Showbhit Chahal Chahal itibaren Kerbana, Madhya Pradesh, Hindistan itibaren Kerbana, Madhya Pradesh, Hindistan

Olive Ann Burns died of cancer before she could finish this sequel to Cold Sassy Tree. Reading her notes about how she wanted it finished and learning about her process was fascinating to me and, although I found it a shame that the novel could not be finished (I'm sure she was MUCH sadder than I), I still enjoyed reading her editor's thoughts on the kind of person she was. I adored Cold Sassy Tree, and this is nowhere near the kind of book that was, it's a different experience that stands on its own. Olive Ann Burns must have been a classy woman.

Noah's just as tasty on paper as he is on the big screen!

It is a terrific book. The author tried to answer a complicate issue with compassion and clarity. I learned so much from this book. My heart goes to Lacks family deeply.

Fidelis is deeply affected by his experience in World War I (as a German soldier). He marries the fiancee (Eva) of a friend who died in the war and finally falls in love. He goes to America with a suitcase of sausages and his butcher knives and sells them to get to Seattle but stops when he runs out in North Dakota. His wife and step-son join him; they establish their butcher shop. Fidelis establishes a singing club, they have three more sons. Delphine gets home to ND too with Cyprian (gay, circus guy). They pretend to be married. She has a drunk father, they find dead bodies in his basement. Sheriff is in love with Delphine's friend and trying to solve murder case. Delphine starts working at the butcher shop. Fidelis' sister (Tante) comes and is horrible. Eva dies of cancer, Tante take the youngest two boys to Germany, Delphine marries Fidelis (Cyprian on the road again). World War II begins and the sons enlist (some as Americans, some as Germans). There's also Step-and-a-Half, who turns out to have found Delphine as an infant in an outhouse. Themes: war versus love battling in Fidelis, unspoken wants and needs (Fidelis and Delphine), the butcher's trade, singing, Cyprian and Delphine's relationship, Roy and Step-and-a-Half's relationship, the murder mystery. I loved this. Complex, interesting characters and relationships, multiple story lines that come together, a bit of a surprise ending, grief but happiness too. Very real but far removed from my life.

This book wasn't enjoyable to read, but I firmly believe that it is necessary to read. My sister and I have a favorite expression, cribbed from Monty Python, that we pass back and forth to each other: that no matter how bad circumstances may be, "It's just a flesh wound." And although it may be gallows humor, it's survivor's humor as well. Mr. Page's book is that of a survivor, and even more rare, it's that of an articulate, self-deprecating one. Which is all too rare to find. If you have time, please read this book. If you don't, I implore you to *make* time. You'll be glad you did.