The Free World by David Bezmozgis
Today I’m reviewing The Free World by David Bezmozgis. The novel is set in the 1980s and follows three generations of the Krasnansky family as they leave Riga in Latvia and head for a new life in Chicago.
Although their final destination is the United States of America, the Krasnanasky family first travels to Rome, where they wait to be processed. Nothing goes to plan as their American sponsor lets them down and Samuil, the Grandfather of the family fails the medical, so they change their direction and request to be accepted into Canada instead. The story follows them during their July to September stay in Italy, capturing their struggle to fit in, care for each other and make themselves as at home as possible.
This novel is set in a fascinating time where so much was changing. Countries were on the brink of war, as were families and religions. I’m sad to say that the time period was the only thing I found interesting in this book. The characters all seemed one dimensional, and the only characteristics that are given to them seem to be negative. The main flaw focused on was one of the sons womanising ways. His blatant disregard for his wife and then minimal, completely unemotional reaction from his wife just seemed bland and unrealistic. Characters are what make fiction for me and I am sorry to say that at no point did I care about them or have any real interest in what would happen to them.
I cannot fault the writing style and language used but sadly enough, the characters just did nothing for me.
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Buy The Free World by David Bezmozgis
Sounds like I'll be giving this one a miss, this review was just in time I was going to read this next. So thanks 🙂