Book Review: Tinkers by Paul Harding

Book: Tinkers by Paul Harding
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating:★★★☆☆
For: Community Read event
From: Free from the library

I can see why this book won the Pulitzer. It's very artistic. It's kind of like all the movies that win the Oscar, you know? Artsy and... kinda confusing. But who cares, because it's so pretty!

This book is a very poetic look at the thoughts of a dying man. As he lays there with his family around him, his thoughts go back to his own father who was a Fuller Brush man (do you know of which I speak?) and thus known as a tinker. He remembers several stories his father told, and he remembers how his father suffered from epilepsy and how is mom could not deal with it very well, and he remembers what happens in the end.

Then, his thoughts turn to his grandfather, someone he wishes his father had told him more about. After they die is not the time to think this! You know what I'm saying? Talk to your old people now! I have a very strong passion about this subject!

Anyway, so then we get a bit of the story from the dad's point of view.

In between are excerpts from several books that I'm assuming meant something to this guy, George, the one who is dying. And then, there's lots and lots of beautiful poetic stream of conscious passages that are actually pretty amazing. And so true to real life experiences. Nice when a book does that... tells the truth and all.

I'm sure a ton of it went right over my head, but I enjoyed most of it. And being such a small and tiny book, the bits I didn't get were fast and quickly over!

Bottom line: A beautiful ode to the end of a life.

P.S. If you missed it, I posted about hearing the author speak at the library last week. Come and see what I thought! His second book, Enon, has just been released and tells the story of Charlie, one of the grandsons who was watching over George in Tinkers.

Other Reviews:

Three stars for plot, but five stars for prose – for an average of four stars. From The Bluestocking Society

Tinkers is a language lover's novel. Harding wowed me with his words. From Nomadreader

This beautiful, spare novel should find its way into the hands of every reader of literary fiction. From The Boston Bibliophile

A few reviewers have said the book should be read as poetry rather than prose. Fair or not, when I hear that, I always tend to assume they mean it just doesn't work as a novel. And in this case, I think my assumption is right. From A Little Reading

Review: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

Book: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

Genre: Historical Fiction, Pulitzer Prize Winner

Rating: A

Challenges: Awards II, TBR, Pulitzer

I really feel a sense of accomplishment having finally finished this book. First, because it's been sitting there waiting it's turn for so long. Second, because I've put it on so many challenge lists (mostly because it's been waiting it's turn for so long!) Third, because I tried to start it many times and it just didn't take and fourth, because once I finally committed to it, it seemed to take forever to get done!

Now, that all sounds as if it was a hard, boring, too long, excruciating book to read. But it wasn't! Well, it was long. But it was very interesting and engaging and clever and different. I really enjoyed it.

I was surprised that this is basically an historical fiction book. We learn about the history of comic books and escape acts. We learn about the history of the Empire State Building. We get a different perspective on WWII events, including a stint at the South Pole during the war. We get a wonderful glimpse of New York City during this fascinating time of history. Basically, I forgot while reading that this was a novel. Everything seemed so real.

Then there's the characters. I loved Kavalier the best. He escaped his home in Prague just before things became unbearable there with the Jewish persecution. He came to live with his cousin in New York and they became a partnership in a comic book business. Meanwhile, he's trying to get his family over to NY also. His cousin, Clay, also has his own struggles to deal with, one that made me a little uncomfortable to read about. Then there's the girl, Rosa, who plays a big part in both of their lives.

So, even though it took me awhile to read, I truly enjoyed it and look forward to picking up some others by this author.

Pulitzers I've Read So Far

Yes, I'm doing the Pulitzer Project... since I'd be doing it anyway, challenge or no challenge.

Here's what I posted over there as my progress so far:

1921 The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton: Loved it!

1922 Alice Adams by Booth Tarkington: Liked it pretty good.

1932 The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck: One of my all favorite books!

1937 Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell: Loved it. Read it YEARS ago.

1940 The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: Another all time favorite book!

1961 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Wow, this one needs a re-read big time!

1975 The Killer Angels Michael Shaara: Liked it a lot.

1986 Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry: Another liked it a lot book.

1988 Beloved by Toni Morrison: Hmmm... interesting book.

1992 A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley: Did NOT like it.

1999 The Hours by Michael Cunningham: This one is okay... a little weird.

2002 The Empire Falls by Richard Russo: Liked parts, didn’t like other parts.

2005 Gilead by Marianne Robinson: Liked it a lot.

In the line up to read this next year:

1972 Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (currently reading)

1994 The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

2001 The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon