A U G U S T
I've been reading voraciously this summer. I'll be the first to admit that most of it has been on the low-brow-beach-pool-beach end of the spectrum, but gobbling up pages and pages is extremely satisfying and one of the best ways to past the time, no matter the season. On the nearly desperate recommendation from a good friend that I must must must check out this book, I picked up Stoner, opened to page one and dipped my toe in the water. After mysteries and murders, a book about an aging academic in the 1930s wasn't really the speed I was going for, but her insistence that this was one of the most moving books she had ever read convinced me to give it a shot. I waded in slowly - the water was mild and comfortable - and as I sunk deeper and deeper I realized I never wanted to get out.
Stoner is a strange exceptional book in that you've probably never heard of it. Written by John Williams and released to minor critical acclaim in 1965, it never made it to too many shelves nor classrooms. It just existed out there for years and years, unread, under appreciated, just floating along. In 2003 it was rereleased and had a bit of a bump in sales, but it wasn't until a few years ago that it was rediscovered and loudly lauded by some of the best literary minds in Europe. Stoner is now receiving the critical attention it deserves and is reaching a readership in need.
This is a book about a man and his love of literature and the classroom and academia. It is about his life, his family, his struggles with success. It is about a small town. The human existence is so perfectly portrayed that I found myself in absolute awe. It is a quiet novel, but it moves mountains.
"And suddenly, after he said the words, it was not important. For an
instant he felt the truth of what he said, and for the first time in months
he felt lift away from him the weight of a despair whose heaviness he
had not fully realized. Nearly giddy, almost laughing, he said again,
'It really isn't important.'"
And what to drink while savoring William's fascinating prose? Probably scotch, or whiskey, or even a dark ale, but none of that appealed to me on a temperate summer evening, so let's blend up some watermelon! And it really isn't important.
ROSEMARY-WATERMELON GIN COCKTAIL
serves 1
1 oz rosemary simple syrup (recipe follows)
1 oz lemon juice
2 oz gin
2 - 4 cups of watermelon, cubed (depending on how strong you want this cocktail)
rosemary sprig for garnish
In a blender or food processor, blend watermelon with lemon juice. Add rosemary simple syrup (adding more to taste). Add gin and a few tablespoons of cold water if mixture is too thick. Pour over ice and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.
I suppose this could be served up as well - just cut back on the watermelon so you have a boozier version suitable for a dainty cocktail glass.
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ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
4 sprigs rosemary
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add rosemary and let steep for at least an hour. Strain. Will keep in the fridge for a few weeks. Use to flavor teas, ice creams, other wonderful cocktails.
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