I don’t even know what brouhaha you’re talking about, which partly makes me feel out of the loop but also reminds me that this week I had the realisation that since getting off IG and cutting back a lot on Substack, I simply do not care any more about stuff like the trad wives debate. I get that it has real life consequences, and especially in the US there are potential political ramifications, but it just doesn’t affect my life and it does zero favours to my faith life to care whether someone thinks I need to know how to bake sourdough to be a good Catholic. It’s so boring to bang the “I got off IG!!!” drum but I have to say it has really made it easier to be Catholic in this regard.
Barbara Pym 4eva ❤️ saving that article for later and will definitely hop on any biography!
Gina, you give me so much hope that the world doesn't actually revolve around American Twitter fads! Praise God! I have such little time for the trad wives stuff because I just straight up find it stupid and obnoxious that I just don't think about it. And maybe that's bad because there needs to be a more concerted response, but then I just get back to the fact that if people are falling for this stuff they're so badly educated that can I really help them at this point???
The Women - oh my gosh! I am writing a study guide on it for work, so I can’t put it in the past but it drove me crazy! And I really like KH’s historical (but not her domestic) fiction. Maybe if I hadn’t taken a class in Vietnam lit in grad school it wouldn’t have bugged me as much, but there’s nothing original in there. Like… nothing. And Vietnam lit has been written by actual vets who have first hand experience so if you aren’t going to add anything new or add any depth, just don’t do it!
Oh, Amanda I bet your study guide would be so good! I am sure I would enjoy it more than the book itself! I haven't read a ton of Vietnam lit, or studied a ton about the war itself, but what she had in the book itself honestly just read to me as stereotype after stereotype. If you go on Goodreads people are acting like she's the first person to ever write about the Vietnam War! It just makes me shake my head. I mean, for crying out loud, Vietnam vets are alive and well right now, we should understand and know more about their experiences than this!
The Ghost Keeper. I just cannot lol! Completely agree about the ridiculous switching of narration and the pacing. Also, the (female) author did such a poor job writing Josef as a man and as an Austrian Jew living in that era. My book club got an earful from me, for better or worse, because while it definitely had potential as a story, the execution was rough.
Yes, I think it shows that she is a new, young author. I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t like it. It was just … meh. And as I said to my book club girls, “Another!!WW2 novel?!”
But yes, I think you’re right that the pacing is just off.
I think it let to good discussion at the very least which was good. Haha, I said above that I don't mind if WRM lets in a few less than perfect novels because I think for readers who only read WRM titles they do need a little more experience in non-perfect books! It can't just be masterpiece after masterpiece, there needs to be some variety so that these readers who only read one book a month actually can recognize the difference between classic and a regular novel!
Yes, I definitely agree. I think it was a decent story but failed technically. I think we had a good discussion from it though, which is always the sign that a book isn't completely bad. It was her debut and written based off stories she wrote in school, so I think it really suffered from just inexperience, and with a stronger editor would have been better. I didn't hate Josef as much as everyone else seems to, but I have a high tolerance for unlikable characters!
I had the same problems with The Ghost Keeper. That book bugged me so much but everyone else in my book club were defending it. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thought it had some major flaws!
My group widely panned it, so I sorta felt bad for being so harsh. I had the biggest problems with its structure and pacing while most everyone else said the biggest problem was her unlikable main character. But I don’t mind unlikable main characters as much as I mind annoying pacing. I would give her second book a shot, I think this was definitely a debut effort but she has potential!
Haha, I don't think I passionately disliked it as many other readers did, I essentially found it technically not great. It was a debut novel based off of some things she workshopped in school, so I think it was a decent first attempt? I don't get as hung up on unlikeable characters as most people do, so I didn't despise the main character as much. I also give WRM a hard time a lot, but honestly their book lists are really solid and I don't think this book was completely "bad" especially after having a good discussion about it. And is it bad for me for the people in WRM who only read WRM books to get a more varied experience? They need to read some not so great books so that they appreciate so many great ones that are on the lists!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 So well said. Thank you, Christy. It applies not just to internet brouhahas but also real life ones as well. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and stop freaking out about everything. And develop a sense of humor!
Oh, definitely real life. That I need to remind myself of probably every single day. I don't want to sound like I'm perfect at this because depending on the day I could be enraged about anything. It also really goes back to Finding and Maintaining Peace book...which really has something to say to us everyday as well. Basically I'm plagiarizing him.
I also am very exhausted by the inability to resist extremes. Every response has to be an extreme. There is so little nuance or actual understanding on anything anymore it is so frustrating. But thank you, Leigh!
I don’t even know what brouhaha you’re talking about, which partly makes me feel out of the loop but also reminds me that this week I had the realisation that since getting off IG and cutting back a lot on Substack, I simply do not care any more about stuff like the trad wives debate. I get that it has real life consequences, and especially in the US there are potential political ramifications, but it just doesn’t affect my life and it does zero favours to my faith life to care whether someone thinks I need to know how to bake sourdough to be a good Catholic. It’s so boring to bang the “I got off IG!!!” drum but I have to say it has really made it easier to be Catholic in this regard.
Barbara Pym 4eva ❤️ saving that article for later and will definitely hop on any biography!
Gina, you give me so much hope that the world doesn't actually revolve around American Twitter fads! Praise God! I have such little time for the trad wives stuff because I just straight up find it stupid and obnoxious that I just don't think about it. And maybe that's bad because there needs to be a more concerted response, but then I just get back to the fact that if people are falling for this stuff they're so badly educated that can I really help them at this point???
The Women - oh my gosh! I am writing a study guide on it for work, so I can’t put it in the past but it drove me crazy! And I really like KH’s historical (but not her domestic) fiction. Maybe if I hadn’t taken a class in Vietnam lit in grad school it wouldn’t have bugged me as much, but there’s nothing original in there. Like… nothing. And Vietnam lit has been written by actual vets who have first hand experience so if you aren’t going to add anything new or add any depth, just don’t do it!
Oh, Amanda I bet your study guide would be so good! I am sure I would enjoy it more than the book itself! I haven't read a ton of Vietnam lit, or studied a ton about the war itself, but what she had in the book itself honestly just read to me as stereotype after stereotype. If you go on Goodreads people are acting like she's the first person to ever write about the Vietnam War! It just makes me shake my head. I mean, for crying out loud, Vietnam vets are alive and well right now, we should understand and know more about their experiences than this!
The Ghost Keeper. I just cannot lol! Completely agree about the ridiculous switching of narration and the pacing. Also, the (female) author did such a poor job writing Josef as a man and as an Austrian Jew living in that era. My book club got an earful from me, for better or worse, because while it definitely had potential as a story, the execution was rough.
Yes, I think it shows that she is a new, young author. I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t like it. It was just … meh. And as I said to my book club girls, “Another!!WW2 novel?!”
But yes, I think you’re right that the pacing is just off.
I think it let to good discussion at the very least which was good. Haha, I said above that I don't mind if WRM lets in a few less than perfect novels because I think for readers who only read WRM titles they do need a little more experience in non-perfect books! It can't just be masterpiece after masterpiece, there needs to be some variety so that these readers who only read one book a month actually can recognize the difference between classic and a regular novel!
Yes, I definitely agree. I think it was a decent story but failed technically. I think we had a good discussion from it though, which is always the sign that a book isn't completely bad. It was her debut and written based off stories she wrote in school, so I think it really suffered from just inexperience, and with a stronger editor would have been better. I didn't hate Josef as much as everyone else seems to, but I have a high tolerance for unlikable characters!
I had the same problems with The Ghost Keeper. That book bugged me so much but everyone else in my book club were defending it. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thought it had some major flaws!
My group widely panned it, so I sorta felt bad for being so harsh. I had the biggest problems with its structure and pacing while most everyone else said the biggest problem was her unlikable main character. But I don’t mind unlikable main characters as much as I mind annoying pacing. I would give her second book a shot, I think this was definitely a debut effort but she has potential!
Totally agree about The Ghost Keeper! Haha I found myself feeling very bitter that it made it onto the WRM book list this year!
Haha, I don't think I passionately disliked it as many other readers did, I essentially found it technically not great. It was a debut novel based off of some things she workshopped in school, so I think it was a decent first attempt? I don't get as hung up on unlikeable characters as most people do, so I didn't despise the main character as much. I also give WRM a hard time a lot, but honestly their book lists are really solid and I don't think this book was completely "bad" especially after having a good discussion about it. And is it bad for me for the people in WRM who only read WRM books to get a more varied experience? They need to read some not so great books so that they appreciate so many great ones that are on the lists!
I think everyone needs their eyes on Jesus, you are right.
Speaking of Vietnam lit, have you read Alice McDermott’s Absolution? Stunning!!
Also, which Barbara Pym should I start with?
Absolution has been on my TBR for so long, and I just have not gotten to it, but I typically really love McDermott's writing!
I would start with Excellent Women, it's her masterpiece but it hooks you like an Austen novel it is so well done. Then you just want to keep reading!
I’ll check it out. :)
And Absolution is masterful! Highly recommend.
I'm sure I'm coming at this from a different set of thoughts or readings, but it was a very helpful read for me this week. Thank you!
Thanks Libby!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 So well said. Thank you, Christy. It applies not just to internet brouhahas but also real life ones as well. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and stop freaking out about everything. And develop a sense of humor!
Oh, definitely real life. That I need to remind myself of probably every single day. I don't want to sound like I'm perfect at this because depending on the day I could be enraged about anything. It also really goes back to Finding and Maintaining Peace book...which really has something to say to us everyday as well. Basically I'm plagiarizing him.
Such a great refreshing take. Thanks Cristy!! I really miss your podcast but love reading your writing regularly!
Currently drinking a Mai Tai ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recommend
Aw, thanks Diana, that is so kind! I love Mai Tais! So many great memories of Hawaii and Mai Tais for me!
Thank you for this dose of common sense. I have been pondering this truth lately: Men will fail you; God never will.
I also am very exhausted by the inability to resist extremes. Every response has to be an extreme. There is so little nuance or actual understanding on anything anymore it is so frustrating. But thank you, Leigh!
Christy, this is one of your very best posts. I loved it! ❤️
Thank you, Tracy! That's so sweet!