Falling in Love with Natassia

I am a little over halfway through this novel ... and it is the most difficult book I have ever read (in a good way) for two reasons. The first is that the slices of life, the insights of characters, down to the words used --remind me of my own novel. And the second is that the story reflects an ongoing drama my good friend (a young woman and her mother/family) are experiencing now. Eerie. This is a story about heartbreak and the forces beyond our consciousness (or perhaps, underneath is better, depending on your perspective) that drive us. It is right on target. But, I can only read it in small bits. (That's probably a personal problem.)

Falling in Love with Natassia is a novel about family and friends coming together to help a member in trouble, however, it has a number of unexpected twists and turns. The title of the book leads you to believe it will be primarily about Natassia, whereas in actuality the other characters are fleshed out much more fully. Insights into the thoughts and actions of Natassia's parents, grandparents, and godparents are captivating. The majority of the novel takes places during Natassia's 15th year. She is living with her paternal grandparents in New York City and has a breakdown. One aspect of the story is about how her mother, Mary, has to begin to put Natassia's welfare first. Mary and Ross were quite young when they had Natassia and both went on separately to have successful careers, but at the cost of time with Natassia. Ross, Natassia's father, lives on the opposite coast and has his own issues that get in the way of him helping Natassia. Natassia's current troubles also result in continual stabs at the fabric of her godparents' marriage. I enjoyed the first part of the book, but felt the later parts lagged in places. The most interesting twists and revelations seem to predominate in the beginning. Also, I never felt that Natassia herself was a very well developed character. Her ability to write in an academic style on behalf of her mother seemed to come out of nowhere. And, I actually came to be more interested in the plotlines involving the other characters.

"Natassia," Ana Monardo's second novel is even more complex than her first--without losing any of the poetry which drew readers to "The Courtyard of Dreams." "Natassia" deals with difficult themes surrounding love, children and families (both conventional and unlikely) with rewarding texture. The characters come alive, not only because of how the author has differentiated them, but because their responses to life are as uneven and surprising as our own. A great but not easy "read." It seems like a natural choice for a bookclub of serious readers, as it is bound to elicit discussion.