Memento Park by Mark Sarvas

MEMENTO PARK by Mark Sarvas provides some well-written historical fiction, a mystery and a study of inter-generational relationships. At the center of the story is a painting, Budapest Street Scene by Kalman, created in Hungary prior to WWII.  The main character, Matt Santos, is surprised one day to learn that he now owns this valuable painting that was presumably looted from his Jewish ancestors during the war.

His immigrant father, however, encourages Matt to steer clear of the painting, perhaps reflecting on the painful memories it represents. Matt is puzzled by his father’s attitude and reluctance to discuss the painting (or much of anything, really). In a misguided attempt to reconcile with his father, Matt decides to leave his steady girlfriend, Tracy, and his southern California acting lifestyle in order to travel to Hungary with Rachel, a devout attorney helping him to prove ownership.  The situation darkens for Matt – on the personal front, with professional obligations, and on a spiritual basis as he begins to explore his own beliefs about Judaism.

I very much liked the references to Hungary, but I found the story slowed about a third of the way through. Matt’s inner perspective is key to the story and offers important insight as he muses about his own relationships and about the painting’s troubled history. MEMENTO PARK received starred reviews from Library Journal (“deft handling of aspects of identity in matters of love, family, religion, and loss”) and Publishers Weekly.

For a much lighter mystery (it is Spring Break after all), readers could try PLUM TEA CRAZY by New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs. This “cozy” delivers on its name with plenty of references to a variety of teas and some crazy events - like death by crossbow for banker Carson Lanier.  Set in charming Charleston, this mystery revolves around the sleuthing efforts of tea shop proprietor Theodosia Browning and her tea expert, Drayton Conneley plus their chef, Haley Parker.  Try a sample on amazon to see if the latest in this long running mystery series is to your taste.

New Sceince fiction and fantasy titles

Just about a year ago, I was reading Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel – it was a fantastic debut and I know other science fiction fans will be excited to hear that a second book in the Themis Files series, WAKING GODS, has been released recently.  The sequel begins almost a decade later, but the adventure and suspense are just as strong; that is, non-stop and a bit darker. Giant alien robots are invading the Earth and physicist Rose Franklin along with other human members of the Earth Defense Corps must figure out how to stop the destruction, first in London and then around the globe.   

I am linking to an interview with author Sylvain Neuvel in which she talks about some of her motivations in writing this story, but there’s not much point in sharing more details of the new novel – go grab a copy and start reading. WAKING GODS received starred reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus which says, “Pure, unadulterated literary escapism featuring giant killer robots and the looming end of humankind. In a word: unputdownable.” Enjoy.  

BLOOD ROSE REBELLION by Rosalyn Eves is a debut fantasy novel set in 1847 London.  The main character is a young woman of noble birth who, unlike others of her class, has no magical powers other than being able to break spells. Her “gift” contributes to the ruin of her sister’s debut and Anna Arden is exiled to Hungary with her grandmother.  There, she discovers Romani magic and has to decide if she wants to develop her power and support rebellion by granting more magic abilities to all. 

There are elements of Austrian-Hungarian history, classism, and even sexism in this fantasy story, but the appeal will most likely be to younger (middle school and early high school) readers due to the immaturity of the character, her flirtatious romance and presence of magical creatures. BLOOD ROSE REBELLION is part of a planned trilogy – learn more at the author’s website.

On language and writing

THE IDIOT by Elif Batuman appealed because of its cast of characters:

• Selin, daughter of Turkish immigrants beginning her undergraduate studies at Harvard
• Svetlana, a classmate from Serbia and
• Ivan, an older mathematics student from Hungary.

The time period, 1995, and setting - both in Boston and across Europe – also grabbed interest as I began reading and reflecting on college experiences, the efforts to find oneself, and to establish adult relationships. However, I soon felt that Selin was a little too self-centered; although clearly very introspective and clever. Here is an example of her mind at work: “I was thinking about the structural equivalencies between a tissue box and a book: both consisted of slips of white paper in a cardboard case; yet – and this was ironic – there was very little functional equivalence, especially if the book wasn’t yours.” After a time, Selin’s frequent musings did seem less amusing and began to grate, slowing down the story, even though  Batuman is an award winning author who provides a thoughtful commentary on culture, language and “adulting.”

Booklist, Kirkus and Publishers Weekly all gave starred reviews to this semi-autobiographical debut novel and despite its being over 400 pages, I am curious to see if any of our Senior English classes will decide to explore this unique text. 

 BLEAKER HOUSE by Nell Stevens is also about language, writing and finding oneself. She subtitles this memoir “Chasing My Novel to the End of the World” and describes her experiences during a three month fellowship writing on Bleaker Island in the Falklands.  I have to be honest and say I was a little jealous of her ability to get completely away and write in isolation. Granted, she must forego Internet access and lists some “Habits I am being forced to break: Wondering: ‘What year was so-and-so born?’ .... Or any other general, non-urgent but niggling questions, and looking it up at once. Instead, I start a WORD document listing all the things I’d Google if I could: a sprawling, eclectic list of idle curiosity ....”  

I also really enjoyed her observations of the desolation of the Falkland Islands: “I walk for hours and see only monosyllables: cliffs, birds, waves, sand, sheep, rock, moss.” Future writers, travel enthusiasts and anyone with an active imagination should read the excerpt from BLEAKER HOUSE provided by the publisher and then turn to the book itself; there is also a Reading Guide for this debut work which will appeal to book groups.