It’s time for #6Degrees and it’s a cinch to play – please join in!
This month’s chain begins with Lauren Groff’s bestseller Fates and Furies. I haven’t read it (yet) but I do know it’s a story about a marriage, told from different perspectives.
Very similar is Claire Fuller’s new novel, Swimming Lessons. In this story, Ingrid’s memories of specific events during her marriage are different from how her family and husband, Gil, remember things.
One of the things I particularly loved about Swimming Lessons was the author’s descriptions of the sea. I felt the same way about Favel Parrett’s descriptions in Past the Shallows.
Past the Shallows is the story of two boys whose father is an extremely angry man. Similar is Sofie Laguna’s The Eye of the Sheep.
Now bear with me for this next link… The Eye of the Sheep is set in the Melbourne suburb of Altona. Last year when I saw Jonathan Franzen speak about his book Purity, he mentioned that he had spent the day in Altona, bird-watching, specifically for the rare Orange-Bellied Parrot (the reason I remember the name of the bird is because when I was studying town planning {decades ago}, my lecturer would always say “Before you remove everything from the site, remember the Orange-Bellied Parrot” – we feared for the continued existence of this rarely seen species!).
Bird-watching links to The Birdman’s Wife by Melissa Ashley. It’s the story of Elizabeth Gould, artist and illustrator, who first documented Australian birds.
The drawings of William Gould (no relation to Elizabeth as far as I know) were of Australian fish, as described by Richard Flannagan in Gould’s Book of Fish.
From perspectives on marriage and descriptions of the sea to families, bird-watching and drawings (by people named Gould). Where will other chains lead?
Next month (March 4, 2017), the chain will begin with Nick Hornby’s memoir (or love letter to soccer), Fever Pitch.
Great fun Kate. I particularly love the sneaky Franzen link. Here is mine: https://whisperinggums.com/2017/02/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-fates-and-furies-to-the-buddha-of-suburbia/
I haven’t read Hornby’s book but a sports memoir shouldn’t be too hard to link too. I’ll get my creative juices flowing.
Yes, my Franzen link was a little sneaky (or tenuous!).
I read Fever Pitch a very long time ago but figured sports was a starting point that hasn’t really been used yet.
Yes, and it’s a good starting point plus those who don’t like sport could link to another Hornby book, or memoirs based on a passion.
The reason why I love these posts is everyone takes the links on a totally different path, yours this time was far more inspired than many – brilliant!
Inspired or dodgy?! I thought it was a little tenuous but, 25 years since sitting in lectures, I still remember the Orange-bellied Parrot, which made it even more extraordinary to hear Franzen say that it was the one thing he wanted to see in Melbourne! (for the record, apparently seeing one is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for bird-watchers).
My chain also includes books about the sea (but not swimming) and about marriage. I’ve also got a book set in Altona – but in Germany, not in Australia!
Wow! What are the chances…? (particularly the Altona link!)
Thinking about this list made me want to read Fates and Furies again. Better add it to the pile! Here’s my 6 Degrees: https://wildeonmyside.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-fates-and-furies-to-allegedly/
I’m so excited to start with Fever Pitch next time; I grew up with that book and it remains an all-time favourite.
I’ve been meaning to read Fates & Furies since it was released and thought that if I used it as the starting point, it would bump it up the TBR stack… I got distracted by new releases 🙁 but will get to it.
I’ll look forward to your Fever Pitch chain (bet your mind is already going in all sorts of directions).
Echoing Cleo here. So interesting to see how different readers’ minds work and what they’ve read. And thanks for reminding me of Favel Parrett. I loved When the Night Comes – Past the Shallows is now on my list.
I think Parrett is an extraordinary writer. Past the Shallows is different to Night in terms of structure but her style remains the same. A stunning book.
It was the beauty of her writing that I loved so much. I’m not sure Night sold much here which is a shame.
I don’t think it was huge in Australia either – ‘too literary’ for lots of people’s taste. Past the Shallows did better because the plot was more straightforward.
Love the Franzen link!
A little tenuous but there’s no rules around here! 😀
No rules (or rules that you can bend as you want) is one of the things that I love about this meme.
Pingback: The Six Degrees of Separation Meme: Fates and Furies – Annabookbel
I’m particularly looking forward to reading Swmming Lessons – it’s next on my TBR pile.
Haven’t read a bad review of Swimming Lessons yet. There are lots of little hints and twists throughout, making it real edge-of-your-seat-in-a-gentle-way reading.
Town planner to blog queen. You have straddled the career spectrum! Great post. I do now link Eye of the Sheep with Altona too.
I’m planning to join in next month, seems like good fun.
*sigh* if only blogging was a true career move 😉 I’m no longer in planning – instead, have gone back to study to make a genuine career change (my version of a mid-life crisis).
Good for you. I hope your career change requires excellent observational skills and top class writing, as you’ve got those nailed.
Thank you ☺️ I’m studying counselling, so yes, all about observation!
I love how your chain took you to .. birdwatching! I never would have thought which is why I love these types of posts.
clever linking! I am skipping this month because my creative juices are totally failing me for once
Thank you! Take it easy, rest the ‘creative juices’ and make the most of your reading time. 🙂
Im trying my best but somehow cant concentrate on anything for very long
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation – From Groff to… – FictionFan's Book Reviews
Ha! I love your Altona link – very unique! Always interested to see how differently everyone’s chains work out. 🙂
Pingback: Fates and Furies // Six Degrees of Separation – Fourth Street Review