My husband and I read this book together, and it generated a number of thoughtful discussions between us. It is a book to read slowly, not only to savor the writing, but also to think about the themes presented. The book is organized in three parts each involving one day, April 5th, in 2019 (pre-pandemic), 2020 (pandemic) and 2021 (post-pandemic). We follow an extended family group as it wrestles with daily living during a very difficult time. For the most part, each member is not getting what he or she wants and not wanting what each is getting. Disappointment, failed dreams, and unrealistic hopes abound. Two of the characters, Isabel and her brother Robbie, create an imaginary figure, Wolfe, and post daily updates about his life which is one they each long for themselves. The novel asks whether this family, described by one of the characters as "a conglomerate of sorts" can "survive its own ruptures". Can it? Can any family? The novel does not give us tidy answers, but it is a richer story than Wolfe's idealized one.

This novel tells of a horrifying incident in our Nation's history with great lyricism and humanity. We are given the facts immediately so we know what's coming. It is not an easy story to read, and many parts are shocking, but the narrative voice treats the main characters with respect and gentleness. I was swept into its time and location, and found myself caring deeply about the residents of Apple Island, and also those off the Island. There's so much depth in theme, richness in detail, and beautiful prose to savor that I have no qualms in calling it a masterpiece.

This is a novel that captures the complexity and contradictions of South Africa at a pivotal moment in its history. Set in 1927, the Immorality Act has just been passed which prohibits sexual relations between the races. We follow one family as it deals with the effects of the Act. The novel explores the question, "What does it mean to belong to a place?" We meet many 'scatterings', that is, as the epigraph tells us, those without a home, wanderers. Some find themselves in South Africa, because of birth, and others through migration. Each individual has a story, infused with myth and memory. In telling these stories, the novel introduced me to a place and world views very different from my own, but still concerned with topics we are dealing with today. It was eye-opening. As such, it is a very timely book given today's migrants and their stories. Beautifully written in prose that is poetic at times, the book stayed with me after I finished it, and I found myself rereading passages not only for their lyricism, but also for the thought-provoking issues explored by the author.

This is an extraordinary debut novel. I was quickly swept into the world of classic studies at Oxford with all its intrigues. Many themes of ancient texts -- obsession, ambition, passion and intrigue --- are deftly handled with characters as complicated as Odysseus. I found myself constantly reexamining my assumptions about the characters throughout the novel and changing my opinions of them. Because of the complexity of the characters and themes, I think this would be an excellent book club selection. A nice bonus is the chance to learn a bit of Latin and enjoy some lovely poetry.

I was swept into this novel's ancient world before I had finished the Prologue and stayed there, mesmerized, until the conclusion. Ariadne and her sister Phaedra, daughters of King Minos, tell their story in prose so beautiful that if borders on poetry. Their story is compelling and unrelenting in its emotional impact as they struggle to live with mighty gods and human men. As their story continues there are moments of joy and love, but always underneath the surface are rumblings of something dark and foreboding like the Minotaur in its labyrinth. The novel's great strength lies in giving voice to many of the women in Greek myths, bringing them out of the background where they have dwelt. It gave me a new and fresh perspective that resonated with its similarity to our times. An outstanding book.

This book tells a gentle and powerful story that is still with me days after finishing it. Set in Japan after the 2011 tsunami, it centers around a real phone booth with an unconnected phone in a Japanese garden. According to an introductory note, every year thousands come to use the phone and speak with those they have lost. The main characters, Yui and Takeshi, each grieving the loss of loved ones, meet at the phone booth and come to know others who are grief-stricken. The book asks fundamental questions: how is it possible to live with joy when everything comes to an end? How can we learn to live with those we loved who have died? The answers suggested by the story are profound, deeply moving and, perhaps most importantly, hopeful. This is a perfect book to read during our current and tragic times.

This book engaged me from page one, immersing me into its world immediately. That world is WWII before D-Day as lived by a group of female undercover spies in France. Their stories border on unbelievable and yet...they are true. The author has meticulously researched her topic using first-hand sources and recently declassified material. Each woman and her story come to life as does the history of the period. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thrilling, inspiring true story. It is by far one of the best books I've read this year.

This memoir is an excellent choice for book clubs. The questions explored by the author as she reflects on her upbringing and stint as a violinist who pretends to perform in front of live audiences are ones that we may ask at some time in our lives. For example, what do you do if you discover your talent is mediocre in your chosen field? There are also questions relevant for our current time: how do we distinguish between the real and the fake? Does it matter? The author mixes humor and anger in looking back at her experiences, but always with an underlying kindness for the people she describes. Reading this book, I felt I was in the hands of someone wise, honest and very real.

I found this novel stunning and hard to put down. Urrea places the reader in the middle of a large extended immigrant family from Mexico as they deal with life-changing events. Each character is broken through what life has dealt them, but each finds a chance to heal within the embrace of their family. I laughed at their craziness and cringed at the hurt they inflicted on each other. This is an especially relevant novel to read at this time. It shows us how alike we all are as we negotiate our own family issues. A wonderful novel!

I enjoyed this book very much. Not only is it a well-written and engrossing story with interesting characters, it also explores some important questions: "What gives our life meaning? How do we live a good life?" Most of the characters are lonely, "aching and frightened and lost". And then there's Arthur who describes himself as "the audience, the witness, the appreciator". As Mister Rogers says, "he's a helper." No, he hasn't done anything remarkable in the eyes of the world, but he has lived a full, meaningful and loving life. He is truly fulfilled and an inspiration to those who come within his orbit. I found him one of the most endearing characters in any of the novels I have read lately. This would be an excellent choice for book clubs, because there's so much to discuss about the questions it explores (see above).

This is an extraordinary and powerful novel that made me its captive from page one. The prologue lets the reader know that something terrible has happened to the narrator. With that foreshadowing, I followed the narrator's story from Sri Lanka to San Francisco riveted by what was slowly unfolding. Munaweera's fluid and poetic prose intensifies the first person narration and makes the story all the more moving. The story shows us in heartbreaking detail how what we do to each other leaves a mark that isn't easily erased. The narrator says at one point: "This is the history of what we do to one another. This is the story of what it means to be both a child of a mother and a child of history." This is one of the best books I read this year. A stunning achievement.

This book has something for just about everyone and I highly recommend it. It weaves two narratives: the first, that of Eli Goldstein who looks back to his teen-age years and time spent with his adored "Uncle" Poxl. The second narrative is Poxl's memoir of his experiences as a Jewish RAF pilot in WWII. This is a war story, a love story, and a meditation on the stories we tell, most importantly, the stories we need to tell. The descriptions of war-torn London are riveting and unforgettable and the characters are as complex as those we meet in real life. The ending left me speechless.

This is a terrific book and I urge everyone to read it. While Willett nicely skewers the publishing world with a cast of characters and adventures certain to make you laugh out loud, she also adds very poignant moments from Amy's life, both past and present. Willett's description of Alphonse the bassett hound barking at ants in the moonlight brought me to tears. I have discovered an amazing author and look forward to reading more from her.

I am not someone who reads thrillers, but I gave this one a try and am I glad I did! This is a gem of a book---fast paced, well-written and engrossing. I couldn't put it down. I usually avoid thrillers, because I don't enjoy the violence, but the violence in this book, while present, is not excessive. The narrator is intelligent and interesting and the plot's twists and turns are a pleasing challenge. This book would appeal to a wide range of readers--even those like me who don't usually read this genre---so I heartily recommend it.

This is an engaging and often gripping story set in Saigon in the late 60's and early 70's. I was quickly immersed in the political turmoil of the times, feeling all the fear and suspicion of a world where brutality and cunning have the upper hand. Yet, against this backdrop several moving love stories emerge. This novel would be an excellent book club selection. My only reason for not giving this book a "5" rating was the writing style, which was straightforward but often wooden, in contrast to the compelling story.