Author : D.M.Thomas
What is it about : The life story of a half Russian girl, Lisa, told along fantastical, multiple, intersecting, and psychological levels and dimensions. The first part of the book was Freud's (Lisa's psychologist) analysis and dissection of the origins of her physical pains and hysteria; revealing at last the deep, hidden root causes of her emotional scars. The second part of the book was an epic tale of her later life as a victim of the holocaust. The story ended with Lisa coming into contacts with lost ones, possibly during a transition state on her way to the Pearly Gates.
Some thoughts after having read the book : The very original (!) story was woven together by a master writer - such huge and diverse topics as the holocaust and Freudian psycho-analysis were put together with logic and ease in breath-taking, stunning and vivid images. The reader was left mesmerised and busy chasing symbols, clues and interpretations and came out not entirely sure what he/she had just read was, fantasy, real life, nut and bolt psycho-analysis or simply a story of epic proportions about a girl who was caught up in an identity crisis and met her brutal ends when she was swept up in the world's events. I felt overwhelmed by the savagery, fantasies (Certificate-18 stuff !), Freud's great intuition as well as the un-relenting pace of the book throughout.
Would I recommend this book to you : Be prepared to be made speechless, stunned and be ready to walk around in a daze for a few days after finishing the book. The relevant "adult" contents were essential for the development of the story and NOT some racy cheap thrills to get sales up. Be warned !
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