A review of "The Sorrows of an American: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (St_Anne) — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:06:44 GMT

by Siri Hustvedt

The Sorrows of an American is the delicately crafted story of a recently divorced(separated?), middle-aged psychoanalyst, Erik, who is mourning the loss of his father while simultaneously scouring the past for clues of his father’s hidden self. It begins when he and his philosopher sister discover a note from an unknown woman among their father’s papers which alludes to a mutual confidence. Brother and sister travel, both emotionally and physically, back and forth from NYC where they both now live and work to their childhood home in rural Minnesota. Meanwhile Erik, adrift since becoming estranged to his wife, leases the first floor of his house to Miranda, a single mother with a crazy photog boyfriend. Although Erik is immediately drawn to Miranda, she remains aloof, though he is able to gradually grow closer to her through her flamboyant daughter Eggy. Strange events entangle Erik in the lives of both his sister and Miranda. Highly recommended.

All Consuming : St_Anne

A review of "The Sorrows of an American: A Novel"