The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Authors: E. Lockhart
Pages: 352
Publisher: Hyperion (2008)



Review:

“She asked herself: If I were in charge, how could I have done it better?” (p. 86)

Picture an elitist boarding school, full of timeless traditions that exclude a certain percentage of the student body. Include a secret society of students, who exercise their power by doing silly pranks and proving their popularity. Add in a quirky, talented girl who isn’t going to stand for any of it – most particularly her boyfriend’s involvement.

On the surface, the story of Frankie Landau-Banks seems to be a great comedy, with excellent gags and wonderful comedic timing. Nonetheless, you can still find an interesting depth and analysis of certain elements of culture you might never have thought to question previously. The characters are three-dimensional in their own way, and Frankie herself shines through with a strength that I’m sure will someday lead her to change the world.

You know exactly what is going to happen from the very beginning, due to two main factors: expert use of foreshadowing and a misplaced prologue. To me, this stylistic maneuver proves that, as in many situations, what matters isn’t the end result, but how you get there. Expect to learn a few new words, and laugh out loud at the grammar in the story. My personal word of the day is schadenfreude (pleasure obtained from others’ misfortunes), which I am planning on using next chance I get.

Regardless of whether you laugh at the situations presented in the book (I can assure you that I did), you will probably remember at least a few of the ideas presented in it. You might even be interested in reading about the panopticon and wondering how it applies to your own life. Just that makes the book a worthy read (deliberately ignoring the hours of fun you’ll get out of it).

Keturah and Lord Death

Title: Keturah and Lord Death
Authors: Martine Leavitt
Pages: 216
Publisher: Front Street (2006)



Review:

"The right to choose is man’s great gift, but one thing is not his to choose – the time and means of death." (p. 162)

Last time I picked up Keturah and Lord Death, I finished it a few hours with a wildly beating heart and goosebumps. There has been no significant change the second time around – it’s quite determined to cause tachycardia, even three years later.

The book captures the feel of a traditional tale, complete with the morals and the hazy dream-like quality, never dropping it. Anyone who has ever attempted to write in this style will understand exactly how astonishing such a feat truly is, and love it all the more. Better still, the book shines with originality, since what makes it a beautiful tale also serves to make it an atypical novel, sparse and insightful. The strong characters will delight you, the writing will inspire you, and the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There is no more to say, as any summary would take away from the story. Read this book with no preconceived notions, and merely let Keturah enchant you. To sum it up in one word: spellbinding.

The Actor and the Housewife

Title: The Actor and the Housewife
Authors: Shannon Hale
Pages: 339
Publisher: Bloomsbury (2009)



Review:

I’m certain most people have watched a romantic comedy at least once in their lives. So really, as the title implies and to quote this book’s blurb, “Becky’s story of a steadfast housewife and the handsome star is the ultimate romantic fantasy”. And yet, that is such a tremendous lie, that I can’t even begin to describe it (yes, I did take that line out of context).

There is no point in describing the plot, which is – for once – somewhat irrelevant. The characters, however… aye, there’s the rub! First, we have the third person narrator, with such a distinct voice that I feel the need to give him (it?) a heartfelt thumbs up for carrying much of the novel’s weight and giving it a distinct style. Then, we get to more tangible characters: Felix proves his worth as a debonair actor, Becky comes through as a charming and ordinary woman, and her husband – what can I even say about Mike that will describe him? Their relationship is so genuine and real, outside of the glittery Hollywood situations, grounding the book and allowing it to take flight at the same time. Through them, we explore an interesting point: what constitutes infidelity? Can married beings have close friends of the opposite sex?

I must’ve cried a few buckets at certain points during the book (I’ve got somewhat itchy and puffy eyes to stand witness), laughed outright at some other points (there are live witnesses in this case), thought hard about certain issues (my brow is permanently creased, at least until tomorrow), and ultimately sighed at the not-quite fairytale in my hands. Emotions, thoughts, conflict that rages inside the characters: this is what makes the novel stand apart from others and be indefinable in genre.

The religious worldview of Becky Jack, mother of four children, Mormon housewife, might make certain people think twice before picking up this book. See beyond that, and realize that the book’s much more than that. Regardless of how you feel about the ultimate decisions of the characters and the way the story plays out, the feelings expressed there are real, poignant, and moving. You won’t be disappointed, even if you find it too hard to come back to the story very often – I think I’m definitely included in that category.

Which doesn’t mean I won’t keep it on my shelf and cherish it. And when it gets made into a movie, as it should, I’ll be there with popcorn and treats. Scout’s honor.