My Head Is Full of Books: Review: THE RED ADDRESS BOOK (+Friday56 LinkUp)

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Review: THE RED ADDRESS BOOK (+Friday56 LinkUp)

Title: The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg, translated by Alice Menzies

Book Beginnings quote:

The saltshaker. The pillbox. The blood-pressure monitor in its oval plastic case. The magnifying glass and its red bobbin-lace strap, taken from a Christmas curtain, tied in three fat knots. The phone with the extra-large numbers. The old red-leather address book, its bent corners revealing the yellowed paper within.

Friday56 quote:

I wanted to write to Gösta. Wanted to tell him everything he was longing to hear. But I couldn't. I couldn't manage even a few nice words about the city I had come to hate.

Summary:

Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny—her American grandniece, and her only relative—give her great joy and remind her of her own youth.

When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colorful past—working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War—can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris’s life? (Publisher)

Review: I am always predisposed to like books I select to read, especially ones being read for book club. The Red Address Book, written by Sofia Lundberg a Swedish author, is no exception. I launched into reading the book on the airplane flying to California for New Year's Day. In the beginning I was charmed by the simple story of an aged woman reflecting on her adventurous, yet sad life. Many of the chapters are headed by names of individuals written in her red address book now crossed out with the word DEAD marked nearby. Doris is 96 when she decides to write down the stories from her life for her only relative, a niece in California.

My mother, age 95, also writes her life-stories and shares them with her friends and family. I completely understand the impulse to share memories while one has a chance. Unfortunately as I read on I found myself less and less charmed by the stories, finding most to be unbelievable. I'm guessing I will be in a minority at the club meeting, though. I am often at odds with others when it comes to liking vs not liking books. In fact just last week my daughter and I were talking about a book she was reading but she warned me that I'd probably not like it because it wasn't literary enough for me. I knew what she meant. I tend to appreciate books that are really well-written, in some ways the plot is less important to me than the writing. We'll see what others think on Tuesday.

In the meantime, have you read The Red Address Book? What did you think of it.

My rating: ~~2.5~~ 3 stars.

I updated my rating to 3 stars after attending book club. One point I was unaware of was the author, a Swede, had an aunt Doris whom she adored visiting. After Doris' death Sofia found her old address book and wondered about the life of an aunt she loved but didn't know her whole story. Sofia herself left home at age fourteen to model in Paris, which was another plot point in the book. Lastly, in book club we reminisced about friends/family who led full and exciting lives before we met them. One lady from our church, also named Doris, was a real character. Before any of us knew her she lived a wild life in Hollywood where she met many movie stars. That was a fun discussion.