The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier

An interesting historical fiction on the creation of the Cluny tapestries. It was worth reading for the historical aspects but the characters were not as developed as I expected from reviews of Chevalier. The men were flat and the women boring. The whole thing focused on the peccadillo’s of the artist. Not what I would call an inspiring book, but neither a romance novel.

My Sister's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is well written with characters that well thought out, whole, and well-rounded. 3-D. It took a bit to get used to the first person point of view with each chapter told by a different point-of-view for two weeks that totally and completely altered one family. THe ending was a twist, that while I would love to = won't give away. I can say that I was hooked and drawn in, but to be honest wouldn't have read it knowing the ending. Great story-line. Will I read something else by Ms. Picoult? Probably. At least one more.

The Runaway Mother

It’s not often that I find a book that I wish I could afford to buy for everyone. This 71 page book by Carol Lynn Pearson is one of those that I wish I could just buy a case of and pass them out to every woman who doesn’t think she’s doing a good job as a mother.
Let’s face it, only the most perfect among us hasn’t wished that she could do as Alison does and check into a hotel and have a weekend just pampering herself without the kids. We all need to appreciate ourselves and all we do. We all accomplish so much without even realizing it. Do yourself a favor and read this either from the library or buy it for yourself. It’s on sale from the publisher until Mother’s Day.

Harrowing the Dragon

Harrow:

1. A borough of Greater London in southeast England. It is the site of the public school Harrow, founded in 1571
2. A farm implement consisting of a heavy frame with sharp teeth or upright disks, used to break up and even off plowed ground.
3. To break up and level (soil or land) with a harrow
4. To plunder or sack
5. To inflict great distress or torment on.

Both 4 and 5 are applicable in the title story for Patricia McKillip’s Harrowing the Dragon. The town is trapped by winter when they mine the rich gold in trapped in the frozen mountains. Did you know that dragon’s blood is gold? A former resident returns to inform them that the reason they are trapped in the cold is the island is surrounded by a sleeping Ice Dragon and he is there to harrow it into leaving. As in all McKillip stories, there is a twist. This book is a collection of her short stories published previously elsewhere. Some are incredible and leave the reader wanting more (Lady of Skulls) and some are retold fairy tales (The Lion and the Lark, Toad), some are meant to be feasted on and others are light snacks. Like all Patricia McKillip books though, this one is savory and most delicious.

An open letter to Patricia McKillip

I love your work; the texture of your writing is delicious. I’ve been feasting on Harrowing the Dragon and “Lady of the Skulls” keeps haunting me. I keep wondering what happens when a prince returns home with a barmaid formerly known as Lady of the Skulls. She’s not exactly the daughter in law any queen would desire. Now that the coffers are full, would the prince love her or was she just a means to an end? If he’s a younger son, the parents may not disapprove but how will the rest of the court look upon her? How does a barmaid with morals fit into the palace? His friends that are still in the keep, did they survive? How do they feel about a plain woman being the treasure? Do they really believe that she is the treasure and not something that she carried with her? Does she understand that she is a treasure despite the plain face and lowborn past? Do both of them have the strength of character to put up with the whispers from the corners of the court? Is there space and light for flowers in her new home? Will she have time for them? I would love to hear more of her story.