Translated from the French by Susan Pickford
The Brunelle’s and Geniot’s live next door to each other and are best friends. Their sons are also best friends. But what happens when one son dies? And who is to blame?
This intriguing thriller sets a quick pace with short chapters that follow the dissolution and destruction of these once-close friends. Mothers Leticia and Tiphanie go into each other’s houses, share everything, and treat each other’s kids like their own, but when Tiphanie’s son falls from a window and dies, she turns her anger and grief on Leticia. Does grief turn to revenge? Or is paranoia running rampant?
At the funeral, Tiphanie lashes out at Leticia. Then as weeks and months go by, strange things begin happening to Leticia and her family including a family friend being murdered on their street.
Finally, Tiphanie seems to be getting over her grief and awkwardly invites her neighbors to dinner. But while they’re there, Milo (Leticia’s son) is rushed to the hospital after eating Doritos.
Did Tiphanie intentionally put poisoned powder on them or was it a mistake (she left herbal powder where Milo could reach it). This push/pull dance goes on – Leticia doesn’t know whether or not she can trust Tiphanie – until the surprise conclusion which leaves a permanent ending to Leticia’s family.
The husbands have no real role in the story. Both are passive and accepting of whatever comes their way. While the mothers have always been striving to be perfect mothers, the fathers don’t feel the need to compete in child rearing.
This book would be good for people who like thrillers and family drama.
Read-alikes:
Let Me Lie by Clare MacKintosh
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline
Lori Ludlow, Babylon Public Library
The Wind That Lays Waste by Selva Almada
Translated from the Spanish by Chris Andrews
SIDE NOTES: Never read a book in translation before. That said, I liked looking up all the places in Argentina that the author has mentioned in her book. Some include Rosario, Buenos Aires, and Patagonia.
APPEAL: For those interested in religious fiction, small town/rural setting, family drama, and character development.
This story opens with a Reverend and his teenage daughter Leni stuck at a mechanic shop, waiting for their car to be repaired before moving on to their destination of a friend’s house in Castelli.
Both the Reverend and Leni are invited to stay for dinner since the process of fixing their car will take some time. During their time at the shop, we learn a lot about the Reverend (Pearson), Leni, Gringo (Mr. Brauer) the mechanic, and his young worker Tapioca. The Reverend attempts to share Christianity beliefs to Mr. Bauer and Tapioca, but they are reluctant to listen about religion, or at least Mr. Bauer is reluctant because he believes in the nature of things and that religion is for people to hide behind God. Pearson became a Reverend after his miraculous baptism and his mother encouraged him to share his journey while learning and teaching biblical messages.
Leni thinks her father is a bit forceful when it comes to his teachings and is a bit apprehensive when first meeting the Gringo and Tapioca. She eventually loosens up and mocks her father’s way of sharing the Bible. She admires her father but disapproves of his approach. We learn of her mother who seemed to have a love for her and the Reverend. However, one day, as they were traveling, Leni heard them arguing. He grabbed her mother’s suitcase, brought it to her, and left her on the side of the road crying. We do not learn of how and why this has happened.
Tapioca’s background is just as sad as we are told that his mom took care of him until he was 9 yrs. old. They both show up at the mechanic’s shop and she explains to the Gringo that Tapioca is his son. She tells him that this is too much to do on her own and she needs to find work so she leaves him with the Gringo who has agreed to care for him. Though Tapioca is scared at first, he becomes friendly with his dogs and becomes acclimated to his new living environment. The Reverend does get through to Tapioca a.k.a. Jose (his real name).
Half way through the story, the Reverend finally has a chance to speak with the Gringo, explaining how well he has raised Tapioca (Jose) but his religious education is lacking. The Gringo didn’t want to listen to anything about religion so the Reverend left him alone. Tapioca, on the other hand, was definitely moved by the Reverend’s words and felt that he was sent there for a reason. The Reverend decides he is going to persuade the Gringo in taking Tapioca to his next visit and then bring him back.
Just as the car becomes fixed, a storm rolls through and the Reverend and his daughter are unable to leave. While waiting out the storm, Gringo and Reverend have a deep conversation about their past, telling memories of how they grew up and particularly talking about death. As they grow in their bond, the Reverend finally asks the Gringo if Tapioca can come along on their next visit. They have a physical fight over this and the end result is that the Gringo gives in and allows Tapioca to go.
The ending falls flat in that the Reverend, Leni, and Tapioca all drive away with no interaction but their own thoughts and each character is meant to see something, but the “something” is never explained. The story does not go on and we are left pondering what happens to the characters. There are also many unanswered questions such as what happened to Leni’s mom.
Quote that I enjoyed:
“We’ve been on the road long enough to know that patience is a good counselor. There’s a reason for every turn of events, even if we don’t know what it is.” ~ Reverend
Read-alikes:
Brickmakers and Dead Girls by Selva Almada
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
Noah's Wife by Lindsay Starck
The Boys by Toni Sala
Liana Coletti, West Islip Public Library
Translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is a delightful and heartwarming novel that skillfully weaves together humor, empathy, and human connection. The story revolves around a failed bank robber who inadvertently finds himself in a hostage situation during an open house apartment viewing. As the police attempt to unravel the mystery behind the events, the novel takes readers on a captivating journey exploring the lives and anxieties of the diverse group of characters involved.
The novel is a celebration of human imperfections and the profound impact that understanding and compassion can have on individuals facing their own struggles. Backman's writing is both insightful and humorous, creating a narrative that effortlessly balances laughter and introspection. The characters are richly developed, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities, making it easy for readers to connect with and care about them.
The power of empathy, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways in which people can come together to support one another are themes throughout the novel. The novel is a testament to the idea that even in the midst of chaos, there is room for kindness and understanding.
This book is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a blend of humor and heart. If you appreciate novels that explore the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit, this is a must-read. It's a touching and uplifting tale that will leave you with a renewed sense of hope and a smile on your face.
Read-alikes:
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
Nanci Helmle, The Smithtown Library, Commack Building
Translated from the German by Marshall Yarbrough
Two years after her fiancé Ben died, Clara is still trying to piece her life back together. As things at work get hectic and she's on the verge of losing her job do to downsizing, she decides she's going to text Ben's old phone as a way to talk about her feelings and hopefully figure out how to move on. Unbeknownst to her, Ben's phone number has been reassigned to a man named Sven, who is now receiving her text messages. At first he thinks it's strange, but the more messages he receives, the more he's intrigued by the sender. Being a journalist, he does some research and eventually tracks her down. What starts as simple curiosity turns into a first date and Sven not being honest with Clara as to who he is.
The book takes place over several months and in that time we see Clara come out of her grief and find herself again. We learn more about Ben and how their relationship wasn't perfect and we see how grief can effect a person on a tremendous level. Clara's best friend and Sven's co-worker make for fun interactions in what is overall a sad book, and an eventual coming of terms leaves the reader hopeful for Clara and Sven.
While not the best romance book ever written, Text for You is a pleasant story and pulls at the reader's heartstrings. It's setting in Germany also makes for an interesting read, leaning about the towns where the two main characters live as well as their lives and customs. This book would be best for romance readers who don't mind a slow read and a good cry as long as there's a happy ever after.
If interested, this book was made into a Netflix movie called Love Again starring Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The general story is still the same, but some of the details have been changed including the character's names, having Celine Dion, playing herself, help in the search for "Clara", and it's no longer set in Germany.
Read-alikes:
The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas
Someone Else's Bucket List by Amy Matthews
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
Azurée Agnello, West Babylon Public Library
Translated from the Japanese by Alison Watts
There are endless stories about the spiritual bonds formed between people and dogs. Seishu Hase’s The Boy and The Dog, translated into English from the original Japanese by Alison Watts, explores all the different forms this bond can take. Hase uses a series of vignettes to tell the story of a dog named after a Japanese guardian deity, Tamon, traversing across the islands of Japan in search of family, in the aftermath of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Along this incredible journey, Tamon embodies all the different ways humans connect with dogs. As emotional support for someone in crisis, a family companion for a man struggling with money, as a guard dog for a thief hoping to go clean, or as a hunting dog for an aging widower; Tamon fits seamlessly into each person’s life before continuing his journey. Some of the stories are stronger than others, but each provides a unique glimpse into how people and dogs interact.
Hase’s writing style is laconic, but his economy of words still creates a fully formed world for each of the stories within the novel. Despite only staying with the human characters for short periods of time, they are all fully fleshed out, allowing the reader to connect with many of them instantly. Some readers might be thrown off guard with how flawed some of them are, but in a way, this just showcases how dogs can affect all kinds of people. Hase mainly writes crime novels about the Yakuza, and it shows in how some of these stories play out, but it does not detract from the overall charm of the book as a whole. In many ways, Tamon’s presence is what inspires these flawed characters to change. While the people are interesting and carry the plot forward, Tamon is the central figure of the novel. Although there is no fantastical element of hearing Tamon’s voice or thoughts, he still comes across full of personality, with his own unique character. For each of the people in the novel Tamon encounters, he always seems to find them at just the right moment in their lives; something any pet owner can relate too.
While the connection between people and dogs is the driving force of the novel, the other main theme is humanity in the aftermath of a disaster. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami have created an indelible mark in Japan. The novel begins just a few months after the disaster and continues years later, yet readers will still feel the long shadow that surviving such a cataclysmic event can cast over a person’s life. There is always a somber tone to the writing, with an undercurrent feeling that another disaster is never far away. Many of Tamon’s caretakers are experiencing extreme loneliness or PTSD. At no point is Tamon the perfect cure for these ailments, but in all cases, he is what allows the person to begin their healing process.
On its surface, The Boy and the Dog could have been a simple and heartwarming story about a dog looking for his lost family. A Disney movie turned into the written word. Instead, Hase structures the novel in a way that challenges this straightforward approach, allowing him to explore the bond between people and dogs in a more meaningful and deeper way. Some readers may feel that the emotional climax of the story falls a bit short compared to what came before. Hase tends to tell the reader what they should feel, rather than allowing these emotions to come up naturally. This comes across in its strongest form at the end of the novel with the final vignette. Thankfully, the uneven ending does not diminish the beautiful stories contained within. For anyone who has bonded with a dog before, The Boy and the Dog will bring on strong emotions and remind us of the power of a dog’s love.
Read-alikes:
A Dog's Way Home by W. Bruce Cameron
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
Connor McCormack, Northport-East Northport Public Library
Translated from the Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot
At the Tokyo cafe, "Funiculi Funicula", if someone sits in a certain chair, if they are poured a cup of coffee, they are given the chance to travel to the past. There are several rules that need to be followed, the most important of them being, you must return before the coffee cup cools.
Through four interlinked stories ("The Lovers; Husband and Wife; The Sisters; Mother and Child"), we read the emotional, heartwarming time-travel journeys of customers and employees. This slim novel is compelling, engaging and the leisure pace allows the reader to focus on details and character development.
"At the end of the day, whether one returns to the past or travels to the future, the present does not change. So, it raises the question: just what is the point of the chair?" Can the chair change someone's heart?
In 2018, this book was made into a movie called Cafe Funiculi Funicula.
Read-alikes:
The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa
Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (book 2)
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (book 3)
Shubeik Lubeik by Dina Muhammad
Sue Ketcham, Retired
Translated from the French by Jessica Moore
Eastbound by Maylis De Kerangal, translated from French by Jessica Moore, explores the relationship of two strangers who come together in unlikely circumstances on a train heading east across Russia. As the work unfolds, we find ourselves drawn to the characters. Aliocha is a young Russian man, conscripted into the Army headed to his perceived certain doom. Hélène is a French woman who is fleeing an unfulfilling relationship with a Russian bureaucrat.
Hélène knows a few words in Russian, Aliocha no French at all. In a dance of pantomimes and broken explanations they communicate. The plot is simplistic – he is trying to desert an army he has not yet officially joined, and she is running away from, but not to anything or anyplace in particular.
De Kerangal paints a bleak picture of Russia. Cold gray days and rampant alcoholism, lack of power in the lower classes, remnants of Soviet era bureaucracy, all conspire to create a young man with a visually stooped posture, already beaten down by a system that has fated him to serve in an Army of bullies. The train car in which he begins his journey is dark, damp, dirty and poorly lit. It reeks of sweat, cigarette smoke, and the prevailing feeling of fear. This is in stark contrast to the car he finds himself in with Hélène. The first-class car is spacious in comparison, clean, and although clearly large enough for two people, she is the only inhabitant.
The two characters interact in a series of meaningful looks, hand gestures and a few words of broken Russian uttered by Hélène. A surprising accomplice arrives in the form of the provodnitsa (a woman who cleans and oversees the carriage), who both gives Aliocha information about the stations and creates a diversion when the train is being searched for the missing soldier.
While there is just enough plot to move the story along, the real meat of this novel is in the character study and setting. De Kerengal paints a picture of Russia and leans weight to the import of the scenery when she uses the “Pearl of Russia,” Lake Baikal, as a visual turning point in the story. The train passes the lake and passengers are entranced. It is not long after this physical break in the bleakness of the story that we see the plot take a turn to a more hopeful path.
As the book concludes, we are left with a haunting view of Russia and how she treats her lower classes, and how the harsh landscape reflects, or perhaps, creates, a populace of downtrodden depressed citizenry. This is not a book with a plot tied up with a neat little bow, but rather a study in landscape, setting, and character.
Although written in 2012, it is clear why Moore would choose to translate this book in 2023. As Russia continues to wield military power in Ukraine, the threat of conscription looms for the current generation. The style can be challenging to read with long sentences that require the reader to keep the subject and predicate in mind. Readers who enjoy descriptive writing and setting-driven work will find this book likable.
Read-alikes:
Cafe Unfiltered by Jean-Philippe Blondel
Embers by Sandor Marai
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Midnight Train to Prague by Carol Windley
Ellen Covino, Sayville Public Library
Translated from the Italian by the author
This short novel by acclaimed author Lahiri offers a unique reading experience that will appeal to a slim audience. Written using the present tense and a first-person point of view, the novel is composed of short chapters and short sentences. Since the novel lacks a plot, it is best described as a series of vignettes. The chapter titles capture the sketch-like quality of the book: “In the Waiting Room,” “At the Beautician.” The novel is more akin to poetry than to fiction is written as stream-of-consciousness. Furthermore, each character and location remain unnamed, including the protagonist. Curiously, the city where the book takes place, and which is a character in its own right, is never identified, although it is obviously Rome or another major Italian city. Lahiri herself moved to Rome from the United States, and Italian words pop up throughout the text, such as ciao, arrivederci, and signora. There are also references to ancient ruins. I believe the anonymity of the location and characters evokes the universality of urban loneliness. Nevertheless, this will be off-putting to most readers, particularly given the lack of plot. Sadly, many readers, me included, first fell in love with Lahiri’s work due to its generous cultural specificity. Her short stories capture details of the Indian American experience that are rooted in specific places, people, and events. Therefore, the vagueness of Whereabouts, if not disappointing, is at the very least disorienting and frequently confusing. For example, the protagonist mentions “my friend” in reference to a nameless character described earlier in the novel. The reader lacks the anchor that names provide. This is one reason why I believe this book rewards readers willing to consume it in one sitting. Indeed, despite the meandering plot, the short chapters keep you reading. They are lulling, almost hypnotic, and they often end with a punchy sentence that pushes you forward. Just as you would not read one stanza of a poem and walk away, so too in this case, the chapters must be read in one sitting to appreciate the wholeness of the work.
The heroine, a nameless, solitary professor in her early 40s, is depressed. She has a cynical and bleak outlook and remains alienated despite her frequent interactions with friends and acquaintances. She is working through the issues and traumas of her youth: the death of her father, her estrangement from her mother. Walking with the protagonist through this listless fog of loneliness, the reader is rewarded by moments of poignant beauty. We share her delight in the rays of sunshine at a local park and celebrate the moment when she finds herself laughing “for the first time” (pg. 144). By experiencing the most mundane moments with the heroine, I grew to care for her with an empathy that most protagonists fail to elicit. By sacrificing plot, Lahiri offers a different way to connect with a character on a deeper level.
I would describe Whereabouts as meditative, introspective, and poignant. I think most people, however, will find the novel confusing, depressing, and boring. For a certain reader, however, this book might be a revelation, particularly if they can relate to middle-aged, urban isolation. I would recommend this novel to lovers of contemporary poetry, someone who wants a book to savor, or those who seek to inhabit the Italian setting.
Read-alikes:
In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri
Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Emma Yohannan, Central Islip Public Library
Translated from the Norwegian by Diane Oatley
Author Maja Lunde has written other novels that address the effects of climate change—specifically, The History of Bees and The End of the Ocean. But her latest entry in this topic-connected series focuses on the Przewalski horse, or the takhi—the last living wild horses that are thought to be the ancestors of the domestic horse that we know today. Lunde’s novel describes three distinct attempts at the preservation of this endangered species by including three diverse narratives, in three different time periods, depicting three different scenarios.
The story opens in the year 2064, after what is referred to as “The Collapse.” The effects of climate change have reduced humankind to a dystopian existence based solely on resourcefulness and survival. The reader is introduced to Eva and her daughter who are living on what remains of their wildlife farm. And because Eva is determined to save the last specimens of wild horses that they have living on the farm, she refuses to leave her property to join others who have fled north to a more inhabitable environment—in spite of the fact that her daughter urges her to do so. As supplies dwindle, Eva travels to the docks to barter for food and comes upon a “wanderer” who appears to be in distress. She offers her a ride and refuge for a few days at the farm, only to have days turn into weeks, and weeks into months—changing the dynamic at the farm in unforeseen ways.
Next, the reader is introduced to Mikhali, a zoologist in 1881 St. Petersburg. Having been informed that the skull of the infamous Przewalski horse had been found in Mongolia, an expedition is arranged to find, capture, and return some of the elusive animals to the zoo in Russia, with the ultimate goal of preserving the animal’s bloodline. The excursion not only provides a physical challenge for the zoologist, but it also tests his understanding of his identity and his heart.
Finally, in 1992 Berlin, a veterinarian dedicates her life to preserving the tahki horse by breeding them and then returning them to the wild in Mongolia. As we read about her latest effort to transport a group of horses to their final destination in Mongolia, we witness the complex relationship she has with her son, who has had an unsteady recovery from drug addiction.
Seamlessly alternating narratives throughout the novel, Lunde creates a compelling atmosphere in each scenario that will absorb the reader from the beginning of the book to its reflective conclusion. The characters are thoroughly fleshed out, and the reader’s emotions will authentically coincide with those depicted in the story. Beautifully written and provocative in its portrayal, the characters may live in different time periods, but all display an extraordinary commitment to preserving a small slice of nature. You don’t have to love horses to enjoy The Last Wild Horses, as it makes a powerful statement about humanity, the various forms love can take, and the lengths to which people will go to preserve the connection between themselves and the natural world.
Read-alikes:
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
Extinction by Bradley Somer
Deborah Formosa, Northport-East Northport Public Library
Translated from the Italian by Lucy Rand
Summary:
This a story about grief, sadness, hope, and love inspired by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated many coastal areas of Japan in the Toholu region. Yuri, the main character is a young radio show host who lost her mother and daughter to the tsunami. Through her phone-in radio show, she learns about a wind phone where people go to have one-way conversations with their deceased loved ones. When she arrives at Bell Gardia, where the phone booth is located, she meets the garden’s curator and the two become friendly. Each month she makes the hours long trip to the mountains and each time she sees a man. After several months they also become friendly. They share their tragedies, she about losing her mother and daughter, who although they followed instructions and sought shelter on higher ground still perished as the tsunami was greater than expected. He, Takeshi, tells her about his wife’s terminal illness and the trauma that caused his daughter to stop speaking. Their relationship deepens as they continue to visit the wind phone each month. On many of these occasions they meet others who are mourning their own loss. There is the father whose son is swept out to sea in a rubber raft after accepting a dare from a friend. The father is both sad and angry at his son’s carelessness. They also meet a young student who talks to his mother and gives weekly updates about the rest of the family, and finally a young man who speaks candidly to his father that is still very much alive. Although she has visited Bell Gardia for years, Yui cannot bring herself to speak into the phone.
After a time, Yui and Takeshi’s relationship becomes romantic. He invites her to live with him and his daughter and she moves in. All seems well until he proposes, and Yui has to decide whether or not she can leave her old life behind and move forward with a new family.
Review:
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written with elegant sentences that border on poetry. The characters felt real and each one made you feel their pain. Because this story was inspired by real life events, it was especially meaningful, and many times brought me to tears. The beautifully described setting felt otherworldly and made me want to travel to Japan someday. This novel would make a great book discussion and I would recommend it to patrons looking for something special for their next book group. The book includes a glossary and helpful notes that speak to the uniqueness of this magical place.
Read:alikes:
What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
Death and Other Holidays by Marci Vogel
Karen McHugh, Harborfields Public Library
Translated from the Swedish by Marlaine Delargy
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good is a fun collection of 5 mystery/crime short stories written by the well-known Swedish crime writer, Helene Tursten. Her most famous books are the Detective Inspector Irene Huss series and have been dramatized as movies and tv series. An Elderly Lady is completely separate from that series and is centered around Maud, an 88-year old woman who lands on the opposite side of the law.
When reading stories with an elderly protagonist, we might assume the character is hard of hearing, weak in the legs, and fuzzy in the mind. This is definitely an ageist trope, and the author uses that stereotype to her advantage. Maud, our elderly protagonist, is well aware of the ways that younger people view the elderly and uses that to her advantage--performing feats that mentally and physically she is still capable of and then covering up her actions by pretending to be a fuzzy little old lady. I don’t want to give away all the details as that would spoil the surprises, but suffice it to say that she gets into all sorts of trouble that she ultimately benefits from and gets away with it. She’s the complete opposite of Miss Marple.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes crime fiction or mysteries. I would also suggest it to anyone who enjoys a rather subversive, feminist fiction read. It’s a short, sweet collection that reads quickly but leaves ones interested in reading more about Maud in the sequel, An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed. It’s a bit like a good appetizer --you eat it quickly, and it gets you ready for your next meal.
Read-alikes:
A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon
The Old Woman with the Knife by Byeong-Mo Gu
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Carolyn Brooks, The Smithtown Library - Commack Building
