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In Paradise
March 2021: Other Books
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In Paradise by Peter Matthiessen - 4 stars
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This book is set at Auschwitz in 1996, where protagonist Clements Olin is attending a week-long spiritual retreat with a diverse group of people, including a rabbi, nuns, priests, descendants, people of various nationalities, and academics. Olin is an American born in Poland during WWII. During the retreat, Olin comes to terms with a family secret and its personal ramifications. Each participant has his or her own reasons for attending, and these reasons are gradually disclosed.
At the heart of the book is an attempt to understand a horrific tragedy. There is little that resembles a traditional plot. The participants argue. People see things differently and tempers flare. Some are vocal and others reticent. Themes include faith, identity, guilt, remembrance, and the search for truth. Each time a character comments, it provided food for thought. The tone is sad and reflective. The writing is expressive. As I read the book, I almost felt like I was part of the retreat. I think each person reading this book will take something different away from it.