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A review by marshmallowbooks
Wickett's Remedy by Myla Goldberg
3.0
I liked this book for it's unique format of prose that told the story, as well as letters, newspaper articles, and conversations that filled in some of the details. These additional perspectives often came from many years, sometimes decades, after the time of the story being told. I also thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits of information added in the margins. Bits of insight from an insubstantial group of "Us" that were just plain interesting if only because I've never read a book that used anything like that before.
I also admired the main character, Lydia Kilkenny, her spirit, and her go-get-'em attitude. "Once Lydia saw Washington Street she knew she could not let it exist without her." So begins her quest to improve her situation with hard work and determination. This plays out repeatedly as she comes face-to-face with the 1918 influenza epidemic, leading her to take action immediately, even though her credentials are limited to a fierce desire to prevent others from experiencing her losses.
The one thing that kept this book from getting 4 stars from me is that it didn't really seem to tie up all the loose ends. Although the reader can determine what happened overall, since there is information from so far after the story itself, I think I prefer a little more definitive explanation of how the plot proceeded.
The one thing that saved this book and kept me reading, was the language. The author has some very beautiful phrases that I loved, and the writing kept me interested. Never before have I read the phrases, "the smell of dancing," or "the magic of synchronicity," or "the perfection of her vertebrae stacked one atop the other." It was these alone that kept my attention even though the question remains unanswered: Why exactly is it called Wickett's Remedy when that part of the story is the first end to be left loose?
I also admired the main character, Lydia Kilkenny, her spirit, and her go-get-'em attitude. "Once Lydia saw Washington Street she knew she could not let it exist without her." So begins her quest to improve her situation with hard work and determination. This plays out repeatedly as she comes face-to-face with the 1918 influenza epidemic, leading her to take action immediately, even though her credentials are limited to a fierce desire to prevent others from experiencing her losses.
The one thing that kept this book from getting 4 stars from me is that it didn't really seem to tie up all the loose ends. Although the reader can determine what happened overall, since there is information from so far after the story itself, I think I prefer a little more definitive explanation of how the plot proceeded.
The one thing that saved this book and kept me reading, was the language. The author has some very beautiful phrases that I loved, and the writing kept me interested. Never before have I read the phrases, "the smell of dancing," or "the magic of synchronicity," or "the perfection of her vertebrae stacked one atop the other." It was these alone that kept my attention even though the question remains unanswered: Why exactly is it called Wickett's Remedy when that part of the story is the first end to be left loose?