Jonathan Safran Foer is one of those authors that I've always intended to read, but never did because something else came along. Thanks to the clearance bin at Chapters, I found this novel in hardcover form for $5! I advocate buying books instead of stealing them, but I won't turn down a deal like this!
When I started this book I had just finished his wife Nicole Krauss's book, The History of Love, the night before. From reading this one can tell that they share a world view. The novel takes place through the gaze of a child (just as it did in The History of Love) - Oskar.
Oskar is trying to make sense of his life after having lost his father in the September 11th attacks on New York's World Trade Center. The story begins a year after the "worst day" - Oskar, entering his father's closet for the first time since his death, discovers a blue vase and accidently breaks it. At the bottom of the vase is an envelope with a key. The envelope says "Black" on it and this prompts Oskar to search the five burrows of New York City to meet everyone with the "Black" surname to see if he can find the lock that fits the key.
There is a sub-story as well, involving Oskar's parternal grandparents. Having survived the allied bombing of Dresden, Germany - they meet in New York and marry. Oskar's grandfather, having lost his voice (and his true love, Annie) because of the bombings, writes everything on pages of notebooks he keeps all over the house. His painful memories become too much and he leaves Oskar's grandmother before their son (Oskar's father) is even born.
He returns after he learns the son he never knew has died in the 9/11 attacks.
This book reminded me of the human side of war - the horrible results. How do you bury someone when there's nothing to bury?
It’s hard to write about books I absolutely loved and be objective, but I will try my best not to gush all through this review.
First off, Postcrossing is the reason I read this book. A girl from Alberta sent me a postcard and recommended The History of Love by Nicole Krauss to me. I’d requested in my profile that senders tell me their favourite book, band or movie. This was the first book request I seriously considered. Thank you Leanne T. from Alberta, Canada!
The book is two stories that converge. The story’s secrets and truths reveal themselves in such a sneaky way. I love the way Krauss tries to trick us with little details. I found myself trying to sort it all out, and was pleasantly surprised when I was slightly wrong. The central plot in the story revolves around a book, The History of Love - the story of a young man’s love for a girl named Alma.
Over 40 years after the manuscript for The History of Love (the book inside the book) is written, a young girl named Alma Singer (named by her parents after the girl from the book) goes on a quest to find her namesake in New York - a journey that ends up revealing more than she bargained for.
At the same time an old man in New York is waiting to die, while his heart aches for the son he never knew - who never knew him.
I know I normally give a more in depth plot summery, but for this one I suggest you read it yourself. Just trust that it is good and worthy to be read by you.
Up next, a book by Nicole Krauss’s husband, Extreamly Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.
Cheers!
Hello & Happy New Year.
Just a short note to say i'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. The holidays are so busy. I finished one book, Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. No review because I read it several weeks ago.
Also, I've failed to read The Picture of Dorian Grey for the second time in my life. I'll chip away at it later. My mind is too tired.
What should I read next?
- Allison
