Before last month, I had never heard of Penelope Lively. Then I read Melanie’s review of Making It Up and was intrigued. And then I read Making It Up and was impressed. So thanks to Melanie for her excellent review and inspiring me to check out a new author.
I read Making It Up immediately following Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, and found that the two books really compliment each other. Lamott talks about looking at your life, your friends and acquaintances and everything you see in daily life as possible inspiration, as well as for details to include, when writing. Lively takes that one step further and imagines alternate realities for her own life. In other words, what might have happened had this path been followed or this choice been made. Therefore, Making It Up is a collection of short stories, each of which was inspired by a detail from Lively’s own life. She also prefaces and ends each story with a bit of explanation as to what inspired that story. So not only do we get a wonderful group of stories, but we also get a brief glimpse at the inspiration behind each story and the author’s thought processes.
The opening story tells the story of Shirley, a nanny who is travelling with her employer to Capetown, South Africa. It’s WWII, and the British family is fleeing Egypt to escape Rommel and his army. Lively’s own family sought safety from Rommel in Palestine, and this story imagines what might have happened had they instead made the choice of South Africa. In other stories, Lively imagines what might have happened had she been an unwed mother, or if her husband had been captured in Korea, or if she herself had died in an airplane crash.
If you’ve ever played the “what if” game with yourself and wondered what your life might have been like if only you had or hadn’t done a certain thing, then these stories (and Lively’s commentary) will be fascinating. Even if you haven’t, the stories are still interesting, as Lively is a talented writer and the stories offer a brief glimpse into people’s lives.
I’m currently listening to Love the One You’re With, by Emily Giffin, on audio and it’s the same type of premise–what if?
I love the cover of this book!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..And the Winner is . . . =-.
Thanks for this review– I hadn’t heard of this book review, and it sounds really interesting.
Any thoughts on how it would do for book club discussion?
.-= Laura @ ImBookingIt´s last blog ..Review: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield =-.
I’ve never heard of this book before but it sounds interesting. I like the cover as well.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Book Review: The Sky Begins At Your Feet by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg =-.
I’ve only read one of Lively’s books, but Melanie’s enthusiasm and now yours certainly make me want to read more!
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..Black Juice by Margo Lanagan =-.
Thank you for the great review, Jill. This sounds like an interesting collection of stories. I love the idea that the author included a bit of what inspired each story. Those types of details always make me appreciate what I’m reading even more.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..TGIF: Wishlists & a Nearly Endless List of Questions for My Dear Readers =-.
This one looks so interesting, especially since I’m planning on rereading Bird by Bird this month. My library has a copy of this one, so I might read them side by side, too.
.-= Belle´s last blog ..Reading Temptations =-.
I’ve never heard of this author or this book. I like to ponder “what if” scenarios. I should read it so I can continue to stalk you
.-= Ti´s last blog ..Friday Finds: The Carnivore =-.
I love the premise of this book!!!! On my personal blog, I like to play creative writing games and this would be an excellent prompt for a game. I think I will do that — referencing your post and the book of course! Thank you!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..3rd Quarter Wrap-Up =-.
I’ve jotted this title down, and am looking forward to reading this one, and also waiting for her soon to be released title (duh ??) too.
.-= diane´s last blog ..My First 24 Hour Read-a-Thon =-.
I’m so glad you liked this one! Glad I didn’t steer you wrong with Lively.
I also think that the cover to this is really eye catching and is a great representation of the book. Her new novel is entitled Family Album>/a>, by the way – I just read it as well and it was really enjoyable.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..October begins… =-.
This book sounds really great! I love the idea of imagining what could have been instead of what is. Thanks for the review
.-= Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last blog ..Is the FTC Just ‘Legislating’ Credibility? =-.
I remember loving Bird by Bird, it was actually very funny in parts.
This one I am not sure about because I don’t really read short stories. Maybe I will put it on my wish list and go for it when I decide to step outside of my comfort zone of reading.
.-= lilly´s last blog ..Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee =-.
Love the “what if” game! It’s always been a way for me occupy my mind when nothing much is happening – ya’know you’re waiting for a cab or something and you wonder “hmm what if I took the bus today, I may end up sitting next to a person who I’d talk to” and then whammo life could have been completely different!! Scary sometimes but fun always.
Making It Up is going on my wishlist
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..YA Dystopian Reading Challenge =-.
Oh, this is a book for me! I’m into short stories lately, and those rooted in a true-ish personal story are even better.
.-= Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..Winners of *The Listeners* by Gloria Whelan =-.
I have already wrote a post on this book. You can see it tomorrow on my blog.
I will surely buy this. i love your review..
I hope you dnt mind, i have copied the 1st para of your review in my post… and i have linked here..
do tell me if you mind though!
.-= Veens´s last blog ..What are you doing on Monday?! =-.