The History of Love: 10/24/07

The History of Love is another of a handful of books I was introduced to when I was a regular listener of Radio 4. Since I've been working at home I've stopped listening because of a change in my daily routine. So when I saw this book on sale at my local bookstore, I had to get a copy to read for myself.

The book is told by four distinct narrators: Leo Gursky, Alma Singer, Emanuel Chaim Singer (aka "Bird"), and The Book of Love itself. Each narrator is given a different icon so that each voice is recognizable at the start of a new chapter. Normally a radically different writing style for each character sets me on edge and detracts from the overall reading experience but Krauss handles these changes in a very gentle fashion making it easy to fall into each character's story as their individual threads come together to form a bittersweet love story.

I have to say I loved this book. I loved watching the stories come together. I felt for Leo as he began to realize just how many things he had missed out on. I had fun reading through Alma's lists and her tips for survival. Her brother's goofy angsty diary wa an interesting counterpoint to Alma's earnestness. Finally there was the book itself, the thing that finally brings all these stories together.

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Thursday, October, 25, 2007 at 07:53:18

Susan Helene Gottfried

You really liked this? My entire book club HATED it. To the point that some of us couldn't finish it, we disliked it so much. That's unusual for us."

Comment #2: Thursday, October, 25, 2007 at 09:08:18

Pussreboots

Yes; I really did love the book. I tore through it in about three hours."