Mourning

This is the second of Edurado Halfon's books that I have been fortunate enough to read and am awaiting delivery of his other book -- Monastery , which I'm sure will continue to entrance me with his incredibly engaging and involving story of his family, his heritage and his journey to solve the many mysteries of his life and ancestry.It is a most engrossing and entertaining story --told with poignant and amusing observations as he transverses his ever increasing world of experiences.In these times, when it is most welcome to distance oneseself from the reality of the crisis enveloping us, as well as the uncertainty generated by the sociopathetic tendencies of the people in control of our destiny it is important to have these literary diversions.I have recommended this author and these two wonderful, albeit slim volumes, in virtually every zoom encounter I have when we get past our Netflix recommendations.Halfon is, wihtout question, an outhor for our times and should be read and savored like a fine wine.

This work of fiction is a wonderful novel whose individual chapters can be enjoyed as stand-alone short stories. The narrator, Eduardo, is a native of Guatamala, but was raised as an American. His family roots go back to many countries, including Lebanon, Poland, Italy, and other parts of Europe and South America. The shadow of the Holocaust and the diaspora of the Jewish people hangs heavily over the family history. Although the story can be chilling and morose at times, Eduardo's voice can also be amusing, buoyant, and distinctly American. Recommended highly!