The stories in this book entitled 37, incidently, and coincidently, occurred in 1937, creating a kaleidoscope of people, in exile and/or experiencing painful circumstances. The book characters found, at times, dubious refuge in various places. These stories detail the heartbreaks and challenges of ongoing conflicts even in their so-called havens; prejudices and so n, scarring them futher. All this culmination despite some healing and overcomings to pick up the pieces and "move on" in life. That is, for those who did survive.
There is an undercurrent story here of Polly Stern, would be famous photo-journalist, who collects these stories as she grapples with her own identity, which always has seemed, well, "off". Will she ever piece together her own story and be able to move on?
Although these stories have elemental truth as told, be reminded this is a historical fiction novel so the purist historian will no doubt unearth some added 'salt and pepper'. Nevertheless, the stories will reach the heart and stir up emotions and may even help the reader rethink some issues of how things, currently, are.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
September 2021
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by the publisher.
No comments:
Post a Comment