Within the last two days I finished my long, emotional journey with the fine citizens of Kingsbridge, England in World Without End by Ken Follett. If you remember, I began my journey near the end of July. Thirty-six discs and 45 hours later, I finished listening to this phenomenal story.
Oh, my word. What can be said? If you've read Pillars of the Earth and are trying to decide if you'd like to embark on another 1,000 plus page story, I say you must. I say this because if you finished Pillars, then surely you fell in love with the story of the building of the Kingsbridge Cathedral. I didn't think I would love the follow up to that wonderful story. But I did, and I do. Actually, I think I loved it more. Now, this might be because the story is still so fresh in my head and I read Pillars about a year ago. But friends, this book is everything you could want in a novel and more. There is intrigue, mystery, politics, religion, history, a plague and finally a love story for the ages all wrapped between the cover of this book.
Now while listening to World, I started reading-
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar.
This book intrigued me because the central characters of this fictional book are from my area and then move to India after a tragedy. Lately, I have been extremely interested in Indian authors and books. Although the subject matter is weighty, (the death of a child and the journey the couple goes through in trying to heal, knowing that one can never heal completely) this book grabbed from the beginning and didn't let go. It had a dark under being, but there were such beautiful descriptives, that at least for me, it made it possible to go along with these characters and survive the darkness.
I will forewarn you and tell you that this is one of those books that ends without tying up all the loose ends, which for me is always problematic and perhaps why I'm still thinking about this book.
Upon finishing this book and completing World, I quickly picked up this-
Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center.
Another, page turner, I quickly connected with this main character too. This is a funny look at what happens when a couple becomes parents and have to find out how to be a couple again while still parenting. There are some laugh out loud moments, especially at the descriptions of those early baby/toddler years when, as mom you think you'll never get to shower again or wear anything but baby food stained t-shirts and sweatpants. This was an easy read and a nice night cap to the more serious Umrigar novel.
But now, everything is done. I feel like I've just passed through a passion filled romance and emotional roller coaster break up and I don't know what to do with myself. No other books are appealing to me. I keep reliving these stories in my mind. Just like a broken relationship that you weren't quite ready to end, I don't want to say goodbye to these characters. There hasn't been enough time passed to move on to new characters. What if these characters call and want a re-read? I need time to heal before I invest in a new relationship. Maybe I could read an old fall back novel. Someone I've been involved with before, and now there's no emotional baggage. We could have a one night read for old time's sake, right?
No, that doesn't feel right either. That would feel like cheating. But it can't be cheating if it's over, right? Maybe we could still be friends? I know what you think, that never works out, someone always gets hurt. But, these authors have other books that I haven't read. So, maybe we could start fresh, new beginnings and all that...we could try and see how that works, at least for a little while...I'm willing to, if the novels are...I'll keep you posted.