Day for Night by Frederick ReikenBack-of-the-book blurb: “If you look hard enough into the history of anything, you will discover things that seem to be connected but are not.” So claims a character in Frederick Reiken’s novel, which seems in fact to be determined to prove just the opposite. How else to explain the threads that link a middle-aged woman on vacation in Florida with a rock and roll singer visiting her comatose brother in Utah, where he’s been transported after a motorcycle injury in Israel, where he works with a man whose long-lost mother, in a retirement community in New Jersey, recognizes him in a televised report about an Israeli-Palestinian skirmish? And that’s not the half of it.
In Day for Night, Frederick Reiken spins an unlikely and yet utterly convincing story about people lost and found. They are all refugees from their own lives or history’s cruelties, and yet they wind up linked to each other in compelling and unpredictable ways that will keep you guessing until the very end.
She Is Too Fond of Books’ review: Day for Night is definitely one of the more unusual books I’ve read in a while. Not only are there quite a few points of view (first-person male and female, told in narrative format, letters, and an investigative report), but there are tangents and side trips that at first appear unrelated to the central plot, but (usually) do circle back to it.
Despite the many (15? 20?) narrators in Frederick Reiken’s novel, I had no trouble keeping up with whose point of view I was reading, or setting the chapter in the timeline of the novel. In fact, as the various stories came together, it was exciting to see how/if they would interconnect with what had come before, or if, in fact, a new thread was being introduced.
Yet, I will admit that when I closed the book I wasn’t completely satisfied; there were a few questions (about characters and their actions) that were left unanswered/unexplored, and, more importantly, I was left wondering what the novel was really about. I think if I hadn’t heard “it’s a novel about the Holocaust” I would have been more satisfied. And, to be fair, none of the publisher’s promotional material indicates “it’s a novel about the Holocaust,” this is an interpretation from various reviews/readers/tweets I’ve been in contact with … you know how it is, as J likes to say, you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube (in other words, I can’t forget that I’ve heard/read that interpretation).
But did I like it? I thought it was interesting. Despite not being fully satisfied with loose ends, I enjoyed Reiken’s writing style, and was impressed with the many voices he conjured. My Skype book club selected this book for our June meeting, but we’ve postponed the discussion until next month – I’m looking forward to talking about it.
So, rather than dazzle you with my typical brilliant review style (OK, stop laughing. Stop rolling your eyes, too!), I’ve sounded very wishy-washy here. I’m going to refer you to someone who knows what she likes, and can tell you why she likes it; check out The Book Ladys’ review of Day for Night.
Hopefully discussing the book will help you understand it better. (I’m kind of embarrassed to tell you that I haven’t read it yet.) I’ll link your review to the RA Books Challenge blog.
Yep.
Oh, you wanted a better comment?
I didn’t let the Holocaust idea side track me. I do think there are a lot of Jewish elements here that I only vaguely remember from religious school. Wish I knew more.
I think this is a book that would lend itself to discussion…helping readers understand and interpret its meaning. Good review…even if it was wishy-washy!
I agree that a good discussion would probably make you appreciate this book more. You have to give him credit for how he “wrote” the book — all of the narrators, stories, tangents, etc. I would love to know his writing process for this novel.
Kathy – Thanks for linking the “review” (using the term very loosely today!). Discussing it on twitter has already helped me …
Beth – I’m going to spend some more time on his website http://www.frederickReiken.com, to see if I can get more answers
Serena – thanks! Discussing it via twitter has shed some more light for me.
Julie – Yes, I want to seek out some interviews with the author.
I agree with Beth. Yep. Uh huh.
I will freely admit it. I totally didn’t get it. The more I think about it though, the more I think that doesn’t bother me. Which is kinda surprising…huh. Maybe I’m maturing as a reader? Anyhoo, I greatly enjoyed your review, sounds like we felt about the same way about it.
This does indeed sound a bit strange, but from the way you’ve described it, I am really very curious about it. I am going to have to see if I can get my hands on a copy to see what I think of it. The fact that the plot and style are so unusual really makes this sound like an awesome read to me. Thanks for the great review, Dawn!
I’m up in the air about whether to try this one or not. I’ve read lots of reviews, but still am not sure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dawn.
It does sounds interesting, but…Hmmm I just can’t decide about this one.
Rebecca’s review of this book just blew me out of the water, but even then, I knew this was going to be “one of those books”. I do like clever and unique, and like a little mind game, so I may get there yet.
Looks like there is a lot going on for a 336 page book. And it’s okay if some books leave you feeling wishy-washy, it tells me what I need to know.
I like unique, but hmmmmmm…..maybe I should focus on all the other books I have first?
And I can totally relate to your review style. I feel like that all the time… “I loved this book, but I can’t tell you why.”
This sounds like one that where the “style” or the “format” takes precedence over the plot or storyteling. Yet … I’m a sucker for multiple narrators.
Heather – it doesn’t bother me that I didn’t ‘get it’ either! I liked the writing, and have been convinced that the ‘holes’ that bothered me are a metaphor for something bigger (we don’t always know everyone’s backstory). I don’t know that I’d press it into someone’s hands, but I didn’t dislike it (yeah, still not much of an endorsement from me, I know).
zibilee – really liked the multiple narrators, and the way characters overlapped.
diane – maybe a library book for you?
Lisa – I haven’t read many reviews, so I don’t know if others feel more strongly (one way or another). I am returning to the author’s site to learn if he has written more about his goals for the book.
Sandy – see, I don’t like a book when I feel like I’ve been used with a mind game. That aspect doesn’t seem obvious to me, but maybe that was why I didn’t embrace it. See, you helped me out, and you haven’t yet read the book!
softdrink – well, you’ll have to focus on DAY FOR NIGHT when it shows up on your doorstep … surprise, Billy!
Jenners – I had a twitter conversation with @TheBookMaven @BethFishReads and @Lynne_Griffin about the book. The bottom line = we are all connected. And (2) abuse/care in family is metaphor for world at large.
Maybe I just didn’t want to think that hard about it.
The multiple narrators are wonderfully done; very strong writing throughout. I just sent my ARC to @fizzyThoughts, so I can’t offer to share … maybe a library book (or that Kindle; I’m loving how many books I can hide on my e-reader!)
Thanks for the review! I have been reading raving reviews of this book for some time, so I’m glad to have read your viewpoint.
[...] of Books | The Book Lady’s Blog | Fizzy Thoughts | Booking Mama | She is too Fond of Books… | S. Krishna’s Books | BermudaOnion | Beth Fish [...]
[...] Day for Night by Frederick Reiken (6/29/10) [...]