Reading Motivation

Usually I read a book because I want to. Makes sense, right? There were of course those times when I read books in school because I HAD to (I’m looking at you Bleak House) but I suddenly find myself reading a book to earn some brownie points at work. The book is not my usual fare. The title requires background music: Vince Flynn’s The Third Option. Dun, dun, duhhhh…..

Okay, so this book is, in short, a book for middle age men who are trying to avoid a midlife crisis by vicariously living through an ill-conceived CIA assasin. It is the kind of book that appears in front of men travelling in business class of a 747 or waiting in a doctor’s office. It fits every horrible stereotype you may associate with the government spy thriller. When my boss offered it to me after I explained what an avid reader I was, I was a bit skeptical. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but seriously…there’s a red CIA logo and a pic of the Washington monument in the fiery sunset. C’MON! This beat-up paperback promptly got shoved in my bottom desk drawer.

About a week after ignoring the Vince Flynn thriller (seriously, who is named Vince Flynn??…oh yeah, someone who names their protagonist Mitch RAPP) my boss questioned how I liked the book. After responding that I hadn’t gotten around to it yet because another manager lent me a book (not a total lie- someone let me borrow The Dead Father’s Club which is another post entirely) he looked disappointed, and this is what made me actually read this piece of crap: He wanted a woman’s opinion of this guy’s writing. He said he had never known a woman who had read a Flynn novel and was interested in the female perception/reaction to the work.

This piqued my interest and got me reading. Yes it’s a piece of trash writing, but unfortunately it’s entertaining as hell. It’s sort of like a bad action movie, you are generally embarrassed to go see it, but you end up enjoying it. I don’t think Vince Flynn will make his way onto my regular reading list, but it’s a nice commercial break. Plus, I’m always interested in giving “the female perspective” to anyone who’s willing to listen. The nice part is, is that my boss will admit it’s crap writing, but I am looking forward to giving him my opinion as to how one-sided and underdeveloped every, single female character in the book is. Hey, he asked for the female perspeactive, this is certainly no time to hold back!

Oh, speaking of crap/trash do go see the Transformers movie. It’s great, dumb fun.

Storm in June

The first novella in Irene Nemirovsky’s Suite Francaise revolves around the lives of several French citizens fleeing Paris during the German invasion of WWII. Although this isn’t a typical summertime fare, Nemirovsky’s character sketches are intriguing and an honest portrayal of human nature.

Nemirovsky’s writing vividly expresses the duality of the human race. While at first, she evokes sympathy for the Pericand family, once the details of their existence are revealed, they are no more noble than any of the other characters described. Phillipe, the missionary son reveals his true thoughts about the group of young boys he is leading through the exodus; although he later confesses it as a moment of evil weakness, his true feelings are revealed when he follows the two boys into the house, saying “Oh you little brats! Just wait till I sort you out.” The family’s most horrifying act, though, is leaving Monsieur Pericand senior behind. Madame Pericand does not even realize it until it is too late to go and find them.

The only hopeful and empathetic people, who do not give in to selfish needs and have a glimmer of selflessness are the Michauds. They both help those who are hurt in the train bombing, and worry about the well-being of their soldier son. However, in the end, even they must revert to selfish undermining of their boss to gain their money. It could be argued that they have no choice when facing someone as uncivil and abusive as their boss, Corbin. The couple is given strength and renewed hope only by the idea of getting back at Corbin for his animosity. Monsieur Michaud claims that if he sees Corbin, his only recourse would be to spit in his face.

Nemirovsky’s depictions of these French citizens are stark and realistic. Although there is some depiction of love and generosity, they are always stamped out in favor of one’s own self when survival is the matter at hand. I am not claiming that Nemirovsky portrays selfishness as the preliminary motivation of a person, but that it is easily given into during a time of disaster and panic. There is no clear division of good and evil, only the blur of an honest humanity.