Book 53: The Diplomat's Wife

TITLE: The Diplomat's Wife
AUTHOR: Pam Jenoff
STARTED: October 16, 2008
FINISHED: October 22, 2008
PAGES: 360
GENRE: Fiction

FIRST SENTENCE: I do not know how many hours or days I have lain on this cold, hard floor, waiting to die.

SUMMARY: [From barnesandnoble.com] Jenoff's stirring sequel to her debut, The Kommandant's Girl, chronicles the perilous post-WWII adventures of Marta Nederman, a member of the Polish resistance and best friend of the earlier book's heroine. When the Allies liberate Dachau, where Marta has been imprisoned and tortured by the Gestapo, Paul Mattison, a handsome American soldier, tenderly gives the weakened Marta a drink of water. Later, at a refugee camp outside Salzburg, Austria, Marta befriends Rose, another recovering survivor. After Rose's sudden death, Marta is able to use Rose's visa to travel to London. When en route Marta runs into Paul in Paris, the passion between the pair ignites. They promise to meet in two weeks, but tragedy ensues when Paul's plane crashes in the English Channel. Pregnant with Paul's baby, Marta marries Simon Gold, a British diplomat. Two years later, Marta goes on a dangerous mission to Poland, where a Communist takeover is imminent and where the seesaw plot takes more than one surprise twist.

THOUGHTS: Jenoff's writing is still as visual as ever, but the characters were lacking depth and emotion in this second novel. Once again, I found myself easily seeing this book becoming a movie - a cinematographer would have a field day with this narrative. The writing was rich, the scenes were vibrant, and, most of all, the writing made the book feel alive. Unfortunately, the characters came across as stock room extras, pulled to fill in the scenes. I had an extraordinarily hard time believing and of the chemistry and motivations (good and bad). I bless Jenoff for actually giving Marta a spine - she goes through really rough times and never does she bend or whine incessantly.

And the twist.... saw it coming from a mile away. That same twist, in an odd way worked... until there was a twist to the twist... then it was just silly.

I like Jenoff's writing style, but this was definitely a sophomore slump.

RATING: 5/10 [Meh]

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