miller's crossing

School's started and I’ve got lots of reading to do for classes. Fortunately, I spent my summer reading (mostly) pleasurable novels. Intentionally or not, two related themes surfaced in my choices: marriage problems and women’s coming of age.

Putting these two themes together (from my very selective readings list), I posit that women’s coming of age stories take place when they’re between thirty and forty, and the dissolution of a marriage often prompts this reckoning with oneself. As fewer women marry, I wonder how that’s going to effect the stories of women’s self-discoveries.

My summer reading list:

• The Great Man, Kate Christensen
• Master Butchers Singing Club, Louise Erdrich
• In the Drink, Kate Christensen
• The Middle Kingdom, Andrea Barrett
• Fear of Flying, Erica Jong
• How to Save Your Own Life, Erica Jong
• Democracy, Joan Didion
• Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
• At Paradise Gate, Jane Smiley
• Epicure’s Lament, Kate Christensen