Asylum

If you’re looking for a quick read, a psychological, noir-ish, story to tuck you into bed at night, give Asylum by Patrick McGrath a try.  It’s less than 300 pages — so not a major commitment — and you’ll love how McGrath pulls you into the story and doesn’t let go until it’s over.

I’m still making my way through the Laura Bush memoir and admittedly bored.  The childhood section in the beginning was way too long and repetitive.  Really, how many times can you say I had the perfect childhood except I wanted brothers and sisters?? The ghost writer did a wonderful job of painting a word-picture of West Texas, but that was about the extent of it.   And now I’m into The White House years, her glossing over of her husband’s decision making is painful.  Yes, I expected this, but for heaven’s sake.  About everything “big” that happens — 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, etc… — she basically says, “Being President is a tough job and he has to make hard decisions.”  Wow!  What a revelation!!  Sheesh.

Speaking of the lunatic Asylum ….