Beginning of Was

by Ania Szado

  What would you do if you lost everything? Following the deaths of her alcoholic husband and young daughter in a car crash, Marta Fett flees her small-town Ontario home for Toronto. She finds herself seeking refuge at a downtown church—not because she’s religious, but because she can think of no other place that would harbour a person as irredeemable as she imagines herself to be in her daughter’s death. She begins to develop tentative relationships at the margins of this community, growing close to an old woman who is preparing to die and to a quiet young girl her own daughter’s age. But there is no escaping the past. Powerful memories insinuate themselves into her new life. And she soon discovers that only by revisiting her past will she find the means and the strength to face the future.

Genres: Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

ANIA SZADO is the author of STUDIO SAINT-EX. Against the backdrop of WWII Manhattan's glittering French expat community and emerging fashion scene, STUDIO SAINT-EX sets Antoine de Saint-Exupéry--and his work-in-progress, THE LITTLE PRINCE--within a tempestuous triangle that pits the love and ambitions of a beautiful 22-year-old designer against the passions and seductions of Saint-Ex's fiery estranged wife. Forthcoming in USA (June 2013), Canada (April 2013), Russia, Italy, Poland. Ania's novel BEGINNING OF WAS was regionally shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, Best First Book. Her fiction was anthologized in ALL SLEEK AND SKIMMING (Orca). She lives in Toronto and holds an MFA in Creative Writing.

Reviews

[Cathy Marie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning of Was poignantly tells Marta’s story as she sets out to build a new life for herself after her old one comes crashing down. Like Carols Shields, Szado masterfully gives us the small details, the quiet events that become a life. In prose that is understated and spare, she explores human resilience in the face of despair. I’ve read few book twice; Beginning of Was is one of them.

[Amino · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't fast-paced yet it was a page turner, one filled with poignant moments that made me gasp and smile (and want to blush). It was tender and I felt vulnerable while reading it, because the narrator made me that way. I found myself growing fonder of Marta with each passing chapter. And Asha, oh my, she was the best part of my reading experience. Her innocence, the way she made her mother buoyant despite the grief and despair filling her lungs. I'm glad I took a chance with a new author; I plan on reading her other novels soon.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marta's pain so clearly sketched through her silences and the reminiscings on her husband, daughter, mother and father. Heart wrenching to read but beautifully written.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisitely written novel which focuses on grief and loss, but that manages to be filled with life. Simply incredible.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend. A sad story, but, a with all sad stories, there is hope.