The Cradle
Patrick Somerville
2009
208 pages
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FTC: The library. Again!
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I remember seeing a lot of this book last year, and I wanted to read it. But for once, I waited. And when I was doing a quick run through of the Cal Poly library a few weeks ago (picking up a few books before they closed) I spotted this one, did a silent woo-hoo (silent, because it’s the library) and grabbed it.
This little book packs a punch. Ultimately, it’s about family, both the ones we’re born into and the ones we make.
Matt’s wife, Marissa, is pregnant and longing for an antique cradle that her mother took with her when she left her family. Marissa has no interest in her mother, but she does want that cradle. So Matt embarks on a quest. As he searches for the cradle, he uncovers some of Marissa’s mom’s secrets.
Meanwhile, Renee is struggling to accept the fact that her young son has enlisted in the military and is heading off to war. Renee also has some secrets that she has been keeping from her family, and her son’s departure seems to be the catalyst for reminiscences about the past.
I was initially confused about Renee’s story, as I didn’t realize that it takes place years before Matt’s. I knew they were somehow connected, but it still took awhile to figure out exactly how. I was more than halfway through the book before I wasn’t totally confused by Renee…but that’s the only complaint I have.
There’s a lot about that this story that could be trite or overdone. But Somerville manages to tell a fast-paced story that is still unique and un-maudlin (softdrink’s rule of blogging…when you can’t find the right word, make one up!). I really enjoyed this one!
Good review and I like the made up word…. I have been known to be a tad creative with words in my posts as well. (Or I guess what I mean to say is that sometimes I think something is a word and turns out…. nope.)
The book sounds interesting, this is the first time I have heard of it.
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I am glad you enjoyed this one as well. When I initially read the description of the book, I thought it sounded subpar and cheesy, but I have read so many great reviews about it that I finally picked it up from the library. The key now is to actually read it before it’s due back!
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I’ve never read Somerville before but I have a literary crush on him as he spoke at the opening of the bookstore for which I volunteer, and his speech on How the Red Fern Grows and how it affected him was so amazing! I can’t even imagine how fabulous his writing must be if that’s how well he speaks.
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I enjoyed this book, too, but would have liked the ending to be a little more drawn out. I wasn’t ready for the story to end.
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This is already on the wish list – hopefully, it’ll be out in paperback soon so I can move it to TBR
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I’m just wondering why someone would be so obsessed with a cradle.
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This one is right p mu alley! Sounds really good…. and that cradle is adorable
Tat new word is good… I might jus use it
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I remember reading about this last year, but for some reason it never made it to my tbr list. It’s on there now
I have this one (unread — as usual). I think I put it aside when I started to see mixed reviews.
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