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A review by christajls
A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore
3.0
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!