The Time In Between by David Bergen (2006)
- emphasizes that visiting a place does not mean you know that place
- beautifully explores the unmappable spaces of grief and loss
- combines intellectual inquiry (memory, trauma, mourning) with lush, tactile description (a typhoon, fresh bread, thin wrists)
Recommended?
Yes. Despite dealing with painful subjects (war and death), The Time in Between is a smooth, fluid read. It hits all the notes: family, love, sex, travel, war, politics. It's a solid summer holiday book, if you want something lovely but not fluffy, though be forewarned that this book is full of moisture and will make you crave Vietnamese food. Best read in a dry climate or with help from an air conditioner, somewhere with easy striking distance of pho, bun and strong coffee.
Sweet review.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Have you read it?
DeleteNope. But you're making me want to do so.
DeleteCoolio. Though, perhaps given my excess of humidity here, I should probably hold off on this for a drier month...
ReplyDeleteLet's just say it was perfect for Southeast Alberta.
DeleteHey look, you inspired me! http://memoryandvisuality.blogspot.com/2012/08/ann-patchetts-state-of-wonder-brief.html
ReplyDeleteGenie! How are you?
Delete