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The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright We hardly know the main character, Gina.  Even her name doesn't sound familiar.  But her story is one we've all heard, and that many have actually experienced.  She is a "mistress" to a man (Sean) with a family.  You may note that I referred to her as "a" mistress, not "the" mistress. Gina is ordinary and non-descript.  If she's one thing, I'd say she's cynical.  But otherwise, Gina is vague compared to her co-characters who inhabit the story.  But her relationship with Sean is anything but vague.  She loves him.  Desperately at times.  The affair gradually happens; there's not much build-up and things sort of happen and we're along for the ride.  You can guess which way it goes.  Or not. It doesn't really matter much. To me what matters in this story are Anne Enright's words and how they make you feel sad and empathetic yet disconnected from the main character all at the same t...

That's how it all started.  One day, I picked up the newspaper and started to read the words that seemed tinier and blurrier than the day before.  Just one day passed and I couldn't read comfortably without extending my arms way out, holding the paper way away from me, just like old people do. Yes, old people.  So I picked up a pair of dime store eyeglasses bearing the "prescription" 1.00 (whatever that means).  But it helped immensely.  I could see again and read comfortably without the arm extension or the inevitable squinting.  Aaaahhhh. Quickly enough I progressed to a 1.25 magnification and was on my way up the aging ladder, leaping up the rungs a little too nimbly.  I started looking forward to visiting off-the-beaten-path book stores and five and tens, hoping to find a neat, quirky pair of "readers."  I've acquired a certain talent in being able to scope out stores that would sell reading glasses that didn't look like your grandmother'...