You’ve probably spent more time than usual around a dinner table this past month—Thanksgivings, Friendsgivings, alternative non-givings—in which you conscientiously object to commemorating a dark time in American history, etc. Whatever your preference, you need something to talk about, and what better than the books you’re reading? Fortunately, the literary force is strong this holiday season—and that includes a new extended-universe Star Wars novel about a mysterious character, the return of classic Stephen King, and some edifying nonfictions for the old folks. Culture: that’s what we’re most thankful for here at Underwire, so let’s celebrate.
The Blockbuster: Revival by Stephen King
Release: November 11
Some writers might come out with a book called Revival when their situation was desperately in need of one. Not Stephen King—it’s just the latest in his unstoppably entertaining 40-year, 50-plus-book career. But it is a revival of a kind: Opening in a small New England town (calling up chilling reminders of his first two books, Carrie and Salem’s Lot), Revival feels like vintage King. It’s the story of a five-decade relationship between a reverend and a boy, and there’s a nightmare finale for the ages. And, at just 416 pages, it’s that rare King you can read quickly. (Well, relatively.) But if it’s dark out, don’t turn off the lights.
For discussion: What was the last terrifically terrifying Stephen King book you read?
The Textbook: Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts
Release: November 4
The ratio of Napoleon’s height to the number of words written about him has got to be the most amazingly lopsided in all of history. Consider this factoid from Andrew Roberts’ introduction to his new single-volume biography of the famous Frenchman: “More books have been written with Napoleon in the title than there have been days since his death in 1821.” Sacre bleu! But, as Roberts adds, none of those thousands of books made full use of Napoleon’s 33,000 signed letters, which the Foundation Napoléon in Paris began publishing in 2004. Of course, Roberts’ book does, so this is the one you should read.
For discussion: Roberts says the release of Napoleon’s letters “demands nothing less than a complete re-evaluation of this extraordinary man.” Do letters make a man?
The Out-There One: Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia by Peter Pomerantsev
Release: November 11
What’s weirder, madder, and scarier than 21st-century Russia? For British producer Peter Pomerantsev (born in Kiev, raised in Britain), not much. Returning there to work in its film and TV industry, he finds himself surrounded by a cast of characters worthy of any fiction: gangsters and gurus glittering with gold. No need to visit this theatrical dystopia of a country—Pomerantsev’s book provides all the Russian adventure you’ll need.
For discussion: What’s your perception of contemporary Russia, and how does this book confirm/challenge/expand/undermine it?
The Genre Pick: Tarkin by James Luceno
Release: November 4
“General Tarkin,” Princess Leia says in Star Wars, setting up one of the most incredible character introductions in all of American cinema, “I should have expected to find you holding Vader’s leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board.” Take THAT, Peter Cushing’s cheekbones! “On board” refers to the Death Star, and Tarkin is its presiding officer, but beyond that, who is this man? How did he get here? Does Vader really answer to him? In Tarkin, James Luceno, one of the better Star Wars extended-universe novelists (Labyrinth of Evil was pretty effective), answers all your burning questions, along with the not-so-burning (to wit: Tarkin’s sartorial preferences).
For discussion: Which other Star Wars characters deserve extended back stories?
The Thrill Ride: The Happiest People in the World by Brock Clarke
Release: November 4
The book’s title refers to the people of Denmark, who are often described, at least social-scientifically, as such. Of course, we’re primed to suspect otherwise, as the book’s main character is a Danish political cartoonist who depicts Muhammad in his work (sound familiar?). Not so happily, he becomes an assassination target, so the CIA relocates him to a small New York town, where he poses as a high school guidance counselor. No, we’re not making this up. It gets worse/better, and there are spies. Enjoy.
For discussion: If you had to be relocated to a foreign country, what job would you ask for?
Best of the Rest
One of my favorite essayists, Los Angeles Times columnist Meghan Daum, released a new collection, Unspeakable, earlier this month, and Richard Ford returned to the world of Frank Bascombe with Let Me Be Frank With You. Undeniable, by Bill Nye with editor Corey S. Powell, is part of the science guy’s campaign to educate the masses on evolution (undeNYEable!), and security journalist Brian Krebs’ Spam Nation is required reading for paranoid consumers everywhere.
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