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tobiejonzarelli (USA: MA) (2007/06/14):
Krauss had created a labyrinth of loneliness in the leaves of this lovely litany. The protagonist, Leo Gursky has survived Nazi infested Poland and so has the manuscript that he wrote , "The History of Love." Alma, the main character in Leo's manuscript and also a real woman whom he loves, fled their small village before the occupation. She made it to American and married another man.
Then we find another Alma, a teenager who has not only lost her father but who is actively trying to find a way to save both her mother, who is lost in loneliness after the death of her husband, and her younger brother Bird, who believes he may be a "lamed vovnik" one of only thirty-six holy men in the world.
It is the type of novel that deserves a second read, scattered throughout we find small gems, "And then I thought: Perhaps that is what it means to be a father - to teach your child to live without you." We also find humor and compassion sprinkled throughout the many twists and turns of the this narrative. A great read!Mary
http://www.bookmooch.com/m/
Anne (USA: IL) (2008/08/19):
This is the best contemporary novel of any author that I have ever read. It is my favorite book, and one to which I return again and again to have my faith renewed. Beautifully written by a former poet, "The History of Love" is a book that should be appreciated for it's lyricism, beauty, and truth about humanity.
Laura (USA: MO) (2011/04/18):
I loved the characters' voices in this novel and the confusion brought about in the third person point of view chapters is resolved (mostly) in the end, so I felt like any frustration was well worth it. If you don't enjoy ambiguity this is not the book for you. Sad, but true and beautiful.
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