Everything Is Illuminated

4.5 out of 5

I love how the concept of fear in media and current events has such a relevant impact on each decade and generation. It reminds me that whatever the situation, whatever the threat, it is only the current one that is the worst.


My favorite part of this book was the flashback story of Jonathan's family in Trachimbrod. The novel could have been just that strange and fantastic description of the supposed shtetl and it would have been enough for me. I'd actually like to know more about that facet of the story. All of the narration involving Brod and times passed were so alluring, it's all I found myself making note of. Ladended with a unique sarcasm and life.

'Everything was just a thing, mired completely in its thingness.'

'There were so many things to attend to - so much gathering and throwing away; and after gathering and throwing away, saving what was salvageable; and after saving what was salvageable, cleaning; and after cleaning, washing down with soapy water; and after washing down with soapy water, dusting; and after dusting, something else; and after something else, something else.'

The characters of the Ukrainian family were actually captured better for me by the actors in the film, which I'd give an +A.