As an employee of Papa Ginos at The New London Mall in 1984--I was a bit apprehensive when the Crystal Mall opened its doors. I worried that the mall would close and I'd be out of a job. But--that didn't stop me from going to see what all the hype was about. I'll never forget my first trip. I literally lost my car. I had never been to a mall SO big. I didn't realize there were so many entrances and exits. I still laugh when I think about the hour I spent walking around the parking lot looking for my little blue car. I went to the Crystal Mall yesterday-- 42 years later--and what a shock. There are only a few stores open. Although the original New London Mall is gone--it's still a shopping center albeit without Papa Ginos. No such luck for the Crystal Mall with Electric Boat taking over the entire space. Sad but times change. In other news, I just finished a book I think you might enjoy call
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.
Buckeye is a lovely novel that spans 50 years--from 1920s-1970s. Set in Ohio, it follows the lives of two couples, Cal and Becky Jenkins and Felix and Margaret Salt. As the story unfolds, Cal is haunted because he can not serve in WWII as he was born with one leg longer than the other. After high school graduation, he dates and quickly marries Becky, a spiritual medium. The couple settle into life and quickly have a son named Skip. Margaret Salt is an orphan who hopes marriage will solve her problems. After her husband Felix deploys, he serves aboard a naval vessel for 4 years. When he finally comes home, he is traumatized, but seems better after Margaret announces her pregnancy and they have a son named, Tom. I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to ruin the story, but major themes include secrets, forgiveness, complexities in marriage and the impact of war. This well-written saga is filled with interesting, rich characters that will stick with you for a long time. It will also make you question why people never seem to learn that WAR SOLVE NOTHING.
No comments:
Post a Comment