My first title is the "Cellist of Sarajevo" by Stephen Galloway.
This title's pacing is slow and meandering with a gradual introduction of the characters, whose motivations gradually reveal themselves. The story line is one of hope over despair set in a historical time and a largely unfamiliar setting (Yugoslavia) to most Americans. The language is literary and detailed with small nuances of feeling and behavior with the horrific details of everyday life and living conditions being minutely observed.
The grim, bleak tone is lightened by the beauty of the cellists' playing and the brief triumph over misery it brings. We experience through this ultimately uplifting book thought provoking ideas similar to those in Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning".
I enjoyed this book very much for its ideas and ultimate victory over evil.
My second title is "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave
This is a medium paced title, changing from past to present and from London to Africa throughout the book.
The characters are well realized with a heroine (Little Bee), a well meaning, brave English woman and her ineffectual, rather cowardly husband with colorful minor characters making an appearance.
The story line is a difficult one containing horrific events difficult for the British to understand as the disparity of cultures is very great. It is suspenseful with an ambiguous (to some perhaps) ending
Containing many details of culture, description of clothing and mannerisms with delightful examples of colorful language (from the refugees), lyrical in places, the heat and colors of Africa come alive.
The tone is horrific in places but lightened by humor and beautiful imagery.
I enjoyed this book for its mixture of beauty, humor and horrific detail.
Both of my chosen titles make great Book Discussion Group books.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI picked you as one of the victims for my book recommendations from the Week 2 assignment. I'm basing this on your recommendation of the Cellist of Sarajevo and your opinion of Winter Garden. I think that you should give Paris by Edward Rutherfurd a try. It a true historical novel - filled with information and setting that lets you learn about the city without realizing that you're doing it. Rutherfurd treats the issues of conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and the presence of anti-Semitism, in a way that lets you see it through the eyes of the time. I found those perspectives fascinating. It's a huge book (30 CDs in audio format) and there's definitely plot enough to keep you going. Still, it's the information about Paris itself that really makes this book shine.