My Drowning

Rating:
Summary: I can't resist.
Review: Even though I make it a point never to review books online, I cannot resist with My Drowning. If you find most contemporary fiction unexciting, as I do, and if you are looking for work that takes risks, is devoid of sentimentality, avoids the all-too-trendy irony, and tells a story in spare but careful prose written by an author who pays attention to the subtlety of language and syntax, then read this book. I mean what I am about to say: This book should have won (or at least been a finalist for) the National Book Award. It's that good.

Rating:
Summary: No "Mystery," No Publication
Review: This is indeed a well-written book. It combines a Proustian dredging through the mystery of time and memory with a Faulknerian sense of the harsh poverty of the South and its effects on the human soul as well as Faulkner's own sense of the mysteries of human memory, all written down with touches of fine lyricism.-The problem is, and I realize that I'm in the minority in this opinion, that it's impossible for an author to combine these fine traits and have any hope of getting his work published without mangling, yes mangling, it into a "mystery" where it can rest comfortably in that section in Barnes and Noble and be sure to sell. Proust and Faulkner, with their sense of the artist's obligation to be true to his calling, to not retrench their work to fit the marketplace, wouldn't stand a chance in this day and age. I wish Mr. Grimsley had the luxury to explore more into the psyches of the characters (which he does so well), I wish he would give full-rein to his lyricism and, above all, I wish he didn't have to fit this into the genre of "mystery."-All life is a mystery.-But then the book would be at least as long and complex as a Faulkner novel. And how many of you reviewers would have bought it?-No, the work will not be regarded as a masterpiece. What "mystery" is? The simple truth is that they don't cover the grand swath of light and dark in the human soul (though Mr. Grimsley does his best) because they have to fit into a formula, which by definition limits their scope, however gracefully, as is the case here.-This book is a good page-turner, as most mysteries are, and (as other reviwers have noted) Mr. Grimsley has an acute insight into the feminine perspective, as embodied by the character of Ellen Tote. All this being said, I'm afraid the book will be forgotten in ten years time, replaced by other "mysteries."

Rating:
Summary: Great writing, rich in detail, captivating
Review: Wonderful story of a dirt-poor Southern white family. So captivating I didn't want to put it down. Easy to read. While of a depressing nature of lifes struggles, verbal and physical abuse, it was not so depressing as it had me in tears, as often is the case with me and sad stories. This may be in part because the character realizes the abusive behavior is not acceptable and doesn't repeat it in her own life. Main character has a wonderful narritive voice and it is hard to believe a male author has captured the essence of an innocent girl so well.