Fans of David Wroblewski’s “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” will be pleased by his long-awaited new work, “Familiaris,” which serves as a prequel to his 2008 bestseller. That earlier novel was selected for the Oprah Winfrey Book Club, and now, 15 years later, “Familiaris” has received the same honor.
Set 50 years before “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” “Familiaris” follows Edgar’s grandfather, John Sawtelle, his new wife, Mary, their loyal dogs, and two friends as they venture out to build a new life in the remote woods of Wisconsin in 1919. Together, this unlikely group confronts both the harshness of nature and the complexities of their inner lives, learning to depend on each other not just for survival, but in their search for meaning and purpose.
Wroblewski’s storytelling shines through his portrayal of extraordinary human and canine characters who venture from small town to farm country to WWI, and even delve into ancient history. With themes that explore the fragility of the human condition — compassion, cruelty, endurance, and devotion — “Familiaris” has garnered high praise, with some calling it the “Great American Novel.”
At nearly 1,000 pages, there are passages that may challenge the reader’s attention. However, those who persevere will be rewarded with philosophical insights, moments of humor, and a touch of mysticism in this ambitious exploration of love, friendship, and the human experience.
Jean Hanff Korelitz’s latest novel, “The Sequel,” follows up on her 2021 hit “The Plot,” a twisty, sharp satire of the publishing world. “The Plot” was one of my favorite reads that year, and its popularity has led to a forthcoming Hulu series starring Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali.
In “The Sequel,” returning character Anna Williams-Bonner, the widow of a bestselling novelist who was tormented by anonymous accusations of plagiarism, is now content living off of her late husband’s royalties. Anna goes on to write her own book to much acclaim. But this time her life is thrown into chaos when she starts receiving excerpts from a work that threatens to expose her true past. Desperate to protect her carefully cultivated new identity and status, Anna is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her secret past hidden.
One would benefit from prior reading of “The Plot,” Korelitz’s first, and frankly superior, installment. While Korelitz retains her sardonic stinging wit and biting critique of literary vanity, with “The Sequel” she loses her subtlety, and as Anna emerges with amped-up treachery, the novel turns into a blunt thriller.
When Ina Garten, otherwise known as the Barefoot Contessa, released her memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” I finished it over a weekend. Despite having read her previous 13 cookbooks, attended one of her speaking events, and having watched every season of her Food Network shows, this memoir still managed to delight and surprise me.
Garten’s writing style, like her approach to food, is inviting and entertaining. In this memoir, she opens up about her early life with difficult parents, her evolving marriage to husband Jeffrey, and her journey to becoming a culinary icon — without any formal training. Readers discover that the calm, affable TV personality is actually a self-proclaimed “adrenaline junkie” who can fly a plane, and that Jeffrey, her mild-mannered, ever-hungry husband we see on her shows, was once an investment banker who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces, and became a dean of Yale University’s business school.
The memoir reflects on “lucky” moments in Garten’s journey to success, starting with her decision to purchase the Hamptons gourmet food and cheese shop, Barefoot Contessa, in 1978. But as Garten describes it, that luck was combined with relentless hard work — including baking during the night to churn out1,000 baguettes a day, or sleeping in the shop when she was too tired to go home. Another fortuitous stroke came when a publisher recognized that Garten’s new simple-but-elegant cooking style filled a market gap. Later her talent was spotted by a Food Network executive who hounded her to host a cooking show. Garten’s philosophy — that the goal of entertaining is to be with friends and not stuck in the kitchen — resonated with millions.
Through the lens of her envious life — complete with celebrity friends, a house in the Hamptons, and a Paris apartment — Garten remains relatable and grounded. She followed her own culinary advice to “use the best ingredients you can find” in her life, finding her best partner and making her best efforts, and she added in a bit of luck. With “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” Garten serves up some inspiration and wisdom beyond the kitchen.