Review: "How to Read a Book," Monica Wood

Harriet, a retired teacher, facilitates a book group at the Maine women’s prison. 

Violet is a member. She drove under the influence and killed a woman: Lorraine Daigle, a kindergarten teacher.

Frank Daigle is Lorraine’s husband, a retired machinist. He had a complicated relationship with Lorraine and is at loose ends after her death.

The three meet up in a fateful moment at a Portland book store. Violet, released early, is drawn to a cat, up for adoption, that she sees in the window.

Harriet is looking for the next selection for the book group.

Frank is working part-time doing maintenance in the shop. He spots Harriet, speaks to her, and feels a wave of attraction. Then he spies Violet.

Worlds collide.

This heartfelt, gently humorous novel left me teary-eyed. Then I proclaimed it an instant favorite.

Before all hell breaks loose when Violet comes into Frank’s view, he has suggested to Harriet that she try poetry next. She reacts warmly to him, but when he freaks out (in his way; he’s a gentle, kind man) at seeing the woman responsible for his wife’s death, she hardens to him.

Frank, however, wants to forgive Violet, and she is ready to begin a new chapter, to lead a good life. Eventually, the three unite.

Harriet helps Violet get a job in a bird lab at the university. The young woman loves working with the verbal, intelligent African gray parrots. She also grows too close to the lab’s director, Mishka, a brilliant but sullen Russian. 

Harriet continues to lead the book group. The women affectionately call her “Bookie.” When they read Spoon River Anthology, their imaginations are fired up and they start writing. Harriet is fulfilled by her work, but her niece and daughters are concerned that Harriet is too familiar with the inmates. They even know where her cat, Tabsy, hangs out in her home.

Frank has to deal with a drama-queen daughter, who idolized her mother. Should he, can he, tell her the truth about Lorraine?

These issues all come to a head for the characters, individually and together, in dramatic fashion. And the Spoon River Anthology fits in wonderfully with the poignant ending of the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the bird lab, and Violet’s interactions with the parrots. I may have even learned a thing or two about animal behavior. Of course, as a retired librarian, I found the book group interactions and Harriet’s process for selecting materials engrossing. And Frank’s love of working with metal and fashioning it into useful objects was fascinating. 

How to Read a Book is the community read selection for Lithgow Public Library this year. I’m looking forward to participating in a book discussion on it and then a reception for and program by Monica Wood later this month.