Dolores Claiborne, by Stephen King (audiobook read by Frances Sternhagen)

When Dolores Claiborne becomes a suspect in the death of Vera Donovan, for whom she'd been a paid companion, she sits down at the police station and confesses to the murder of... her own husband, many years ago.

I have a lot of difficulty reading any kind of dialect-type narration, so I bounced off this repeatedly before trying the audio version - which was perfect, as the book is written in the form of a monologue. Once I was over that hump, the book was engrossing and moving. It's got elements of suspense and mystery, but it's mostly a character portrait of Dolores, Vera Donovan, and their relationship, which feels incredibly real.

Early on Dolores keeps referring to Vera as "that bitch." The way that gets recontextualized as the story goes on, accreting layers of meaning and emotion, is just beautifully orchestrated. It's a story about two very specific women who have a lot of flaws and unlikable aspects, but are also human and lovable in a way that nobody has ever seen but each other. Dolores Claiborne gives you a God's eye view of them in all their grossness and pettiness and endurance and heroism and love.

Dolores Claiborne

Decluttering update

I got sidelined a bit by breaking my foot, which meant that I couldn't carry stuff and walk at the same time for three months. Nevertheless, I persisted!

Also I finally gave in and paid to have my 10-year-old gross carpet replaced since my landlord said he'd do it, but he'd raise my rent if he did. Since I had to move everything out of my bedroom, I took the opportunity to not move stuff back in if I didn't want it in there.

If you have moral objections to decluttering or do not wish to declutter your own place, please do not share those sentiments in comments.

Photos below cut. ( Read more... )