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Trade Paperback
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9780770436421
Overview
Overview
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
In a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night and then set fire to her home. When their lifelong neighbor Akhmed finds Havaa hiding in the forest with a strange blue suitcase, he makes a decision that will forever change their lives. He will seek refuge at the abandoned hospital where the sole remaining doctor, Sonja Rabina, treats the wounded. For Sonja, the arrival of Akhmed and Havaa is an unwelcome surprise. Weary and overburdened, she has no desire to take on additional risk and responsibility. But over the course of five extraordinary days, Sonja's world will shift on its axis and reveal the intricate pattern of connections that weaves together the pasts of these three unlikely companions and unexpectedly decides their fate. A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader's guide and bonus content from the author.
In a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night and then set fire to her home. When their lifelong neighbor Akhmed finds Havaa hiding in the forest with a strange blue suitcase, he makes a decision that will forever change their lives. He will seek refuge at the abandoned hospital where the sole remaining doctor, Sonja Rabina, treats the wounded. For Sonja, the arrival of Akhmed and Havaa is an unwelcome surprise. Weary and overburdened, she has no desire to take on additional risk and responsibility. But over the course of five extraordinary days, Sonja's world will shift on its axis and reveal the intricate pattern of connections that weaves together the pasts of these three unlikely companions and unexpectedly decides their fate. A story of the transcendent power of love in wartime, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a work of sweeping breadth, profound compassion, and lasting significance. Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader's guide and bonus content from the author.
- Format: TradePaperback
- Author: Marra, Anthony
- ISBN: 9780770436421
- Condition: Used
- Dimensions: 8.08 x 1.15
- Number Of Pages: 396
- Publication Year: 2014
Customer Reviews
Rating Snapshot
5 ★
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This story stays with you long after you've finished reading.
Elizabeth S. - 2 years 3 months agoA Constellation of Vital Phenomena is the beautiful and haunting story of strangers brought together in war-torn Chechnya. The book covers a ten-year span between 1994 and 2004, providing insight into the tragic choices people confront during times of war. Yes, there is violence. Yes, there are unthinkable alliances with enemies. Yes, there is the horrifying capacity of people to inflict pain on one another. It's all there and it is painful. But in Anthony Marra's skillful hand, we are also able to witness humor and beauty in this extraordinary journey about how people find meaning in impossibly difficult circumstances. When I finished, I called multiple friends and told them to put down whatever they were reading and to pick up A Constellation of Vital Phenomena instead. You won't be able to put it down. And in the end, you won't be able to forget this story.
HPB Staff Review -
If you want to read about somewhere different
Haley D. - 6 years 4 months agoTells the story of 3 civilians and the way their lives are impacted by war and how people connect through a common humanity. Not a light-hearted read but enjoyable nonetheless because of the author's lovely style of writing. Very interesting as I knew little to nothing about Chechnya before reading this. Would definitely recommend!
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Worth the effort
Abby L. - 6 years 5 months agoThe first time I read this book, I didn't finish it. The second time, I was dragging myself to page 50, trying to multitask while reading. This is a book, however, that demands your full attention, and once I gave it, cut me straight through to the heart.
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A father taken, a girl searching.
Ashlie N. - 8 years 5 months agoHavaa is a young girl from Chechnya who has just seen her father abducted by Chechen rebel forces. What follows is the story of a neighbor trying to redeem himself, a doctor looking for her sister and trying to save as many of her fellow countrymen as possible and a daughter looking for her father. Set in Chechnya during it's civil war and its conflict with Russia, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena takes a little known war and paints a picture of war that is so compelling that you cannot stop reading. It is harrowing and it will touch you.
HPB Staff Review