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This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud - 4* - My Review

This book is a family saga set initially in Algeria that covers seven decades, 1940 to 2010. It begins with Gaston Cassar and his wife, Lucienne, whose families are of French descent born in Algeria, and their two children, Francois and Denise. The family lives in Algeria until Algerian independence in 1962. Francois studies in the US, marries a Canadian woman, and they have two daughters. Denise suffers from health issues and remains single. The story covers multiple generations, while never losing track of Gaston and Lucienne.

The structure includes multiple perspectives told by assorted family members. It contains the usual family issues, quarrels, misunderstandings, relationships, relocations, successes, failures, tragedies, and loves. Family members leave but always seem to come back together. One of the main building blocks is the overpowering love between Gaston and Lucienne, which seems a rare type of relationship that other family members find elusive in their own partners.

It is a novel for those who enjoy lengthy family sagas where one can follow the characters through multiple generations, set against a backdrop of major historic events of the twentieth century. Though fictional, it is based loosely on the author’s own family history. The author requires a bit of work by the reader to look up unfamiliar French terms and to “catch up” when the scenes abruptly change without explanation. Parts are riveting, while others seem a bit dull, but I enjoyed it overall. I particularly liked the breadth of world travel and descriptions of the family members’ lives in various countries (such as Algeria, France, Argentina, Lebanon, US, and Australia). I enjoyed the family dynamics and the cultural descriptions. The main themes include home, homeland, identity, belonging, and family.

PBT July BWF Extra T - fits letter not tag