Lisa Ann Sandell writes novels for young adults that stand out both for their format (her first two books are written in verse) and subject. The Weight of the Sky is a contemporary novel about a teenage girl visiting Israel, and discovering the truth about herself and life in a nation perpetually at war, while her new book, Song of the Sparrow, revisits the legendary King Arthur from the perspective of Elaine of Ascolat, who was immortalized as the Lady of Shalott. I reviewed each of Lisa's books in my Bookslut column and was also delighted to interview her last month for the Winter Blog Blast Tour. Here are her thoughts after seeing John William Waterhouse's 1888 painting, "The Lady of Shalott", which inspired her to write Sparrow:
In it a young woman—the lady of Shalott—sits in a boat, cushioned by a lush tapestry, her long red hair flowing down around her white gown. On her face there's this look that stopped me; it's a look of haunted sorrow, but in some way, it's serene, as though she has come to terms with an awful fate that awaits her. It's gloomy, but not depressing,which fit the weather and my mood at the time. I fell in love with that painting. When I got home, I went back to my books of Arthurian legend and read about the character Elaine of Ascolat, on whom the painting is based. There was something fundamentally unfair about how she was cursed and doomed to die for no other reason than her naive love for Sir Lancelot. She stayed with me through the years, as I always wished I could give her a better story, a better ending.
And now Lisa Ann Sandell's favorite reads this year:
All around, this was a wonderful year for books and for my own, private reading.
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan: An extraordinarily charming story full of grace and heartbreak. I can't help but compare it to a perfect pearl. It's just perfect in itself.
The Uncommon Reader, a novella by Alan Bennett: This story about the Queen of England becoming a reader is just wonderful. Bennett describes her world opening up in such a marvelous and nuanced way that really touched me as a writer and a reader. Oh, to reach someone like that! This story perfectly captures the reasons why writing for young adults is so rewarding—because they're so much more open than most adults to letting their worlds expand this way.
Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje: Like all of Michael Ondaatje's novels, this one is lyrical and poetic and beautiful. He paints his stories and characters alive. This is a rare and precious gem.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie: Wow, I don't even know where to begin. This book is one of the best I've ever read. I can only echo what has already been written about it, but I was laughing and crying (sometimes at the same time) on the subway, on the street—I couldn't put it down and sometimes read while I walked (which is tricky to do in New York City!). Junior's story is familiar in many ways, but told in such a fresh and moving and captivating way, it feels brand new. Although the details of Junior's life are quite specific to Indian life on (and off) the reservation, Mr. Alexie has written a story that is wholly universal and that captures the full spectrum of the human experience. Just beautiful.
Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie: Okay, so I have a giant crush on Sherman Alexie now, and am scrambling to read everything he's written, but it's all good, because the man can write. There is a sort of subtle magic at the root of this story, in the guitar of Robert Johnson. The characters are quirky, but they remain so very human in their quirkiness. Next on my list is The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, which I probably should have read first.
Phaedrus by Plato: I'll admit it took me about three weeks to read this seventy-page work, but once I finished, I realized how glad I was that I'd taken my time with it. At first this dialogue seems to be simply a discourse on love—which is interesting in itself. But the piece evolves into an exploration of how we communicate, which was just fascinating.
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman: I reread the His Dark Materials trilogy in its entirety, really, but The Subtle Knife is my favorite. It's an incredible work, sophisticated and provocative and fascinating, a remarkable read. This trilogy is a magnificent accomplishment, and one that deserves to live in the pantheon of great works.
The Winter Room by Gary Paulsen: I must 'fess up: At first, I only read this novel, because I am editing a paperback reprint of it. Seriously, though, I wouldn't ordinarily write about a book I work on as an editor (conflict of interest and all that), but holy cow, this book is amazing. It was a Newbery Honor book, so it's not unsung, but it's not "sung" enough, to my mind. I cried and laughed out loud—when I think about the scene where Eldon's brother tries to jump out the window onto the horse's back and the way he lands flat on his back, I snort and shake with laughter. People in my office think I'm weird because of it. This is a gorgeous, subtle book that is quiet in its power. Sublime.
King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography by Chris Crutcher: The title says it all. This book is hilarious and poignant and heartbreaking and so true.
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These all sound so good! I just finished reading Ondaatje's memoir, Running in the Family, and enjoyed it a great deal. I also reviewed his novel about jazz legend Buddy Bolden, Coming Through Slaughter, for Voices of NOLA last month and was very impressed. I like his unique style and it works for me. I totally need to check out Divisadero. I've also been hearing quiet rumblings about The Uncommon Reader and have just added it to my list for 2008; I'm quite intrigued by what Alan Bennett has tried to do with this idea and from Lisa's comments it sounds like he succeeds on all counts.
As for my thoughts on Sherman Alexie - well, I've already posted on why The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is one of my favorite reads of the year. The book is also reviewed in my column this month.
Back tomorrow with Jason Rodriguez and a list of graphic novel recommendations.
