I tend to like books that show the arc of someone’s lifetime, and see how connections that are made early on pan out and affect them later on in life. Recently I read (the quite long) Great Circle, which followed the life of a woman from her parents first meeting all the way to her death, in great detail.
However, the book Zorrie is similar in scope but a much shorter book. All the important stuff is in there – and you get the much the same effect with 500 pages less.
Zorrie is a hard working woman from an earlier generation. She is a strong, independent woman who does well on her own through hard work and attention to detail. She doesn’t see herself as oppressed or a victim, and isn’t portrayed like one in this book. For me there was something refreshing about this.
This book is not only about Zorrie but also a particular generation in American history. The characters in this book live in Indiana, and most of the book takes place there. They work the land hard, respect each other, suffer setbacks as well as earn some sort of success – even if it is only a full larder at the end of a tough growing season.
The character writing and story here is great – the way it is written pulls you along and before you know it another turning point in Zorrie’s life has passed. This was the first time reading this author, and I’ll keep an eye out for more from him in the future.
Next I’m reading Still Life by Sarah Winman.
