Corey Book Report #1 (The Speed of Light)

I finished book #1 for my summer weekly challenge, The Speed of Light by Elizabeth Rosner.

Love is the answer. Sorry, what was the question?

I happened into this book last week at the bookstore quite by accident. I wanted something to read that would be a break from the Holocaust literature that I have been reading almost non-stop for two years. So I wandered around the book store, a bit haphazardly, looking for some inspiration. This book leaped into my hand, probably because of the appealing cover and color of the book; I had never heard of it, nor the author, when I picked it up. And then when I read the back cover, I saw a reference to "the camps". Could it be another Holocaust book?

Well yes, and no. The Speed of Light is a gorgeous novel about a brother and sister who are second generation, the children of a survivor. All of their lives were touched by the shadow of Auschwitz which never left their father. But the children learned to cope in such different ways: one with silence, the other with her music. Enter into the story a third character, also a survivor, but not of the Holocaust. This third character helps to create a triangle that has the chance to stabilize and perhaps even heal all three of them.

This is not a heavy book. It is written with the soft touch of a poet, though there is power in her metaphor. There is darkness in it, but there is grace, too. It is uplifting and thoughtful, and the characters are beautifully crafted. I feel, and cheer, for all three of them.

I give it a 5 out of 5, though it might not appeal to younger readers. The narrative alternates between three different narrators, and that takes a little getting used to; still, I am very interested in the story of the second generation. The author herself is the daughter of survivors. I am interested in poetic language. The language and storytelling is gorgeous.

But more than anything, I am inspired by stories that remind us that the power of love and the power of sharing your story, even a heartbreaking story, can cast light into any shadow, no matter how dark or deep.