Last month one of the books I read was Coraline, by Neil Gaiman. It's a superbly-written book, but shudderingly creepy for a children’s book.
This month I am reading a far scarier book - The Plot Against America, by Philip
Roth.
The book starts in June 1940, with Charles Lindbergh, famous
airplane pilot and isolationist, running as the Republican
candidate in the presidential election against Franklin Roosevelt. The book is a fascinating mix of actual
history and historical fiction. Here is a quote from page 6:
… Lindbergh …. expressed quite
openly his high regard for Hitler, calling Germany the world’s “most
interesting nation” and its leader “a great man.” And all this interest and admiration after Hitler’s 1935 racial laws had
denied Germany’s Jews their civil, social, and property rights, nullified their
citizenship, and forbidden intermarriage with Aryans.
Lindbergh really did say things like that.
In Roth's book, Lindbergh wins the election. Very scary.
5 comments:
I bought Coraline last year for my niece who was in 4th grade. She loved it! I have not read it. Nor have I seen the whole movie -- just the beginning.
I did not know this about Lindbergh. History would be greatly changed if King Edward (Queen Elizabeth's Uncle David) had not abdicated -- he was an admirer of Hitler -- and if FDR had not won that election.
Lindbergh was a total shit. Even the EAA Museum in Oshkosh makes a point of reminding people of that fact.
Chilling parallels.
Have you read The Graveyard Book, also by Neil Gaiman? I want to read everything he wrote. He is brilliant.
These are frightening times. And it's frightening to have relatives who seem incapable of seeing the parallels.
Yes, "Green Girl in Wisconsin," he is. Brilliant. I adore Neil Gaiman. Total fangirl thing happening here. I loved Coraline. The Graveyard Book. Ocean at the End of the Lane. Neverwhere. Stardust. American Gods. Anansi Boys. Fortunately, The Milk. Fragile Things. Trigger Warning. The Sleeper and the Spindle. I am working on reading his entire ouvre. (I'm not so fond of graphic novels so Sandman is tough for me). His new book will be Norse mythology which I'm sure will be available at my bookstore since we feature Scandinavian stuff. And I saw/and heard him speak, last year.
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