Fourteen-year-old Alma Singer is trying to make her mother feel happy and less lonely after her father’s death. She thinks she might discover it in an old book her mother is lovingly translating and sets out in search of its author, Zvi. Alma is named after a character in a book called “The History of Love” and she believes that the real Alma must be alive somewhere. Across New York an old man called Leo Gursky is an old locksmith, detached in nature and an attention-seeker. He spends his days dreaming of the lost love who, sixty years ago in Poland, inspired him to write a book, which is believed to be destroyed. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss is the story of Alma, Leo and Zvi.
The History of Love follows three people
“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” Ever since I stumbled onto this quote, I had decided I should read this book. I was skeptical if the book would meet my expectations because it isn’t very often that I pick up a book without any research on the theme of the novel (except the cases where there are irresistible cover buys). I am glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
The story moves through the lives of three people – Leo Gursky, an old locksmith who is waiting for his death and at the same time reminiscing about his life and his one great love; Alma, a teenage girl named after every girl from the book The History Of Love, which was gifted by her father to her mother and Zvi Litvinoff, the author of the book. Alma’s mother gets a request to translate the Spanish book, The History of Love by an unknown gentleman. Alma sets on a quest to find her namesake who she believes to be a living person while trying to make her mother happy again after her father’s death. She also wants to dissuade her brother from believing that he is the next Messiah. Leo is a heartbroken man, a failed writer of a Yiddish book, who got torn away from the love of his life. Zvi is a small writer whose works have sold a few copies worldwide.
The History of Love tugs the emotions with beautifully worded prose. I loved how Krauss connected so many different things to a plot that has the lightness of a good story and the graveness of emotions in play throughout. What makes this a realistic attempt is that not everyone finds what they are looking for in the way they imagine it to be found.
Krauss’s style of writing is calm and soothing. I love the way she has given different voices to the three narrators (if one may call them so). Leo Gursky has a detached, disappointed voice (and actions) that seeks attention and sympathy, Alma has lively, crazy narrative and Zvi Litnoff has one which is mysterious and secretive. Each voice is distinct yet blends well together. Each chapter talks a bit about their lives and in the end it all comes together in a strong and convincing climax. Highly recommended for a light and satisfying read.
Title : The History of Love
Author : Nicole Krauss
Publisher : Penguin UK
Published : 2006
Language : English
Pages : 272
Rating : 4.5/5
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Beautiful picture! I read this book years ago and I cannot believe forgot about it!
It is a lovely read, right? I enjoyed it alot.
I don’t read much contemporary, but this sounds like a fascinating novel! I might have to check it out.
You have a lovely blog!
Thank you Serena. Thanks for visiting. If you are ever interested in picking this one, let me know what you think.
I always want to read this book too, Resh! Struggling to find a copy. The quote you put there is also my reason to read it. Thanks for the review!
It was a lovely read Chita. A feel good book even though there is a tragedy around which the whole book revolves around. I hope you find a copy soon.
I didn’t know much about this book when I read it a couple of years ago, but ended up loving it. I love the quote you included.
That is such a beautiful quote, right? I am so glad you loved the book too.
I loved this book. It’s been a long time since I read it, but I remember being totally enchanted by it. It’s one I should make time to reread. Lovely review.
Thank you Laila. It was such a nice read. Hope you get time to squeeze in a re read.
This is a very popular book among my friends on Goodreads. It’s reviewed favorably by almost everyone!
As always, beautiful pictures. 🙂
I did not know it was popular until I started reading it. Thank you for the appreciation.
That quote is the most BEAUTIFUL of the universe, omg, it absolutely makes me want to read this book too…
It is a lovely love story, but tragic though. I think you dont like sad books. So I would say, don’t.
I remember you posting about this book on IG! Sounds like an enchanting and touching book. I reckon I might find this in the library. (Yay for not spending)
It would be a good read for the summer Gemma.
I really enjoyed this book as well. It’s been quite a while since I read it, so it’s nice to be reminded of it here. 🙂
Glad to know you enjoyed it as well.
This sounds really beautiful – I love finding new books to read on your blog! *adds to TBR* Great review 🙂
Thank you. It is a nice book for a vacation read. Hope you will pick it up soon
This is my favorite book in a life full of books. It poignant without being precious. While it is a tale of incredible sadness I laughed out loud as I felt Leo to be in the room with me. My daughter read the quote of childhood lost at my son’s wedding —once upon a time there was a boy He lived in a village that no longer exists, on the edge of a field that no longer exists m, where everything was discovered and everything was possible. A stick could be a sword, a pebble a diamond, a tree, a castle. Once upon a time, there wa a boy who lived in a house across the field, from a girl who no longer exists. They made up a thousand games She was queen and he was king. In the autumn light her hair shone like a crown. They collected the world in small handfuls, and when the sky grew dark, they parted with leaves in their hair.
Once upon a time there was a boy who lived a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering
That’s the perfect quote to read at the wedding. I love the lines “her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering”. That is the quote that made me want to read the book. Did you read Krauss’s new book, Forest Dark? I read a few pages but wasn’t as impressed.