Lucky Us
Author: Amy Bloom
Publisher: Random House
Date of Publication: July 29, 2014
Pages: 256
This is a mixed up Rubik's cube of a book. There are many constantly moving pieces which fit together but somehow always fail to line up. It is the literary equivalent of a Robert Altman movie: an ensemble cast in a wide sweeping arc of a story which never has an opportunity to pick up steam. It is a story of abandonment and love, trust and betrayal, prejudice and hope. Somehow, though, this mish-mash of a novel works. It entertains and surprises. It definitely keeps you guessing as to what in the world will happen next.
The skeletal framework of the story revolves around two half-sisters and their individual bizarre attempts to cope with life in World War II America. Strange characters emerge and re-emerge in sometimes startling circumstances. These characters include the girls' father, a Hollowood makeup artist, a gaggle of hairdressers and a deported German national. The reader quickly learns that turning the page to a new chapter leads to a totally unexpected turn of events. While keeping the story unpredictable, these twists and turns make for somewhat of a disjointed story.
All in all, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read, one which explores character more than plot. I would recommend it to readers who like authors who also write character driven novels such those written by Anne Tyler.
All in all, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read, one which explores character more than plot. I would recommend it to readers who like authors who also write character driven novels such those written by Anne Tyler.
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