Grudges are a funny thing — they can last for years,
or be over within the span of a week. There is little to no
correlation between the pettiness of the original offense
and the length of the grudge. They’re a habit that make
zero sense, and yet they remain a source of unnecessary
strife in many of our lives. Ann Patchett’s newest release,
“The Dutch House,” revolves around the familial grudges
that can often drive the development of life as we know it.
The story spans the lives of two siblings, Danny and
Maeve Conroy, as they navigate life without a mother,
a new life with their stepmother and, eventually, a life
without any parents. Told from Danny’s perspective, it’s
a book that emphasizes how little we actually know about
the people who raise us. Danny and Maeve, for example,
only begin to learn about their father after his death (and
their subsequent expulsion from the family house.) It
takes them years to finally understand why their mother
abandoned them — Danny because he never thought to
ask the necessary questions, and Maeve because she never
really wanted to know the answer. As new information
continues to reveal itself, Patchett continually forces her
readers to consider what they actually know about the
people who made them. How did they meet? Why did they
get married? Why would a mother leave her two kids?
We really only ever know what Danny knows, and he’s
the epitome of an unreliable narrator. He’s a self-centered
character, and even as he injects his revelations from
the future into the stories he tells, there is still an air of
suspicion as the reader takes Danny at his word. Though
his circumstances are unique, it’s his conceited tendencies
that makes him a relatable character. He goes through life
believing that he and his sister alone are the only people
who could possibly understand their situation. We’re all
inclined to it, this assumption that we are the only people
in the world who are suffering.
Fictional stories based on the changes we experience
as we grow up are a cliché, though for a good reason.
Readers can connect with Danny at all stages of his life,
as they reminisce over their twenties or sympathize
with his struggles as a teen. What sets Patchett’s
writing apart, though, is the difference in age between
Danny the narrator and Danny the character. Danny
the narrator is an omnipotent presence — in the midst
of heated moments, Patchett inserts Danny’s reflections
and feelings about the situation from years in the future.
While reminiscing, he adds notes and thoughts to the
action and conversations of the past. Eventually, the book
begins to feel like Danny is simply having a conversation
with himself, trying to figure out where things might
have gone in a different direction.
In these reflecting conversations, whether it’s with
Maeve or Danny himself, it becomes increasingly obvious
that the two characters never actually realized they
held a grudge until it was staring them in the face, in the
form of their contentious stepmother. Though years had
passed, grudges can be tough to overcome, and Patchett
eventually addresses the issue by making Danny and
Maeve confront the subject of their grudge later in the
future — a difficult task for many people, let alone those
who might not even realize they still harbor negative
feelings.
All families have their issues, some more than others,
and Ann Patchett turns those of the Conroys into a
story spanning whole lifetimes. It’s a common premise
that Patchett executes well. She’s able to touch on a
wide range of problems without losing her focus on the
characters, while also deftly weaving in the way family
roles change as we age. “The Dutch House” manages to
take a seemingly boring story of family fighting and turn
it into a universal truth.
Patchett elevates the mundane
EMMA CHANG
Senior Arts Editor
Trauma and healing, illness and health, dreams and
reality. The common conception is that we can only
experience one or the other, but “Undone” by Raphael
Bob-Waksberg (“Bojack Horseman”) proves to us that
not only are they related, but they are constantly walking
hand-in-hand to challenge and alter our lives when we
least expect it. Using animation like you’ve never seen
on television before, the show disrupts the ideal rules of
television genre by gracefully leaping over boundaries
between mystery, thriller, animation, drama and fantasy
whilst remaining true to life and centered in the core of the
human experience.
From the pilot, it delves deep into the life of Alma
Winograd-Diaz (Rosa Salazar, “Alita: Battle Angel”) and
her investigation into her father’s death. Her father, Jacob
Winograd (Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”), died in a car
accident when she was a child. A car accident of her own
gave her a glimpse into the realm of the afterlife, and Alma
begins to see her father everywhere. He’s convinced that
his car accident was actually a murder, and begs Alma to
investigate the incident using her new ability to manipulate
time. Together, they leap into the world of time travel
and shamanism to try and prevent Jacob’s accident from
occurring in the past, in an attempt to change the future.
Since the creators used rotoscope animation — a tactic
that makes the animation look more realistic — they were
able to make the characters look like their respective
actors, so it feels like watching a realistic dream that
contorts into fiction as it plays out. Sometimes the realism
of the series makes it easy to forget that you’re watching an
animation, until the show starts to bend reality and twist it
into dream-like states of confusion. And while it feels like
a bad (but inexplicably good) trip, “Undone” never fails to
ground itself in reality and real-life existentialism.
Before Alma’s accident, she felt the all-too familiar
feeling of being stuck in a routine and wondering if there
was more to life. Even after the accident, even after she
inherited time-altering powers, the feeling of being human
and yearning for more never left her. Despite the chaos
that ensues, the show hits your emotions as hard if not
harder than any other show could. The show also unravels
concepts of trauma, unresolved conflict and the fickleness
of memory that everyone has experienced at some point in
their life, and talks about flawed families in a way that most
can relate to.
The eight episodes waste no time developing the world
of Alma, but it never feels rushed or forced. It’s original,
it’s chaotic and it’s a quick but fulfilling series. It’s a 5K of
emotion, tension and familiarity that’ll change the way
you perceive time-travel movies in the best way possible.
It executes its societal duty by including marginalized and
indigineous cultures into the plot without being preachy,
and if that doesn’t sell it to you, Tyler Posey (“The Last
Summer”) plays a priest. And yes, his character looks
like him. If you love television, you’ll love this show. It’s a
refreshing glimpse of what great television can look and
feel like, and I would be personally offended if it didn’t win
as many awards as it deserves. Do yourself a favor, block out
four hours of the day and watch “Undone.”
‘Undone’ outdoes its trope
SOPHIA YOON
Daily Arts Writer
Returning to Ann Arbor in September is my
favorite homecoming. Between the mad rush of
students racing back to campus, the delight in the
eyes of young freshman and the air of a beginning,
September is my favorite month. Ann Arbor is
special in that it is home to our beloved University
and a city that is constantly growing and changing
in accordance with demands from the thousands
of students to stay on top of trends. The foodie
culture and restaurant atmosphere in Ann Arbor is
no exception to the rule. On any given day, one can
experience a wide and diverse array of cultures
and flavors through the culinary offerings lining
the outskirts of the University. To pay homage to
these recommendations, I’ve compiled a drool-
worthy list of some of my favorite places in Ann
Arbor.
The place to become a Sunday Morning regular:
Frank’s
Open since 1969, Frank’s is one of Ann Arbor’s
best kept foodie secrets. Known for thick, buttery
French toast drizzled with sweet syrup, loaded
western omelets piled on top of chipped white
plates and familiar faces, Frank’s is not exactly
what it seems from its exterior. A hole in the wall
tucked off of E. Liberty, Frank’s is full of home-y
personality and a history that dates back 50 years.
Frank’s is a go-to for a breakfast you won’t forget
and a late-night option if you crave breakfast at all
hours of the night.
If you’re craving your grandmother’s baba
ghanouj: Jerusalem Garden
Jerusalem Garden began in 1987 with the
family recipes of an Ann Arbor resident who
was originally born in Jerusalem. Their creamy
homemade hummus is layered on almost every
menu item and the crispy falafel cannot be beat.
Priding themselves on a strong background of
family and heritage, Jerusalem Garden serves the
best Mediterrean food in Ann Arbor. It is a versatile
option with both dine in and to-go options.
The best taco in Ann Arbor: Chela’s
If you hail from the west coast and are used to
authentic Mexican food on every street corner, it
may come as a challenge to find similar quality eats
in Ann Arbor. Chela’s, however, has cornered Ann
Arbor’s market on Mexican food. If you’re looking
for a perfectly seasoned pork, beef or chicken taco
on a double layered homemade corn tortilla, a
Cubana torta, homemade chicken tamales and a
horchata, Chela’s is your place.
When you want the best burger in Ann Arbor,
plantain chips and an alcoholic milkshake, all at
once: Frita Batidos
This cuban-inspired street food set in a chic all
white space in downtown Ann Arbor may be my
number one recommendation for any time of day,
any occasion and any palate. The female-owned
business serves fritas (chorizo-based, Cuban-
inspired burgers) and batidos (tropical milkshakes)
in various flavors made with fresh fruit and rich
vanilla ice cream. The unique, versatile menu is
accented by fresh ingredients and a constantly
buzzing atmosphere. Frita’s also serves 6-person
fishbowl margaritas and hosts happy hour Sunday
through Thursday from 4-6 PM as well as their
last hour of service.
When you have to recap your night out over
breakfast: Angelo’s
Since 1956, Angelo’s has opened its doors on
Saturday and Sunday mornings to hordes of
students and locals alike patiently awaiting their
weekly breakfast tradition or guilty pleasure fried
French toast. The quintessential diner vibe should
not be overlooked. When it comes to breakfast
food, the team behind Angelo’s knows what
they’re doing. A family business passed down
through generations, Angelo’s is the perfect place
to go to in your pajamas with all your friends to
recap the previous evening’s endeavors. After
piling into cozy booths slightly sticky with maple
syrup, you’ll leave Angelo’s incredibly full and your
hangover miraculously cured.
A non-awkward first date spot:
Slurping Turtle
A unique twist on traditional Japanese ramen
bars, Slurping Turtle is a laid-back eatery serving
customizable ramen bowls, sashimi and a variety
of shareable appetizers. The low-stakes setting
and high-top seating allows for a casual dining
experience that isn’t too loud or too quiet, too
fancy or too low-key. In addition to a delicious and
unique menu, Slurping Turtle offers a fun cocktail
list and a variety of wines and sake. Slurping
Turtle is perfect for friends and family, a casual
first date spot or the best comfort food when the
winter months have you down.
Just finished tailgating, feed me:
Blimpy Burger
In 1953, Blimpy Burger opened in Ann Arbor,
and tailgating would be changed forever. Krazy
Jim’s Blimpy Burger is a known fan and student
favorite, cultivating lines down the road on
football Saturdays with tipsy fans craving a greasy
cheeseburger and crispy jumbo onion rings. With
the stove right in front of you and not much seating
space, Blimpy Burger is your on-the-go kind of
joint. The steak fries are so good they should
only really come in the larger “papa” size. The
burgers are the star of the show, however, and an
adventurous, hungry eater can opt for the ‘quint,’ a
five-patty burger all tucked under one bun.
O h , the things you
can eat in Ann Arbor!
ELI RALLO
Daily Food Columnist
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Undone
Season One
Amazon Prime
Streaming Now
The Dutch House
Ann Patchett
HarperCollins
Sept. 24, 2019
AMAZON PRIME / YOUTUBE
BOOK REVIEW
TV REVIEW
FILE PHOTO / DAILY
FOOD COLUMN
Classifieds
Call: #734-418-4115
Email: dailydisplay@gmail.com
Faculty couple seeking jr.,
sr., or grad student as study
helper for 19-year old dyslexic
daughter. 3 days/week, max
10 hours, $15/hour, flexible
schedule.
Email: tareid458@gmail.com
By Evan Mahnken
©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
09/17/19
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
09/17/19
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
Release Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2019
ACROSS
1 Activist Parks
5 First bird to attack
in “The Birds”
9 “¿Qué __?”
13 Overly neat, say
14 Irish New Ager
15 Deep sleep
16 Amazon founder
18 2001 bankruptcy
headliner
19 Corn serving
20 Very focused, as
an athlete
22 “Of course!”
24 Some dadaist art
26 Voices one’s view
27 Scolds
29 Clear dirty dishes
from
30 HS promgoers
31 Tops of waves
32 Small batteries
33 Pleasing to look
at ... or a phonetic
hint to a two-letter
sequence in
16-, 20-, 51- and
56-Across
39 Bash into
40 Rapscallions
42 Soak (up), as
gravy
45 Halves of qts.
46 Look over again
47 Like Goldilocks’
first bowl of
porridge
49 Send to the
canvas
50 Code-breaking
org.
51 Expatriate
American poet
arrested for
treason in 1945
53 Tiresome grind
55 Had a smoke
56 Aztec emperor
60 One-eyed
“Futurama”
character
61 Earnest request
62 Dog food brand
63 LAX landing list
64 Some 35mm
cameras
65 Open-handed hit
DOWN
1 Koothrappali on
“The Big Bang
Theory”
2 Common bill
3 Low-crime part of
town
4 __ Romeo:
sports car
5 “Gosh!”
6 Opens, as a
parka
7 Rhone cathedral
city
8 At the back of the
pack
9 Swindler with a
scheme named
for him
10 Cooks’ wear
11 Earlier
12 “Gunsmoke”
actor James
15 Leaks slowly
17 Like an overtired
child, perhaps
21 One may be
hidden under a
welcome mat
22 “Grey’s Anatomy”
network
23 “__ goes
nothing!”
25 Fall back on
28 Beast of burden
29 Scroogean scoff
32 20s dispenser
34 “Old Town Road”
rapper Lil __ X
35 Cry after
a stunning
performance
36 Slangy assent
37 Happening later
38 Moments, briefly
41 Caribbean music
42 __ Artois: Belgian
beer
43 More slimy
44 Stout relative
45 Dad
46 Original “SNL”
cast member
Gilda
48 Lugs
49 Small hill
52 Baseball’s “men
in blue”
54 Guns from Israel
57 Univ. aides
58 UFC fighting
style
59 Egyptian snake
HELP WANTED
GO BLUE
5 — Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Arts
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com