Truth and Lies in The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Maybe because of what I posted below, I just couldn't face this book to the end. It is a visual book... maybe sensual is the right word because it is so well written that I felt I could almost feel and smell the dust, destruction, decomposition and all the horrors of the apocalyptic society that McCarthy describes.

The book made me think. I was glad to get some input from Elisa that helped to direct my thinking. This book reminded me of Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies which were required reading when I was in school. I hated those books and have always felt that they were lies. People aren't that ugly, selfish or horrid... not all of them.

Think of 9/11 when NYC firefighters climbed flights of stairs they would never descend to save strangers they had never met. I see selfless acts of kindness in my neighborhood everyday. Simple kindness makes scenarios described in all of these books an impossibility... a lie.

But, maybe these books should be read as a cautionary tale. For if all kindness and selflessness is gone... the bleak scenes in all these books would surely become reality.

Thanks Elisa for a brave choice that made me think about not just this book, but many others.

At Home in Mitford...

If you haven't had the chance to listen to these books on tape... do. They are lovely; really sweet to listen to. John McDonough does such a fantastic job reading these books so fantastic in fact that you get the sense of the characters so much you feel like they really are your neighbors.. people you see everyday.

Every once in a while, a book like this is a must. Full of faith and optomism, they are the perfect foil to the rantings of TV journalists who spew forth doom and destruction at every turn. Sometimes the spirit just needs a break.

I personally have been exhausted by the gloom of the past weeks. I hope the congress can get their act together and we can get this financial mess sorted or atleast begin sorting it. I couldn't even make myself watch the VP debates last night... This election, while extremely important has lasted an eternity.

If you are feeling like me, a mini vacation to Mitford is just the thing. These books are perfect with a basket full of ironing and a cold drink.