Life is funny. When evaluating where I have ended up after 29 years and 2 months on this planet; I am not entirely where I imagined I would be. What comes to mind is the old axiom my father has always presented me with: 'we plan, g-d laughs'. So, in order to bring a sort of purpose to my existence, I have decided to set an intention for my 29th year on this planet. My intention is to read 30 books before my 30th birthday and review them. I have no real formal experience with such, but I don't have anyone to impress; it is merely my goal and documentation of the journey there.
I will begin with 'The History of Love' by Nicole Krauss. A few words to describe it: haunting, touching, confusing, thought-provoking, and intense. This book was a roller coaster of emotions for me; all at once poignant, enraging and charming. The characters are interesting and the plot is, although at times convoluted, woven together in a mysterious but heart breaking tapestry [by the end]. The main character, Leo, epitomizes the art of survival. He wakes up every day and breathes, and then knocks on his radiator to let his upstairs neighbor know that he has awoken to another day. As the story unfolds the reader discovers that Leo has not always been the quintessential Jewish older gentleman just getting by. He was once burdened and enraptured by a true, everlasting love. His love for Alma, whom he met in his Polish village a lifetime ago, inspired him to write a book. A book that he thought was destroyed and yet it withstood the test of time. A modern day Alma, named for the character in Leo's book, is impacted by the book in a way that Leo never could have imagined and never knew. That is...until she went looking for him. This book made me revisit my assumptions, my view of people around me; couples, the elderly, my friends, my neighbors and my family. This book warmed my heart and made me cry. It was particularly moving for me as there is a recurrent theme of life evaluation. A great first read.
