Reading my first Patchett reminds me of reading John Irving: I'm compelled by the story and characters but not sure what to take away when I finish. It's confusing to keep the characters straight and the narrative is blissfully unaware of any cultural debates. White hetero men, the women who love them, and their kids are the undoubted norm. Cops abound without a hint of ambiguity. Maybe I'd need siblings to understand the story more fully.

I finished reading Chris Kraus‘ “I Love Dick” yesterday and I am thoroughly amazed by it. It‘s a deconstruction of heterosexuality, a daring, less bourgeois re-write of Woolf‘s “A room of one‘s own,” and it posits Kraus as one of the few women of postmodern critical theory who center on woman‘s experience. The tension writing love letters with her partner is something I‘ve never read like this before. Bold feminine narrative. Fascinating read!

Weike Wang‘s novel “Chemistry” is wonderful. The storytelling is strong so the reader finds herself lead through the narrative of the main character with a confident, spirited grip. The protagonist‘s career in chemistry makes her a rare ‘girl in STEM‘ heroine, creating a unique atmosphere and insightful source of of analysis. Wang‘s protagonist offers a unique, charming, convincing answer to them that is relatable as well as a joy to see unfold.

I have read this novel two times already and will come back to it many times. The stories of the four matrilineal pairs are funny and touching and wise. A beautiful story of girlhood, generational and cultural difference, and communication troubles. Highly rec'd!