In the Image

I'm trying to finsh In the Image by Dara Horn before I have to turn it in on Saturday.

Ugh - I just checked to make sure and found out I had two books due yesterday! I hate having overdue books!

Anyway - I love this book. I can't figure out how I came to put it on reserve, but I'm so glad I did. The book is made up of sections and they all come to intersect somehow. Something that Bill saw in Amsterdam 50 years ago will be seen by Leora. It is not a difficult read, but very well-written. I feel like I know these characters. This book makes me want to write.

Yesterday at lunch I read one of the sections that tells the story of Bill's grandmother and was almost moved to tears. I may be a sucker when it comes to crying at movies, but I rarely get so moved by books.

The thing is, I wouldn't assume to have much in common with these characters. They are all Jewish and live or come to live in New Jersey/New York. The stories range from Europe in the 30s to New York nowadays. The book deals with such topics as spousal abuse, Jewish-American history, Spinoza, shell shock and Hasidism. And I am anxiously awaiting lunch so I can read more.

I think I'm going to have to buy it.
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