Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Just wondering...


It's not like I don't have other things to do but these questions have been bumping around in my head. Hopefully by letting them go, I can get on with life ... and be free of another excuse to procrastinate.

  1. Why are books titled, "The So-And-So's Daughter" or "The Such-and-Such's Wife"? Have you noticed there is a plethora of titles like these? Is it a new genre in which women are defined by the men they're related to? I tried reading "Ahab's Wife" and at about page five, I was thinking more about how to perfect my red beans and rice recipe as opposed to uh, Ahab's wife. So I hope that if the title, "The Ballad of Aracely Calderon," doesn't fly, my editor won't change it to: "The Mariachi's Daughter." I better knock on wood just in case!
  2. When a book is described as "a celebration of love and friendship" or something vaguely positive and uplifting, does that mean no one knows what the heck the book is about? Does it mean the heroine will learn she has cancer in the third act and die? And if so, why would I spent money on a book like that in this economy?
  3. And finally, what's the appeal of galoshes on book covers? To me they symbolize the inconvenience of exchanging your cute footwear for clumsy, sweaty, icky rubbers, as our British friends call them. To my friend, Margo Candela: I'm not bagging on your galoshes. You're taller than me. You can pull them off whereas galoshes on me would look like wading pants. However if they came in a wedge heel, I might reconsider my opinion.

Okay so there you have it. This is what happens in my head when I'm not writing, cooking, gardening or taking care of the Little Dude.

5 comments:

Brenda Lou said...

I can't answer those questions for you, but thanks for my morning chuckle :)

Margo Candela said...

Mary,
Galoshes make just about everyone look short and like they're in the third grade. I really like my Hunters, which are tall and not so galoshy looking. But you're right, what's up with the rubber boots on book covers? It must be an East Coast thing. Since book covers are designed around those parts (read: New York), they have a stronger connection to them.

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda:

My mind felt so much lighter after posting the blog. And making you chuckle is an extra treat!

Best,
Mary

Unknown said...

Hey Margo:

Has anyone whistled at you as you walked down the street in your galoshes? I was curious. Whenever I walk around L.A. I get suspicious looks from drivers.

Best,
Mary

Margo Candela said...

Mary,

No whistles, but I've almost been mowed over a few times. Maybe I should have gone with boots in yellow?

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