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anusha_reads 's review for:
This Strange Eventful History
by Claire Messud
medium-paced
BOOK#9 THIS STRANGE EVENTFUL HISTORY, CLAIRE MESSUD, LONGLISTED FOR #BOOKERPRIZE2024
This book is a three-generational family saga that spans roughly seventy years and crosses many continents, telling the story of the Franco-Algerian Cassar family. It is divided into seven parts, including a prologue, an interlude, and an epilogue. Each chapter is narrated by a different character, offering shifting perspectives. At times, this change in narration made it difficult to immediately identify who was speaking. The epilogue delivers a punch with its jaw-dropping revelation, which I had to read twice to fully absorb.
The main characters include Gaston and Lucienne, their children François and Denise, and François and Barbara's children, Chloé and Loulou. Gaston and Lucienne's love for each other is admired and revered. François marries Barbara, whose cultural and personal differences from him lead to numerous difficulties in their relationship.
The story begins during World War II, a period of separation, chaos, restlessness, and uncertainty, and follows the family as they move on with their lives. The novel explores how people often remain indifferent to the daily battles of life, each person with their own mannerisms, quirks, habits, and rituals. It delves into themes of regret over life choices and examines how a parent's idea of responsible parenting might not align with their child's perception. It also highlights how values, outlooks, and approaches to family life evolve over generations.
Gaston and Lucienne skipped meals to save money, while François and Barbara, both working, struggled to find time for their children—illustrating how different generations have different approaches to life.
A note at the end of the book reveals that the author's own grandfather, Gaston Messud, left a memoir that inspired parts of the story.
Claire Messud has woven an evocative and engrossing three-generational saga. The death scenes are deeply emotional, made even more poignant by vivid detail. The trauma, suffering, and trials of old age are brilliantly portrayed, raising questions like: What is the heritability of frailty or vigour? Can people avoid age-related problems?
The buildup of the story evokes the style of Gabriel García Márquez, though this saga spans only three generations, compared to Márquez's seven.
This is a tale of life and death, old and young, separation, uprooting, and the daily grind. It resonates with readers and draws them deeply into the family’s saga. An engrossing family story I’m sure everyone will enjoy!
This book is a three-generational family saga that spans roughly seventy years and crosses many continents, telling the story of the Franco-Algerian Cassar family. It is divided into seven parts, including a prologue, an interlude, and an epilogue. Each chapter is narrated by a different character, offering shifting perspectives. At times, this change in narration made it difficult to immediately identify who was speaking. The epilogue delivers a punch with its jaw-dropping revelation, which I had to read twice to fully absorb.
The main characters include Gaston and Lucienne, their children François and Denise, and François and Barbara's children, Chloé and Loulou. Gaston and Lucienne's love for each other is admired and revered. François marries Barbara, whose cultural and personal differences from him lead to numerous difficulties in their relationship.
The story begins during World War II, a period of separation, chaos, restlessness, and uncertainty, and follows the family as they move on with their lives. The novel explores how people often remain indifferent to the daily battles of life, each person with their own mannerisms, quirks, habits, and rituals. It delves into themes of regret over life choices and examines how a parent's idea of responsible parenting might not align with their child's perception. It also highlights how values, outlooks, and approaches to family life evolve over generations.
Gaston and Lucienne skipped meals to save money, while François and Barbara, both working, struggled to find time for their children—illustrating how different generations have different approaches to life.
A note at the end of the book reveals that the author's own grandfather, Gaston Messud, left a memoir that inspired parts of the story.
Claire Messud has woven an evocative and engrossing three-generational saga. The death scenes are deeply emotional, made even more poignant by vivid detail. The trauma, suffering, and trials of old age are brilliantly portrayed, raising questions like: What is the heritability of frailty or vigour? Can people avoid age-related problems?
The buildup of the story evokes the style of Gabriel García Márquez, though this saga spans only three generations, compared to Márquez's seven.
This is a tale of life and death, old and young, separation, uprooting, and the daily grind. It resonates with readers and draws them deeply into the family’s saga. An engrossing family story I’m sure everyone will enjoy!