The most sophisticated mystery I read recently, by far, is this year's National Book Award winner for young adults: What I Saw and How I Lied (Blundell). The story takes place post-WWII. Evie is an insecure teen who is vacationing with her parents in a mostly deserted hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. The story revolves around a terrible secret somehow connected to her step-father and the handsome young ex-GI that Evie has been flirting with. This is a mystery but also a coming of age story that explores socioeconomic class and anti-Semitism. This book has a "noir" flavor and will be enjoyed by teen girls who would appreciate a stylish, atmospheric mystery that ends with some ambiguity.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
What I Saw and How I Lied
The most sophisticated mystery I read recently, by far, is this year's National Book Award winner for young adults: What I Saw and How I Lied (Blundell). The story takes place post-WWII. Evie is an insecure teen who is vacationing with her parents in a mostly deserted hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. The story revolves around a terrible secret somehow connected to her step-father and the handsome young ex-GI that Evie has been flirting with. This is a mystery but also a coming of age story that explores socioeconomic class and anti-Semitism. This book has a "noir" flavor and will be enjoyed by teen girls who would appreciate a stylish, atmospheric mystery that ends with some ambiguity.
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2 comments:
This sounds like a book I would like. You said this book explores anti-Semitism set in post WWII - does it have much historical information? My undergraduate major was history and I know students tend to dislike history unless they are engaged by the stories.
Yes this book really could be considered historical fiction. A rich couple from NYC are staying at the hotel, "passing" as Gentiles. They are thrown out of the hotel when they receive a phone call from a relative with an obviously Jewish name. Palm Beach had a clear policy in those days - no Jews (and I am sure no African Americans!)
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