How to Read a Book

Since several students recently quit, Violet must take up the slack. Misha arrives frustrated over a recent article highlighting two Danish scientists doing the same work with African greys. Misha refuses to do press unless the lab will benefit financially. Misha and Violet playfully banter back and forth, their preferred way of flirting. A student is in the lab tending to the birds, so they use discretion, but Misha tenderly touches Violet’s face, which sends waves of desire through her. She encourages him to begin a YouTube channel where they can feature the birds and bring more attention to his work. He agrees and asks her to do some research and start the channel.

Misha and Violet take Charlotte into the lab to test her with an elaborate version of a shell game. Charlotte can do the same tricks as the Danish scientists’ birds and far more advanced versions like the one they test today. When they try the game with Alan, and he gets the answer wrong, Charlotte butts in with the correct answer. Violet realizes that Misha is planning to show the trick, along with Charlotte’s sabotage, on a video, and people will love it. Later, she creates a YouTube page called “Petrov’s Parrots” and calls The New York Times to get them to do a story on their birds. She also schedules interviews with behavioral psychology websites and magazines. Violet spends the evening shift alone with the birds and reads to them from Spoon River Anthology. Misha returns and apologizes for his earlier outburst about the Danish scientists. They embrace and have sex on the couch in his office. Afterward, Violet shares with Misha Harriet’s theory about life’s “meanwhile” seasons. She still doesn’t know the nature of his relationship with his wife and wishes that he would define their relationship. Misha tells her that life isn’t like a book. Violet realizes that Misha is living in the moment, and if she is with him in this “meanwhile,” she is content to enjoy it without trying to define it.

Harriet goes to Frank’s house, and he makes her scrambled eggs while she tells him what happened at the prison. He listens empathetically as she worries over what will happen to the Book Club in her absence. Frank is so happy to have Harriet in his home that he invites her to the living room for wine. They toast to Violet, and Harriet worries that Misha might be too much for her young age. Kristy calls, still angry from their last meeting, and Harriet listens to Frank’s call as Kristy frets over Thanksgiving plans. Frank doesn’t want to discuss an event three months away and tells Kristy he will be fine alone for Thanksgiving, yet in his mind, he thinks he might spend it with Harriet. Harriet writes words for Frank to say on a notepad. Using Harriet’s words, Frank tells Kristy he loves being her dad and that “forgiveness is a gift from God” (243), words that soften Kristy.

Frank walks Harriet home, and they both share about their past marriages and how they weren’t perfect, but they did have moments of joy. Harriet invites Frank inside for tea, and he tells her she is “as pretty as a block of milled aluminum […] shiny and perfect” (245). Harriet kisses Frank and leads him to her bedroom. As he begins to undress her, Harriet apologizes for her body, but Frank thinks she is perfect and feels youthful and overcome with gratefulness for the moment.

Harriet and Frank are now a couple and watching them falling in love makes Violet long for the same with Misha. She convinces herself that he and his wife will end their marriage, realizing that love and lust are blinding her. Their YouTube channel is hugely successful and profitable. Violet invites Frank and Harriet to the lab to meet the birds. Misha isn’t thrilled about entertaining them, but he agrees when Violet explains that they are like parents to her. Violet introduces them to Ollie, and she and Misha demonstrate the birds’ skills. The birds’ intelligence amazes Frank and Harriet, though Misha warns Violet about speaking to them and treating them like pets.

Misha becomes caught up in showing off the birds and doesn’t hear someone knocking on the door. It is his pregnant wife, Katya, and as soon as Violet introduces herself as the lab manager who replaced Mrs. Rocha, it is clear Katya suddenly knows what is happening. Katya and Misha speak privately while Frank and Harriet console Violet, who feels foolish. Violet knows she must leave the job and tells the birds goodbye. From his office, she hears Misha tell Katya, “She is nothing” (256), referring to Violet. After packing her things and keeping her lab coat, Violet leaves. Katya has left, and Misha chases after Violet, begging her not to go. Violet demands he give her a good reference and a month’s severance in exchange for her never saying anything about their affair. He agrees solemnly. Frank and Harriet pick Violet up in the parking lot, with Ollie tucked inside her lab coat.

Harriet tells Violet that she can’t keep the bird because it’s stealing, but the bird belongs to Misha, not the university, and Violet knows he won’t chase her for it. Harriet reminds Violet that she must get another job, and the bird can’t be left alone all day. Without hesitation, Frank says Ollie can live with him, and Violet can visit the bird every day. Having been solitary for so long, Frank enjoys caring for Harriet, Violet, and Ollie and sees them as family. The moment calls to his memory a time when he was a child, and his mother was chronically ill, and a neighbor named Mrs. Flynn, along with her children, became his surrogate family. They arrive at Harriet’s house for dinner, and she searches for Tabsy to ensure the cat and bird get along. Dawna-Lynn is in the living room, sitting in Lou’s chair with Tabsy in her lap. 

Dawna-Lynn is wet and filthy, and her hands are bleeding from her escape. She says she’s called her daughter, her “When I Get Out First Thing I Do” (266) wish, and her daughter is coming to get her and drive her to Canada. Harriet observes Frank as he remains calm, and they both silently agree not to make any sudden moves. Harriet introduces her to “Ethan Frome,” and Dawna-Lynn says Frank is handsome. Dawna-Lynn is surprised to see Violet and how much she’s changed since her release. Violet embraces Dawna-Lynn and tells her about her heartbreak over Misha. Dawna-Lynn begs them not to call the police, and after a private talk in the kitchen, Frank and Harriet decide to feed her and allow her to shower and nap before alerting the authorities. Violet offers Dawna-Lynn to stay with her, but Harriet forbids it. After they eat, Violet helps Dawna-Lynn clean up as she sobs, knowing she must return to prison with an extended sentence. Frank embraces Harriet and asks her to marry him, and she says yes.

An older Violet now reflects on her story. She remembers that Spoon River Anthology was her favorite Book Club selection because she liked the idea of the dead being able to tell their story despite how someone else chose to memorialize them. Helping Dawna-Lynn reminds Violet of how Harriet and Frank helped her. Afterward, Violet lived a long, full life, marrying twice and having children. She outlived Frank, Harriet, and Ollie. She had a peaceful relationship with Kristy and became close friends with Sophie and Vicki’s children. Dawna-Lynn, along with Violet’s child and grandchild, were with Violet when she died. If she could write her epitaph, it would say, “My name is Violet Powell. I took a life. I lived and died. Meanwhile, I was loved” (273).