Tuesday, 5 July 2011

In the Mirror, by Ann Best. I'm left with goosebumps and struck with utter awe.



This has to be one of the most extraordinary books I have ever read. Do not be fooled by the simple language. It  is stark and honest and just ... amazing.

I like to think of this memoir as a ballad. If you are familiar with this form of poetry, you would know that the content is often tragic, they begin in the middle of conflict, they contain brief lyrical moments, and that they are condensed. They are so condensed that, if well-written, the language often seems to not portray any emotion at all, but when they are read, the imagery is so strong and raw, and violent in its exposure, that one is often left with goosebumps and struck with utter awe. This is how I felt reading this memoir.

I literally had to force myself to put this memoir down at night. There is so much tension and ache and sometimes desperation woven between the minimalism of Ann's prose. And you don't even have to look that deeply. It just seems to pop out at you when you least expect it and leave you feeling naked.

As a writer of literary fiction, who tends to embellish prose with lyrical content to squeeze the utmost emotion out of my scenes, I am so impressed with this book. And I can confidently say that Ann has taught me the power of simplicity. Raymond Carver introduced me to it. Ann Best justified its worth.

What a wonderful experience to read this book. Ann, I take my hat off to you.

What books have you read recently that have left a strong impression on you?


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30 comments:

  1. Matthew MacNish5 July 2011 at 13:35

    I keep hearing great things about this book.

    I'll be writing about my latest read tomorrow.

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  2. RHYTHM AND RHYME5 July 2011 at 13:51

    I haven't read much of late but know the better weather is upon us and I live close to the beach I can take a book with me.......bliss.

    Yvonne.

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  3. Hilary Melton-Butcher5 July 2011 at 14:08

    Hi Jessica .. you've certainly expressed your appreciation of Ann's book .. now I want to read it even more ..

    What a superb review - great for Ann .. she deserves so much success ..

    Fantastic read - and I will be buying the book this week - Jessica .. thanks so much - your writing here stands out too .. congratulations to both of you are in order .. Hilary

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  4. Leigh Caron5 July 2011 at 14:13

    I'm reading...lit...by Mary Karr. I can't say I love her story, but I LOVE her writing. She also wrote The Liars Club.

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  5. Shannon5 July 2011 at 15:37

    Sounds wonderful, Jess. :) I wish I could say that I've been reading lately, but work has been keeping me busy. Lame, I know.

    I'll add this to my TBR pile! <3

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  6. Sarah Ahiers5 July 2011 at 16:05

    have you read The Liar's Club, by Mary Karr? That is one of my FAV memoirs! Her language is so beautiful.

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  7. Dawn Ius5 July 2011 at 17:17

    I love memoirs. I need to add this book to my TBR list... Great review. xo

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  8. erica and christy5 July 2011 at 18:17

    I recently discovered Ann's blog and read with fascination about her life and perseverance. I imagine the memoir is much more of the same (and good!). Thanks for reminding me of it.
    erica

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  9. Len Lambert5 July 2011 at 18:36

    Your beautiful description of Anne's writing is another reason why I should get this book. I have read good reviews on this book and I really must get my copy. Thank you, Jess.

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  10. Unknown5 July 2011 at 18:47

    I know, right!? I couldn't put the book down. I was blown away. I'm glad she's getting the attention she deserves.

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  11. Johanna Garth5 July 2011 at 20:45

    Just finished "The Unbearable Sadness of Lemon Cake" It was so striking that I had a dream about it. Thanks so much for sharing this book.

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  12. Ellie Garratt5 July 2011 at 21:23

    You've given me the kick up the backside I need to buy this book. Thank you!

    Ellie Garratt

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  13. Alex J. Cavanaugh5 July 2011 at 21:50

    Glad so many are enjoying Ann's book!

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  14. Misha Gerrick5 July 2011 at 23:26

    Wow! The book sounds amazing! I actually know Ann from my blogging. She's a truly inspirational lady with a very strong voice.

    :-)

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  15. Karen Lange5 July 2011 at 23:38

    I've not read Ann's book yet so I appreciate your thoughts on it. I like your comparison - a memoir to a ballad. I need to remember that.

    Have a great week!

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  16. Anonymous6 July 2011 at 01:39

    Dear Jessica: I'm honored to be compared to Raymond Carver. His minimalist style (and also Hemingway's style) are what I have wanted to emulate. Simplicity does it; draws out the emotions, as you did in your book of poems, Twisted Velvet Chains. As a thank you for this wonderful review, I'm going to publicly thank you this evening in a post and quote some passages from your intense and intensely moving poems. It's true: Too many words would have deflected their emotional impact. And thanks to all of you (above) for your support!
    Ann Best, Memoir Author

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  17. Deniz Bevan6 July 2011 at 03:35

    Thanks for the review, Jessica! I love ballads [g] Very much looking forward to reading this book.

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  18. Anonymous6 July 2011 at 04:36

    Thanks for the review. I have Ann's book on my TBR list. Not a lot of books leave a strong impression on me. Some do. I like stories based on real people and real events. These leave the strongest impression on me.

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  19. Melissa Sarno6 July 2011 at 04:50

    Wow, your review really has me wanting to read this book! Especially since you couldn't put it down. I haven't read a book like that in a while. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

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  20. Tony Benson6 July 2011 at 12:07

    Jessica, it's good to meet you. Thanks for this review. Although I haven't read Ann's book yet I can tell it's a powerful read.

    Ann, I'm looking forward to reading the book. It's on my list, but I haven't reached it yet.

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  21. Creepy Query Girl6 July 2011 at 15:14

    oh, that's a great feeling- to find a book you can't put down where the writing impresses the crap out of you. I felt that way when I read Dianne's 'We Hear The Dead'- she quickly became my new hero. Her writing still impresses me to no end.

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  22. Hart Johnson6 July 2011 at 16:40

    I'm not normally a memoire reader, but what you've said about the language makes me think we could all learn from it.

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  23. Brian's Home Blog6 July 2011 at 18:13

    Great review, we just started it too and it really is great!

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  24. notesfromnadir6 July 2011 at 18:25

    This is a fine review! Well deserved, I must add!

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  25. BECKY6 July 2011 at 18:59

    Hi! I popped over from Ann's blog. What a wonderful review for her book...Now I REALLY can't wait to read it!

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  26. Jessica Nelson6 July 2011 at 19:09

    Oooh, good question. Recently I've been reading LIH books and I think by reading them I've figured out how to fix one of my revision problems. But a great book that sticks with me...I haven't read one in a while. I don't think I could read this memoir. It sounds sooo sad!
    But I've noticed too that sometimes less written emotion makes me feel more. It sounds like she's a wonderful writer!

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  27. CMSmith6 July 2011 at 19:41

    Very nice and compelling review.

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  28. Michelle Fayard6 July 2011 at 23:53

    I couldn't agree with your review more, Jessica. Ann Best's debut book is for readers and writers, a true masterpiece. I can only hope this will be the first of many others she will have published.

    And thank you very much for being a new follower of Bird's-eye View!

    Michelle
    http://michellefayard.blogspot.com

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  29. Arlee Bird7 July 2011 at 01:11

    I prefer simplicity in style--an unfettered approach to story-telling without pretense gets a message across so much better than the writer who is striving for something bigger than necessary. Ann seems like a wonderful lady and I wish her much success.
    Today I've posted a review of a memoir that is on the opposite end of the literary spectrum than Ann's. I won't say it's bad, but it did leave a negative impression upon me.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  30. Stephen T. McCarthy8 July 2011 at 10:59

    The last book that left a strong impression on me?

    "Blogging For Fun & Profit, Hope & Change, Gin & Vermouth, And A Little T.& A."

    It's a large, heavy book, and my girlfriend hit me in the head with it. Left an impression.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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