Play Book Tag discussion

I can’t believe I just read two books about the ravages of war back to back. (The other was Half of a Yellow Sun) These are both depressing books, yet I’m not huddled under a comforter with a bag of chocolate. (Yet.) This book is set from around 1994 to 2004, during the two Chechnya’s wars. Many of you have already read this book, and voted to give it a well deserved spot in our Top 100 list. I’ll just add my own random thoughts. (I’m operating on little sleep, and lately, that’s just the best you can expect from me anyway.)

The writing in this book is so beautiful that it was almost too easy to view everything from a higher and safer place. It’s brutal, but we see people pushing on, with a sense of purpose. I just loved the characters. I’m a sucker for stories about kids separated from their parents, and for people helping others in a crisis. This felt real and it’s so recent, I want to sit down with the survivors to hear their stories. A doctor keeps a hospital running with barely a handful of people, because what else can she do? Another character is a mediocre doctor, but he’s a talented artist. He defiantly creates pictures of the people who were “disappeared” and posts them around town so they won’t be forgotten. I was driving through a small town in the Hudson Valley this summer when I was pictures of deceased servicemen displayed high on polls throughout town. It created an orderly, respectful and very moving display. It was even more impactful knowing that some governments seek to erase people completely. Even going as far as destroying pictures and records.

The writing can get confusing at times as he moves around in time, and I wasn’t always sure which characters were present. (I had the same problem with one part of Tsar.) This time, rather than go back, I just pushed through, and let the momentum carry me. My head lagged behind my heart sometimes if that makes sense. I do have the kindle now to help clarify points that suddenly don’t make sense. I’m giving this 5 stars right now for the overall impact. I read it straight through and just went with the flow. and I know I’ll have some quibbles with plot lines and coincidences, but I don’t want to ruin my book high. (And I really need to sleep.)

Nancy, a good review. I read this book nine years ago and fell in love with the writing. You are correct; scenes in it are brutal but I did learn alot about the Chechnya’s wars, which I knew little about. My rating was identical with five stars.

Nancy, I am so glad you liked this book and thank you for your excellent review.

I read this book when It first came out and it ripped my heart out. Shortly after I was able to see Anthony Marra speak and I was so impressed with him.

His prose is always so wonderful. I love it.