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.
