Curmudgeon Lit is one of my favorite reading genres. What is Curmudgeon Lit you ask?
These books have a senior protagonist that is usually going through a difficult time.
The curmudgeon is often alone; a spouse has passed away or the children are distant/far away.
They come across as grumpy or mean natured but often just want to be left alone.
But here is what I like about this genre - the characters, though initially crusty, are usually likeable or become likeable by the end of the story. They usually stand for goodness and loyalty. The plot often involves some sort of journey (literal or figurative), and include themes of found family or reconciliation. Again, the key here is redemption, likeability and a journey. These books also prove it is never too late to start over, find your family, make a difference, or generally have a good time.
Here is a list of some my favorite curmudgeon fiction:
Major Pettigrew’s Las Stand - one of my favorites and the first I read in this growing genre. Major is a most proper English gentleman, but finds he looks at customs and village expectations differently after becoming friends with a widowed Pakistani shop keeper. Dealing with the loss of his brother and his disagreable son, will Major Pettigrew finally take the risks to pursue what will truly make him happy?
A Man Called Ove - hugely popular, set in Sweden by prolific author Fredrik Backman, Ove is truly cranky and done with life. When he continues to have run-ins with his new neighbors, he reluctantly grows attached. There is some true depth to this book as Ove looks back at the trauma he experienced in his youth. Really by the end, everyone loves Ove.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper - When widow, Arthur Pepper finds a beautiful gold charm bracelet among his wife’s possessions, he goes on a trek around the world to find the source and meaning of all the charms, and to uncover his wife’s past.
Arthur Truluv - Centers around the friendship between Arthur, a bereaved widower and Maddy, a lonely 18 year old. Here Arthur is not really a curmudgeon, but he is deep in grief and becomes a catalyst for good in his neighborhood.
The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared - Yep, that is the title! Ok, so I watched the movie, and it was hysterical. Sort of a Mr. Magoo stops the bad guys. I have not read the book, but I am betting it is also clever. (Note: Though charming, the movie is rated R)
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye - This book is a literal journey. After receiving a goodbye note from his first love Queenie, who is in hospice care, Harold decides to walk 600 miles to see her in person. Along the way he muses over his life and meets all sorts of characters, some of whom join him on his journey. This is not my favorite of the list; I found his journey tiresome but this has been a pretty popular book.
We are right in the middle of the National Book Festival in Washington DC (September 17-26). I skimmed through the schedule and they are having conversations with some fabulous authors including Kristen Hannah, Brit Bennett, Tana French, Bill Gates, Roxanne Gay, Kazuo Ishiguro, George Saunders, LeVar Burton, and so many more. Primarily on-line this year, all the events are being recorded so you can watch if you miss one of your favorite authors. Even though I wish I could go in person, how great is it that the events are available to everyone?
NetGalley FAQS
Want to get your hands on the latest books…. even before they have been released, and for FREE? Then consider signing up for an account with NetGalley. NetGalley allows you to request and read books before they are published in exchange for providing early reviews and feedback to publishers and other readers. To sign up, NetGalley askes you to create a profile and include details about your reading life. Recently, through my membership, I was able to access Cloud Cuckcoo Land by Anthony Doerr, one of the most anticipated fall releases this year (due out 9/28). I admit that even though I have an account, I do not read a ton of books through NetGally. I generally feel like I have enough books available to me via the library, e-book deals, etc. that I often forget to see what is available. NetGalley stresses the importance of keeping up your membership by reading the books you download and leaving reviews. I am not great at this, and yet still am often (but not 100% of the time) given access to books via NetGalley when I ask. By the way, Steve read and loved Cloud Cuckoo Land. Here is his brief review:
Anthony Doerr's newest novel is told across the past, present, and future. The settings are ancient Constantinople (not Istanbul), modern day Idaho, and a generation ship traveling through space to find a new home for humanity. All three are related through an ancient Greek play (Cloud Cuckoo Land), about a shepherd who mistakes a performance of Aristophenes' "The Birds" for a real description of a paradise in the clouds where the birds live. Sound confusing? Fortunately not. Doerr does a great job keeping the stories taught and easy to follow. They are tragic and hopeful, with characters that are likeable and easy to root for. This is a great book that manages to be both plot and character driven, with thought and care given to every detail. There is too much to discuss in a brief review, but if you like stories, history, and well developed characters, you will love this book.
I am in love-an Airbnb built to look like the House at Pooh Corner!
Details about this magical tiny home here.
Recent Reads
I absolutely tore through Andy Weir’s latest novel, Hail Mary. Ryland Grace wakes up to find himself the sole occupant of a spaceship hurtling through space towards a far off planet. He is tasked with finding a solution that will help Earth kill off energy-eating organisims that are dimming the power of the sun. I don’t want to give to much away but this was a compulsive read. Weir does an amazing job with the main character: he is entertaining while explaining a lot of science/math (which I tend to skim). Some things go right and other things go wrong and I was not sure of the outcome till the very end. Weir sticks the landing on this book beautifully. If you enjoyed The Martian (Weir’s debut), you will want to read this too.
Dial A forAunties is one wild ride. Think mash-up between Crazy Rich Asians and Weekend at Bernies. Meddy feels trapped, as the photographer for her close knit Chinese-Indonesian family’s wedding business. When she accidentally kills her blind date, she is forced to rely on her family for help. Maybe family loyalty isn’t so bad. Unfortunately, it is also the weekend for the biggest wedding of the season and the event must go on. This is a bit outlandish but it was also fun and I kept wondering if the author could bring everything together in the end, and I think she did. This is a fun, quick read that kept me turning the pages and wondering what in the world would happen next. I would love to see this made into a film.
Wide Open World - I listened to this book about the Marshall Family’s six month trip around the world voluntouring. Voluntouring refers to spending time around the world as volunteers rather than tourists. This family of four (mom, dad, and two teens) visit the jungles of Costa Rica, farms in New Zealand, a rural village in Thailand, and an orphanage in India. The book goes deep on the experiences of living and being a part of a local community. Marshall gives you upclose stories about run-ins with snakes, monkeys, long crowded bus and train rides, and strange foods. I really enjoyed learning about an aspect of travel that I was not familiar with. I found myself smiling and laughing in parts, and cringing in others. He also does not shy away from the joys and struggles of spending so much time in close quarters together as a family. At the end of the book, he provides specific details about how he found opportunities, how much it cost, and how to pack.
Note: Volunteerism as a concept is not without controversy. Want to dive deeper? This is an interesting article about the positive’s and negatives of voluntourism.
84, Charing Cross Road is a delightful non-fiction epistolary novel (a book made up letters). It follows the formation of deep friendships over many years between Helene Hanff and the proprietors of the Marks and Co Booksellers, located at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. The correspondence begins shortly after WW2, as scarcity in both countrys abounds. Hanff finds it easier to request the books she is looking for from London, than hunting them dowin in NYC, where she is writing from. Filled with charming witty banter both about books and people, they write with a formal, yet intimate tone that is all but absent from our correspondence these days. This book is a short read (or listen) and would make for a delightful afternoon with a warm cup of tea.
Wow - we covered so many books this month. I hope a few of these peeked your interest. Please leave any recommendations for recent books you have loved in the comments section! Thanks again for reading!
Yes, I loved “Cloud Cuckoo Land” too. So much so that I went out an bought the hardcover version (a rarity for me, as I have a limited budget). If you haven’t already read it, his earlier, Pulitzer Prize winning novel “All the Light We Cannot See” is also excellent.
I've read several of the Curmudgeon Lit books you mentioned and really enjoyed them. I have Dial A for Aunties on my TBR, I can't wait until I get to it.