Reading like it's my job #10 - Take 2: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Lonesome Dove
I'm finding it harder and harder to "read like it's my job" when my actual job is getting busier. This is not a complaint (I rather enjoy my real job) nor an excuse, but an opportunity to prioritize reading and writing over other less meaningful ways of relaxing after a long day. Alright, enough 'taters, let's get to the meat!
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Image source: Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7770354
It is quite impressive to win a Newbery Medal, even more so to win two. Only 6 authors have done it, and Ms. Konigsburg is one of them. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was her first book to be awarded. Published in 1967, it chronicles the adventures of Claudia and Jamie Kincaid who run away from home and hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. While there, they stumble on the mystery of a marble angel statue and determine to solve it.
The sibling banter won me over immediately. Claudia and Jamie are witty and clever and my 12-year-old self wanted to be there with them. They have character traits worthy of emulation as well as fears that are relatable. The mystery of the statue keeps the story moving along until we eventually meet the charming and eccentric Mrs. Frankweiler herself. She provides the children (and reader) with wisdom and answers, though both are a little mixed-up and require additional sleuthing.
This would be a fun one to read with a kid and 7 or 8 might be the right age to make the first attempt. I want my 13 year old niece and 10 year old nephew to read it and hear what they think. It feels timeless, although today's kids will ask why the parents didn’t just track their kid’s cellphones. I mean, how easy was it to run away in the 60’s? That’s the problem with kids these days – they can’t run away like they used to!
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
The epic Western of westerns, Lonesome Dove takes place in the 1870s and follows a group of cowboys on a cattle drive. Simple premise, but the story is told such that you get inside the minds and motivations of each character and their conflicting values create a rich tension. I'm excited to see where it goes (although you can see from the picture that I've barely scratched the surface).
This book has been a delight to listen to on my work commute. Lee Horsley, the narrator of the audio book, has a particular way of performing each character and I especially like his portrayal of Gus McCrae: Constantly half-yelling, subtle drawl, and embodying the care-free nature of the character. It will likely be the voice I hear if I ever pick up and read the book itself. It will also be the voice I hear in my head if I ever get too uptight ("Now you go on an' settle down there Kahl...")
Thanks for reading, dear friends. I hope you are finding time for books and if you are, pray tell me about it!
Kyle