I got immediately sucked into this historical drama as three women struggle to survive in post WWII Germany. Smart bold Marianne’s husband is killed after a failed plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. She vows to help the families of his fellow conspirators. To that end, she rescues beautiful but broken Benita, being taken advantage of by Russian soldiers, as well as Benita’s son. She finds strong practical Ania and her two boys languishing in a refugee camp for displaced persons. With Marianne’s three children, the makeshift family lives in a rundown castle where they must forage for food and fend off marauding predators. But their struggle is more than physical as they cope with jealousy, dangerous secrets, class differences, children left scarred by war and hatred for the Nazis. The book is very well written and emotionally gripping as the author explores themes of love, friendship, survival, judgment and ultimately forgiveness in the face of unimaginable horror. WWII is not my favorite time period to read about, but I didn’t want this one to end.
Friendship
My Brilliant Friend – Elena Ferrante
If you enjoy character studies, this book by Italian writer Elena Ferrante is for you. Two girls from working class families, Lenu and Lila, are growing up in Post WW11 Italy. Everyone knows everyone’s business and poverty ensures violence is always a possibility. Lenu becomes obsessed with Lila early on because of her intelligence and fearlessness. Soon they’re best friends, although intense competition makes for a tumultuous relationship. Lila is more intelligent, but when her parents won’t allow her to go on to middle school, it’s hard-working Lenu who shines academically much to Lila’s dismay. Lenu is prettier, but as they mature, it’s obvious Lila is a rare beauty. In fact, Lila marries at 16, a seemingly glittering match which quickly turns sour. Lenu continues to study even though it may never pay off in a society where women have few options. Ferrante manages to capture the details of day-to-day life in Naples perfectly. This is the first book in a series which follows Lenu and Lila throughout their lives.
Me, Earl and The Dying Girl – Jesse Andrews
This irreverent young adult novel provides a fresh spin on a familiar story. Social misfit Greg is a senior in high school who panders to every clique, but joins none. Earl, a kid from a broken family, is his only real pal. They spend their time making films they don’t let anyone see. One day, Greg’s mother insists he visit a childhood buddy, Rachel, who’s been diagnosed with leukemia. Greg only liked Rachel to get to her better looking friends, but awkwardly they get reacquainted. Greg resents the time he spends with her, and is furious when a more sympathetic Earl, offers to show her their films. He’s mollified when Rachel loves them, but resists calling her a true friend. Greg starts to fail his classes as he struggles to cope with Rachel’s devastating illness. The author of this book has a unique voice, sometime over the top, but always funny. He finds a new way to explore a familiar situation with characters who aren’t always likable, but who are always real.
Sleepers – Lorenzo Carcaterra
Set in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen in the 1960s, the details in this book are so vivid you feel as if you are with the four boys at the heart of the story. The boys are lifelong friends, kings of their domain, engaging in petty pranks until one disastrous afternoon when something goes horribly wrong, and they find themselves sentenced to a year in prison at the Wilkinson Home for Boys. At Wilkinson, they are subjected to brutal beatings, unimaginable humiliation, and worse. Years later, one is a lawyer, one a reporter, and two professional hit men. They all dream of revenge. To exact it, they twist the legal system with the help of a sympathetic priest, and commandeer the courtroom, in a sensational murder trial that stirs up all the ghosts of the past. The author published this book as a work of non-fiction. Although the names were changed, he claimed everything in the book was true. Carcaterra’s account of events has never been verified, but it doesn’t matter because this is a sensational read either way.
Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo
I loved this quirky Newbery Award Honor children’s book about a motherless girl who adopts a dog and unites a community. Opal, age 10, finds a big, ugly dog in the produce department of the local grocery store. She names him Winn-Dixie accordingly and takes him to meet her father who is a minister. Since moving to Florida, Opal has been lonely and missing her mother, who left when she was little. Her dad usually won’t talk about her mom but because of Winn-Dixie he agrees to tell her a few things. Winn-Dixie also proves adept at making friends. Together, they meet the librarian, Miss Block, who fought off a bear with a copy of War and Peace. They meet Gloria Dump who is almost blind but sees with her heart. They meet Otis, an ex-con, who sets the animals free in his pet shop after hours and lulls them by playing his guitar. Lovable Winn-Dixie is a catalyst for the formation of friendships of all kinds. A warm, well-written children’s classic.
Mystic River – Dennis Lehane
I loved this mystery about boyhood friends Jimmy, Sean and Dave who must face the demons of the past when Jimmy’s daughter is murdered. The boys are friends until something terrible happens to one of them, a travesty that ends their friendship and changes them forever. Years later, Sean is a homicide detective, Jimmy an ex-con store owner and Dave trying to keep his marriage together as he fights the urge to do terrible things. Sean is assigned the case which brings him into conflict with Jimmy who wants to revert to his criminal past and dish out justice – vigilante style. Where does Dave fit into the mix – Dave who came home the night Jimmy’s daughter was killed covered in blood. Rich narrative. I understand and agree with the “show don’t tell” writing philosophy, but sometimes a little tell ain’t necessarily bad. Lehane’s Shutter Island is a great book as well.
Vivian Copeland's Best Books Of All Time 