Saturday, June 14, 2014

A Constellation Of Vital Phenomena



A Constellation Of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra                 384 pages

This is the story of Havaa and her self-proclaimed protector, Akhmed.  Havaa has just watched her father dragged away by Russian soldiers, accused of helping the Chechen rebels.  Akhmed finds her hiding in the woods behind her home and takes her to the hospital to beg the help of Dr. Sonja, whose name he once heard from a refugee staying at Havaa’s house.  Sonja agrees to help, reluctantly, and Havaa stays with her.  In exchange, Akhmed works every day at the hospital.  The fear is that the soldiers will also find Havaa, because when one family member is accused of something, the whole family is usually taken.  Meanwhile, Sonja has her own troubles, because her sister, Natasha, has been missing and harboring Havaa could jeopardize Natasha’s return.  This was a really well written book.  It was a sad story but people that like true to life stories about other cultures will enjoy this book.

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