November 28, 2006

Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures

I’m not sure if it’s common to race to the end of a short story collection, but last night there I was, way up past bedtime reading Vincent Lam’s Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures (winner of this year’s Giller Prize). I wasn’t expecting to find this book enthralling; it had been pitched like an episode of ER. But Lam’s stories work, they really do, and they are connected in a way that provides this collection with a gripping narrative arc.

I’ve mentioned before that I find literature about science interesting, but the science wasn’t what hooked me here. I think more so, I appreciated a glimpse into the consciousness of a scientist, or more-interestingly, the aspiring scientist– the student desperate to get into med school. I knew people like this in university and Lam has provided good insight into their motivations and mindset with Ming’s character in the story “How to Get Into Medical School Part 1”. Her portrayal is so convincing, and at once sympathetic and awful, but this effectiveness is also the product of a well constructed short story. Similarly, in the story “Winston”, a patient’s mental health problems cast a mesmerizing spell and the twist at the end was shocking, particularly in the context of a dry and measured medical account. Purple birds do appear throughout this book in some of the most surprising places. I loved the SARS story “Contact Tracing”, which was full of action, suspense and human emotion. Not one story here could have been considered a dud, though a few did begin to drag a bit before they ended.

I had a problem with the didacticism of the text, however. Suggested by the book’s title and chapter titles beginning with “How to…”, but I didn’t take these clues all that seriously. Here we have a book of stories, I thought. I can read stories, and I did, and though it was about a world somewhat unfamiliar to me, I trusted my intelligence enough to fill in the blanks and get the gists. And then at the end of the book, I was gutted to find a “Glossary of Terms”. Seemed somehow patronizing, and unnecessary. I wasn’t reading this text as a tool, and I don’t think stories require indices usually. The stories should stand well enough on their own (and they do), but the inclusion of a glossary suggests Lam is second-guessing that they do, or he is second-guessing my own ability to read his stories without assistance.

I suspect, however, that the glossary is provided to emphasise this collection’s unique pigeonhole: from the point of view of an emergency room physician. Though it is notable that such an emphasis had previously led me to dismiss this book pre-reading as gimmicky and perhaps dull. And I was wrong. Here is a work of literature; they could be about the lives of doctors or dustbins, but these are stories and they’re good. Perhaps what was most disappointing about the “Glossary of Terms” was that I had figured I had a whole other story still ahead, and then was unhappy to find the book so suddenly done. Which does say something about the collection Lam has managed to create.

November 26, 2006

News Fun

I was so happy I bought The Globe yesterday, and I enjoyed the feature on the marvelous Mavis Gallant, and The Globe 100 Books (which I can’t find online). Here for Guardian Books of the Year. And I loved this profile of Ursula Franklin. Now, there’s work to be done.

November 26, 2006

Weekend Update

I am no longer very sick, but have completely lost my appetite. Anything other than mango sorbet makes me want to die. In spite of this, I have had a lovely weekend. On Thursday, we hit the echolocation launch, which was well attended and good fun. I was sorry not to have been feeling more alive. Friday, we had a Prose Board meeting, selected four stories from 79 and I am thrilled with what we chose. I also got to send out the acceptances, which was quite cool because I knew they’d be making a day or two. Friday night was Stuart’s birthday party in Chinatown, and we had to squeeze twelve around the table and it was unfortunate that I’d gone off food because the food was wonderful. I was content with my chickenballs. And so lovely to see so many friends at once. Yesterday, I had lunch with my dear dear Paul, who is in town for just a few days. We had a brilliant time, and I was excited to hear about his upcoming adventure: he’s going traveling in Asia for six months come January. Last night Stuart and I went to his birthday fete down on Queen Street, and we had a very nice time, and it was a perfect night for walking anyway. And now it is Sunday and I am doing schoolwork, etc. and hopefully I will feel good about what I have accomplished by the end of the day. I also feel like baking peanut butter cookies. So perhaps I will.

November 25, 2006

Gig Songs- Update

I am compiling a list of songs about live performances. So far, the list is short. I’ve got:
Woodstock: Joni Mitchell
Rock and Roll Song: Valdy
Garden Party: Rick Nelson
Piano Man: Billy Joel
Killing Me Softly: Roberta Flack
Super Trouper: Abba (thanks CG)
Don’t Play That Song: Aretha Franklin (thanks KM)
By the Way: Red Hot Chili Peppers (thanks C-Dawg)

Who else can help? Anyone? Anyone? (By which I mean you, Bueller. Oh, and you too.)

November 24, 2006

The Murdermobile Swept Clean

I’ve written before about The Murdermobile, the rather dodgy vehicle that parks around my neighbourhood and drives through my nightmares. But never have I been confronted with a scene as blatantly murderous as this one! Yes, now we know the Murdermobile is not self-propelled and has a driver, which is much less interesting than our original speculations, but that she-driver is no less murderous than her mobile! And I’ve captured her in this photo, equipped with a broom, obviously destroying the evidence of her latest spree!

November 23, 2006

My baby works on Bay Street

We’ve been prolific here today, but cannot be silenced before we release the biggest news yet. But first, the little news. That I am baking a cake this afternoon and I have never yet baked a chocolate cake from scratch that failed to explode. Moreover, that Stuart’s PR card arrived in the post yesterday. But mostofallso, the news we’ve been keeping under our hats for weeks now just in case it didn’t fly, but now it’s safe to let it loose. Stuart’s position at the small financial firm he’s been working for for the past month is going permanent. Because they love him. It’s a fantastic opportunity with a group that’s small enough that he’ll be able to do all kinds of things, learn new skills and have opportunities for advancement in cool directions. It’s the chance he’s been waiting for, and we feel very lucky that he came across it. I feel very lucky to have a husband that comes with an assured paycheque. And luckiest of all, he’s very happy there, which is so important. I am very proud of him. Happy Birthday Proper!

November 23, 2006

She doing things like havin her boys come from her neighborhood

I just finished knitting the final scarf of the season. See it over at Now Doing.

November 23, 2006

I miss English pop culture

The Beatles, U2, Westlife and Oasis are vying for the top spot on the UK album chart this week. Elton John has been forced to back Westlife due to a dispute over milk. The Sun is excited. Tesco sales are expected to tip the scales in Westlife’s favour. Which is sort of unfortunate. Oh, but I am on the edge of me seat.

November 23, 2006

Fun at the Guardians Books Blog, and elsewhere.

My favourite blog Maud Newton has had a makeover! Fun stuff at the GBB- is it wrong to throw old books away? I now make a point of pruning my shelves twice a year, and any books I don’t love go to the Vic Book Sale or to someone I know who just might love it. In spite of this editing of my collection, the collection continues to grow but at a rate that is partially manageable (ie we only needed to get one new bookcase last year). On how to sell a book by its cover, namely call it after a penguin.? On favouritizing books, and oh I wouldn’t know where to start. On poetry reading misgivings. Lionel Shriver comments. Honours for Bookstart, which is the organization in the world I most want to work for.

November 23, 2006

Dreams are boring but…

last night I had a bookish nightmare! I dreamt that I somehow ended up with a copy of this rather controversial book, and didn’t know what to do with it. I didn’t want to give it away as then people would know I owned it, I didn’t want to sell it as that would be unethical, I couldn’t just throw it out because I didn’t want to be responsible for that filth in the world, and I couldn’t have kept it because then I would have been turned into a pillar of salt. Dilemma was solved by the alarm clock, I think.

Now reading Tristram Shandy, which I am enjoying actually, but I think it’s gonna be a long long time.