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Simon's Family |
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 Simon's Family byMarianne Fredriksson Ballantine Books 342 pages, 1999 ISBN 0345434595 Reviewed by Morgan Ann Adams Marianne Fredriksson's first American publication Hannah's Daughters wowed readers, bringing her world-wide success. Simon's Family is Fredriksson's second novel to be released in America. Though it lacks the feeling of comfort and belonging of Hannah's Daughters, the story is far more compelling. Set in Norway during World War II, Simon Larsson is the adopted son of Eric and Karin Larsson. Though they love each other, Simon's innate differences are too great to ignore. The Norwegian family come to know one of Simon's classmates, Isaak, and his father, Ruben, very well. Quickly it becomes obvious that Simon is better understood by Ruben, and Isaak fits in better with Simon's parents. Over time the two families merge, bound together by the turmoil of having two sons unmistakably of Jewish heritage in a time when being Jewish meant ridicule at the least, and death at the worst. Though set in Norway, this story is easily read by an American audience. The problems encountered by children growing up, and parents growing older transcend the boundaries of nations. Fredriksson has created a group of real people, rather than a list of characters. These two boys make some horrible mistakes and their lives are sometimes painful to read about because their potential is so obvious. This is an honest novel that creates a magnificent, yet familiar fictional world. Fredriksson's style is highly literary. Often the descriptions and subtleties seem to take the place of the story. Somehow she always gets things back on track. Her language is vivid and exposing. She tells the entire story, not just the happy times or simply the sad times. This is the true portrait of family life. |
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