Seen my latest giveaway? Win a copy of “The Questory of Root Karbunkulus” by Kamilla Reid. (ENDS AUGUST 15th)
Title: “One More Year“
Author: Sana Krasikov
Format: Paperback ARC
Number of Pages: 240
ISBN: 978-0385524391
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Date of Publication: August 12, 2008 (TODAY!)
5 stars: I wish there were more stories!
“At one in the morning, Maia awakens to a deep winter chill, sits up, and pulls a scratchy wool blanket over her comforter. In another two hours, she knows, she’ll wake up again, this time damp in her flannel gown as the radiator blasts hot air.”
(“One More Year” pg 30*)
I’ve never been a fan of short stories. I’ve tried to read a few, including some that are praised continuously- such as those by Flannery O’Conner. I could never get into them! There are only a few short pages for the audience to get to know the characters, and it never seems like enough time for me. So even before picking up this book, I was already thinking negatively about it, and I was sure I wasn’t going to like it. This was just another collection of short stories that would leave me wondering why I read it in the first place. Well, “One More Year” happily proved me wrong.
Sana Krasikov’s book contains eight stories, many of which involve characters from the former Soviet Union, Russia, and/or Georgia. It’s oddly fitting that I began to read this book at the same time that Russia invaded Georgia. I was unable to shake that information as I read, and couldn’t help but feel an even deeper connection to Krasikov’s characters. Krasikov herself grew up in the former of Soviet Republic of Georgia, and I’m sure she wasn’t expecting these events to unfold right as her book went on sale.
One of my favorite stories is “Maia in Yonkers” which tells the story of a woman and her son who comes to visit her. To me it starts slow and doesn’t really evolve until the son actually arrives, but the interaction between mother and son is fantastic. The ending is perfect, and I wish I could write more about it, but I’ll stop now so I don’t spoil those who haven’t yet read this book.
I would definitely recommend this book. Once a short story hater, I have now been converted! Sana Krasikov’s stories draw you in. You feel for her characters, which to me proves that Krasikov has succeeded where many have failed. Pick this one up today! You can purchase it from Amazon here.
*these lines may change in the final publication of the book
Missed my last post? It was TUESDAY THINGERS
Missed my last review? It was REVIEW: “THE WHITE MARY” BY KIRA SALAK
I seriously loved this book as well. I agree, the only thing wrong is that it should have been longer!
I was so ready not to like it 🙂 That’ll teach me to judge a book before I’ve even opened it.
Another huge fan 🙂 I really liked it!
That is really great praise for this book. I don’t usually read a lot of short stories, but you and Dev really make me want to pick this book up.
I’m not a big short story fan either, but I’m always looking for collections that might change my mind about them. Thanks for the review!
I just finished this book, and I, too, felt a slightly deeper connection because of the current Russia/Georgia conflict. Might I recommend Last Notes and Other Stories by Tamas Dobozy as your next short story reading adventure? I read it in October 2006 and enjoyed it very much (though I’m not usually one to appreciate short stories, either).
Suzi- Isn’t it good?!
Lit Housewife- It’s worth it 🙂
Anna- def pick this one up!
Jena- Cool thanks for the rec, I’ll add it to my wishlist!
Wow! I guess I need to read this book, because I’ve never liked short stories either. I’ll have to see if it will convert me, too.
I had not been a fan of short stories either, however, due to some excellent collections, I have warmed up to them in recent years. If you haven’t read Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, give it a try. It’s a favorite of mine.
Great review! I added a link on the ARC Challenge site on my blog to your review.
[…] Missed my last review? It was REVIEW: “ONE MORE YEAR” BY SANA KRASIKOV […]
[…] Missed my last review? It was REVIEW: “ONE MORE YEAR” BY SANA KRASIKOV […]