Wondrous Words Wednesday!

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Bermudaonion's Weblog where we share new (to us) words that we’ve encountered in our reading. Feel free to join in the fun (please do!) Be sure to leave a link to your post over at Bermudaonion's Weblog!

All of my words come from Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

" Nature had come into her own again and, little by little, in her stealthy, insidious way had encroached upon the drive with long tenacious fingers."

Insidious {in-sid-ee-uhs} -adj.
1.intended to entrap or beguile.
2.stealthily treacherous or deceitful.
3.operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect.

"I had ill-judged him, he was neither hard nor sardonic, he was already my friend of many years, the brother I had never possessed."

Sardonic {sahr-don-ik} -adj.
characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering.

"Mrs. Danvers never obtruded herself but I was aware of her continually."

Obtrude {uhb-trood} -verb
1. to thrust (something) towards or upon a person especially without warrant or invitation
2. to thrust forth; push out.
3. to thrust forward, especially unduly; intrude.

Romantic Movie

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

This meme is hosted by Molly and Andy at The Bumbles Blog. Today's topic is True Romance in honor of Molly and Andy's Anniversary - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! They ask if you could live any movie's love story, which would it be?

I can't say that this is the love story I'd want for my life but I just love Annie Hall with Woody Allen and Diane Keaton.

In this movie the neurotic comedian, Alvy Singer tries to maintain a relationship with the ditsy but sweet Annie. We see the course of their relationship over many years including flashbacks and imaginary trips into each other's history which provides much of the humor in the film. Ultimately, they break up realizing they are too different. Annie moves to CA and moves in with a record company exec. played by Paul Simon. Alvy realizes how much he really loves her and tries to get her to move back to NY and move in with him. He does not prevail and writes a play about their relationship which ends with him winning Annie back.

Annie eventually returns to NY. They are both dating other people by then and are able to be friends.

I loved this move because it shows the quirky, wacky side of relationships, the awkwardness, the ridiculous arguments, the extent we all go too, good and bad to be accepted and to make relationships work. I'm also a big fan of Woody Allen's movies.

Another great romantic movie by Woody Allen is Manhattan with Muriel Hemingway.

Movie Monday!

Monday Movies is a fun event started by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie. If you have a movie you want to share or a TV show, write a post about it and then enter a link to your post in the Mr. Linky over at A Novel Menagerie!

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State of Play

2009 American Political Thriller

Starring: Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman

Director: Kevin MacDonald

Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

This movie is an adaptation of the six-part British television serial, State of Play but condensed into 2 hours with the setting moved to Washington DC.

A young woman, Sonia, who is the lead researcher on the staff of Congressman Stephen Collins, is killed one morning on her way to work. Many question if it is a suicide especially when it is quickly uncovered that she was also the Congressman's mistress. The night before, though, a young thief is killed by a man carrying a briefcase and an attempt is made on the life of a pizza delivery man who supposedly witnessed the thief's death. Is it possible the 2 deaths and the attempted murder are connected?

Reporter Cal McCaffrey, an old friend of the Congressman, begins investigating Sonia's death with the help of blogger and reporter Delia Frye. They quickly discover intriguing and disturbing facts that lead them to unexpected places and truths they never imagined.

This is an exciting, captivating story that keeps your attention every minute. I don't want to give away any more of the movie. Trust me, it's better to watch it unfold in front of you. This movie commands your attention with an intriguing story and a fantastic cast that does a wonderful job. This is a fantastic movie!

Sunday Salon, October 11th!

It's been a quiet week around here. The cats are behaving, for the most part. Little Betsy is finally being accepted by the rest of the feline lovelies. She's very friendly and wants most of her new brothers and sisters to like her. She's full of energy and anything that moves makes her jump with excitement. Some of our cats, the older ones, aren't used to that. It took Huxley and Daisy a little while to trust her. And poor Magoo! Betsy decided early on that she was going to befriend him. She follows him everywhere! At first he would run from her, but that only made her chase him. He's finally calmed down and realized she's not trying to harm him. Now they're buddies! Betsy doesn't like Dopey. But Dopey is an acquired taste and he has a terrible habit of growling at and chasing the other cats when he is in a bad mood which is often. So Dopey isn't very popular in this house. Hopefully, Dopey will grow out of being a bully soon!

We haven't taken the calico who lost her tail to the vet yet. We wanted to build up trust with Belle first.(we are calling her Belle because she is so pretty). We feed her everyday, sometimes twice a day and that gives us the opportunity to check on her tail. It isn't infected and doesn't seem to bother her. But we don't want to wait too much longer. We're hoping to bring her to the vet this week.

We have become good friends with some neighbors who also rescue cats, give homes to many and find homes for others. They live about 4 doors down from us and have 12 cats. They also feed several other stray cats who don't want homes. After comparing notes, we discovered that we both feed many of the same strays! What a coinkydink that we live so close to each other! They own an on-line bookstore called Run for Cover that sells a variety of genres such as history, philosophy, economics and some fiction. Please feel free to check them out. They're very nice people.

I'm finishing The Possibility of Everything, a memoir by Hope Edelman and reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I saw the movie recently and it's wonderful but I'd forgotten how much better the book is because you're privy to the thoughts of the second Mrs. de Winter! I am also reading Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado which makes me laugh and also makes me hungry for cake, cookies and all sorts of sweet goodies! Gesine Bullock -Prado also has a blog - Confections. I have several reviews to write this week including my review for The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan.

The JETS play Miami tomorrow night. It should be a good game. I hope Sanchez is on his game tomorrow! The Giants trounced the poor Raiders today (sorry Lisa!).

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Amy

Saturday Reader Confession!

This is a meme started by Ti at Book Chatter and other stuff. The idea behind it is:

1. Whenever you have something you want to share, just spill it (you know you want to). Just create a post of your own, link it to Book Chatter and other stuff and add your post link to Mister Linky there.

2. You don't have to post every Saturday. Post when you have something to share.

3. Posts can be rants about something you are reading, or a deep, dark secret. The post must relate to reading or blog reading in some way.

4. Posts can be as short or as long as you like and can include more than one topic. The goal is to get to know one another better.

Last week Ti posted in Book Chatter and Other Stuff about Commenting Etiquette and bloggers commenting in other blogs . My issue/question is sort of related to that since it is also about comments.

I am wondering whether or not bloggers who comment on posts in other blogs return to read the blog owner's comment responses to their comments. (jeez, this is a little confusing).

I am asking about this because I noticed when I started blogging that many bloggers respond to the comments left in their blogs by other bloggers. So I started to do the same in my blog. But I wondered if the bloggers who commented returned to read my response to their comment. I wasn't sure mostly because I don't always go back and see if bloggers responded to my comments since I don't always have the time and/or I don't always remember that I commented.

At one point, I wasn't able to get back to my blog until the next day. By then it seemed kind of late to respond to comments left by bloggers the day before. I felt bad thinking maybe some bloggers had come back to see if I responded and when I didn't for quite a while gave up! I responded anyway but wished I could get in touch and thank them for visiting my blog and commenting.

Then I discovered that I could also email the bloggers who commented in my blog. I started emailing some until I discovered that some bloggers have no reply emails or no emails connected to their blogs. So I went back to responding to bloggers comments in my blog but also emailing some bloggers who have email.

Is there a right or wrong way to do this? Am I missing something here? My blog isn't really new anymore (I started my blog almost 3 months ago) but I'm still getting used to how things are done in blog world. I plan to continue responding to comments in my blog and through email unless I'm completely missing the mark somehow or offending bloggers!

Ti, I hope I did this right and Thank you for this meme!

Amy

Friday Morning

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury,

and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable,

and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;

to listen to the stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;

to bear on cheerfully, do all bravely, awaiting occasions, worry never;

in a word to, like the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,

grow up through the common.

William Ellery Channing

I have always loved this quotation, it's always reminded me of what's really important in life and what brings true happiness and contenment.

I hope you have a happy Friday!

Amy

Book Review: America America

Title: America America
Author: Ethan Canin
ISBN: 978-0-8129-7989-3
Pages: 458
Release Date: 2008
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5


Summary: In the early 1970s, Corey Sifter, the son of working-class parents, becomes a yard boy on the grand estate of the powerful Metarey family. Soon, through the family’s generosity, he is a student at a private boarding school and an aide to the great New York senator Henry Bonwiller, who is running for president of the United States. Before long, Corey finds himself involved with one of the Metarey daughters as well, and he begins to leave behind the world of his upbringing. As the Bonwiller campaign gains momentum, Corey finds himself caught up in a complex web of events in which loyalty, politics, sex, and gratitude conflict with morality, love, and the truth.
America America is a beautiful novel about America as it was and is, a remarkable exploration of how vanity, greatness, and tragedy combine to change history and fate.


My thoughts: One day 16-year old Corey Sifter is living a quiet, sheltered life with his mother and father in the town of Saline, New York. The next day he is offered a job as a groundskeeper on the estate of Liam Metarey, the wealthiest man in the County. Suddenly, Corey is surrounded by wealth power and prestige, a life completely different from the one he's known. When Mr. Metarey decides to manage the campaign of Senator Bonwiller in his run for the presidency, Corey sees a side of American life he knows nothing about, politics.

Some people reading the story of Corey's experiences working for Liam Metarey will think he's just plain dumb; others will consider the small-town boy simply and pathetically naive. Others will assume it's an act when he claims he didn't know anything regarding the death of a young woman and her involvement with Senator Bonwiller, a presidential candidate, which provides the focal point of the story. Those people will be quick to point out that his mother always wanted to be an actress, so deception is in his blood.

As for me, I think Corey Sifter is in love from the minute he met the Metarey family: The father, Liam, his wife June and daughters Christian and Clara. (A son, Andy, is away but Corey couldn't help but find him utterly likeable and approachable when he returns for visits) It might seem his love is only for one or both of the Metarey girls, but it is in fact for the entire Metarey clan. He views Liam Metarey as a second father and is taken in by their lifestyle and the excitement surrounding the Metareys. Their life is in many ways a one hundred and eighty degree turn around from the simple, unexciting existence he's lived as an only child with his parents for the past 16 years. Working for the Metareys, Corey handles responsibilities from chores on the estate to driving prominent guests, not the least of whom was Senator Bonwiller. He is so enamored that he spends more time with them than with his own family, more by choice than circumstance. As the narrator, Corey reflects, saying:

"In the Spring of 1971, near the end of my sophomore year in high school, I went to work for the Metarey family. It was a life that took me by such swift surprise, I now realize, that within a very short period of time I'd lost track of where I'd come from. And because of the Metarey's generosity-I call it that, though I could as easily call it their peculiarity, or, as my wife used to say, their nasty sport- because of how the Metarey's let me into their existence, I think I first took it inside myself, at the age of sixteen, that such an existence might someday be mine."

Corey finds out shortly after he begins working for him that Mr. Metarey trusts him to keep his daughter, Christian, safe. While Clara is the outspoken, brash younger daughter, Christian is more tempered, but she had her moments of abandonment that were cause for concern. It impresses Corey when he discovers that Mr. Metarey likes to fix things himself and is good at it, preferring to do so much of the work around the house and on the grounds himself, regardless of his ability to pay someone else to do it.

Corey is also moved to learn how strongly Mr. Metarey believed in him when he secured Corey a spot (and paid his tuition) at the Dunleavy Academy, Mr. Metarey's alma mater. (Mr. Metarey's generosity went beyond Dunleavy by covering a large part of Corey's college tuition.) Metarey is the first adult to treat Corey with trust and the respect befitting a peer, not a teenager. As such, it makes sense Corey doesn't believe Mr. Metarey was involved in any unsavory business or behaved unethically, no matter how strongly the evidence suggests. It's heady stuff for Corey as he realized that a powerful and prestigious man like Mr. Metarey feels so strongly about him. One wonders, is Metarey manipulating Corey by paying for his education? It certainly seems possible, while at the same time it's also plausible he loved Corey like a son simply because he saw a lot of himself in Corey.

Politics is, by nature, a nasty sport. One should expect wheeling and dealing, unattractive alliances and/or unsavory behavior from politicians, their cronies and their supporters. If Corey is unaware of this proclivity, it would follow that he couldn't believe Liam Metarey behaved in any less than exemplary fashion, or assisted anyone who behaved unethically. So, as Corey matures and sees the real nature of politics, he finds himself torn: if he admits that Liam Metarey acted with less than the highest moral regard for the law, he will then have to face his own involvement in the scandal, no matter how minor or how naive he was at the time that he was manipulated. Corey's dilemma is made all the more difficult as the depth of his loyalty and respect for Liam Metarey becomes apparent. Even as an adult and newspaper journalist, he is reluctant to admit that the man who had as much an impact on his life as his own father, had any part in the Bonwiller scandal.

It is his role as a father, more than anything else, that forces Corey to reflect honestly on the scandal. Events such as the death of Bonwiller (the story begins at his funeral), his father's failing health and the prying questions of Trieste, a new student intern at the newspaper (a fascinating character in her own right with an engrossing family as well) converge and Corey thinks:

"That all one's deeds- those of honor and those of duplicity and those of veniality and those of ruin- that all one's deeds live doubly."

He believes that everything he does, good and bad, impacts not just him but his children equally. He knows his children deserve the truth, especially since Liam Metarey's life is part of his daughters' lineage. (He and his wife have four girls. To divulge the identity of his wife here would constitute a "spoiler".)

Realizing this, Corey wants to understand, as clearly as possible, those events from so long ago for the sake of his daughters as well as for his father. He has come to know and better understand his father (and his now-deceased mother) whom he loves very much, as he learns truths about them that he was completely unaware of as a sixteen year- old boy. Just as one wonders about how much of the scandal Corey remained willfully ignorant, one also might wonder the same about his parents' lives and their decisions regarding Corey's future.

The author does a wonderful job painting the details of the pain and difficulties, joys and sorrows that make up Corey's journey from the 16 year old working class boy to the successful journalist and publisher, father and husband he becomes. He does this while pulling off the difficult trick of taking fictional characters and placing them among real people and events in America's history. He weaves history and fiction seamlessly together: Senator Bonwiller vies for the nomination of the Democratic party against Muskie and Humphrey. President Richard Nixon is in office. The Vietnam War rages and affects the people of Corey's town, making this era of our collective history a very real part of the story, not just background.

June Metarey, the wife of Liam Metarey, is an interesting and quirky character, a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind and spends most mornings flying her open cockpit biplane, Aberdeen Red. She is under no illusions about politics, Senator Bonwiller or her husband's position as Senator Bonwiller's campaign manager. She's one of the first to hint (in Corey's presence) that all is not well in the world of Henry Bonwiller. But, much to the reader' detriment, Canin doesn't divulge much about Mrs. Metarey, either her past or present . In fact, women seem to be peripheral characters in America America, and that seems to me to be the most disappointing aspect of the story. I would have liked to know more about several of the other female characters like Corey’s mother, not to mention the Metarey sisters. Canin, for my taste, hints at too much, when the plain spelling out of things would serve the reader better. There is such a thing as too much subtlety.

Ethan Canin has written a rich, complex story about power, loyalty, love, corruption and relationships. The style of “America America” is somewhat reminiscent of Richard Russo, (one of my favorite authors) in that it is set in a small town during a pivotal time in America and spans generations. America is changing on scales both small and large. Changes that profoundly affect the main characters. It is a beautifully written, compelling story that is difficult to put down but the reader would do well to read it slowly, savoring its depths and nuances.