Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? by Lorrie Moore

According to this Guardian article, the hullabaloo surrounding the release of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol was lost on American literati, whose attention were intent on A Gate at the Stairs, the new book from Lorrie Moore. I'd say that's pretty high praise for a book.


Stands to reason, then, that I had high hopes for Moore's Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?. In a post about my bloot (book loot), I mentioned that I bought this book because I read somewhere that it was one of the best yet overlooked young adult books.


After having read the book, let me qualify that remark now: first, if you're going to make a young adult read this, then it better be a very mature young adult, because this book is not of the J.K. Rowling-Rick Riordan-Suzanne Collins ilk.


It opens with the main character Berie, already a middle-aged woman, who is vacationing in Paris with her husband whom she no longer loves. Berie's unhappiness leads her to reminisce on the summer of her 15th year, 1972, when her life was both simple and complex, yet innocent all the way. Back then, Berie worked in an theme park called Storyland with her best friend, the more developed hence more attractive Sils. Needless to say, Berie idolized Sils. Both girls spent their summer going into bars, smoking cigarettes, and other usual activities that teenagers in the cusp of adulthood often engage in, simply because they are in the cusp. However, when Sils gets into trouble, the loyal Berie bails her out, albeit in an illegal manner. As a result, Berie finds herself sent away, beginning the chain of events that leads her to her current circumstances—in Paris in an unhappy marriage.


The title itself is taken from a painting that Lorrie Moore bought. The painting shows two girls looking at a pair of bandaged frogs. Moore used the imagery and the theme, because though Berie and Sils experimented with rebellion, they both, in the nature of the youth, had an idealistic core. They would literally try to take care of frogs injured by other reckless kids.

Now that I've read Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?, I've come to the conclusion that Moore's prose is beautiful. It was witty, serene, and sad. And her minor characters are a feat, both evoking pity and indulgent laughter: there’s Berie and Sils' midget cab driver, Berie's adopted older sister, even Berie's grandmother, who makes a short but powerful appearance towards the end.

Yet, to be honest, I didn't entirely enjoy this book. Yes, it was beautifully written and idyllic, and it contained some things I resonated with. But I think my enjoyment was hindered by the fact that I couldn't entirely relate. I remember my growing pains, but they weren't like the ones Berie went through. Nor were they like Sils'. I know, though, a lot of women who read the book could relate to Berie. That said, I can respect their experience, but it wasn't mine. In the same way, I can admire Moore's craft. But I can't say this book bowled me over. 


Nevertheless, I'm willing to read another Moore. Perhaps I'll take up one of her short stories. Or maybe after a couple more years, when I've gone through more or watched people go through more, I'll read this book again and see what it does to me. After all, a writer so well spoken of deserves another chance.