THE IMPERFECTIONISTS * AN OBJECT OF BEAUTY * A SECRET KEPT

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman - There is something compelling about this group of short stories, spanning the life of an English language international newspaper based in Rome. Each story centers on the life of someone who is connected with the paper in some way. The paper is never named, so I imagined it to be the International Herald Tribune, which is the paper I've always read when traveling in Europe. The characters are developed fully or less so depending on their own unique personalities and traits. It's a rather sophisticated read, yet it's casual and unassuming. I think The Imperfectionists is almost perfect.

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin - Steve Martin is another sophisticated writer. He stays at his own level, and in his own humor, and I love to read his stories. This one is a little bit of a lesson in the workings of the world of art auctions and art auction galleries. Told in the first person, this is the story of Lacey Yeager, who went to New York after college and got into the art business. One of the surprises about the book are the pictures of certain paintings that are being discussed in the story. They make you think about the story in a richer more thoughtful way, which is also a way to think about the art.

A Secret Kept by Tatiana De Rosnay - This is by the author of that marvelous book, Sarah's Key. A Secret Kept starts out slowly, a bit repetitively even, but then, if you stick it out and get to the middle of it, you might not be able to put it down. It's written in a very french style; the way I imagine french people like their books. It's not quite the way this American likes her books, but the story was so engrossing at some point, that I didn't mind the french thing so much. It's a subtle thing about how characters observe each other, or ask questions, or even smoke. Or - maybe it's just an author thing and I'm too critical. The most interesting thing about this book besides the mysteries that the characters discover and try to solve, is Noirmoutier Island in France. Before 1971, when a bridge was built, the only way to reach the island was at low tide, when a ridge of land was exposed that allowed passage to the island. This is called the Gois (Goa) Passage, and is still used today. It's 4.5 kilometers long, and it's lined with tall poles that one climbs in case one doesn't get across before the tide rises. I've just watched some youtube videos of the Goa Passage, and they'll give you a small idea of how it works, but I have a feeling this is one of those things you'd have to experience for yourself in order to be completely satisfied that you've got it.