The Folded Clock

A very unique approach to writing a book, using the “diary-entry” format.  The Folded Clock by Heidi Julavits captures entries from diaries from twenty or so years before.  The entries are not in chronological order and serve to illustrate the jumbled and complicated nature of our lives.  Julavits was born in Maine and now serves as a faculty member at Columbia University and is the author of many books.  In this book, she celebrates the life of a woman who seeks to better understand relationships, from mother-hood to wife, from daughter, to friend, and neighbor to teacher.  The diary format feels like a set of short stories as very few entries directly connect to future entries, though we learn a great deal about her two marriages and why the first one didn’t work.  There are moments of raw humor, undeniable sadness, and utter brilliance in capturing how she learns about herself at a given moment in time.  I really loved how her entries capture the inner-conflict that one has, stuck in the turmoil we create for ourselves.  She splits her time from her growing up in Maine (and her return home for summer vacation later in life) and her days residing in New York City.  It makes complete sense why an author would want the NYC feel, but need the solitude and escape to the rural fortress of a place like Maine.  Her honesty and ability to show her weak side provide insight to others how often we make wrong decisions, say wrong things, but in the end don’t regret them.  I think my wife would love to hang with Heidi as she would appreciate her direct and honest nature.  This was a welcome change from the ‘normal’ writing style of an author.  Recently published, 2015, I’d highly recommend an entrance into the private mind of a very intelligent late-forty year old woman.