#21 A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka

This was suggested through goodreads- which I just joined. I really like this website! Essentially it's  a facebook for books read. I had no idea!

Although I really liked this book, I was a bit disappointed in the title. I thought it would be more like Everything is Illuminated in that it plays with fictional storytelling a lot more... I found this book to stick to storytelling of facts (as much as a fictional novel can).

It focuses on two generations at the same time, interchanging between the chapters. And it ties in their worries and problems but in these different time frames.
Pasulka is so great at expressing teenage (well the character is 22 but really acts like a teenager) angst and worry, a feeling of loneliness and not fitting in, but at the same time resigning to it...

Wow I feel very not ... eloquent- this lack of sleep is getting to me.

What I enjoyed about it most is that I learned about Poland's history. I know so little about Poland. I almost went to Poland back in 2011 but it didn't work out and I've always regretted that. So learning about it through a fictional novel was really delightful.

I recommend this book a lot.

Pages:354
total: 6167(?)