Bhaghya Babu Babu itibaren 07600 Çeltikçi Köyü/Manavgat/Antalya, Türkiye
This is a wonderful book. I cried and lauged. It is a wonderfully real story of a very complicated and functionally dysfunctional family.
It's rare that a movie is as good as the book, but this one was. I usually don't mind reading a book after I've seen the movie, because the book nearly always has details, characvters or nuances left out. This movie, which I haven't seen for several years, was so true to the story, that I couldn't help picturing Kirsten Dunst, James Woods and Kathleen Turner throughout. But reading Eugenides' first novel was still entertaining, and if nothing else gave me a greater appreciation for what an excellent director Sofia Copolla is. Both book and film are worthwhile.
A Clearing Season is that rare gem of a book that can challenge not only one's thinking but one's way of living. The author lyrically touches on the need to let go of all that gets in the way of drawing closer to God, challenging readers to willingly go into the wilderness of their own hearts and to allow even every setback to increase their understanding, love and gentleness. Ultimately, she points to the path of healing and wholeness. I found this to be the perfect book at the perfect moment this Lent, and expect that I'll be reading it through many more times again in years to come.