The History of Love

My lad and I were displaced from our home for a few days on account of new central air being installed in our 160 year old house. A task like that is more like an undertaking. Though the crew did amazing work of it, my lad and I became temporary nomads. During the work day we were banished from the house (ok, technically we left of our own free will) and were resigned to roam the city (rural) streets (roads) of our hometown. There are a few fall-back standard for those killing time with youngsters: Mc Donald's for one, Target (but two visits in three days is the limit), and the Bookstore. Ah, the Bookstore (and yes, it deserves capitalization.) I caved and at the end of our exile I strapped the child into his seat and made for Half Price like a crazy person. I became convinced (as I often do) that the only thing that would hold us over would be the whiff of a gently used/new-to-me paperback. I would be killing time (and my pocketbook) for a good cause. We arrived firmly adherent to the delusion of "browsing" and within 45 seconds I grew giddy to find a copy of The History of Loveby Nicole Krauss. It is a novel and as such serves to contribute to my ever expanding appreciation for the fictional arts. I was particularly pleased to receive an enthusiastic recommendation from a bookseller passing by. I've worked in a bookstore. It isn't like Nordstrom where the sales clerk will tell you anything you want to hear to get you out that door with that $700 Michael Kors leather wristlet that both you and the clerk know you don't need. A trustworthy bookseller will never try to sell you a bum book. Even if their paycheck depended on it, the true bibliophile respects the word. I bit (it wasn't hard) and bought this curious little novel.

When perusing my next literary purchase I am non-traditional in that I forgo reading the back cover synopsis and determine a book's likability. Instead I evaluate by reading the first page of the story. The way I see it, I could read an entire work with the most peculiar plot and the oddest characters if the writing is technically good. Learning what the publisher wants me to know about the book I hold in my hand does nothing for me but getting my feet wet in a few initial paragraphs could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. This novel should be. May I present for the whetting of your appetite, the first few lines of page one's The Last Words on Earth:

"When they write my obituary. Tomorrow. Or the next day. It will say, LEO GURSKY IS SURVIVED BY AN APARTMENT FULL OF SHIT. I'm surprised I haven't been buried alive."

Wow. Not wow as in yikes but wow as in next line please. You have my attention, Ms. Krauss and for the next few days I shall be your bended ear. If you haven't begun a "Summer read" (really, you should read more than whatever little you are to necessitate a "Summer read") then try this one. I haven't even completed it and I'm interested to discuss. Discuss with me.