I just read back-to-back memoirs: Laura Fraser’s All Over the Map and Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly. I loved Laura Fraser’s new book almost as much as An Italian Affair. I devoured that a few years back on a sweltering summer day, in one sitting between dozing off on the front porch. I felt like I’d had a steamy affair in the sunny south of Italy. That was years ago – since then, Laura has chalked up only failures in love as she zips around the world writing articles. Her adventures include an odd spark of possibility or two, but none are the true love she longs for.
I like Laura. Not that I have ever met her – but I feel like if I did it would be like catching up with a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time but whom I have shared history and easy rapport. Her story is at times poignant, hilarious and because of her fine writing, compulsively readable. You can’t help cheering her on. I trust Laura’s story will continue (hint: expat life in Mexico) because she seems so utterly love-able, there will certainly be more romance to vicariously enjoy. In this book, she travels a rocky road through her forties and we find her edging up to 50 – doing just fine, although with a sad finale to one tale – there is the sweet beginnings of new adventure ahead.
Prior to Laura’s book (see – we’re on first name basis) I read Karen Connelly’s Burmese Lessons also about love and exotic places. I’m a sucker for those two ingredients both in life and literature. While Karen is certainly a capable, poetic writer and determined adventurer, I don’t think I would embrace her like an old friend like I would Laura. I was intrigued by her – but did not, after reading her story, particularly like her. In fact, oftentimes in her story, she doesn’t seem to like herself much either. Even her author photo is a little intimidating.
Karen becomes captivated by the Burmese people’s struggle against their government and then goes on to fall in love with one of their rebel leaders. They have a doomed love affair. Her descriptions of him and their time together are wonderful. I felt compelled to keep reading – you do want to know what happens to them both in their struggles – but in the end, I didn’t care enough. That’s the key, I guess. The question I must ask myself as I rework my own story again, again, again: who cares?