The Astral

One of my favorite sources for learning about new books is this free publication I get at the library called "Book Page." I'm always so giddy on my return home with that tucked in my library bag. My family knows that once I get home I'll tune everything out for a couple minutes as I quickly flip through it, occasionally gasping, "Oh, she's got a new book out!" If I have time to read the reviews right then, I will, if not, I'll do it later. Sometimes if I know I want to read the book, I don't bother reading the review too closely, as was the case with Kate Christensen's The Astral. I think I may have read the first sentence or two of the review and, not needing to read any further, put the book on hold. It was months ago that I retrieved it from the library and read the first page and promptly returned it. But every time I'd look at the new books section of the library, its spine would beckon to me, until I relented and gave it a second chance.

The Astral is about Harry Quirk, a poet scrambling to find his way after his wife, Luz, has thrown him out--along with his writing. Luz has found love sonnets that he's written that she knows are not about her and will not talk reasonably to him, she's so blinded by her rage. After having his work tossed, he is unable to pick up the pieces and write. (As a writer who has lost her share of work, I empathize greatly here.)

Harry hasn't had a job outside of writing and a bit of teaching and must stumble around as he figures out how to support himself. Meanwhile his son Hector has joined a cult and his daughter Karina (a freegan) is determined to save her brother, but needs Harry to help. I enjoyed the story a lot, but didn't find it super readable. Christensen is a wonderful writer, don't get me wrong. Her prose is so dense though that sometimes sentences feel weighted down and I'd find myself needing to reread a bit. I talked a while back about androgynous writing and I'd put Christensen's in that category. (I mean this in the most endearing way.) I'm interested in checking out some of her other novels. I wonder if she's always written like this or if her work has evolved over the years. Either way, I'm interested in reading more.

Kate Christensen