Memorial

This is an example of a book I was going to give up on, but hung in there and ended up really, really appreciating. That doesn't happen to me too often. Also, I read this at a bad time-a really bad time. I woke up on November 3rd and, for the first time in my life, could not read a word. I tried 6 different books. I ended up reading the same sentences over and over again. This continued until the 9th.

Now, about Memorial, and a little less about me. Wait. I have to say this. I hate infidelity. Like, really hate it. I put novels down all of the time if that is the plot. So my early thoughts about Memorial were: fights so bad that someone gets a black eye? Cheating! Benson is a cold fish.
But I hung in there for one reason, Mitsuko. I was fascinated by her. I kept thinking, what the hell would I do in this situation? Then I came to love Lydia and the crew at the daycare center and then Mike took us to Japan and I realized this book was EVERYTHING I LOVE ABOUT REAL LITERATURE:
it was taking me to a place I have never been, with people who have a different lifestyle than my own, and allowing me into their heads. This book became an exploration of What is a family? What does a family look like? Also: what is a community? What is a person's role in that community? What does a citizen OWE their community?
And Washington's writing is so, so beautiful. It's real and raw and hits you with waves of emotion. He's so perceptive. Fantastic.
So, Memorial for the win for getting me out of my reading slump.