December 8th 2024.
Editor's note: The opinions of my fellow book club members, a group of intelligent and well-read women in Denver, carry a lot of weight when it comes to choosing our next bedside table reads. So, in an effort to share their insights with all readers of The Denver Post, we asked them to provide mini-reviews. We also welcome any of our readers to send in their own reviews to
[email protected].
First on our list is "When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary" by Alice Hoffman. This young adult fiction brilliantly captures the essence of a young Anne Frank, with all her curiosity and determination, as she navigates the tumultuous events of 1930's Europe. Hoffman seamlessly weaves Anne's personal story into the larger historical context, providing a refreshing perspective on the pre-World War II era. Our book club member, Kathleen Lance, gives it 3 stars.
Next up is "Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout. With her signature ability to delve deep into the inner lives of her characters, Strout delivers another captivating novel. Even if you haven't read her previous works, you'll still appreciate the intricate connections between the characters in the fictional town of Crosby, Maine. This novel is beautifully written, with touches of humor and a strong sense of realism. Neva Gronert from Parker gives it 4 stars.
Moving on to "The Housekeeper and the Professor" by Yoko Ogawa, we are introduced to a unique family dynamic. The housekeeper, a single mother, cares for a young boy while also tending to a professor of mathematics who suffers from a memory disorder. Despite his limited memory, the professor and the housekeeper develop a close bond as they both share a love for learning. This heartwarming story reminds us of what truly matters in life. Bonnie McCune of Denver gives it 3 stars.
Last but not least, we have "The Empusium" by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Set in an Alpine sanatorium in pre-World War I Europe, this novel may seem reminiscent of "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann, but it is anything but. As the patients engage in philosophical discussions, the topic of women takes a disturbing turn as they compete to prove their superiority over the female gender. Suspense builds as rumors of strange disappearances and evil forces lurking in the nearby forest emerge. The ending leaves readers to interpret whether the mysterious "empusa" had any influence on the events in the sanatorium. Kathleen Lance gives it 3 stars.
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