Haley Tanner
Author of Vaclav & Lena
Works by Haley Tanner
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1982
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- New York, New York, USA
- Places of residence
- Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Education
- The New School (MFA)
Clark University - Relationships
- Ritter, Josh (partner)
- Awards and honors
- National Book Foundation, 5 Under 35 Honoree (2012)
- Agent
- Lucy Carson (Friedrich Agency)
Members
Reviews
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 3
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 524
- Popularity
- #47,450
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 69
- ISBNs
- 28
- Languages
- 7
This book seems influenced by so many others to me - - [b:Water for Elephants|43641|Water for Elephants|Sara Gruen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388183358s/43641.jpg|3441236], [b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390053681s/19063.jpg|878368], and teensy bit of [b:Life of Pi|4214|Life of Pi|Yann Martel|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320562005s/4214.jpg|1392700]. But the writing style and voice is uniquely Tanner's. You feel that these people are not native English speakers throughout the entirety of the book, yet it still flows beautifully.
I probably would have "favorited" Vaclav and Lena if it wasn't for a scant few chapters, told from Lena's point of view, that I found overdone and slow. But the rest of the book was a delightful gem that at times almost brought me to tears (hard to do).
I'm very anxious for someone else to read it because it definitely has a bit of a hook for book clubs, and I'm curious to discuss it with someone else.
It is worth noting that this book reads a bit like a YA novel . . .but I don't think that is truly intentional. I think it stems more from the fact that the voice is that of an immigrant so the English is necessarily simple.
Also, if there is a better drawn character of a mother than Raisa - - I don't know of her. I fell in absolute love with her as a character, and truly felt that this book was as much a love story about her and her son as it was about the title characters.
Highly recommend.… (more)