Scan barcode
A review by johannalm
The Dark Circle by Linda Grant
3.0
The Dark Circle, Linda Grant
Grant wrote one of my most favorite books - When I Lived in Modern Times, about post WWII Jews in Europe and Israel.
This new novel is not anywhere near as spectacular and emotional but it is quite interesting. Grant focuses again on post WWII Britain and what happened to those afflicted with TB.
19 year old twins Lenny and Miriam are newly admitted to a sanatorium in the countryside when they are diagnosed with TB. At the time the "cure" is lots of rest and forced exposure to the elements so they breath in fresh air - cold air, rain snow etc. Miriam must lie on her balcony day and night with her roommate while Lenny is allowed to enjoy the facilities, as long as he follows all the rules and is a good patient.
All kinds of people are resting and recuperating at the facility, hoping to make it out alive. The cast of characters, the patients, their family members allowed to visit once weekly, the strict and unbending staff, all add to the ennui and unhappiness of this forced seclusion and stifling boredom.
The change in circumstances comes when a miracle medicine comes from America and the chance at survival grows.
This was a traumatic experience for all those survivors who live to tell the tale of their time in the sanatorium. Even as they age and marry and move on, they are haunted by this unhappy time in their lives.
Grant wrote one of my most favorite books - When I Lived in Modern Times, about post WWII Jews in Europe and Israel.
This new novel is not anywhere near as spectacular and emotional but it is quite interesting. Grant focuses again on post WWII Britain and what happened to those afflicted with TB.
19 year old twins Lenny and Miriam are newly admitted to a sanatorium in the countryside when they are diagnosed with TB. At the time the "cure" is lots of rest and forced exposure to the elements so they breath in fresh air - cold air, rain snow etc. Miriam must lie on her balcony day and night with her roommate while Lenny is allowed to enjoy the facilities, as long as he follows all the rules and is a good patient.
All kinds of people are resting and recuperating at the facility, hoping to make it out alive. The cast of characters, the patients, their family members allowed to visit once weekly, the strict and unbending staff, all add to the ennui and unhappiness of this forced seclusion and stifling boredom.
The change in circumstances comes when a miracle medicine comes from America and the chance at survival grows.
This was a traumatic experience for all those survivors who live to tell the tale of their time in the sanatorium. Even as they age and marry and move on, they are haunted by this unhappy time in their lives.