Play Book Tag discussion

This novel takes place during war time in Chechnya. There is a surgeon and her sister, an informer, his father, an incompetent doctor, a neighbor who shelters refugees and his daughter. The story covers five days of the year 2004 and then goes further in the past to fill in background and better define the characters.

The book has moral issues and all characters have been through suffering or loss. They are just trying to survive their circumstances. The author breaks this up a little when he shows healing through the doctors roles and a few glimpses of hope here and there.

The story moves along slowly at first, but it helps the reader see the results of the war on people. They deal with family suddenly disappearing never to return, the chance of being shot, and the daily hardships. They are put in situations where they need to decide what to do, this is especially the case of the character who is the informer.

By the end of the book, the author has connected the characters. With some of the relationships being more complex then they may have originally seemed. Marra wrote an interesting book of fiction that helps the reader understand the circumstances of people who lived through this time.

This is one of my favorite books of the past 5 years.

I read this one earlier this year and absolutely loved it. Will probably make my top 10. I did not get it for 2013, but I did read it for 2013 high notes. Had double the chance. Greatly written review on a really terrific book.

I adored this book.

Booknblues wrote: "This is one of my favorite books of the past 5 years."

Same here.

Great review, Kelly!

Anita wrote: "Great review, Kelly!"

Thank you!

I'm glad you mentioned that the book moves along slowly at first as I am 100 pages in and really struggling. Everyone seems to love it so I will continue on.

Ellen wrote: "I'm glad you mentioned that the book moves along slowly at first as I am 100 pages in and really struggling. Everyone seems to love it so I will continue on."

I am in the minority that is not too keen on this. It does get better, but IMO it didn't live up to the hype.

Ellen, I found it to be one of those novels that needs to be completed before it is transformed into a five star read, but it does require some hard work to get through at times. For me it was overwhelmingly worth it.

I don't normally choose a novel that takes place in war torn Chechnya, so for me to get such a high rating it had to have eventually moved. I'd stick with it. Let us know how it goes...

When I'm reading something I love it doesn't seem slow, when however I'm not loving it , a book can seem endlessly slow.

I liked Constellation from the beginning because Marra's writing is so good. I underlined so many passages in Constellation.

Unlike Amy, I love reading novels set in places like Chechnya.

Loved it

Susie wrote: "Ellen, I found it to be one of those novels that needs to be completed before it is transformed into a five star read, but it does require some hard work to get through at times. For me it was over..."

I have to agree with Susie. I enjoyed this book as I was reading it, but it wasn't until I got to the end that I realized the genius of its construction. It made me want to go right back to the beginning to see how all the pieces fit together.

I savored every page. I loved the writing, I cared deeply about the characters.

I tend to enjoy books that take me to corners of the world that I have little or no knowledge of beyond knowing the name - such as Chechnya.

I am hoping I have a "wow" moment that smacks me upside the head at the end, but so far I'm really not feeling it. I've got about 50 pages to go.

Great review, Kelly. It was a 4-star read for me as well.

Book Concierge wrote: "Great review, Kelly. It was a 4-star read for me as well."

Thank you!

The trouble with too much hype - lol! You can still stay on the Island. While I loved it, there are a few other books I fear I will never be let off the hook for not loving.