One Summer was a quick read, but not my favorite book of all time. In fact, I am not even sure I really liked it. It depressed me from the start, straight through to the end. And even though some would argue that the book had a happy ending, I didn't feel happy at the end. I was actually a bit glad that it was over. I always like to take something away from the books that I read and the moral, if you will, of this one I already know (from living life and from reading other books) and think about often. So, I guess maybe that my real issue with this book is that it covers topics that have been done before. It's really nothing new.
The book opens with Jack dying of some sort of terminal illness, hoping that he will last through Christmas. In a bizarre turn of events, he lives and thrives (but something even sadder happens to get him to this point) and attempts to rebuild his life with his three children. While Jack is ultimately successful, there are ups and downs along the way, and he does manage to be happy and to make his kids happy.
Great. But sad. So very sad that in order to get to where they are so much sadness had to be felt and overcome.
The moral of the story, if there is one, is that life is just life. We can't control it and we have to make the best of what comes our way. It can change in an instant, so make sure that the ones you love know it on a daily basis. Live carefully, but no so carefully that you don't actually enjoy life. Not being cynical or anything, but this seems to be the moral of a lot of stories these days. Or maybe because I am getting older, I seem to read books where the main characters are reflecting on life as much as I do.
So, what I am choosing to take away from this book (and I positive that it would be the hardest conversation I would ever have to have), is the reminder that I want Rob to be happy if and when, God forbid, something would take me away from life before him and without him. I want him to be happy and if that means finding someone new to love and to share his life with, then that's what I want him to do without ever feeling guilty for a second. I would want my girls to know of this wish, too, so that they could support him as he moves forward. I can only hope and pray that this is not a conversation I have to have anytime soon. But perhaps I need to let him know, just in case. Life is unpredictable. Maybe it's better that he knows.
So, I am off to read JK Rowling's newest book The Cuckoo's Calling, the one she wrote under a pseudonym. I'm proud of her for writing on her own and for trying to conceal her identity. She must feel a lot of pressure. I can't even imagine what it's like to have written Harry Potter as a first effort. That's a lot for subsequent titles to live up to. I'm very excited to begin reading!
Happy reading everyone!
:)Dodie
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