6 Degrees of Separation

I don't know where the time goes. Reading your blog posts I realise it is time again for a 6 Degrees of Separation, hosted by Books Are My Favourite And Best. This month starts with the book Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. I have not heard about the book and thus, not read it. "Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico blends poignant romance and bittersweet wit. " Sounds like an interesting read, just what I like. It will be added to my to read list.

Being about cooking, my first thought goes to The Dinner by Herman Koch.  It is about a family
drama where two brothers with their wives meet up for dinner to discuss what their sons have been up to. A drama slowly evolves and it keeps you in suspense to the very end, what the sons have really done.

Thinking of family dramas I opt for The Go-Between by L.P. Harley and one of my favourite books. Leo is invited to his best friend Marcus' manor house and during the summer he is the go-between for Marcus' sister and her lover. The act has unexpected consequences.

Another family drama of a different kind is The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller. Lizzie Borden is accused of having killed her father and step-mother. Miller let us follow the facts and the trial following the deed. It is up to you if you think she was guilty of not.

Family relations is also the theme in Sebastian Barry's The Temporary Gentleman. Here we meet Jack McNulty in Ghana in 1957. He is a former UN observer whose mission is over. He is dreading going back to Ireland and the life he used to lead. He reflects on his life and failed marriage and his failings as a father. As always with Sebastian Barry a wonderful read and reflections on life.

When talking about family relations I cannot escape Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann. A fantastic epic family saga with wonderful prose. You are drawn into the family and its rise and fall from the first page.

That takes me to the last book and to a master of family relations, Alice Munro and her There Is Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You.  Short stories of different women, their relations, expectations and turn out of life. Interesting!

Well, I ended up with books on family relations, going from Mexico, to the Netherlands, England, USA, Ghana/Ireland, Germany and Canada. Quite international, and it just shows that family relations is a topic everywhere. It also makes for fascinating reading.