The Bungalow by Sarah Jio - A Review

Sarah Jio gave me one of the best birthday presents…and I’ve never even met her. My birthday was on Wednesday and I just wanted an afternoon to tackle the pile of unread books I’ve accumulated on my nightstand and iPad. Simple, right? Graciously, my husband obliged and I was able to indulge in hours of uninterrupted literary bliss. Yes, this makes me happy – very, very happy.

I finished the final two chapters of a book I had been working on for a month, digested a few chapters of an economics books I’ve been reading (for a year!) and started Sarah Jio’s new novel, The Bungalow. That was the plan anyway.

Time swallowed me up as day turned to night. Before I knew it, it was midnight and I turned the last page of The Bungalow. Seriously. I finished it in a single sitting…and I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. Sometimes when you read a book, there is a natural place to grab the bookmark and pause. Not the case with The Bungalow. I just couldn’t stop.

I love wartime fiction. There’s something about a story unfolding with the backdrop of international tension, boundless courage and unknown outcomes that sucks me in -- if that story is a romance, even better. The Bungalow is an emotional story of uncertain love, true love, the lure of stability, the ugliness of pride and the beautiful intertwining of lives through generations.

The skillful, clean writing that Jio exemplified in her first novel, The Violets of March, pours over into The Bungalow, making it a true pleasure to read. It flows so effortlessly from one scene to the next while carrying the reader from a wealthy Seattle neighborhood to the jungle of Bora-Bora. As I turned the final page, I literally wanted to hug the book. Had I not been reading on my iPad, I would have (one disadvantage of e-reading: the hugs aren’t quite as satisfying).

Thanks, Sarah, for the awesome birthday present. I wasn’t expecting to spend my evening with Anne and Westry, but I’m so glad I did.

Success with Honor?

I just read the entire Grand Jury report from the Jerry Sandusky investigation. I wish I hadn’t. I felt compelled because the entire story has been so disturbing and there was just so much speculation swirling around all of the commentary. The only way to get around all of the emotion was to go to the source and read the facts, as presented to the Grand Jury.

I don’t think anyone should be commenting on this painfully disgusting story until they read the Report. Once you do, I’m convinced that there’s only one way to view Sandusky: as a perverted serial abuser with an ego a million times bigger than his conscience. His behavior was repeatedly horrendous – shockingly so – yet he continued to prey on young kids without anyone questioning him. Sure, some said his behavior was odd but appropriate outrage was nowhere to be found. I believe he felt invincible and empowered to continue his crime spree by the lack of action taken against him.

Evidence of the deterioration of our society is plain to see when you consider how many people could have stopped Sandusky’s sickening pursuit of innocent children. Is this who we are? How does a 28 year old man not beat Sandusky to a pulp when he walks in on him seriously abusing a 10 year old boy on Penn State property? How did he turn and walk away? My heart breaks for that child, as well as the other victims (who really knows how many there were?). On top of it all, Sandusky met most (if not all) of these kids through The Second Mile Foundation, a charity he established to help at-risk youth. Revolting.

The reaction to the firing of Joe Paterno over this mess is embarrassing. Rioting? Really? Clearly, football is more important to these students than protecting children. These weren’t white collar crimes or crimes against capable adults. These were little kids who were manipulated and forever changed by a man they trusted. I don’t know Paterno, but he strikes me as a guy who likes to be in control. To think that he did not know the true extent of the situation is far-fetched at best. No, he didn’t do nearly enough. If you have even the slightest inclination that a child (let along, multiple children) is being hurt, you make it your mission to figure it out. You pursue the truth…because the child cannot.

Sandusky is pure evil. The people who turned their heads are equally as repulsive. Penn State’s priority should be education, not football. Sure, it’s great to have a powerhouse team, a respected coach and a long-standing legacy, but not at the expense of morals and basic human decency. As a mother, to say that I’m nauseated by this situation is an understatement. I appreciate Paterno’s contribution to NCAA football, but I wonder what Sandusky’s victims think about his “Success with Honor” mantra. Actually, I think I have a pretty good idea….

Disclaimer: I cannot bring myself to link to the Grand Jury Report, but a quick web search should uncover it. Proceed with caution.