Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/25

We are all visited by sorrow. Some unfortunate souls experience far more than is fair. Such is the case with Delores Price, the protagonist of Wally Lamb’s first novel, She’s Come Undone (1992). The first-person account follows Delores (which translates to pain in Spanish) into her late 30’s. It is brutally honest. Although her anger is clearly justifiable, there are points in the narrative when it is difficult not to despise her as much as many in her sphere do. That’s what makes the book significant - the character comes across as real. There is a good person beneath all that pain and, overall, readers will likely root for her to emerge. The book was an Oprah selection, as was Lamb’s second novel, I Know This Much Is True (1998). He has written four, as well as two books of non-fiction. It is always refreshing to read serious work. My only quibble with She’s Come Undone is its bow to political correctness, particularly late in the story. Still, it errs on the side of decency. Since Delores is only two years younger than me, I recognized all the political, artistic and historical references in the book. The title was taken from a line in a song by Canadian band The Guess Who, Undun (1968), composed by guitarist Randy Bachman, who later left TGW and found comparable success with BTO - Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The Guess Who actually began as Chad Allen & the Reflections, before lead singer Burton Cummings, the voice behind its #1 hits (These Eyes {68}, American Woman {‘69}), joined the group. That first incarnation created a record way ahead of its time - Shakin’ All Over (1963), which has become one of my favorites. It has a wonderful eeriness (“Shivers down my backbone…”). It has been rediscovered and covered by several artists, but none of the versions compare to the original.
I’ve gotten off track. On a scale of five, I rate She’s Come Undone three-and-three-quarters.
With the threat of rain in the air, I did not open the floating bookshop today. There haven’t been more than few drops, but it is dark and gloomy outside and a severe storm is expected. Okay - I’m a wimp. The forecast calls for a nice day tomorrow, the calm before Hurricane Irene.
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