A Constellation of Vital Phenomena in Bookmarks Subscribers

Apr 21, 2014 Sue rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

Five stars plus a thousand more. There aren't enough superlatives for this astonishingly remarkable novel. Go read this book about the 1st and 2nd Chechen wars, marvel at how each sentence is like a jewel encrusted noose around your unsuspecting neck, become well-versed in the topography, history, culture and weather of a country you've probably spent no more than five minutes thinking about, admire the craft, the structure, the artistry of the plot, the way time flows and the way the characters ...more

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May 30, 2017 Kathrina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: oakdale-prison, american-fiction

Stunning.

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Jun 09, 2013 Elle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: must-read, recommend, best-of

War-torn Chechnya, 4 families and their intertwined lives and the most gifted author. Read it. That is all you need to know.

This book unfolds in the most amazing poetic and beautiful way. From the very first pages, you will know that you are in the hands of a gifted writer. This novel is told in flashbacks so PAY ATTENTION TO THE DATES that, on the kindle, are in teeny tiny letters at the beginning of each chapter.

I believe this is the best book I have ever read. Yes, ever. I will reread it aga ...more

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Jul 12, 2013 Doreen rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle

An old Soviet medical dictionary defines life as “a constellation of vital phenomena – organization, irritability, movement, growth, reproduction, adaptation.” All of these phenomena are witnessed in this novel’s portrayal of life in war-torn Chechnya between 1994 and 2004.

Eight-year-old Havaa becomes an orphan when her father is “disappeared.” Akhmed, a neighbour, takes her to a nearby city to Sonja, an ethnic Russian physician, and convinces her to shelter the young girl if Akhmed works at the An old Soviet medical dictionary defines life as “a constellation of vital phenomena – organization, irritability, movement, growth, reproduction, adaptation.” All of these phenomena are witnessed in this novel’s portrayal of life in war-torn Chechnya between 1994 and 2004.

Eight-year-old Havaa becomes an orphan when her father is “disappeared.” Akhmed, a neighbour, takes her to a nearby city to Sonja, an ethnic Russian physician, and convinces her to shelter the young girl if Akhmed works at the bomb-shattered hospital where Sonja is the only doctor. The novel travels back and forth between the two Chechen wars, and the stories of Sonja and Akhmed and Havaa’s family and neighbours are gradually revealed. The lives of the major characters prove to be interconnected in surprising ways, but in ways that appear credible and not just coincidental.

The lives of all the characters are dominated by loss: Sonja is searching for her sister Natasha; Havaa has lost her entire family, Akhmed is losing a wife to illness; Khassan, a neighbour and friend of Akhmed, has lost a son due to his decision to become an informer; Eldar, Havaa and Akhmed’s village, has lost 42 inhabitants.

Memory is one of the few things within the control of the characters and several of them undertake amazing acts of remembrance: Akhmed paints portraits of the villagers who died or disappeared; Khassan writes a history of Chechnya and records memories of Havaa’s family to help her remember her parents; Havaa has mementos from each of the refugees who sought shelter in her family home; Natasha painted a cityscape that no longer exists because of bombings.

The novel is not an easy read. It describes torture, disappearances, betrayals, human trafficking, infidelity, amputations, and constant fear. Some of the images depicting man’s inhumanity to man are harrowing.

Despite the atrocities depicted, there is nonetheless hope. There are people who have maintained their humanity, and it is their actions that provide hope. Acts of goodness in the past affect the future. For example, Havaa’s father is very kind in his treatment of others, including Akhmed; that kindness can be seen as influencing Akhmed’s protection of Havaa and his compassion for even those who intend him harm. The author’s belief that a more positive future will unfold is indicated by the flashforwards that are included: “In twenty-eight years and seven months . . . the girl would meet the man she was to marry nine years later. At the age of forty-six she would have her one and only child . . . At the age of sixty-eight she would hold her first grandson . . . ” And then there’s a scene in The Landfill, “a place of unimaginable torture and pain,” where a man experiences “an immense, spinning joy.”

Most North Americans probably know little about Chechnya and the Chechen wars; reading this book certainly opens one’s eyes to the violence experienced by those caught in the midst of the conflict. In the novel, an informer’s actions are the result of unimaginable violence directed towards him; one cannot help but wonder whether Chechnya’s violent past may be a motive for the Chechen immigrants who are suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings.

This book, written in beautiful language, touches on the best and worst of humankind. It is definitely worth reading.

Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski). ...more

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Jun 07, 2013 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-read, 2013-natl-book-award, booktopia-2014-nc

4.5 stars. I have wanted to read this book since I heard about it. When it was long listed for the NBA's it was the first book I wanted to read. However, I approached it with the wrong attitude. I started speed reading it so I could get as many of the 10 long listed books read before the NBA short list is announce. Two thirds of the way through the book I was relishing the exquisite writing, but missing the story. I abandoned my hope to read the 10 longlisted NBAs at started this one over. I am ...more

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Jul 17, 2013 Kara Fitzjarrald rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bookmarks-best-of-2013, 2013-goodreads-choice, best-of-the-best-lists-2013

Truly fantastic character development in s war-torn setting. Ii loved the characters and their heartbreaking backgrounds and character flaws that forced them together.

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Mar 20, 2014 Debbie added it

Shelves: couldn-t-quite-plod-through-it, booktopiap-asheville-2014

50% done and I have to give up. Maybe the time isn't right. i will try to revisit another time. I think I have just been ready too much heavy material and need to read something fun for a change ...more

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