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Family Portrait #1
An Uncommon Family
A chance meeting between a middle-aged woman, a widower, and a semi-orphaned child in the city of Zurich, Switzerland, brings together three people who grapple with a past of loss and betrayal. Six-year-old Karla, whose mother died in a car crash, has a hard time accepting the loss. Anna, her aunt and guardian, struggles with her former husband’s deception and her shattered confidence in men, and Jonas, artist and teacher, mourns the death of his wife.
While trying to help Karla, a talented but troubled child, Anna and Jonas develop feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. The budding romance, however, hits a snag when Anna discovers a sinister secret in Jonas’s past. While the two adults have come to an impasse, young Karla takes matters into her own hands. Together with a friend, she develops a plan to bring the two uncooperative adults back together. The plan, however, creates havoc and as it begins to unravel, Karla is forced to learn some difficult lessons.
AN UNCOMMON FAMILY is a story about loss, lies, and betrayal but also about the healing power of love and forgiveness. It takes place in Switzerland, New York City, and Guadalajara, Mexico.
While trying to help Karla, a talented but troubled child, Anna and Jonas develop feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. The budding romance, however, hits a snag when Anna discovers a sinister secret in Jonas’s past. While the two adults have come to an impasse, young Karla takes matters into her own hands. Together with a friend, she develops a plan to bring the two uncooperative adults back together. The plan, however, creates havoc and as it begins to unravel, Karla is forced to learn some difficult lessons.
AN UNCOMMON FAMILY is a story about loss, lies, and betrayal but also about the healing power of love and forgiveness. It takes place in Switzerland, New York City, and Guadalajara, Mexico.
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2011
72 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Christa Polkinhorn
14 books77 followersBorn and raised in Switzerland, I have always had the desire to explore the world outside of my beautiful but tiny country. I traveled in Europe, China, Japan as well as South America. Now, I live and work as writer and translator in southern California. My interest in foreign cultures informs my work and my novels take place in several countries. I published a volume of poetry (The Path of Fire). Now, I write and publish contemporary fiction with a focus on family drama/love stories (The Family Portrait trilogy) and family drama/suspense (The Wine Lover's Daughter series). Aside from writing and traveling, I am an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 15, 2012
*** This book was provided to me free-of-charge by the author through a First Reads Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks! ***
This book tells the bittersweet tale of three people whose lives become intertwined after each experiences a very personal loss. The story takes place in Switzerland and begins with the introduction of Karla, a 6-year old girl who loses her single parent Mom and Grandmother in a tragic accident. Haunted by memories of her mother, Karla chases her ghost down a street in Zurich, setting up a fateful meeting between herself, her aunt Anna (a widow with custody of Karla), and Jonas (an artist who lost his wife to cancer a few years earlier).
The characters’ personal histories are slowly revealed through flashbacks as Anna and Jonas fall in love, but each carries scars and secrets in their past which build walls and create breaches of trust between the two. The reader is taken on an emotional ride as we see Karla develop from a devastated child into a confident, contemplative adolescent striving to re-create a loving family environment with the two loving, but difficult adults in her life.
Polkinhorn has a talent for creating and manipulating a story and setting to elicit a range of emotions from sadness to anger to delight. The topic itself is not light. The characters experience real tragedy in their lives (all involving death). What Polkinhorn does so well is reveal Anna’s and Jonas’ back stories slowly giving the reader time to contemplate how their histories affect their present lives. Polkinhorn also tidies up the stories so that there is resolution at the end of the book – something I personally really appreciate!
I have never personally been to Zurich but my understanding is that it is a beautiful city - - perhaps even to rival Vancouver, BC ;) Polkinhorn describes the city and surrounding area so beautifully that I felt I could be sitting on the veranda with a cup of coffee gazing out at the lake and the mountains. Aaaaahhhh!
Now, on to a couple little issues I had with this book. First, I’m sorry but I just don’t like the cover illustrations. They look a little hokey. I think it really should have a different cover. Also, the people on the cover don’t match the physical descriptions of the characters in the book. For example, Anna is referred to as a brunette on p. 113 and p. 218 but the lady on the cover has blond hair. I also thought there was mention of Jonah’s beard in the story, but the man on the cover has no facial hair and it looks like he’s wearing a wig.
Secondly, there is inconsistent information around Anna’s age. On p. 24, Anna indicates that she met her husband “25 years ago” just before she completed her degree. Let’s assume that one completes a degree at age 21. That would make her about 46 years old? On p. 151, Jonah guesses that she’s in her late 30’s or early 40’s from a conversation they had (not from the way she looks). Even Anna refers to herself as just hitting the 40’s. Something is just not adding up there.
So, at the end of the day, I really liked the story. In fact, the last chapter is so poignant it just brought it all together for me. You can literally feel this story moving from terrible sadness and distress in the first chapter to hope in the final chapter. Beautiful!
This book tells the bittersweet tale of three people whose lives become intertwined after each experiences a very personal loss. The story takes place in Switzerland and begins with the introduction of Karla, a 6-year old girl who loses her single parent Mom and Grandmother in a tragic accident. Haunted by memories of her mother, Karla chases her ghost down a street in Zurich, setting up a fateful meeting between herself, her aunt Anna (a widow with custody of Karla), and Jonas (an artist who lost his wife to cancer a few years earlier).
The characters’ personal histories are slowly revealed through flashbacks as Anna and Jonas fall in love, but each carries scars and secrets in their past which build walls and create breaches of trust between the two. The reader is taken on an emotional ride as we see Karla develop from a devastated child into a confident, contemplative adolescent striving to re-create a loving family environment with the two loving, but difficult adults in her life.
Polkinhorn has a talent for creating and manipulating a story and setting to elicit a range of emotions from sadness to anger to delight. The topic itself is not light. The characters experience real tragedy in their lives (all involving death). What Polkinhorn does so well is reveal Anna’s and Jonas’ back stories slowly giving the reader time to contemplate how their histories affect their present lives. Polkinhorn also tidies up the stories so that there is resolution at the end of the book – something I personally really appreciate!
I have never personally been to Zurich but my understanding is that it is a beautiful city - - perhaps even to rival Vancouver, BC ;) Polkinhorn describes the city and surrounding area so beautifully that I felt I could be sitting on the veranda with a cup of coffee gazing out at the lake and the mountains. Aaaaahhhh!
Now, on to a couple little issues I had with this book. First, I’m sorry but I just don’t like the cover illustrations. They look a little hokey. I think it really should have a different cover. Also, the people on the cover don’t match the physical descriptions of the characters in the book. For example, Anna is referred to as a brunette on p. 113 and p. 218 but the lady on the cover has blond hair. I also thought there was mention of Jonah’s beard in the story, but the man on the cover has no facial hair and it looks like he’s wearing a wig.
Secondly, there is inconsistent information around Anna’s age. On p. 24, Anna indicates that she met her husband “25 years ago” just before she completed her degree. Let’s assume that one completes a degree at age 21. That would make her about 46 years old? On p. 151, Jonah guesses that she’s in her late 30’s or early 40’s from a conversation they had (not from the way she looks). Even Anna refers to herself as just hitting the 40’s. Something is just not adding up there.
So, at the end of the day, I really liked the story. In fact, the last chapter is so poignant it just brought it all together for me. You can literally feel this story moving from terrible sadness and distress in the first chapter to hope in the final chapter. Beautiful!
September 25, 2011
An Uncommon Family – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds – Desserts
“Mama?” she whispered. She saw the woman only from behind, but the bounce in her step, the long, reddish-blond hair flowing down her back, swaying left and right, the tall, slender figure – it must be her mother. She tossed the rest of the ice cream into the trash can, got up, and ran after the woman. “Mama!” she called as the woman got ready to cross the street. The light turned from blinking red to solid red, just as the woman reached the other side. Karla rushed after her, barely aware of the honking around her or of the shrill warning bell of the blue-and-white streetcar. She heard someone yell at her but by then she had arrived at the other side. The woman was walking along the river toward the Lake of Zurich. “Mama, wait!” Karla bumped into someone. “Watch it, kiddo.” A man stepped aside. “Mama…” The woman finally turned around and looked back, scanning the people behind her, then walked on. Karla stopped dumbfounded. It as the face of a stranger.
Six year old Karla is devastated when she realizes the woman she followed wasn’t her mother. The disappointment she felt when finding out she had been mistaken brought her to her tears causing her to fall and skin her knees. Jonas Bergman was walking by at that time and helped the little girl up and tried to ease her pain until her Aunt Anna made it to her side. When Karla explained that she thought the lady was her mother, Anna had to explain to not just her but Jonas as well that her mother wouldn’t be coming back. Karla’s mother and grandmother had both been killed in a car accident. This was something that Karla knew but wasn’t ready to accept.
After her sister and mother were killed, Anna took custody of Anna. She was a single woman with memories of a happier, yet devastating time when she was younger. Twenty years ago she was married to a wonderful man and living in New York. Live couldn’t be better. But it could be worse and that’s exactly what it became.
Jonas was a widower. The love of his life had died of cancer leaving him with an emptiness that no one would ever fill again. His life now consisted of his art work and teaching. And after seeing some of Karla’s work, he knew she would be a master student.
Now, can you take 3 very lonely people and make them into one happy family? Can you take the lack of trust from a woman that has been hurt so badly that she swore to never trust another man and turn her into a loving companion? Can you take a man who spends his free time talking to his deceased wife as if she is there and convenience him to take a step toward healing and happiness? This is what Karla and her best friend Maja plan to do.
An Uncommon Family was an extremely heart touching book. When I read a book to review I normally make notes or post stickies on pages marking events I want to remember. I didn’t do that with this book. I didn’t have time. I became so engrossed that I turned page after page and forgot the notes. This is a truly beautiful story about love and the loss of love.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
“Mama?” she whispered. She saw the woman only from behind, but the bounce in her step, the long, reddish-blond hair flowing down her back, swaying left and right, the tall, slender figure – it must be her mother. She tossed the rest of the ice cream into the trash can, got up, and ran after the woman. “Mama!” she called as the woman got ready to cross the street. The light turned from blinking red to solid red, just as the woman reached the other side. Karla rushed after her, barely aware of the honking around her or of the shrill warning bell of the blue-and-white streetcar. She heard someone yell at her but by then she had arrived at the other side. The woman was walking along the river toward the Lake of Zurich. “Mama, wait!” Karla bumped into someone. “Watch it, kiddo.” A man stepped aside. “Mama…” The woman finally turned around and looked back, scanning the people behind her, then walked on. Karla stopped dumbfounded. It as the face of a stranger.
Six year old Karla is devastated when she realizes the woman she followed wasn’t her mother. The disappointment she felt when finding out she had been mistaken brought her to her tears causing her to fall and skin her knees. Jonas Bergman was walking by at that time and helped the little girl up and tried to ease her pain until her Aunt Anna made it to her side. When Karla explained that she thought the lady was her mother, Anna had to explain to not just her but Jonas as well that her mother wouldn’t be coming back. Karla’s mother and grandmother had both been killed in a car accident. This was something that Karla knew but wasn’t ready to accept.
After her sister and mother were killed, Anna took custody of Anna. She was a single woman with memories of a happier, yet devastating time when she was younger. Twenty years ago she was married to a wonderful man and living in New York. Live couldn’t be better. But it could be worse and that’s exactly what it became.
Jonas was a widower. The love of his life had died of cancer leaving him with an emptiness that no one would ever fill again. His life now consisted of his art work and teaching. And after seeing some of Karla’s work, he knew she would be a master student.
Now, can you take 3 very lonely people and make them into one happy family? Can you take the lack of trust from a woman that has been hurt so badly that she swore to never trust another man and turn her into a loving companion? Can you take a man who spends his free time talking to his deceased wife as if she is there and convenience him to take a step toward healing and happiness? This is what Karla and her best friend Maja plan to do.
An Uncommon Family was an extremely heart touching book. When I read a book to review I normally make notes or post stickies on pages marking events I want to remember. I didn’t do that with this book. I didn’t have time. I became so engrossed that I turned page after page and forgot the notes. This is a truly beautiful story about love and the loss of love.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
January 23, 2013
So good I read it twice!
A rich and emotive story around three principal characters, each with their own troubled pasts. Although each of the characters bears an entirely different burden to the others, all three become inextricably linked in the unfolding story of an unlikely union.
Karla, a precocious and talented young girl; her guardian aunt Anna, withdrawn and mistrustful of men, devoted only to her niece; and Jonas, a kindly, gentle-souled man who undertakes art tutoring of young Karla. In doing so, a warm yet cautious relationship develops between he and Anna – but one that the reader wonders how it may possibly develop with Anna so rigid and full of doubt.
All three have tragedies to conquer, from grief to betrayal to guilt. Yet a close bond forms as Jonas becomes closer to both his protégé Karla, and the woman of his increasing desire, Anna. But as secrets unfold, and memories of betrayal linger, even as childish mischief comes into play, it looks sadly like this trio of loveable characters are going to drift apart.
This is a story described in a beautiful literary prose style, the narrative detailed and lyrically descriptive. I’m especially fond of the portrayal behind each three personalities. In Karla I see the amazing, if tragic, devices that a child may employ to deal with grief. Imagining under certain circumstances that a crack opens in the sky and you can see into Heaven to talk to those you’ve lost. Very touching. In Anna, the stoic mentality that is her armour against another betrayal, yet her own self-doubt at her capability to be enough of a ‘parent’ to Karla. And in Jonas, the persistence and patience of a solid character with a heart of gold, but a mind full of guilt for a crime that, in my opinion, really isn’t his to bear.
And… wherever I may have suspected the story would lead, I could not guess at the surprise twist in Anna’s past, a revelation that changes Anna’s perspective and, perhaps, enables her to release some of her pain. Only by moving beyond the past and looking optimistically ahead, will she have any chance of happiness.
All of the texture in this story, the smooth passage of time through seasons and years, the crisp dialogue and smooth plot development, makes for a thoroughly rewarding read. I recommend you read it, and ease into the nourishing atmosphere of this charming and cleverly depicted story of love, loss, loneliness, and hope.
A rich and emotive story around three principal characters, each with their own troubled pasts. Although each of the characters bears an entirely different burden to the others, all three become inextricably linked in the unfolding story of an unlikely union.
Karla, a precocious and talented young girl; her guardian aunt Anna, withdrawn and mistrustful of men, devoted only to her niece; and Jonas, a kindly, gentle-souled man who undertakes art tutoring of young Karla. In doing so, a warm yet cautious relationship develops between he and Anna – but one that the reader wonders how it may possibly develop with Anna so rigid and full of doubt.
All three have tragedies to conquer, from grief to betrayal to guilt. Yet a close bond forms as Jonas becomes closer to both his protégé Karla, and the woman of his increasing desire, Anna. But as secrets unfold, and memories of betrayal linger, even as childish mischief comes into play, it looks sadly like this trio of loveable characters are going to drift apart.
This is a story described in a beautiful literary prose style, the narrative detailed and lyrically descriptive. I’m especially fond of the portrayal behind each three personalities. In Karla I see the amazing, if tragic, devices that a child may employ to deal with grief. Imagining under certain circumstances that a crack opens in the sky and you can see into Heaven to talk to those you’ve lost. Very touching. In Anna, the stoic mentality that is her armour against another betrayal, yet her own self-doubt at her capability to be enough of a ‘parent’ to Karla. And in Jonas, the persistence and patience of a solid character with a heart of gold, but a mind full of guilt for a crime that, in my opinion, really isn’t his to bear.
And… wherever I may have suspected the story would lead, I could not guess at the surprise twist in Anna’s past, a revelation that changes Anna’s perspective and, perhaps, enables her to release some of her pain. Only by moving beyond the past and looking optimistically ahead, will she have any chance of happiness.
All of the texture in this story, the smooth passage of time through seasons and years, the crisp dialogue and smooth plot development, makes for a thoroughly rewarding read. I recommend you read it, and ease into the nourishing atmosphere of this charming and cleverly depicted story of love, loss, loneliness, and hope.
August 12, 2011
Six-year old Karla's mother died in a tragic accident. Anna, her aunt, having no experience with children, takes her in to live with her.
Jonas is Karla's art teacher whom Karla refers to as St. Nick because his looks remind her of him. Jonas, through his tender ways, draws Karla out of her grief. They become good friends. Anna, through Karla's relationship with Jonas, gets to know Jonas, and Jonas gets to know Anna.
Neither Anna nor Jonas are looking for romance. He's a widower. She's ... well, you'll discover her story.
***SPOILER ALERT BELOW***
After Karla sees Jonas with another woman, she tells her friend Maja and together the two of them devise a plan to get Anna and Jonas together. In a phone conversation, Jonas and Anna discover the ploy. Since Karla is on her way to art class with Jonas, he is the one to broach the subject with her.
Because of something that's happened in Anna's past, after Jonas confides in her, she rejects him. I find her rejection of him really strange. How could she even think what's happened to her in the past and what he revealed to her were anything alike? What's this have to do with honesty anyway? It's not like he withheld anything from her nor is it like he lied to her? As he referred to her, "self-righteous _____." And as her hair stylist told her, she isn't going to find anyone who's perfect.
This is different than ordinary romances although it does not lack the death of a close one which seems to be a romance necessity. This one lacks the eye-roll-inducing descriptive filler of most love stories. Thank goodness. Other relationships come into play as well such as the one between Jonas and Karla. It takes awhile for the romance to build and that's what makes this one sweet and bearable.
Jonas is Karla's art teacher whom Karla refers to as St. Nick because his looks remind her of him. Jonas, through his tender ways, draws Karla out of her grief. They become good friends. Anna, through Karla's relationship with Jonas, gets to know Jonas, and Jonas gets to know Anna.
Neither Anna nor Jonas are looking for romance. He's a widower. She's ... well, you'll discover her story.
***SPOILER ALERT BELOW***
After Karla sees Jonas with another woman, she tells her friend Maja and together the two of them devise a plan to get Anna and Jonas together. In a phone conversation, Jonas and Anna discover the ploy. Since Karla is on her way to art class with Jonas, he is the one to broach the subject with her.
Because of something that's happened in Anna's past, after Jonas confides in her, she rejects him. I find her rejection of him really strange. How could she even think what's happened to her in the past and what he revealed to her were anything alike? What's this have to do with honesty anyway? It's not like he withheld anything from her nor is it like he lied to her? As he referred to her, "self-righteous _____." And as her hair stylist told her, she isn't going to find anyone who's perfect.
This is different than ordinary romances although it does not lack the death of a close one which seems to be a romance necessity. This one lacks the eye-roll-inducing descriptive filler of most love stories. Thank goodness. Other relationships come into play as well such as the one between Jonas and Karla. It takes awhile for the romance to build and that's what makes this one sweet and bearable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2012
As the book opens, 6 year old Karla is sure she has just seen her mama and runs to catch up to her. As she falls on a busy street in Zurich, Switzerland, she sees the woman's face and realizes it's not her mama after all. As she falls, a man she's convinced must be St. Nicholas himself comes to her aid. We find that Karlas's mother has fairly recently died along with Karla's grandmother in a violent car crash. Karla was also in the car but was not seriously injured. As her aunt, Anna catches up to Karla, she unveils the pictures Karla had drawn and that she'd had framed. "St. Nicholas," AKA Jonas Bergman, turns out to be an artist who instantly recognizes the talent far beyond her years that Karla possesses. Soon, Karla is taking drawing and painting lessons from Jonas. It also turns out that Karla is not the only one dealing with a past that includes an incredible loss. Both her aunt Anna and her teacher Jonas have similarly experienced great loss. While it's fairly obvious that Karla, Anna, and Jonas will become the "Uncommon Family" of the title, still the ride is quite nice. The characters were well developed and I found myself cheering all of them on. In some ways, Anna is the least likeable of the main characters but as the book progresses, we get greater insight as to why she is somewhat cold and overly controlled. Despite these faults, she really does love Karla and tries very hard to be a good "replacement mother" for Karla, whose mother was her sister. In sum, this was a very nice book and I would readily recommend it to ones who enjoy books about relationships and how people can paatch themselves up after experiencing great tragedy.
August 9, 2011
An Uncommon Family by Christa Polkinhorn is the story of three people: Karla, a six year old girl, living with her aunt, Anna, and Jonas, an artist who comes to play a pivotal role in their lives. Primarily set in Zurich, Switzerland, the story also ventures to New York and Guadalajara, Mexico.
The story is not nearly as “dark” as you might think by reading the cover blurb, although it does have its moments of tenseness and stress, misunderstandings and pain. It also has love, forgiveness and understanding.
One thing I liked about An Uncommon Family is that the characters are not caricatures. Polkinhorn gives them depth. When Anna’s sister dies, Anna, the main protagonist, takes custody of her niece, Karla. Having her niece with hers fills her life, until she meets Jonas. Falling in love, but not admitting it, they become almost a family for Karla. But both Anna and Jonas have secrets from their past. Anna is not sure she can forgive Jonas’ secret.
I liked Christa Polkinhorn’s way of developing the characters. Each of them is flawed in their own way. No one is perfect. I also like the primary setting, Zurich, which I’ve never been to, but would like to go there after reading An Uncommon Family. Christa Polkinhorn created a story for each character, complete with secrets, and then brought those stories together.
In the end, the question is: Can they be a true family or will they remain An Uncommon Family?
The story is not nearly as “dark” as you might think by reading the cover blurb, although it does have its moments of tenseness and stress, misunderstandings and pain. It also has love, forgiveness and understanding.
One thing I liked about An Uncommon Family is that the characters are not caricatures. Polkinhorn gives them depth. When Anna’s sister dies, Anna, the main protagonist, takes custody of her niece, Karla. Having her niece with hers fills her life, until she meets Jonas. Falling in love, but not admitting it, they become almost a family for Karla. But both Anna and Jonas have secrets from their past. Anna is not sure she can forgive Jonas’ secret.
I liked Christa Polkinhorn’s way of developing the characters. Each of them is flawed in their own way. No one is perfect. I also like the primary setting, Zurich, which I’ve never been to, but would like to go there after reading An Uncommon Family. Christa Polkinhorn created a story for each character, complete with secrets, and then brought those stories together.
In the end, the question is: Can they be a true family or will they remain An Uncommon Family?
July 9, 2011
Six-year-old Karla lost her mother in a car crash and now lives with her aunt Anna, who years before had lost her husband in a plane crash, immediately after learning of a life-changing betrayal. By chance one day in Zurich, they meet artist Jonas Bergman, who had lost his beloved wife to cancer.
Karla begins to take art lessons from Jonas, and over the years, a relationship forms between Anna and Jonas, but each character’s past threatens to destroy the love they are building.
This was a very warm and charming story that really made me want to root for the characters. The flow of the story was very natural and each character’s struggle to reconcile their past made sense and was quite relatable.
Aside from Anna and Jonas’ respective stories, I found Karla’s coming-of-age to be quite charming, and I loved the interaction between Karla and her best friend Maja. The author did an excellent job of writing an authentic young character and describing her relationship to the world (and those close to her) as it evolved with each passing year.
An Uncommon Family is a feel-good story that was a pleasure to read. I very much look forward to reading Love of a Stonemason so that I can find out what happened to Karla when after she grew up. I know I’m in for a treat!
March 21, 2012
I spent the past two days reading Christa Polkinhorn's poignant novel, AN UNCOMMON FAMILY. The book tells the story of Anna, an emotionally cautious bookstore owner, who becomes the guardian of her sister's daughter, Karla, after the girl's mother dies. Aunt and niece forge a bond of mutual sorrow, but it's their serendipitous encounter with Jonas, a generous widower with sorrows of his own, that finally allows Anna and Karla to set aside their grief and embrace new possibilities.
Set in Switzerland with scenes in New York and Mexico, the book offers a charming visual landscape. The author also vividly describes the artwork of Jonas and the emerging talent of young Karla who becomes his pupil. Yet Polkinhorn's main strength is her ability to mine complex human emotions and interactions. Her characters are flesh-and-blood people who jump off the page, and she makes the reader care deeply about their past and future choices. The minor characters, such as Karla's mischievous pal, Maja, add spice and texture.
Ultimately, the novel reminds us there are many ways to create a family. Polkinhorn's book really touched my heart and at times made me cry, and I recommend it highly! I look forward to reading more of this gifted author's fiction.
Set in Switzerland with scenes in New York and Mexico, the book offers a charming visual landscape. The author also vividly describes the artwork of Jonas and the emerging talent of young Karla who becomes his pupil. Yet Polkinhorn's main strength is her ability to mine complex human emotions and interactions. Her characters are flesh-and-blood people who jump off the page, and she makes the reader care deeply about their past and future choices. The minor characters, such as Karla's mischievous pal, Maja, add spice and texture.
Ultimately, the novel reminds us there are many ways to create a family. Polkinhorn's book really touched my heart and at times made me cry, and I recommend it highly! I look forward to reading more of this gifted author's fiction.
August 11, 2011
In Christa Polkinhorn’s debut novel Love of a Stonemason, she introduced us to the adult Karla Bocelli and in this prequel, she takes us back to Karla’s childhood. We learn more of what life was like for the child artist Karla as she dealt with the death of her mother and a long-distance father, but the heart of the book is a love story, complicated by secrets.
This time around it’s Karla’s aunt Anna, hardened toward love by a devastating secret in her past, who must decide whether to let artist and teacher Jonas into her heart. When Jonas, who has lost his beloved wife to cancer, discloses a secret to Anna, he only confirms her distrust of men. But the determined Karla won’t give up. She uses all her youthful ingenuity in trying to form those she loves into An Uncommon Family.
In this well-told story, the author takes us on tour from Switzerland to New York City to Mexico and back again, allowing us to experience these locales through the eyes and hearts of her characters. An Uncommon Family is another pleasurable read from the talented Christa Polkinhorn.
This time around it’s Karla’s aunt Anna, hardened toward love by a devastating secret in her past, who must decide whether to let artist and teacher Jonas into her heart. When Jonas, who has lost his beloved wife to cancer, discloses a secret to Anna, he only confirms her distrust of men. But the determined Karla won’t give up. She uses all her youthful ingenuity in trying to form those she loves into An Uncommon Family.
In this well-told story, the author takes us on tour from Switzerland to New York City to Mexico and back again, allowing us to experience these locales through the eyes and hearts of her characters. An Uncommon Family is another pleasurable read from the talented Christa Polkinhorn.
July 18, 2011
AN UNCOMMON FAMILY is a beautiful, restful, deeply satisfying novel about good people.
A prequel to LOVE OF A STONEMASON, it is about the forming of a family: six-year-old Karla Bocelli, who lost her mother in a car crash and whose father lives in Peru; Anna, her aunt and guardian; and Jonas, Karla's 52-year-old art teacher. Anna and Jonas -- no strangers to hurt, loss, and betrayal -- maneuver toward each other cautiously.
Christa Polkinhorn has insight into relationships of all kinds -- what happens in this novel feels real. She also has the soul of an artist; her painterly descriptions and insight into art are among the novel's incidental pleasures.
For example: Anna's little bookshop in Zurich ("Each book contained a secret, a new insight perhaps, an exciting adventure"); the mingling scents of French roast coffee and burning beech logs in a woodstove; the colors of the sky as Jonas first teaches Karla to see them; monkeys in a zoo who sat "as if posing for a family portrait." There are many more.
This novel made me happy.
A prequel to LOVE OF A STONEMASON, it is about the forming of a family: six-year-old Karla Bocelli, who lost her mother in a car crash and whose father lives in Peru; Anna, her aunt and guardian; and Jonas, Karla's 52-year-old art teacher. Anna and Jonas -- no strangers to hurt, loss, and betrayal -- maneuver toward each other cautiously.
Christa Polkinhorn has insight into relationships of all kinds -- what happens in this novel feels real. She also has the soul of an artist; her painterly descriptions and insight into art are among the novel's incidental pleasures.
For example: Anna's little bookshop in Zurich ("Each book contained a secret, a new insight perhaps, an exciting adventure"); the mingling scents of French roast coffee and burning beech logs in a woodstove; the colors of the sky as Jonas first teaches Karla to see them; monkeys in a zoo who sat "as if posing for a family portrait." There are many more.
This novel made me happy.
December 25, 2014
Three great character arcs combine with fantastic descriptions of nature in distant places in this heart-warming tale. Karla bereft of her parents at the age of 10, needs to let go of nightmares that keep her insecure. Her Aunt, Anna, learns from her charge to love and trust after death and betrayal of her former husband. An artist, Jonah, takes Karla under his wing and guides her to express her emotions. When she settles enough to see the love around her all three are affected.
August 1, 2012
An Uncommon Family is about 6 year old Karla who lost her mother in a car crash, her Aunt and guardian Anna and an artist names Jonas. A chance meeting brings themm all together until a sinister secret in Jonas's past comes out.
This is a beautifully written book that touches on all subjects, love, loss, betrayal, forgiveness. A must read. I won this book from Goodreads.
This is a beautifully written book that touches on all subjects, love, loss, betrayal, forgiveness. A must read. I won this book from Goodreads.
May 21, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was so easy to identify with the characters and get into the flow of the story. I especially liked the way Christa described events and the surrounding. I felt I could actually see the colors and smell the flowers. This is a great book to sit back in your favorite chair and get lost in.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
August 5, 2016
A sweet, lovely read!
The story has an easy flow and characters are well developed through their interactions. Different cultures and historical events were cleverly woven into the plot. I very much enjoyed the journeys, both physical and emotional, which the author took us throughout the book.
Recommend it!
The story has an easy flow and characters are well developed through their interactions. Different cultures and historical events were cleverly woven into the plot. I very much enjoyed the journeys, both physical and emotional, which the author took us throughout the book.
Recommend it!
July 15, 2011
Christa Polkinhorn has crafted another wonderful and poignant story of love, loss, betrayal and redemption. It is remarkable that she writes so beautifully in a second language. She joins a distinguished and short list that includes Joseph Conrad and Erich Maria Remarque. Highly recommended.
November 25, 2014
Great read
What a lovely book. Although the main character was a child, the many issues that were dealt with were extremely interesting. The author has an amazing insight into human responses and interactions. I highly suggest reading it.
What a lovely book. Although the main character was a child, the many issues that were dealt with were extremely interesting. The author has an amazing insight into human responses and interactions. I highly suggest reading it.
May 20, 2015
Bad things happen to good people, and this is the story of three people who each have a different mountain to climb. Loss, grief, betrayal and distrust are all convincingly portrayed as Anna, Jonas and six-year-old Karla move towards becoming 'an uncommon family'. And I loved the Swiss setting!
December 25, 2014
I Liked it !
May 31, 2022
Convoluted route to happiness
Humans are not perfect. They make hurtful mistakes in relationships and are not always strong enough to face the truth and move forward with their lives. An Uncommon Family is not so uncommon! This story takes the reader through the hurt, misunderstanding, loss and the work it takes to move towards a better life.
Humans are not perfect. They make hurtful mistakes in relationships and are not always strong enough to face the truth and move forward with their lives. An Uncommon Family is not so uncommon! This story takes the reader through the hurt, misunderstanding, loss and the work it takes to move towards a better life.
February 22, 2022
Exceptionally Great!
May 14, 2025
Wow
I enjoyed this story but it was definitely different, Nico was a worthless specimen of a man, but it was sad that he died before Anna had the opportunity to confront him.
I enjoyed this story but it was definitely different, Nico was a worthless specimen of a man, but it was sad that he died before Anna had the opportunity to confront him.
April 19, 2013
“An Uncommon Family” is about just that – a six year-old girl who lost her mother in a car crash and still has nightmares about it, her aunt who survived a failed marriage and remains bitter and distant in her relationships with men, and an artist whose marriage ended in the tragic death of his wife. The story is about the intertwining of their lives from when Karla, the young girl, is six until her twelfth birthday. At the outset, she and Anna, her aunt and guardian, by chance, encounter Jonas, the artist, who offers to give Karla art lessons. From there, the relationships develop between Karla and Jonas, Karla and Anna, and Anna and Jonas in a steady, deliberate, and delicate way that I appreciated greatly.
Set primarily in Switzerland, the book has a nice local flavor that complements the story well and is interjected unobtrusively at various points as the plot moves forward. In terms of point of view, the story is seen through the eyes of the three main characters and, as such, the narrative is superb. This book is no lightweight by any means. The main themes of the story are trust, betrayal, honesty, loss, and love. Applicable in some degree to each of the three, the handling and development of these themes was top notch.
If you like stories of ordinary people thrown together into uncommon situations, I know you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I recommend it highly and look forward to reading Polkinhorn’s next installment.
Set primarily in Switzerland, the book has a nice local flavor that complements the story well and is interjected unobtrusively at various points as the plot moves forward. In terms of point of view, the story is seen through the eyes of the three main characters and, as such, the narrative is superb. This book is no lightweight by any means. The main themes of the story are trust, betrayal, honesty, loss, and love. Applicable in some degree to each of the three, the handling and development of these themes was top notch.
If you like stories of ordinary people thrown together into uncommon situations, I know you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I recommend it highly and look forward to reading Polkinhorn’s next installment.
February 12, 2012
This wasn't a bad story but the young girls in the story we way to 'mature' for their ages and this detracted from the book. It's a good story really, it just needs the little girls to be little girls, not little girls acting like 20 something girls.
Read
February 25, 2016kindle, read before love of a stoneman. 295 book 1
February 16, 2012
Enjoyed this as another free kindle book. more sex then I would want my teen to read but a good story. Nice resilience for a child.
Want to read
June 20, 2014Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2014/03/...
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2014/03/...
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June 24, 2015Liked it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews