I'm reading Stephanie Kallos' "Broken For You" and came across one of the best descriptions of anger I've read in a long time.
Two women, Margaret and Wanda are discussing anger; about anger being human and not holding on to anger. Wanda is preparing their dinner. Margaret tells Wanda she might surprise herself by being able to be charitable towards someone who hurt her. Wanda continues...
"I doubt it." Wanda began smashing the garlic cloves with a meat tenderizer. It was a technique Margaret had not seen before. "When I was a little girl, I got so mad at a doll for getting lost" (smash) "that when I found her again" (smash) "I took her legs and arms off" (Smash) "threw the legs away" (Smash!) "and put the arms" (SMASH) "in the leg holes." (SMASH! SMASH!) Wanda paused. She was a little out of breath. She spoke to the pulverized garlic cloves. "I figured she couldn't get too far if she had to walk on her hands."
Not only brilliant prose, but funny, just imagining a little girl being so angry she'd do that!
This book was a delightful read...quirky, unique characters that run through a kaleidoscope of emotions. There is a lot of "breakage" and a lot of repair proving that what "was" can often become what "is".
7 comments:
Another fabulous book to put on my list!! Thankkie!
LuLu~*xoxo
I read that book a few weeks ago. It was wonderful. I loved those two characters.
This one sounds like a good one for me. Especially after learning a couple of weeks ago that "I am not broken."...still trying to get my head and heart completely around that but anyway...I love super character studies and especially with humour thrown in!
Thanks for the recommendation, lovely Sherry !
maybe you should live in the library and review the books for customers ! ? ;o)
I can imagine smashing the odd arm but not the full monty !!
Carolyn, believe it or not, I talk with the librarians when I'm in, about what they recommend, about what I've read, about what I recommend. I just love talking about books, authors, stories, ideas!!
And Kim -- I truly believe you would appreciate this much very much!
Sherry Lee, you just simply devour books!!! I don't get much reading done anymore - I have to make jewellery!!
You need to meet my sister the librarian. No kidding she was a librarian for years. I think you read ten times more then she.
I'll put this one on the list. I did pick up one of your recommendations last week to take to the coast with me. Alice Hoffman's Skylight Confessions. I'll let you know if I like it or not, but I'm a slow reader and have to be in the mood. Who knows when I'll finish it.
Hope you enjoyed your Canada Day!
Hugs,
Charlie
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