Babylon Rolling (the author escapes my mind) is the first read to rant about. I read this as an advanced reader's copy and thus I can not quote any passages. I do have to say that the voice and the point of view shifts are what make this book a great read. Each character's story is told and written in that character's voice and from that specific point of view. An author who can do this is one to be applauded. I really felt like I was experiencing each person's reality while I was reading. I was sucked into this book from the very beginning.
My first rant about this read has to do with the reality that each one of us lives on a daily basis. We so often take on the persona that we think others want us to have. We do this without regard for ourselves or the people closest to us. I guess this is what really drew me into this book. I try to live my life for myself, but often find that my true being is hidden because of what others around me expect. Sometimes this is a good thing but many times it really doesn't make much difference. A good example happened the other night when I had the perfect opportunity to express my views of the health care issue facing our society today. I was at a book club meeting with a friend, but because I was new to the group and didn't want to offend anyone, I didn't say what my heart and mind told me to say. I now regret not taking a stand and presenting my position. Can I go back and do over? No, but I can take this lesson from the book and from my experience and say something next time. I just hope there is a next time. Why do I find it acceptable to offend a classmate by stating my mind/opinion, but find it difficult to do so with strangers? Babylon rolls...
The second book I want to discuss here is Buffalo Lockjaw by Greg Ames. This is one of those books that makes you think about things in life that too soon many of us will face; the death of a loved one. The main character here is faced with the choice of ending his mother's suffering, as she clearly supported or not doing it because the law says it is a crime. I wonder myself what I would have chosen. I am not going to spoil this one for you, as it is an exceptional read. I will however, pose the question of assisted suicide: Is this acceptable? Many would say not. I think maybe it depends on the people involved.
As someone who doesn't really believe, I think that ending the suffering of another should be allowed if the person accepts this as an option. I know that if I were to become a vegetable, then I would want my family to 'pull the plug' before I became a burden. I wouldn't want to be remembered as someone needing daily care just to be kept alive in such a state. I am married to a man somewhat older than myself. I often worry about keeping him alive after his quality of life is such that he no longer 'lives'. What is the right thing to do? Who knows, but if he were to say "don't keep me alive on life support' then I know what would need to be done. My problem comes with other circumstances where he wouldn't be on life support, but wouldn't be himself either.
Fortunately, I don't need to make this decision at this time. This book is one that makes the reader think about such things.
What are my revelations then? The choices we make to speak up or not and the choices we make when faced with difficult decisions are our own to make. Nobody can influence them. We might regret making them in the long run, but if we don't think about them now and really consider them, how will we know and feel about them when we do have to make them? Hopefully we are strong enough to make them in the first place. I am ashamed that I was not true to myself at the book club meeting. I thought I was over that fear of offending others. I now see that I have things to work on. I also hope that I am not asked to choose life or death for my husband, nor him for me, but I hope that if I am put into that position I make the correct choice for myself and my loved one like the main character in Buffalo Lockjaw.
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