What We're Reading:

Current Picks from

the Watermark Staff

Sarah Bagby's book reviews can be heard on alternate Mondays on KMUW 89.1.
Here's a transcript of her most recent review. To listen, go to
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-624666.mp3
 
"The Maytrees" by Annie Dillard (HarperCollins, ISBN 0061239534, $24.95)
 
If you had to choose one book to read this year, "The Maytrees" by Annie Dillard would be a wise choice. The novel encompasses the universe and a person's place in it from the primordial age to the present day, as seen through the prism of Toby and Lou Maytree's fractured marriage. The action of the story explores the obsessive, fleeting and long-lasting nature of love. Ambition and conflict in daily life is incidental to the telling of the story; rather the family is defined by their quest for love and by their need of daily care as they are ultimately escorted into death.
 
Dillard's writing is infused with clever wordplay and humor. It also displays to the reader some of her incredible intellect and ability to reflect on a whole life. "The Maytrees" tells us of both the generous and selfish tendencies of the human heart and will inspire anyone to be as kind and caring as Dillard allows her characters to be.
 
Review by Sarah Bagby, September 20, 2007

 

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