Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
This week, all three books are ones I’m seeing everywhere – thought I’d try a sample rather than simply succumbing to the hype.
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Summary: A woman inherits her best friend’s dog. As well as her own grief over the loss of her friend, the dog is pining. How do they cope?
I’m thinking: Yes, loved the writing from the first page.
French Exit by Patrick deWitt
Summary: Beset by scandal and impending bankruptcy, New York socialite Frances and her adult son, Malcolm, decide to cut their losses and head for the exit (Paris).
I’m thinking: Yes, won over by this line – “She’d had two too many drinks and there was nothing in her stomach but a viscous pâté” – we’ve all been there.
Motherhood by Sheila Heti
Summary: Woman considers the pros and cons of becoming a mother.
I’m thinking: No. I’m well past navel-gazing about motherhood.
I’ve read all of these! And enjoyed them all, though I had somewhat mixed feelings about the deWitt. I can see why the Heti doesn’t appeal to you at this point. The Friend I read recently and will include in a mini reviews roundup fairly soon, maybe next week.
I guess given that the horse has bolted (four times!) on the motherhood front, the Heti holds little interest. Ultimately motherhood is an intensely personal decision and one that is difficult to ‘debate’.
French Exit was good – it might not be DeWitt’s best, but the characters are annoyingly endearing and the writing is clever. He seems to be one of those authors that’s always good.
I’d echo curlygeek on French Exit. Little Frank is a cat you won’t forget in a hurry if you pick this one.
I enjoyed French Exit. It’s not the best deWitt but it’s highly entertaining with some wonderful characters.
It will actually be my first deWitt!
I agree with your conclusions! The first two sound great. I’d not heard of The Friend but the premise is really appealing.