More Than I Love My Life: A Novel, David Grossman
This is classic Grossman territory. Loss and the redemptive power of love are once again his template, but as always a different story and fully developed, complicated characters- even at times, another country, this time the former Yugoslavia, today's Croatia. History leaves scars; love is the only way to get through it all. The novel tells the story of three women. One is based on a friend of Grossman’s who asked him to tell her story as creatively as he chose. Vera is that woman: cute, warm, generous, cruel, fanatical, and 90 years old. There is also Nina, Vera’s daughter whom she abandoned as a child, and will never forgive her, and Gili, the granddaughter who hates her mother with a visceral passion. All this drama and emotion accompanies the family on a trip back to the prison island Goli Otok, where Gili, a filmmaker with her father’s help, will record their journey. If you have never read David Grossman’s rich body of work, “lucky you." This is a good place to start.
David recommends: Synagogues: Marvels of Judaism, Leyla Uluhanli
Just in time for the holidays, this lavish coffee-table book from the storied publisher Rizzoli features over 60 famous synagogues from around the world. Striking essays provide context to the many spectacular photographs. You do not have to be Jewish to appreciate the stunning architecture and art of this book.
My daughter Ronit recommends: The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, Alka Joshi
If you read The Henna Artist, then you will love Alka Joshi’s new novel The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, where the author continues to share her characters and their lives with us. If you haven’t yet read The Henna Artist, you can always read this novel first! Either way, you are in for a treat with rich, colourful descriptions of life in India. The novel opens with the collapse of a balcony at the state-of-the-art theatre in the Pink City. The story is one of intrigue, deception, thievery, and love featuring Lakshmi, the henna artist, and her sidekick Malik. Malik is a grown man of 20 years old who has been sent by his mentor to the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace to learn a new trade. He learns a trade and more as he uncovers lies and treachery. Hoping to save his family, Malik must work quickly to uncover the truth.