Taft

Taft by Ann Patchett
Literature

John Nickel manages a bar in Memphis. He was a musician but has gotten a job to prove to his girlfriend, Marion, he can provide for her and their son, Franklin. Marion, however has moved away taking Franklin with her. John now worries that his son is not getting some paternal guidance in his life.

John hires Fay, a young white waitress who lied about her age in order to get the job. Fay has a brother Carl who is into drugs. Fay and Carl's father has recently died of a heart attack and they have come to Memphis to live with their aunt and uncle.

John finds himself consumed with the idea of Taft, Fay and Carl's father and he soon envisions scenes between the family members. In the meantime Fay becomes more and more attracted to John and Carl begins to bring his druggie friends to the bar.

This was a strange book for me with really no satisfying ending. An okay read but nothing special.

The cover is very strange with a baby being thrown in the air. Any parent would know that it is too high and frankly dangerous. Goes in the category of What were they thinking?

First Line: "A girl walked into the bar."

Rating:

(3.5/5)

The Magician's Assistant

Tha Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett
Literature

When Parsifal, a magician, dies his widow Sabine finds out that his family did not die in an accident but are very much alive in Nebraska. This book is like an onion that must be unpeeled layer by layer. Sabine sets out on a path to discover why Parsifal denied his family. With each turn she learns something new, along the way finding out about herself.

Patchett has written a compelling read. I loved how the two dead characters visited her in her dreams.

First Line: "Parsifal is dead."

Rating:

(4.0/5)