It’s a useful post on a topic we should all be thinking about as we write our novels. There was a lot going on in Patchett’s story, but a party is a party. I think she did a good job letting us know who was who and how these people knew each other. Relationships are the crux of an interesting tale.
Immediately, Patchett made me wonder why Fix didn’t like Al. I kept reading to find out why. The setting seemed real. Ann Pratchett understands human nature, including what makes people tick.
At times, I thought the introspection was overkill, but I gave the author the benefit of the doubt that she was setting things up for the reader. I didn’t like the head hopping. The sample had more than just Fix’s and the priest’s point-of-view as I read on. But that’s not what your post is about.
It’s the first time I’ve read anything from Patchett. If someone is going to populate a novel, this is the way to do it without losing the reader. Patchett was able to weave in details and create open loops that kept me reading.
Astute comments about Patchett letting us know about the relationships, many of which were less than perfect, adding intrigue. I agree about the head-hopping. I’ve read so many close 3rd POV and 1st POV, then an omniscient POV comes off as a seismic change. I suspect there are other ways to do a party scene keeping the focus on the main characters and yet fleshing out the party with minor characters to increase the realism.
Hey, Geoff, you found Ann Patchett. So excited for you and anyone else making a similar discovery. She is one of my all time favorites. A master storyteller, voted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The academy was started by Samuel Clemens and another guy (forget name). An existing member must pass away and the remainder of the 250-strong group vote in another artist. We all need to know about her. If you liked this one, read her most recent, 'Tom Lake.' Her skills are growing.
As for the opening of 'Commonwealth' I agree with Ellen. Here we can see a very accomplished author break the rules. We feel her pull questions from us, the readers. Compel us to turn the page. We know we are being set up and we don't care. We want to know why. Who are these people to each other? Patchett is a weaver of relationships and I am with her to the last.
Curious how you decided to read 'Commonwealth?' Was it a recommendation?
Perceptive comments on the party opener, Robin. Patchett gives us intrigue right off the bat. I’d say the AAAL has a lot of initials but is very exclusive. Quite an honor to be inducted. I read Commonwealth a few years ago after hearing about it. I needed to check my own story on how to handle too many characters and remembered the opening scene, so went back and reread. Bel Canto starts with a slightly different party scene, a concert in a South American country that goes badly. Haven’t read it for a while, but I remember the piano player yearning for the opera singer, among other details. Also enjoyed her book about a woman going to extract from the jungle the scientist who’s found a cure (can’t remember the name). I enjoyed most of Tom Lake, but a few parts didn’t sit well with me. I reviewed Tom Lake earlier this year.
Lara’s opening on the auditions for Our Town drew me in, the struggles of people wanting to act. Her flashbacks were the most interesting, telling her acting history. The present was less interesting, maybe because it was set during Covid lockdowns and I’d be glad if I never was reminded of that time again. The present cherry farm was interesting though.
I talked to a number of people who, like me, read it without knowing much about Our Town. They came away not enjoying the book, so maybe the play should be a prerequisite for the book. Which is unusual because I loved Demon Copperhead while forgetting all about David Copperfield.
From a writer’s point of view, the flashbacks were handled well, and those can be hard as they tend to slow the slow down.
From a reader’s point of view, the cover of daisies in the cemetery, the flashbacks, even Our Town and the harvesting of perishable cherries to make market, all point to using our experience of living to gain perspective on the past and in turn help us through the present. For Lara, it was the road not taken, from acting to her marriage.
At first, the daughters were interesting. But Emily, I think, had reservations as to who her father was. This was never well explained and felt like a plot device to keep us reading. It told me Patchett struggled with how to drive us through a story with little intrigue as we already knew she gave up acting and had kids (in this regard, she overused the present). The other disappointment was the daughters never seemed to catch on to their mother’s message, which made the point of recounting her story to them only for herself (and us). It would have been more meaningful to see the adult daughters pick up on it, what would happen to them if Lara had kept with acting (they wouldn’t exist).
It’s a useful post on a topic we should all be thinking about as we write our novels. There was a lot going on in Patchett’s story, but a party is a party. I think she did a good job letting us know who was who and how these people knew each other. Relationships are the crux of an interesting tale.
Immediately, Patchett made me wonder why Fix didn’t like Al. I kept reading to find out why. The setting seemed real. Ann Pratchett understands human nature, including what makes people tick.
At times, I thought the introspection was overkill, but I gave the author the benefit of the doubt that she was setting things up for the reader. I didn’t like the head hopping. The sample had more than just Fix’s and the priest’s point-of-view as I read on. But that’s not what your post is about.
It’s the first time I’ve read anything from Patchett. If someone is going to populate a novel, this is the way to do it without losing the reader. Patchett was able to weave in details and create open loops that kept me reading.
Thank you for posting.
Astute comments about Patchett letting us know about the relationships, many of which were less than perfect, adding intrigue. I agree about the head-hopping. I’ve read so many close 3rd POV and 1st POV, then an omniscient POV comes off as a seismic change. I suspect there are other ways to do a party scene keeping the focus on the main characters and yet fleshing out the party with minor characters to increase the realism.
Hey, Geoff, you found Ann Patchett. So excited for you and anyone else making a similar discovery. She is one of my all time favorites. A master storyteller, voted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The academy was started by Samuel Clemens and another guy (forget name). An existing member must pass away and the remainder of the 250-strong group vote in another artist. We all need to know about her. If you liked this one, read her most recent, 'Tom Lake.' Her skills are growing.
As for the opening of 'Commonwealth' I agree with Ellen. Here we can see a very accomplished author break the rules. We feel her pull questions from us, the readers. Compel us to turn the page. We know we are being set up and we don't care. We want to know why. Who are these people to each other? Patchett is a weaver of relationships and I am with her to the last.
Curious how you decided to read 'Commonwealth?' Was it a recommendation?
Another opening that will make you sit up and pay attention. Louise Erdrich, 1st page of 'Plague of Doves.' I'd love to know what y'all think.
Perceptive comments on the party opener, Robin. Patchett gives us intrigue right off the bat. I’d say the AAAL has a lot of initials but is very exclusive. Quite an honor to be inducted. I read Commonwealth a few years ago after hearing about it. I needed to check my own story on how to handle too many characters and remembered the opening scene, so went back and reread. Bel Canto starts with a slightly different party scene, a concert in a South American country that goes badly. Haven’t read it for a while, but I remember the piano player yearning for the opera singer, among other details. Also enjoyed her book about a woman going to extract from the jungle the scientist who’s found a cure (can’t remember the name). I enjoyed most of Tom Lake, but a few parts didn’t sit well with me. I reviewed Tom Lake earlier this year.
Challenge accepted on Plague of Doves.
Geoff, I’m presenting ‘Tom Lake’ to a book club. I’d like to insert another person’s observations. Mind offering some?
Lara’s opening on the auditions for Our Town drew me in, the struggles of people wanting to act. Her flashbacks were the most interesting, telling her acting history. The present was less interesting, maybe because it was set during Covid lockdowns and I’d be glad if I never was reminded of that time again. The present cherry farm was interesting though.
I talked to a number of people who, like me, read it without knowing much about Our Town. They came away not enjoying the book, so maybe the play should be a prerequisite for the book. Which is unusual because I loved Demon Copperhead while forgetting all about David Copperfield.
From a writer’s point of view, the flashbacks were handled well, and those can be hard as they tend to slow the slow down.
From a reader’s point of view, the cover of daisies in the cemetery, the flashbacks, even Our Town and the harvesting of perishable cherries to make market, all point to using our experience of living to gain perspective on the past and in turn help us through the present. For Lara, it was the road not taken, from acting to her marriage.
At first, the daughters were interesting. But Emily, I think, had reservations as to who her father was. This was never well explained and felt like a plot device to keep us reading. It told me Patchett struggled with how to drive us through a story with little intrigue as we already knew she gave up acting and had kids (in this regard, she overused the present). The other disappointment was the daughters never seemed to catch on to their mother’s message, which made the point of recounting her story to them only for herself (and us). It would have been more meaningful to see the adult daughters pick up on it, what would happen to them if Lara had kept with acting (they wouldn’t exist).
Enjoy your book club.