now is the time to relearn the message that an oppressive, all-powerful government cannot control every iota of life. — 4 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver (bonniemccune.com)

“My Friends” by Hisham Matar (Random House, 2024)

Matar’s previous memoir, The Return, won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2017. In this novel, Matar tackles themes of emigration, political unrest, exile, fragile family ties, and enduring friendship by exploring all of these issues in the life of his protagonist, Khaled. Khaled leaves Libya to begin an education in England, full of hope. Political events and his own momentary lapse in judgment make it impossible for him to return home. Cut off from his family, Khaled learns to value his remaining relationships with his close friends. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver

“Women and Children First” by Alina Grabowski ((SJP Lit, 2024)

In a small coastal town in Massachusetts, the death of a teenager shakes the women and girls of the community in unclear ways – those who knew her and those who only knew about her. Their perspectives shape this atmospheric debut novel. Instead of answers, the reader expects revelations. — 3 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker

“Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times,” by Katherine May (Riverhead Books, 2020)

May draws in part on her personal experiences to illustrate her advice on how to be kind to yourself and avoid despair in the face of upheaval or significant life challenges. She also draws on examples from literature and nature. Just as nature goes through cycles of new growth in spring and winter barrenness, for example, so do our lives. May argues that we need to recognise these events in our lives for what they often are: temporary phases in a cycle, not permanent. Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing, 2020. — 3 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver

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