Nicole Krauss on Love

My latest read pleased on several levels. First, the title is irresistible, The History of Love. Who doesn’t think the history of love could reveal some insight into the mystery? It captured my attention.

The author Nicole Krauss tells the story of two young loves from pre-World War II Poland who became separated after the German invasion. The story is revealed through several characters, each talking about his or her circumstances, thoughts, feelings, hopes. Slowly it dawns on you that these people have a common thread. I started flipping back to previous chapters not wanting to miss any clues to precisely how they might be connected. I took to reading long sections at a time rather than a chapter here and there.

The speakers were quirky and human, their voices rich and insightful. Once Leo, the main character, remembers a conversation with his love, Alma:

“If I had a camera,” I said, “I’d take a picture of you every day. That way I’d remember how you looked every single day of your life.” “I look exactly the same.” “No, you don’t. You’re changing all the time. Every day a tiny bit. If I could, I’d keep a record of it all.” “If you’re so smart, how did I change today?” “You got a fraction of a millimeter taller, for one thing. Your hair grew a fraction of a millimeter longer. And your breasts grew a fraction of a—“ “They did not!” “Yes, they did.” “Did NOT.” “Did too.” “What else you big pig?” “You got a little happier and also a little sadder.” “Meaning they cancel each other out, leaving me exactly the same.” “Not at all. The fact that you got a little happier today doesn’t change the fact that you also became a little sadder. Every day you become a little more of both, which means that right now, at this exact moment, you’re the happiest and the saddest you’ve ever been in your whole life.” “How do you know?” “Think about it. Have you ever been happier than right now, lying here in the grass?” “I guess not. No.” “And have you ever been sadder?” “No.” “It isn’t like that for everyone, you know. Some people, like your sister, just get happier and happier every day. And some people, like Beyla Asch, just get sadder and sadder. And some people, like you, get both.” “What about you? Are you the happiest and saddest right now that you’ve ever been?” “Of course I am.” “Why?” “Because nothing makes me happier and nothing makes me sadder than you” (Krauss, 90-91).

Krauss’s prose matches the bitter sweet epiphany that fate often lands us where we didn’t expect to be, and still, her characters go forward with hearts open letting love lead the way.

I realized I could have read the book that way too, not looking back so much for clues but trusting that everything would come together in the end.  A great story and a personal exercise in faith. Check it out.

Krauss, Nicole. The History of Love. New York: W.W. Norton Co., 2005.