SWALLOW * WITHOUT LIMITS

Swallow by Sefi Atta - I thought that Swallow was a bird, and a sweet and simple title for a story about a young Nigerian woman. Instead it's a rather harsh title for a beautifully written story about what it's like to live in the city, and to wonder about your future. In Nigeria, in Africa. Practical Tolani tells her story with a straightforward, seemingly unemotional voice, yet this story is full emotion. Her impractical roommate Rose, her boyfriend Sanwo, their friend Johnny Walker, Tolani's mother the cloth dyer and her father the drummer, her independent aunt Iya Alaro, Mr. Salako at the bank, Mrs. Durojaiye, Mama Chidi, OC, and Godwin round out a tale told in the present and about the past. This is a beautiful book that can be judged by its beautiful cover. Could an e-reader even come close to the experience of turning each of these pages? I don't think so. Borrow or buy, and if you must, e-read Swallow. I'm going to google Sefi Atta now, and reserve her other books.

Without Limits - Last night we watched another movie about Steve Prefontaine, the runner. It's the same story with a similar vibe, but different truths. Donald Sutherland played the Oregon coach, Bill Bowerman, and I must say that I forgot that he was Donald Sutherland and not Bowerman. Pre is played by Billy Crudup and he's still an upstart, but the portrayal is a bit warmer. We loved it.