January 11, 2009

This is What a Literary Masterpiece Looks Like


The cover of this book stared up at me from the Borders shelves for many a year before I finally succumbed to its powers.  It's an enticing cover, and an equally enticing title (for those of us obsessed with lovey-dovey storylines), and come to think of it, it's actually kind of bizarre that I did not pursue this novel earlier.  

Anyhow, I AM SO GLAD THAT I FINALLY DID.

I was a little hesitant at first, because it was one of those bestsellers that just seemed so hyped up and everyone swooned over so much that I doubted I could share their enthusiasm.  There's nothing worse than rave reviews skyrocketing your expectations up to the moon, only to have the real thing send you crashing back down to earth with a bored and unimpressed thud.

However, I was not disappointed.  At.  All.

Nicole Krauss blew me away time and time again with:

1.  Her absolutely stunning poetic writing
2.  The changes in tone that allowed each character to have a completely distinct voice
3. Her ability to weave together a number of characters and storylines over hundreds of pages without confusing the reader, and still succeeding in creating a constant element of surprise
4. Her gorgeous phrasing and way with words - perhaps I mentioned that already?

Honestly, I'm not going to even bother trying to summarize the plot.  It's too complicated, and too continually full of surprises for me to risk ruining anything.  Go here if you want a brief synopsis.  Then order it.  Dammit.  It is truly one of the loveliest books I've read in a long long time, and is definitely being added to my list of favorites.  

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

when a book is good, one plows through it, and tells everyone they can about it... i will add it to my list of reads.

Jill GG said...

Can't wait to check this one out... I just LOVE all the quotes you shared!

I'm hooked.