Three days in June / Anne Tyler
What it is: a sweet, short story
Did I like it: like a breeze on a warm summer day
It’s June! The halfway point of the year. And the month that I finally get to read a book that has the month in the title. Thank you to friend M for providing this item of the challenge!
I accidentally stumbled onto this book back in February but then had to wait some before I got to read it. And then there was a short moment of panic when I wanted to start it but came up empty on my bookshelf: it turned out it was just wedged between two other books and because it’s so thin it had become almost invisible. Panic over, I settled with a cool drink and dug in. At slightly under 150 pages I didn’t even need a refill to finish this book.
This is a sweet and short story that takes place over, no points for guessing here, three days in June. There are three chapters because simplicity sometimes is just best.
Typically weddings are all about the happy couple, some even just about the bride. But in this case, it’s all about the mother of the bride. The story is told exclusively from her perspective and because Gail thinks a little bit differently from most people that not only makes it an interesting point of view but funny as well.
It starts on Friday, when Gail arrives at work and her social awkwardness gets her into a difficult situation. Fifteen minutes later she’s leaving the office, jobless. While she sits at home contemplating the situation, things go from bad to worse when her ex-husband shows up at her door. He doesn’t have a place to stay for the weekend and because Gail knows he cannot afford a hotel stay, she reluctantly allows him to stay the weekend in her guest room. He is a happy-go-lucky kind of person as opposed to Gail’s structured planner personality, for example: he brought a cat with him, but not a decent suit. Adjusting to his high energy and spontaneity is difficult and just when Gail thinks this must be rock bottom, bride-to-be daughter Debbie stops by with news about her fiancé that threatens the entire wedding. It also brings up a lot about Gail and Max’ past and Gail is forced to rethink some things.
I liked Gail a lot. She thinks, feels, and communicates a bit differently from most people. She’s loving and caring but doesn’t come across as such which is frustrating for everyone involved. The events of the weekend have her reflecting on choices made in the past and options for the future. The story is that of family and love and it’s serious and messy and warm and sharp all in one. Though it is a short story it is the perfect length for what it is and I have to admit I was surprised by how much I liked it.
Bookworm in the City 