I remember this book being published a couple of year ago and hearing those dreaded words "experimental" and "literary devices" and "gimmicks". Not one for me then, I thought. And the reviews were very mixed. Nothing made me feel that here was a book I wanted to read.

But a week or so ago I picked it up from my local library book sale - "Fill a Bag for a £1" - and I randomly filled a couple of bags. And something made me decide to give it a try....and how glad I am. Cost me a bit in Kleenex but I begrudge that not a bit.

It tells the story of a precocious little boy called Oskar Schell who has lost his father in the World Trade Center attacks. He struggles to deal with this almost unbearable loss by a heart-rending search for the lock that a key he finds amongst his father's possessions opens. Accompanied by his grandfather who has his own demons to exorcise Oskar begins his quest across New York, meeting on his way a motley assortment of characters who are all survivors in their own way.

 Through Oskar and his family Foer explores the emotional and psychological fallout from 9/11 and from previous atrocities, the bombing of Dresden and Hiroshima. There is nothing new about death and its ramifications, and we are all linked by tragedy. To tell a rich and imaginative tale based on the events of that terrible day and to describe with tenderness and understanding how people went on afterwards is no small achievement. There is nothing voyeuristic or gratuitous here, no sentimentality or melodrama (certainly not that) or gore but just an understanding that nothing is ever "over" and all we can do is cope the best we can.

And the "gimmicks"? Well, they are indeed there. But far from being gimmicks they blend effortlessly into the narrative, expanding upon the emotions and thoughts of the main characters. They don't detract from but enhance the story. While the final photo sequence is unbearably poignant.

A review on Amazon expressed it better than I can myself:

"It's a beautiful book about and beyond 9/11, especially in regards to the notion of imagination allowing humanity always a semblance of hope"

I hazard a guess that this book will be become a classic....

Had not heard of this book before but it sounds excellent. I will put it on my wish list - many thanks for the review!

I read this a while back and found it incredibly moving. It was an unusual book in terms of style but certainly made me think. And you are right - that final photo sequence is incredible and shocking.

read and enjoyed his other book Everything is Illuminated, must get this book off my tbr soon, thanks mandy for the review, xx

purchased from Play yesterday looking forward to reading, in process of trying to swap for Everything is Illuminated..fingers crossed!

reading: Wish you were here - Mike Gayle

You will be surprised to here that they are very words that I rush to when I hear a review and to usually find that code for a rubbish writer, But I read every thing is illuminated last year and was impressed sp this has been on my wishlist for some while so lucky you snagging it

I didn't know a lot about this book before I managed to get a swap but something told me that it would be something I'd love. It is still on my TBR but thanks for the review. I'll definitely be trying to rush through to read it!

Never heard of it b4, adding to wishlist...

I read this whilst on holiday and, whilst the style takes a little bit of getting used to, it's brilliant! The best of the 'written by a child' books that I have read (Hide and Seek and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time are the other 2 I have read) and some lovely quirky parts. I love how there are pictures and red circles around words with spelling mistakes. Just a lovely read and so touching. I didn't understand at first why he did things the way he does but got it at the end when it all came together. Looking forward to reading more of his.

 Thanks for sending this one to me Keeley.  I'm looking forward to reading it

This is next on my TBR, and have swapped Everything is Illuminated as part of the 1001 challenge. Looking forward to reading both books.

Seems like a very good book. I haven't been able to cry at a book before... maybe this can break the chain?

Great review Mandy.  That's one for the wishlist.  Sounds right up my street.

Started it yesterday and about 80 pages into it, completely hooked. Can't put it down.

I thought it was brilliant too, Mandy, thanks so much for sending it to me - parts of it were a bit cheesy for me, but I loved the narration, and thought the story told was fantastic. Loved the end too.