John Edgar Wideman “Sent for You Yesterday”

“Sent for You Yesterday” is a novel by the American writer John Edgar Wideman set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 1970s. The novel tells the story of Albert Wilkes, who after seven years on the run, returns to Homewood, an African American neighborhood of the East End.
Wideman tells about ordinary lives are filled with hope and despair.
John Edgar Wideman is true great writer. I never knew there could be so many thoughts and ideas in two hundred pages.
An excellent novel.
Ann

Sebastian Faulks “Birdsong”

This is one of the best books about war, love, sorrow, loss, life that I have ever read.
The book is arranged into parts; one set in 1910, three set in the 1970s and the rest (the majority of the book) between 1916 and 1918. The parts set during the World War I are excellent. The battle scenes are so realistic, that as a reader I feel to be in the thick of the battle.
Birdsong begins as a love story. The young Englishman lives with a business partner's family in France and falls in love with his wife.
The novel also focuses on the life of Stephen's granddaughter, Elizabeth, and her attempts to find out more about her grandfather's experiences in World War I.

The story stays with you for a while after reading it. I could not put the book down.
I high recommend this book!
Lili

Alice McDermott “Charming Billy”

A very good book! Lots of feeling, character description, a good story... Billy Lynch, the central character, is an alcoholic who has just passed away as the novel begins. The story starts at Billy's funeral and then goes back and forth through time and we know of Billy's life from the time he returned from WWII until his death from alcoholism. This book is about the life, love, and relationships of Billy's family. The story is a tale of love found, love lost, and of the close ties of family.
I really liked all the characters, especially charming Billy.
An enjoyable read!
Olga.