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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
A Gate at the Stairs is narrated by a Midwestern farmer's daughter and begins the year she gets a job as a babysitter for an older couple who are about to adopt. Tassie is in college, rooming with a girl who has disappeared into her boyfriend's life, leaving Tassie alone and a little lonely and willing to fill her life with the family she babysits for and to fall for the friendly Brazilian guy in her Sufism class. Lorrie Moore can write. Which means what happens in the book is almost beside the point, what with all the words being put into the right places. She's skilled at creating atmosphere, at heading off into short diversions that circle back into the story later on and at capturing the feeling of being caught between trying to appear as experienced and prepared as possible while really not knowing what to do. Set at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, there's a feeling of uncertainty, of suspicion of the people around you and of a divided country going to war.
This book defies easy summarization, with its divergences and multiple threads of plot. Tassie's a naive, but intelligent observer, and takes her time with the story she's telling, which, being the story of a period of time in her life, is less straight-forward and plot-driven, than it is meandering and, like memory, hurrying through some experiences while slowing down to peer at other events in detail.
This book defies easy summarization, with its divergences and multiple threads of plot. Tassie's a naive, but intelligent observer, and takes her time with the story she's telling, which, being the story of a period of time in her life, is less straight-forward and plot-driven, than it is meandering and, like memory, hurrying through some experiences while slowing down to peer at other events in detail.
Much of this book consisted mainly of lovely writing without much happening, but the last 100 pages or so were so gripping that I gave the book a 4 instead of a 3. There was one section - those who read it will know what I'm talking about - that I couldn't get out of my mind even the morning after reading it, which is a good sign of a good book, in my opinion.
Clunky and took some abrupt and bizarre turns that Moore didn't really explore in depth. At times, Moore also seemed either to skirt the issues of diversity and race to which she kept alluding or to indulge in negative stereotypes. I think Moore really bit off more than she could chew here, which is a shame because the premise - a Midwestern college student becomes a babysitter for a high-powered couple hiding a dark secret from their adoption agency - actually had potential.
This may sound trite, but overall this is the story of a young woman learning about the different kinds of love you can experience. The main action of the book focuses on her experiences as a nanny for a family in the town where she goes to college, but we also see her at home with her family, and a little bit at college. I enjoyed this -- it was a lovely, lyrical read, with a timeless feel to it. I'm not sure if it was the naivete of the main character, or if it was something else, but I kept forgetting that it was set in present times. I'd read along and hit a reference to the internet or a cell phone, and be surprised that we weren't in the 60's. I will definitely be checking out some of Moore's other work.
Lorrie Moore is certainly a skilled and witty author, and while I mostly enjoyed the punny prose I wasn't very enthralled with the novel itself. I can see how she is known for short stories, as the character vignettes are descriptive and humorous. The book seemed to be divided into three distinct parts, four if you count the strange Reynaldo affair. Much of the plot seemed unlikely to the point of unbelievability, and the main climax seemed to happen 2/3 through the book, based on an incident that was supposed to have occurred many years earlier. The awkwardness of all the characters was well-captured, and I did enjoy many parts of the book. Overall though, especially after the matter-of-fact climbing into a casket with a blown-up body (what the...), I can't say I would necessarily recommend, other than to have a shared 'what WAS that' experience.
Review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
A Gate at the Stairs has been on my TBR list for a long time. I first heard about it when it came out in 2009 but just never picked up for whatever reason. When I saw the audiobook at the library I decided it was time to finally give it a go. And for the most part I’m glad I did. It was a funny, clever read that really grew on me the more I listened.
The description of A Gate at the Stairs doesn’t give all that much away. So I thought I was in for a sort of “inside look at a family”. Tassie – our narrator – isn’t technically a part of that family, but she’s not really an outsider either. Hired on as a babysitter/nanny for the child the couple plans to adopt she see’s them at their best and worst. Through all their achievements and their many, many struggles. So in a way I was exactly right about what this book was going to be. But there’s also so much more to it than that.
I thought Tassie was an excellent character and the perfect narrator. She was fresh and sarcastic and clever (maybe a little too clever sometimes) and one of the only truly likeable characters in the book. But on the other hand there was also a lot that I didn’t like about her – she was a little selfish, self absorbed, at times flaky – which I think is normal for someone her age. She was your average twenty year old. Trying to figure out your footing when you are no longer a teen but don’t feel at all like an adult. I thought she was a great narrator because she has a uniquely blunt and honest perspective that really added to the events that were unfolding.
Out of all the issues that Tassie presents us with in her account of this story, there were two that distinctly stood out in my mind. The treatment of war/soldiers and the idea of multiculturalism.
Early on in the story Tassie’s brother announces that he’s going to enlist. A Gate at the Stairs takes place after 9/11, so enlisting in this case means heading off to Afghanistan. Through his decision and other character’s reactions to this decision we get to see the whole spectrum of people’s beliefs on war and fighting. We get an idea of how even a war fought on distant shores affects those back home. And most importantly (I think) we see how one person’s opinion can fluctuate depending on who the subject of their opinion is.
The second idea/issue that I was fascinated with in this novel was this idea of trying to “deal with” multiculturalism. Sarah – the mother of the adopted child – forms a weekly support group for racially blended families. We only ever get snippets of the conversations they have – as Tassie is listening in from the other room. But I loved the range of emotions and ideas. And I loved the examples of people being in “support” on multiculturalism but only the kind that suits them. I think this part of the book is ripe for discussion and if you’ve read it I would love to hear your thoughts.
And if nothing else A Gate at the Stairs is just really well put together. It’s very clever writing. Although at times it feels like Lorrie Moore is trying too hard. But there are a lot of neat turns of phrase. I had to go back and listen to a few passages because they would really get to me.
Some Examples:
“It was like the classic scene in the movies where one lover is on the train and one is on the platform and the train starts to pull away, and the lover on the platform begins to trot along and then jog and then sprint and then gives up altogether as the train speeds irrevocably off. Except in this case I was all the parts: I was the lover on the platform, I was the lover on the train. And I was also the train.”
“Love is a fever,” she said. “And when you come out of it you’ll discover whether you’ve been lucky – or not.”
Notes on the Audio
I really enjoyed Mia Barron as a narrator. Her voice was vibrant and energetic and exactly how I would imagine Tassie speaking. She was not so great at bringing out the personalities/voices of others, but since Tassie was the narrator of the story it makes sense that everyone would sound a little like her trying to imitate them. Overall a fun audiobook and I would definitely listen to more from this narrator.
Recommendation: A clever and insightful book great for fans of adult contemporary, literary fiction and those looking for a good book club pick. Lots to discuss here!
A Gate at the Stairs has been on my TBR list for a long time. I first heard about it when it came out in 2009 but just never picked up for whatever reason. When I saw the audiobook at the library I decided it was time to finally give it a go. And for the most part I’m glad I did. It was a funny, clever read that really grew on me the more I listened.
The description of A Gate at the Stairs doesn’t give all that much away. So I thought I was in for a sort of “inside look at a family”. Tassie – our narrator – isn’t technically a part of that family, but she’s not really an outsider either. Hired on as a babysitter/nanny for the child the couple plans to adopt she see’s them at their best and worst. Through all their achievements and their many, many struggles. So in a way I was exactly right about what this book was going to be. But there’s also so much more to it than that.
I thought Tassie was an excellent character and the perfect narrator. She was fresh and sarcastic and clever (maybe a little too clever sometimes) and one of the only truly likeable characters in the book. But on the other hand there was also a lot that I didn’t like about her – she was a little selfish, self absorbed, at times flaky – which I think is normal for someone her age. She was your average twenty year old. Trying to figure out your footing when you are no longer a teen but don’t feel at all like an adult. I thought she was a great narrator because she has a uniquely blunt and honest perspective that really added to the events that were unfolding.
Out of all the issues that Tassie presents us with in her account of this story, there were two that distinctly stood out in my mind. The treatment of war/soldiers and the idea of multiculturalism.
Early on in the story Tassie’s brother announces that he’s going to enlist. A Gate at the Stairs takes place after 9/11, so enlisting in this case means heading off to Afghanistan. Through his decision and other character’s reactions to this decision we get to see the whole spectrum of people’s beliefs on war and fighting. We get an idea of how even a war fought on distant shores affects those back home. And most importantly (I think) we see how one person’s opinion can fluctuate depending on who the subject of their opinion is.
The second idea/issue that I was fascinated with in this novel was this idea of trying to “deal with” multiculturalism. Sarah – the mother of the adopted child – forms a weekly support group for racially blended families. We only ever get snippets of the conversations they have – as Tassie is listening in from the other room. But I loved the range of emotions and ideas. And I loved the examples of people being in “support” on multiculturalism but only the kind that suits them. I think this part of the book is ripe for discussion and if you’ve read it I would love to hear your thoughts.
And if nothing else A Gate at the Stairs is just really well put together. It’s very clever writing. Although at times it feels like Lorrie Moore is trying too hard. But there are a lot of neat turns of phrase. I had to go back and listen to a few passages because they would really get to me.
Some Examples:
“It was like the classic scene in the movies where one lover is on the train and one is on the platform and the train starts to pull away, and the lover on the platform begins to trot along and then jog and then sprint and then gives up altogether as the train speeds irrevocably off. Except in this case I was all the parts: I was the lover on the platform, I was the lover on the train. And I was also the train.”
“Love is a fever,” she said. “And when you come out of it you’ll discover whether you’ve been lucky – or not.”
Notes on the Audio
I really enjoyed Mia Barron as a narrator. Her voice was vibrant and energetic and exactly how I would imagine Tassie speaking. She was not so great at bringing out the personalities/voices of others, but since Tassie was the narrator of the story it makes sense that everyone would sound a little like her trying to imitate them. Overall a fun audiobook and I would definitely listen to more from this narrator.
Recommendation: A clever and insightful book great for fans of adult contemporary, literary fiction and those looking for a good book club pick. Lots to discuss here!
Wonderful! I can tell that her strengths are in short stories because sometimes the book reads as one big short story (or several short stories linked by a common narrator). I like this actually. It means there's an attention to detail and dedication to little moments. less of a focus on linear plot. one gripe, Why doesn't she call a spade a spade, or really-- call Troy what it really is: Madison, WI. I really like books that have a strong connection to place. like real place. and I think that she could have benefited from using Madison as her setting.
Hmmm...there were flashes of brilliance in this book, and I bookmarked several quotes that really spoke to me, but the rest? I thought it was very overwritten. There was so much going on; each big event that happened in the book should have been a book of its own. Instead, there were a couple of pages devoted to it and then we were all supposed to move on. Lots of unanswered questions and things hanging. I ended up really skimming the last quarter or so to get through it.
I loved it, I hated it, which is pretty much how I feel about ALL of Lorrie Moore's books. There is some incredible writing in here. Phenomenal. More than once I felt like I needed to dog-ear a page to come back to a description or thought. She knows how to bind you up and keep you emotional about her story. Well worth reading for these reasons alone.
Having said that, parts of the story fell flat for me and I found the overall flow of the plot disjointed. I still like her better in the short-story form.
Having said that, parts of the story fell flat for me and I found the overall flow of the plot disjointed. I still like her better in the short-story form.
The first approx. 200 pages, for me, made this a 3-star book, but then from page 230 onward, it became much more engaging and 4-star-ish. Moore's imagery and metaphors are incredible, as is her humor, but at times this story seemed unnecessarily drawn out.