Isabel Wolff

Jenni is a ghostwriter haunted by a tragedy in her past. She and Rick, her partner, are experiencing a relationship crisis over disagreement about whether or not to have children. They attend a wedding, where Jenni finds out about an opportunity to ghost-write a memoir for the mother of one of the wedding guests. She decides to take the commission, which brings her to the location of her past tragedy.

Her subject, Klara, was interned by the Japanese in Java, Indonesia (then called Dutch East Indies), during WWII. Klara and her family experience tremendous suffering. Through interviews, Jenni serves as a sympathetic listener, as Klara gradually discloses memories she has never discussed with her family. In talking through their mutual tragedies, they find a measure of solace.

Klara’s story serves as the primary focus of the narrative, and it is set in Java. Jenni’s backstory is discussed during breaks in the interviews. The book is obviously well-researched. The fictional Klara is based on historic truth and the sources are included in a bibliography at the end.

It is multi-layered and well-crafted. The author has done a great job with the intertwined stories. We gradually learn more about the people and what happened to them. I found myself engrossed in the story and looked forward to picking it up.

I often tell people that there are so many lesser-known stories of WWII, and this is an example. We get a grounding in what was going on in Indonesia at the time – the Dutch colonial residents, the landscapes, the local people, the racial prejudices, the Japanese occupation, the transports, the aftermath leading to Indonesian independence, and all of it told through an emotional story of one family. Add to that the sympathetic character of the ghostwriter, and it is just a wonderful reading experience.

It reminds me a bit of The Garden of Evening Mists, which is set in Malaysia during the Japanese occupation and is another book I highly recommend.… (more)

A Vintage Affair hit the spot! The main character, previously employed by Sotheby's in London, opens her own vintage clothing store. We peek into the lives of the people who come to sell clothes and people who come to buy. We also meet boyfriends and friends from the past. Just a warning that this is not a bubble headed always feel good story, included is a character who is haunted by the betrayal of a Jewish girl during WWII and the death of the pirmary character's best friend. A really good read that will keep you engaged until the last page. This is the first book I've read by Isabell Wolff but will be looking for more.… (more)