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A review by imperfectcj
Six of One by Rita Mae Brown
4.0
I started this book at the end of last month, then took a break to read a few other things, and finally finished it today while taking a break from prepping lasagnas. The easy, often biting, always witty dialogue in this book reminds me of the back-and-forth (I think between Dorian and the Duchess of Monmouth, but I'm awful at remembering character names) in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Brown has an impressive ability to show the deep love between Louise and Juts through their harsh words and actions towards one another. So often---at least in my family---we are absolutely maddening to one another while at the same time feeling secure in our knowledge that we love one another. I'm not as close with anyone in my family as Louise and Juts are, but the dynamic is a familiar one.
My favorite quotes in this book are all from Celeste. I didn't start dog-earing until late in the story, so I can only locate two.
The first is, "Whatever the art-form, a self-conscious culture is inauthentic." (288) Thinking of my experience living in California, the hipster trend, and the over-sharing of social media, I'm inclined to agree, but it's possible I'm just an old curmudgeon. I definitely want to talk about this idea with my book club.
My other favorite is when Celeste quotes from Through the Looking Glass: "Most of our lives we drug ourselves with the delights of the future. Tomorrow. Remember what the White Queen said: 'The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday---but never jam today." (173)
I love Celeste, and I love the way that the characters face violence and fear and still have room in their lives for love and laughter. The only thing I don't love is that the characters don't seem to develop much over time. As I get older, though, I'm starting to question just how much most of us actually change over time. It seems most people (and families, communities, towns, countries) are frustratingly stuck in patterns of thought and behavior that don't serve anyone all that well.
Brown has an impressive ability to show the deep love between Louise and Juts through their harsh words and actions towards one another. So often---at least in my family---we are absolutely maddening to one another while at the same time feeling secure in our knowledge that we love one another. I'm not as close with anyone in my family as Louise and Juts are, but the dynamic is a familiar one.
My favorite quotes in this book are all from Celeste. I didn't start dog-earing until late in the story, so I can only locate two.
The first is, "Whatever the art-form, a self-conscious culture is inauthentic." (288) Thinking of my experience living in California, the hipster trend, and the over-sharing of social media, I'm inclined to agree, but it's possible I'm just an old curmudgeon. I definitely want to talk about this idea with my book club.
My other favorite is when Celeste quotes from Through the Looking Glass: "Most of our lives we drug ourselves with the delights of the future. Tomorrow. Remember what the White Queen said: 'The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday---but never jam today." (173)
I love Celeste, and I love the way that the characters face violence and fear and still have room in their lives for love and laughter. The only thing I don't love is that the characters don't seem to develop much over time. As I get older, though, I'm starting to question just how much most of us actually change over time. It seems most people (and families, communities, towns, countries) are frustratingly stuck in patterns of thought and behavior that don't serve anyone all that well.