The Lost Wife Recap

What a great discussion we had this past Monday.  We had a growing group of 13 wonderful ladies who shared openly their thoughts and questions about this year’s Long Island Reads book selection, The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman.

Several group members were hesitant to read yet another holocaust book, but shortly began devouring the lyrical and dramatic love story between Josef and Lenka.  The group quickly agreed that The Lost Wife wasn’t just another holocaust book; it is a love story, which captures you in its gipping depictions of a war-torn love.

The Lost Wife led our group to discuss what they would and wouldn’t do for family or for love.  The group talked about making difficult choices, which this book was full of, although it didn’t seem like the characters had much choice.  We deliberated on who was more heroic, Josef or Lenka for their decisions and actions or lack of actions at times.

Art, both musical and pictorial was a huge theme through The Lost Wife and much of our discussion revolved around how art can be utilized and thus become a representative of specific times in history.  Specifically, when discussion Lenka and her work with in Terezin or while reading and the reference to specific colors like the Green of a baby’s eyes or the red of Lenka’s blood.  It seemed important to the author that we reference bold colors in such a dark and dim place.

The Lost Wife is an excellent choice if looking to read about World War II.  It is descriptive and loyal to its subject, describing Terezin in all its awfulness, but also provides a glimpse of hope through the beautiful love story it weaves. 

Many of you have seen and enjoyed this wondrous author, and this is another special opportunity to join your community of LI readers-One Island, One Book.   Alyson Richman will be appearing on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 2:00pm at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library.  We have a full bus with on-board discussion and snacks, but it is not required that anyone take the bus.  Tickets or registration are not required either, and seating is first-come, first-served after 1:00 p.m. (The Library is not open before 1:00.) Books will be available for purchase and signing.  Most of all read and enjoy The Lost Wife!  Then join fellow reads and the author herself in discussion.

For more information or other titles by Alyson Richman checkout her author site at AlysonRichman.com