Just Finished Reading Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Kathleen Rooney's 2017 novel Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk is a fictionalized loose biography of Margaret Fishback, who like the protagonist was a famous poet in her time of the early-to-mid twentieth century and was, with her job at Macy's Department Store, the highest paid woman advertiser of her time and a stalwart, confirmed New Yorker.   The details that first-person narrator Lillian brings out about her own life, family and friends, and philosophy of life, on the other hand may or may not be based in reality.  I do know this: I really enjoyed reading this story, and on several fronts...

Ever since I visited New York City...in particular Mid-and-Lower Manhattan...seven years ago, I have keenly noticed any references to the city in the books I've read, especially those focusing on it. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk takes the reader on a walk through Manhattan, going back in time to the 1920s, 30s, 40s...and on up to New Years Eve 1984 as the lead character...85 years old...decides to make an adventurous and reflective trek through town.  I enjoyed the geography refresher, although my 2010 Manhattan experience came after later mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg empowered the police and drove out the porno shops...no complaints from me as a pedestrian tourist about that although it appears that minority residents may have been unfairly targeted by the cops in their zeal.  But the main attraction of this book to me was an examination of this remarkable woman's attitudes and philosophy of life...

Lillian Boxfish shows an intriguing mixture of bold assertiveness and gracious tact in her interactions with others.  Being a groundbreaker in her advertising profession for women, both skills are indispensable as well as the need to balance them...and she develops them to an art.  Her overriding philosophy is that civility in everything is paramount...you can express your feelings or thoughts, but it must be done with grace and empathy toward whomever you are communicating with...hey, I want to be like that!  As she remembers parts of her life while on her long evening walk, Lillian also touches upon a very difficult period when she was around 55 and came down with deep depression marked by anhedonia: the lack of pleasure or of the capacity to experience it.  Her recounts of this time made a deep impact on me...

At first when I was reading Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, I thought that the author was an elderly woman who was drawing upon her own experiences.  Then when I discovered that Kathleen Rooney is actually very young, I thought she must be a remarkable genius.  Well, I still think that to an extent about Ms. Rooney, but it wasn't until I finished reading the book that I found out that her Lillian Boxfish character was based on a real person...so I have to add my accolade that the author is also a great researcher.  This story is a big winner in any case, and I urge anyone to get a copy and read it...

Weekly Short Story: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

I first read the amazing 1959 science fiction short story Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes, from the collection The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: The Greatest Science Fiction Stories of All Time (Avon Books, 1970).  I tend to agree with this book's grandiose title: it really does contain some of the greatest stories ever.  For his part, Keyes was not an established writer when he produced his masterpiece...but it made an indelible impact anyway.  Probably discovering that he wasn't making much money off the short story, he expanded it into novel form in 1966...that version I haven't read.  As far as I'm concerned, when you're as close to perfect with a story like this, why mess with it?

Charlie Gordon is an intellectually-challenged (I.Q. 68) 37-year old who gets by with his custodial job at a factory.  Two research scientists, Doctors Strauss and Nemur, have a project underway designed to increase intelligence.  Their first subject was a little white mouse named Algernon.  But now they are ready to try their operation out on a human...and Charlie is the willing subject.  Dr. Strauss has suggested to Charlie that he keep a daily written journal about his life and what he is feeling.  And that is exactly what Flowers for Algernon is: Charlie Gordon's written record of his changing intelligence...and consequently his changing worldview, including some eye-opening revelations about the people in his life.  All the while he observes Algernon's progress and records his impressions...

What makes this story so special is the meticulous detail in which the author reveals the feelings and abilities of Charlie at different stages in his journey, as well as the generally flawed nature of some people in general, in particular the cruelty of some toward the mentally disabled and the blind ambition of others without regard to the consequences of their actions.  Once you begin to read this epic tale of inner discovery...and outer disillusionment...you just might find it difficult to put down until you're finished.  One of the best short stories of all time, in any genre of fiction...