“So what do you think should happen to (him)? … If not jail then what?” “I don’t know. Long life, I guess. How about a clear mind? Work he enjoys, someone to laugh with, couple of happy kids. That would do, don’t you think?” It was the same list she wanted for herself.
— Leif Enger, I Cheerfully Refuse: A Novel (Grove Press, April 2, 2024)
Notes:
- Recommended. (vs. Highly Recommended). I would read anything that Leif Enger wrote. If you are new to his work, start with Peace Like a River.
- Books Reviews of “I Cheerfully Refuse”:
- 1) The Michigan Daily: “‘I Cheerfully Refuse’ to recommend this novel”
- 2) Wall Street Journal: “‘I Cheerfully Refuse’ Review: Great Lakes Odyssey. Leif Enger delivers a postapocalyptic novel set along the Canadian-American border.”
Totally with you re this author…Although I wonder if jail time and a life with family, laughter etc are parallel 😉
It is parallel in this story!
Ok, now I have to bump it up in the queue
I’d bump it up a little, not a lot!
Thanks – definitely a little bump
I’m not familiar with this author, but you’ve piqued my interest and I’ll check him out
Hope you enjoy Beth!
Thanks for the recommendation Dave. I’m just going to throw this out there, as it has crossed my mind before. I wish we had a way to share our “lists of books to read”, or “list of the best books I have ever read”. Recently I have spent a fair amount of time searching for new reading material. (As I write this it just occurred to me that perhaps I should go back through this blog and look at the recommendations you have posted in the past!)
Have a great day everyone!
Funny you asked / suggested Paul. I have (actually had) a recommended reading list on Amazon where I shared a link. I tested it last week and link was broken. Amazon Customer Support is looking into this and we should be up and running soon (we hope so). Will keep you posted.
Outstanding news! Thanks Dave!
Ouuu I like this idea! Also, throwing this out there: a book club ? David, would you like to run it? 😁
I thought this here was a book club! 🤓
It is when ever do you do show up.
Laughing. I vote that Paul be Chairman of the Book Club. I would be happy to facilitate it on my Blog!
Paul refuses to catch the football and runs for cover!
Ah yes. Here we go again! 🙂
Paul is not on the fence. Paul respectfully declines being nominated for chairman…(but appreciates being considered!)
Note that the title of today’s post is “I Cheerfully Refuse”. 🙃
Clever!!!!!!
Ok ok hear me out y’all: David chooses the book (obviously he has great taste), we all read it over the course of 2 months (I’m thinking that’s a generous enough timeframe to accommodate busy schedules), and we have a zoom meeting at the end of the 2 months to discuss it. We can share moderating duties so that no one person feels overburdened – say, each person comes prepared with one quote that impacted them deeply while reading, and one question they formulated in reaction to the book… Just an idea 😁
That’s interesting Laila. Let me noodle this!
“Noodle” = best verb ever!
😄
Love it…
I haven’t read this so I don’t know the context, but the quote makes me think about the background suffering that often leads to crime. It’s so easy to pass judgments on those with less privileged circumstances, but I sometimes wonder how I would behave if I found myself in similar straits. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be surrounded by love, meaningful work, and a clear mind.
Truth Laila. Truth!
always enjoy hearing about a new author. meanwhile, I’m stuck back in the 70s, currently reading The World According to Garp…
Loved that book Jim