Bric-a-Brack

Darkness Visible – A memoir of madness by William Styron.  This is a frank and painful account of Styron’s sudden descent into depression.  He provides powerful insight into the depth of hopelessness experienced by those suffering from severe depression.  On one hand, he explains that those who have not suffered these ravages simply cannot comprehend how devastating they are…for example, he says that it is wrong and cruel to blame those, such as Camus, who are overwhelmed by depression and take their own lives.  In one very hopeful note, Styron does say that it’s possible to escape depression and actually become cured. 

THINKS…. by David Lodge.  Set in a small university, Lodge tells the story of the interactions and, eventually, relationship between a visiting professor of creative writing and a well-established cognitive neuroscientist who heads an impressive research center.  This was entertaining. But I enjoyed some of Lodge’s previous works in the same vein (see Changing Places!) much more.

Deruta by Elizabeth Minchilli.  This beautiful book celebrates the glorious ceramics produced in  Deruta, Italy, which are featured in gorgeous photographs by Susie Cushner and David Hamilton - just to look at these pictures is to be transported to a sunny day in Italy!  Minchilli describes the history and some of the methodology of ceramics production – this sounds as if it would be a little dry, but Manchilli’s writing is lively and absorbing. 

I recently found Venom House by Arthur Upfield, a Napoleon Bonaparte story I had never read.  Odd and intriguing characters and some unusual action.   I enjoyed it, but it's not among the better Bony mysteries.

I recently received Classic Westerns, a lovely present from Jarek.  I had been wanting to read some Zane Grey (from Zanesville, Ohio!) and enjoyed The Lone Star Ranger and, especially, The Mysterious Rider.  These were strong stories and the descriptions of life on the trail were wonderful.  In reading these books, I was once again struck by a powerful impression I first had many years ago when I read Huckleberry Finn, which is how amazingly abundant wildlife was in America in the 1800's. Hungry?  Drop a line in the Mississippi and catch your dinner in minutes.  Or shoot rabbits, deer or elk.  It is a pleasure to read of that country of abundance and opportunity - and of the men and women who could not only survive, but flourish in the wilderness.