Iconic Breakfast

There are people I'm sure we all have known that are somehow endearing and at the same time unbearable. Their personal issues are so overwhelming to both themselves and to those around them that you almost forget or don't realize how much they are taking out of you. There is an inability to tell them no along with the desire to see what happens next. Even if you want to stay away you are drawn to the dramatic goings on of their daily affairs. Holly Golightly is just such a "friend". She seemed to create chaos in a completely unintentional way. She was almost helpless to her own meandering life. I don't know if marriage at 14 stunted the rest of her emotional and mental growth, but she was really just a grown up child. There was very little responsibility of actions and no consequences until the fateful day of being connected with Sally Tomato. This seemed to be just the ticket in calling her to her senses which had been absent up to this point.
However selfish and somewhat irritating a character she may have been she was an icon. There are pictures of Holly in a black sleek dress with a sparkling tierra, string of pearls and hair piled just so on top of her head hanging everywhere. This image in my head made me realize that the Holly of Truman Capote fell a bit flat but it took Audrey's portrayal of her that brought the character to life and that is the icon we all know today.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xc8gqn_moon-river-breakfast-at-tiffany-s_music

Proceed With Caution 'In the Woods"

*Apparently, I'm working my bucket list bottom to top, because I found myself starting with number three. (And I'm pretty sure Crystal would appreciate me adding the disclaimer that just because she let me borrow it didn't mean she recommended it to me.)* 

It’s a fine line that anyone who reviews a book has to walk because for me so much of how I feel about a book is subject to change based soley on the final pages and so how can I  share how I feel about a book without divulging too much about the ending? 

Since I'm not actually qualified to review I will share this: I stewed for days after finishing this book, wishing I could manipulate the ending, confused and wondering why a character I had grown so attached to could betray me by acting like such a douche and aching for an actual ending.

There is no denying that Tana French knows how to spin a tale, I couldn't put the book down. The book runs two separate mysteries, decades apart, simultaneously, while our narrator, Detective Rob Ryan has a foot in both. Another factor that kept me coming back for more was the way French built the relationship between Ryan and his partner Cassie Maddox. The problem was (and I know I'm taking this way too personally) French spent the last thirty or so pages breaking my heart. And (SPOILER) she left HUGE loose ends, as in don't expect both mysteries to be resolved. 

So, if you are looking for a well written mystery and you can rise above an unsatisfying ending this book is for you. Or if you can't fully trust me and need to read this book for yourself, pick it for a book club, because I think you'll enjoy talking it out, it will be like much needed therapy.

And finally, the truth is, in doing research for this post I found out that there is actually a follow up book called The Likeness, from Caisse's point of view, that picks up six months after In the Woods. And for all my complaining I actually can't wait to finish reading our current book club pick so I can continue my search for resolution with Rob and Cassie. Don't worry, I'm prepared to be disappointed!


Andrea