I was gone. Now I am back. And while I was gone I read OLD books; two by G. K. Chesterton and two by L. M. Montgomery - because I visited Prince Edward Island on my travels.
Chesterton's books were full of the politics of the Empire and, since they were pre-WWII, some of the reasoning seemed very Old Boy network. Still, they were intriguing looks into a mindset that is probably better done away with.
Montgomery's books were full of light and cheerfulness - as is her wont. The first, Pat of Sugar Bush, ended as if there would be more to the story. And I hope there is, somewhere. The other, A Tangled Web, was written for adults and read like a daytime soap opera. Six or more couples, friends and lovers, struggle to find out what went wrong - or how to connect - or whatever. The last line in the book is a glaringly racist remark and soured things for me. But I recognize the time period and context and just wish people were more thoughtful. I enjoyed the book except for that.
Obviously, I enjoyed L. M. Montgomery's books more than Chesterton's. I don't even remember the names of Chesterton's books, oh wait, The Man Who Knew Too Much, was one title. That book was upsetting because the hero of the short stories finds himself letting felons go unpunished for the good of the Empire - in every single instance. Also, some anti-semitic rhetoric in one story made me cringe.
Oh well, I came home to Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt. I will read it and let you know what I think.
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