Book Review: There There by Tommy Orange

There There is an okay book. It is interesting that I read There There shortly after I read Disappearing Earth. Because I had many of the same feelings about both books.

I'm not usually a fan of short stories. And books that have multiple narrators, jumping from one perspective to another that tell just a small piece of a seemingly unrelated story just seem like short stories. I did feel like Orange did a better job of ramping up the tension and showing relationships though.

We are told multiple stories by different Native Americans, and they end up culminating at a powwow at the Oakland Coliseum. We learn early on that some of these characters want to rob the powwow, and guns are involved.

I had a bit of trouble keeping the characters straight, as we jump back and forth among them, but not too bad. I understand the creativity of the way the story is told, and the writing is excellent, but just not my thing. As far as the Native American experience, I guess I got some of that. But I've read plenty of books about life with drugs, alcoholism, poverty, and lack of parental figures that didn't involve Native Americans, so it didn't seem that unique.

The part that I really don't understand is why there couldn't have been one more chapter that finished the story. I think that authors want you to decide for yourself. But, you know what? I'm not a writer. The author is the storyteller, so tell the story! I don't understand why an author would think it would make the book worse if they finished the story and let the reader know what they, the author, thought happened to these characters!! (Stepping off my soapbox now.)

Using multiple narrators for the audio version was very effective. They all did a great job. I had actually decided I wasn't going to finish listening. I was only going to listen until my next audiobook came in (for which I have waited months.) But, not only did it not come through, it got canceled for some reason. Ugh. Well, that's another story, and I'm glad I finished There There. It got better as the book went on.

Published by Knopf, 2018, Random House Audio
Audiobook obtained from the library
304 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

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Book Review: Cold, Cold Bones, by Kathy Reichs

Cold, Cold Bones is a Temperance Brennan Novel--the 21st one! And, as such, it is a familiar trope. But that is not a bad thing--not at all.

If you've read any of Reichs' novels, you will certainly enjoy Cold, Cold Bones. This case is related to several others Tempe has investigated, so having read some of them makes it interesting, although not necessary. Tempe's daughter is back. And Ryan makes an appearance.

I don't really have much more to say about Cold, Cold Bones, except Reichs is a master of drawing you in, leading you down several plausible paths, building up the tension, and then almost breaking you apart at the end.

If you haven't read any of the series, I highly recommend you start. I would begin with an earlier one, but you don't have to. I haven't read all of them, but I think I've read most. I always look forward to Tempe's adventures. If you've watched the TV series, Bones, it is based on this character. But, it isn't the same at all. Read the books.

Published by Scribner, July 5, 2022
eARC obtained from Edelweiss+ & NetGalley
352 pages

Rating: 4/5

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