sarabz 's review for:

Dissident Gardens by Jonathan Lethem

3.0

---

The story was a little long-winded and rambling (and it took me a while to finish). So, here is a long-winded and rambling review. I had other Lethem books on my to read list, but this one was available from the library when I was looking for something to read and far from my pile of books at home. The story left me thinking, which is generally a good thing. Reading a couple of reviews (Yiyun Li in NYT and Alex Preston in the Guardian) that talk about a left view of American history, orphans and orphaning, and revolutionary legacies helped me process a bit. My thoughts are with the theme of family - each generation in the novel becomes more distanced from Rose's Communist foundation, mostly because they are challenged in their relationships with each other. Even Rose loses her connections and she becomes defined by her oppositions. Her legacy is passed on most effectively to Cicero, who is not related by blood, but is more of a mentee. As with many genetically-bonded families, their relationship is complex and evolves through a range of emotions, not all of which are warm and fuzzy. Miriam and Sergius wander through the politics they feel connected to in what seems like less than thoughtful ways. They are so absorbed in themselves, that they don't see the larger context they are lost in, attaching to symbols rather than fully engaging in their worlds. The characters will stay with me though, their stories were engaging as each of them evolves over time, growing up or older and struggling to find a place as the world changes around them.