Dear Bookclub,
With the holidays the shadow of a shadow - and - technically, in my 'book', at the time still ongoing:
Epiphany
January 6
 | |||
| An ice hole cut in Russia to celebrate the Epiphany. |
 |
| King cakes of the type locally called "French style" on display at the chain bakery/restaurant "La Madeline" branch in Carrollton, New Orleans. They come with cardboard "crowns" to be worn by whoever gets the slice with the token and becomes monarch of the event. |
.....we zoomed on January 5th to discuss Kelly Rimmer's "The Things We Cannot Say".
(Full disclosure: my household merely mellows with the resonance of the previous weeks and does not engage with any of the above manifestations.)
In the midst of our family's delayed Christmas celebration ('due to Covid')*, I realized the quickly approaching first Tuesday of the month and audibled my way through our selection, delighted that it was an engaging novel, bordering on chick-lit.
*new and overused phrase
 |
| https://www.kellyrimmer.com/about |
Happy to be together, although virtually, and missing Ginger, we shared our thoughts about Rimmer's creative telling of a family's multi-generational journey, deeply scarred by the Second World War in Poland. Agreeing, once again, that reading of the atrocities is always difficult and that our depth of knowledge of this era challenges any new thought, we respectfully appreciated the structure of the novel. Vacillating between present day and the 1940's, this was truly much more than chick lit, exploring the premise of one couple's start in a new country, under wartime duress and the trajectory, unknown by their descendants, that shaped those future generations. The present day challenges paled in comparison but the vehicle was necessary as both a contrast and a reason for the unveiling truth. We also agreed that life at home without Alice became unrealistically tidied as Eddie's communication and chess prowess developed under Wade's bumbling (chick lit light on). I marvel at how escapes from horrific genocides occur over and over again and that reinvention of self can be painfully shrouded whether it be a 'borrowed' passport/identity or denial of a former life in order to survive a new start.
Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, I sold you short thinking that you churned out popular fiction from a charming Australian existence, read 'round the world, translated into 20 languages, holding a formula for a writer's financial success. But I'd neglected to read your "Author's Note" at the end of my book. When I did, further research ensued and a new appreciation for your inspiration developed.
Kelly's maternal grandparents, Polish refugees from Nazi occupied Poland, moved over 10,000 miles from home and started a new life. At an annual Christmas party, with 50 of their descendants, Kelly wondered about the story that had died with the grandparents' passing in the 1980's. She traveled to Poland with an aunt in 2017 to explore Trezebinia and peer through the dusty windows of the old farmhouse where her grandmother had lived. Building upon her imaginings, Rimmer created "The Things We Cannot Say" and her next book, "The Warsaw Orphan" promises expansion on her inspiration. A far cry from her earlier works: "Unexpected", "Unspoken" and "Undone" (see images above). More on this:
and a sound bite in her own words:
https://soundcloud.com/booktopiapodcast/kelly-rimmer-ive-wanted-to-be-a-writer-since-i-was-six
Terry's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"The Moor's Account" Laila Lalami
"The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race & Identity" Douglas Murray *chosen
"News of the World" Paulette Jiles
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
