What I am Reading
Cindy Harrison loves books. As a review for Publisher's Weekly, she reads about 20 books per month, and still finds time to teach at her local community college."I am also deeply loyal to writers whose work changed my life in significant ways, even if I have not read them in ages. Plus, all kinds of books have marked meaningful moments in my life." Visit her at
Cynthiaharrison.com or email her
Cindy@CynthiaHarrison
The Odd Woman
T
his book stole my heart in 2006 as it could not have done when it was originally published in 1974. In '74, I was a divorced 19 year old living in Key West, nurturing a broken heart while working at the Enlisted Men's club. I sold beer to lonely boys also far from home for a nickel and didn't know from educated women like Professor Jane Clifford.
Jane and her drama would have been like science fiction to me then, but now, I understand her and wish I could have been her. The story evoked regret and nostalgia but also gave me hope for the future and especially my present. Jane has a temporary position at the university where she teaches, much as I am temporary at MCC. Jane and I share that outsider thing, that Less Than feeling about our work. Lots of good stuff about teaching, as in when Jane's popular teaching friend (who also has tenure and a husband, two things Jane lacks) "Teaching is 1/4 preparation and 3/4 acting."
Ha! Lots of little lifelines like that.
But most of the action of the novel takes place off campus, as Jane travels home for her beloved Gram's funeral. While home she comes to terms with a brutal stepfather, a mother who lives in a dream world, and a married lover who gives too little and expects too much. She's also entwined in a little family mystery with interesting revelations.
Did I say I love this book? I really do. It started me on my current Gail Godwin kick, which will be slow going between teaching, book group, and reviewing for PW (Publisher's Weekly).
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