Die with Zero (Bill Perkins, 2020)

203 pages.

Author's premise is that too many people wait too long to spend their money, quit or downsize their jobs, etc.  I think this is true in many cases, but the book would be mostly of interest to folks with a lot of $$.

Nonetheless - a lot of good ideas on a topic that doesn't get enough attention. Quick read.

I thought a little too much focus on the idea that fulfillment in life depends on experiences which in turn are created by spending money earlier in life.  That's not the author's whole focus by any means - he certainly does also mention and emphasize giving away money to charities and/or children earlier.  But it's given more importance than I think it merits.

Interesting read in part because we are in early retiree years and lucky to have good health - go time.

Author mentions connection to University of Iowa college football, his dad played in early '60s.  So I looked up Don Perkins - turns out to be author's uncle.

The High Window (Raymond Chandler, 1942)

265 pages.

Super quick read, and Chandler writes so very well.  Kind of like Wodehouse - sets up a phrase or sentence in a way that seems familiar and the reader can usually anticipate the author's direction - then drops in something unexpected, interesting, clever.

Philip Marlowe.

This was good, entertaining, well-written - but not a favorite.  Characters not particularly likable (probably the author's intention).  Too much talk-explaining about the crime(s) resolution to wrap up the book.

(Seems like I had a similar reaction to the Chandler book previously read.)

The Mayor of Casterbridge (Thomas Hardy, 1886)

Sixth of his works that I've read, all well worthwhile.

Descriptions continue to amaze - agriculture details, market details, local terrain details, personalities in various social sets. This aspect is enjoyable in its own right.

Story line was good but not my favorite of his works. Too many key characters are disposed of via dying (for example).

Michael Henchard the key character - warts and all - he persists despite impulsive outbursts that cause serious mistakes.

No heroic figures in this one - everyone with some issue or the other, Elizabeth-Jane and the Scotsman perhaps less so.  But that is a strength of the novel, not a criticism.

Sugar Street (part three of The Cairo Trilogy) (Naguib Mahfouz, 1956)

Overall comment spanning parts 1-3 - I really liked this. Length (trilogy format) allows author to develop the family characters. Story line nonetheless compact. Brings out a variety of characters, viewpoints, interests, behaviors; brings out the transition in Egypt from traditional ways to 20th century modernity; excellent with dialogue and especially with showing thoughts, reactions, emotions internal to each character.  And it's set in a part of the world that is not normally the subject of novels as least as far as I've encountered. I hope I learned something as well as enjoying the story, though the latter would be sufficient.

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Specific to part 3 - 

(328 pages_

The next generation is growing up.  Yasin's son (Ridwan) getting well-connected; he takes after his father in looks.  We start seeing the parts of the story through the next-gen eyes.

It's now the 1930s. Egyptian nationalists still desiring to throw out the English but now Nazis and Italian fascists are recognized threats.

Khadija's son Ahmad - admires Kamal - disconnecting from traditional religion to Khadija's dismay - good discussions about how that happens.

Ahmad's brother is part of a group of young men who belief in a holy man - circa p. 1064 - a discussion of Egypt (or Arab world writ large) in relation to other countries - this sounds remarkably similar to today's conversations. "True belief" and faith (fundamentalist Islam) against materialistic cultures that won't stand.

This brother is in the "Muslim Brotherhood"; Ahmad seems himself as a Communist.

The health of the father (Sayyid) continues to deteriorate even though he is only in his early 60s; same is happening to his three closest friends - presumably a message about the effect of their habits.

Aisha's sadness.

Ahmad in love with fellow sociology student, then a co-worker.  Kamal getting older, still resistant to marriage. Lots of discussion of his thoughts on not getting married; reverberations from youth.

Throughout parts 1-2, Kamal is working as a writer - but lots of reflections by him and conversations with others about the value of his work - tends to be abstract/pure thought of limited interest.  How long to stick with this? Kamal continues teaching.  Ahmad writes for a magazine.

World War II arrives.

Role reversal - Sayyid is confined to the home (and then to his bed), Amina (the mother) is able to leave every day (visits mosques and her nearby relatives).

There is an air raid - more intense than those that preceded it - author does a really good job communicating this.  The father is forced to walk down the stairs and to a sheltered area, this is very hard on him.  The author does a really good job communicating this also. Sayyid's passing within a day or two - the author does a really good job with this.  Sayyid with outsize influence despite (or in part because of) his domineering and wayward ways - a core of family care that everyone noticed and relied on.

Author does a good job voicing the views of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Communists - same rhetoric as always.  Authorities dislike.

I like that he doesn't wrap up with some tidy resolution of Kamal's marriage or professional status or beliefs.  The world is changing, Amina on her last days, on it will somehow go.