Thursday, September 06, 2007

Lucky


Alice Sebold's Lucky (1999) gives a harrowing account of the author's 1981 rape at Syracuse University. It's a riveting memoir with glimpses of her later life. Ideally, these glimpses will be converted into a second memoir covering the lost years in greater detail. I imagine it would be tough to write, though.


The Lovely Bones (2002), Sebold's second book and first novel, deals with the rape and murder of a teenager. It was a huge bestseller and will soon emerge again in a movie version. In all truth, Lucky is the better book. Sebold (born on this date in 1962) has a new novel coming out -- The Almost Moon (release date: October 16, 2007). Apparently it involves matricide and other relationship "complications."

It's also the birthday of Zelia Nuttall (1857-1933), a skilled linguist and adventurer who devoted much of her time locating and working with ancient Mexican artifacts.


Happy birthday, Naomie Harris!

Today's Rune: Joy.

Birthdays: Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Lafayette (The Marquis de Lafayette), Zelia Nuttall, Jane Addams, Jimmy Reed, Brigid Berlin (Polk), David Allan Coe, Roger Waters, Jane Curtin, Alice Sebold, Rosie Perez, Dolores O’Riordan, Justina Machado, Anika Noni Rose, Nina Persson, Naomie Harris, Foxy Brown (Inga Marchand).

4 comments:

JR's Thumbprints said...

I've been meaning to read "The Lovely Bones," but now I'm thinking of reading her other work first.

Charles Gramlich said...

I've heard many good things about "the lovely bones," but while I don't exactly need a happier book concept, this one is periously close to real life for me.

Unknown said...

you told me you teach Latin America history so probably you like history in general. I can recommend you 2 really good books. "I, Claudius" and "Claudius, the god" by Robert Graves. They are really interesting and they are based on histoical facts.

Cheri said...

I've read both books, and bought them. Loaned the first out to my grandma 2 years ago and haven't seen it since. (That drives me absolutely crazy!)

I look forward to her next book and I'll be able to buy it for myself as a late birthday present. =D