Archive for August, 2010

(James Agee, 1956)

Wow. I can’t think of a book I’ve read recently that could even dream of standing up to this one in greatness. Tinkers comes close — and is actually probably heavily inspired by Agee — but, let’s be real. I mean, this shiz was simply amazing. A semi-autobiographical story of how a small family in Tennessee copes with the death of one of their own, A Death in the Family is heartbreaking from the very beginning. Told through the experience of most of the novel’s characters, Agee’s writing is magnificent in the way he weaves in and out of each character’s inner & outer dialogue. In one moment we know what a character wants to say, and in the next we see him say something entirely different out of social grace. In the minds of the two children we are able to understand the confusion of an adolescent who must learn what death is, while also dealing with typical childhood problems – sibling rivalry, school bullying, and parental appreciation. In the adults we learn of their religious and/or atheistic justifications for death, and how simplistic either explanation of life can actually be. A character-driven novel, A Death in the Family is moving & universal; Agee’s characters are inspiring, and his talent for description top of the mark.

I just can’t recommend this book enough. But if you pick it up, have a sympathetic heart because it’s not an easy read emotionally.

Notable excerpt:

“Joel, I know that God in a wheelbarrow wouldn’t convince you,” his sister said. “We aren’t even trying to convince you. But while you’re being so rational, why at least please be rational enough to realize that we experienced what we experienced.”