Year Zero by Ian Buruma was a highlighted book in this week’s Nevermore Book Club. The year in question is 1945, the end of World War II. While in the U.S. the end of the war was greeted with joyous celebration, reactions were mixed around the rest of the world. For many, the end left confusion, uncertainty, and continuing hardship. The book is divided into thematic chapters; “Hunger” points out that for many places in Europe and Japan the end of the war didn’t mean an instant return to plenty. Food remained scarce and many places were unable to increase food production quickly. People literally starved to death. “Going Home” discusses what happened to the displaced people who had been made to leave either by necessity or by force as they tried to make their way back, searching for family. In some cases, there were reunions, while in others there was no one left to find, nor any identifiable structures where a home had once been. Our reviewer was quite impressed with the way the author has structured the book and is finding it a fascinating read.
Another reviewer was praising Joseph Ellis for his approach to history in Revolutionary Summer. She had picked up the book after a previous recommendation from Jud. Ellis takes a look at the summer and fall of 1776, after the Declaration of Independence but before anyone has any real idea whether or not this war will be won by the rebels or by the British. Ellis manages to make the reader look at the situation anew, without seeing the outcome as inevitable. Ellis is known for his ability to bring history to life and he certainly does so here.
Once Upon a Secret by Mimi Alford is the memoir of an affair with President John F. Kennedy. Mimi Beardsley Alford was an 18 year old intern when she arrived in Washington, D.C. and caught the eye of the President. The affair was conducted with the cooperation of the some White House staff, with Mimi being directed when and where to make herself available. Nevermore spent some time discussing the history of presidential extra-martial affairs, which seems a long if not honorable tradition. As for the book in question, our reader thought it was tastefully done and very interesting.
Somewhat coincidentally, the next book up was Mistress by James Patterson and David Ellis. The main character, Ben, is an investigative reporter whose infatuation with a beautiful woman drives him to uncover the truth about her death. Our reviewer is enjoying the book in part because Ben’s overactive mind causes him to make wild associations at every turn: looking at a nickel makes him think of Thomas Jefferson, trivia associated with Jefferson and then with various other presidents, for example.
Another Nevermore member is still reading “Nordic Noir,” those detective stories by Scandinavian authors. She had just finished (and greatly enjoyed) Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg. The plot centers on Erica Falck, an author who returns to her hometown after her parents’ deaths. She goes to meet an old friend Alex, only to find the woman in a bath with her wrists slit. Alex’s parents ask Erica to write an article about Alex, but as Erica begins to do her research she begins to wonder if her friend’s death was a suicide—or murder.
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