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A review by never4get
Black Rock White City by A.S. Patric
4.0
A difficult book to read. The story of Croation refugees who escaped their country but whose two children died. Jovan, the husband is working as a cleaner in Frankston Hospital and undertakes the most hideous jobs there. During the process there are some mysterious occurrences of graffiti appearing around the hospital - including cut into the corpse of a dead woman - and this forms a strong part of the narrative of the book.
In addition there is the ongoing love between Jovan and his wife Suzana, though because of their history - including rape - she is unable to contemplate having sex with him. She has given him permission for sexual exploits outside the marriage and he is involved with a dentist from the hospital - Tammie - who is seemingly insatiable.
The intertwining of the Dr Graffito exploits, which become increasingly vicious, through the narrative of the book was interesting.
There was also interesting perspective of the Bosnian war from both Jovan and Suzana's experiences. As always Jovan is viewed as a pretty ignorant foreigner, who doesn't speak English fluently and hence can't be at all intelligent - although he had been a university professor.
In the end they agree to try for another child and she becomes pregnant. Jovan leaves that job and becomes a house painter instead.
However Dr Graffito seeks them out and attempts to drown Suzana at the local pool where she goes to relax once a week. Fortunately Jovan comes to pick her up and sees what is happening and beats the crap out of him. Suzana realises her deep love for Jovan in that moment.
In addition there is the ongoing love between Jovan and his wife Suzana, though because of their history - including rape - she is unable to contemplate having sex with him. She has given him permission for sexual exploits outside the marriage and he is involved with a dentist from the hospital - Tammie - who is seemingly insatiable.
The intertwining of the Dr Graffito exploits, which become increasingly vicious, through the narrative of the book was interesting.
There was also interesting perspective of the Bosnian war from both Jovan and Suzana's experiences. As always Jovan is viewed as a pretty ignorant foreigner, who doesn't speak English fluently and hence can't be at all intelligent - although he had been a university professor.
In the end they agree to try for another child and she becomes pregnant. Jovan leaves that job and becomes a house painter instead.
However Dr Graffito seeks them out and attempts to drown Suzana at the local pool where she goes to relax once a week. Fortunately Jovan comes to pick her up and sees what is happening and beats the crap out of him. Suzana realises her deep love for Jovan in that moment.