Updated: 6/8/10
THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE by Julie Orringer.
Knopf Publishing Group, fiction, $26.95.
Julie Oringer makes the leap from short stories to (very) full-length novel with impressive results.
Hungary, 1937: with educational opportunities for Jewish students limited in his native country, Andras Levi departs for Paris to study architecture. Orringer's writing recreates Paris in the 30's, hung over on American jazz while realizing the growing threat of Nazi Germany. In the midst of academic triumphs and personal tragedy Andras finds a network of ex-pat Hungarians which leads him to his true love Klara, a woman with a big heart and a mysterious past. As German influence in Hungary grows, Andras' visa is revoked. Despite a threat to her safety, Klara follows him to live when he's forced to join a labor camp.
What follows is a personal description of the horror of war and the redemptive power of love.
Nancy recommends!
INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS by Stephen McCauley. fiction, $25.00.
Both a comic novel and social satire, INSIGNIFICANT OTHERS is a witty romp exploring the complicated relationship of a gay couple and their "insignificant others." Conrad and Richard both have something on the side, but when Conrad's "insignificant other" becomes a little too significant, problems arise and hilarity ensues. McCauley's engaging prose keeps thing fresh and live, and his handling of such topics as infidelity and self-deception is insightful and touching.
Shane recommends!
ILL FARES THE LAND by Tony Judt.
Penguin Press, Non-Fiction, $25.95.
In eloquent, passionate writing reminiscent of John Berger, Judt produces a moving work on the poor modern-state of political discourse and of the historical underpinnings of our (US and UK) societies seeming inability to move on major issues facing the world.
Judt is relentless as he crusades not just for social-democracy ideals, but that the state can realistically play a significant role in people's lives without imperiling their liberties.
Stefan loved this insightful, biting, and all too brief work of non-fiction.
CONTACT! by Jan Morris.
W.W. Norton & Co., Non-fiction, $23.95.
From Jan Morris, the great travel writer, wonderful snippets from a life lived traveling!
No narrative per-se, but a delight nonetheless - just glimpses of people Morris has met along the way, unrelated memories sharing only her global inquisitiveness.
Ed loved and recommends!
INSECTOPEDIA by Hugh Raffle.
Penguin Press, Non-Fiction, $29.95.
Anthropologist Hugh Raffle's fascinating INSECTOPEDIA is both the most interesting and strangest non-fiction book Shane has read in a while. It is an eclectic collection and celebration of everything insect, combing science, philosophy, history, personal memoir, and even pop culture.
Humans share their lives with these creatures, yet most ignore them or take them for granted. You won't after reading this. Scholarly and literary, engaging, fun, and insightful. Shane highly recommends this books, "Eeewwwwwwww!" moments and all!
