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alcomia's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad I found this solace of a novel in a pile of forgotten books in a shabby provincial bookstore i occasionally wander into whenever I feel yearning for the smell and feel of old paper books. I loved the idea and I adored the execution. the juxtaposition of the daughter's narrative and the father's letters, various layers of stories - stories one tells one's loved ones, stories one tells strangers, stories one tells oneself, and stories one tells the reader are woven together so seamlessly you could almost hear the characters' voices talking to you as if you are old unfeigned friends
wordnerdy's review against another edition
3.0
The story of a translator working with the letters of Walter Benjamin is intersected with the wartime letters of her father (to Eleanor Roosevelt), who was trapped on a boat from Europe trying to gain entry to the US in 1940. As the translator tries to investigates her father's story, the reasons for his reluctance to reveal his past become clear. Most of this book was pretty good, though various subplots felt slightly shoehorned and there were plenty of deus ex machina moments. Anyway, B/B+.
nanthesloth's review against another edition
3.0
I had very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, there were a couple of brilliant elements that made me love it, but on the other hand, it was pretty slow overall, so I really can't give it more than three stars.
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