By: Nicole Krauss
Plot: Told through three different perspectives, this is the story about a novel named, The History of Love and how these three different people are affected by the book. This is a book about a book, which are often my favorite type of books.
My Thoughts: After reading a couple books that I just didn't love, (The Goldfinch) I was just craving something that was well written and that I knew I would enjoy. I decided to reread The History of Love. I first read this in 2012 when my goal was to read a hundred books that year and I made it to 91. So I did a lot of reading that year and while I definitely remembered parts of the plot, I didn't remember everything.
I just love the writing in this book! I love the way that the different chapters are written too. I liked that the characters actually had distinctive voices, which doesn't always happen with books that have multiple points of view. It felt like they could actually be real people. And I liked two out of the three at least.
Poor Leo just can't catch a break! His whole life story is just heartbreaking. He has no one and is so sad and alone. He writes two books and neither one does he get credit for. He finds the love of his life and she's married, he goes to finally contact his son and he's died. And (*SPOILER*) I had completely forgotten that Bruno was not really there and it was as just as shocking for my second time reading the book.
I think the only thing I don't like about this book is the ending. I like the way it is written and I love that the two finally meet at the end, but then the book just ends and I wanted more! It felt like the book ended too soon and I wanted to know what happens next. There were things that were left unresolved and I didn't like that. Someone just please tell me that Leo is finally not alone anymore and that he gets the credit for his writing that he deserves!
Favorite Quotes: "They collected the world in small handfuls."
"So many words get lost. They leave the mouth and lose their courage, wandering aimlessly until they are swept into the gutter like dead leaves."
"And with each pot and pan and spoon I put away, I also put away a thought I couldn't bear, until my kitchen and my mind returned to a state of mutual organization."
"Aside from myself, there was no sign of me."
Rating: 4/5 I really like this book and love how it is written. It was just as good the second time around.