The narration and voice of the story reminded me of The Book Thief. Galloway is a remarkable writer. I could visualize every single scene: smell it, feel it, touch it. I love his attention to the little details, yet this book is only 259 pages of well spaced nice sized text, so he doesn't use his words carelessly - every word counts and packs an emotional or sensory punch. Even though the story ended, I wanted it to go on, which means I'll have to reread it. I'll also have to go find another Steven Galloway book as I really like his storytelling style.
In this story, Galloway takes the siege of Sarajevo that lasted over three years and condensed it into a month. After an attack in the city that killed twenty-two people, a cellist decides to play a piece at four o'clock each day in remembrance of each person killed. Although this story is based on that story, this book is fiction.
The story is told from the point of view of the Cellist, a female sniper named Arrow, a father named Kenan, and an older man named Dragan using third person omniscient narration. As each person tells their story, the reader gets a feel for what the people of the city must endure to get food, water, and medicine. The reader gets the sense of what becomes of people when they are reduced to only being concerned with taking care of the most basic of needs. We see people in their moments of weakness and their moments of strength. I loved how Dragan's narration ended - so profound. Without the daily niceties, we stop connecting with people. Those little greetings, kindnesses, and reaching out to others are what keep us human.
I highly recommend this book.
Read to a child today even if that child is you.
Link to our NICU book registry if you'd like to donate books to babies in the newborn intensive care unit.
No comments:
Post a Comment