Fraud, murder, opium addiction and prostitution grip a 19th-century gold mining community in New Zealand that recalls HBO's Deadwood, minus the cursing. Familiarity with zodiac signs will enhance your appreciation of Eleanor Catton's beautifully drawn characters. But the plot wheels, in service of a clever but meaningless astrological structure stretch the slim story over way too many pages, particularly at the beginning.
While exploring the peculiar family dynamics among a narcissistic Irish matriarch and her children, Anne Enright also tackles the AIDS epidemic in New York City's East Village, charity work in Africa, suburban ennui and an actress's alcoholic response to motherhood with equal insight. Extra credit for capturing the raw physicality of gay sex better than any other female writer I've read (looking at you Hanya Yanagihara and Rebecca Makkai).
A frightening, suspenseful and ultimately optimistic take on the state of the world after a future pandemic much deadlier than covid 19. Emily St. John Mandel jumps back and forth in time, weaving together accounts of casualties and survivors who include an actor, a comic book artist and a cult leader and an itinerant orchestra which also performs Shakespeare.
Many homeowners in the Lake Worth area express themselves through their mailboxes. Here's my favorite, although it's actually located on Hypoluxo Island.
A pick-up truck just can't compare.
Curb and kitsch appeal!
Owners mark the season, too.
As you might expect marine critters, sea shells, beach glass and anchors decorate many.
Birds, too.
I'll bet more than one winged creature mistook this for a house.
Fruit, flowers and palms. The pineapple symbolizes hospitality.
Christianity gets its due, too. This mailbox, in front of the garage, is mounted on a cross.
Others evade categorization, except perhaps store-bought with minimal customization.
Some mailboxes, like their owners, have seen better days.
Multiple dwellings inhibit expressions of personality.
2024 Update:
I finally got around to decorating our mailbox at the Florida Folly with a series of stamps the Post Office issued to commemorate the 20th century, decade by decade. Mayor Betty Resch stopped by to take a peek while campaigning for re-election.
2025 Update:
What was I thinking? The Florida weather--bright sunshine frequently alternating with torrential rain--destroyed our collage mailbox despite several coats of fixer.
