The Vision of Emma Blau by Ursula Hegi


finished 7/24 ......... 21st Century fiction......... rating 6

This book was okay - it was the story of obsessions - some are obsessed with a house, others with love or food or material possessions. Stefan, a German boy, has a dream of coming to the US and building an apartment house. He manages to immigrate, finds work in a restaurant and saves his money. He marries well and between his savings and his in-laws is able to build his dream hotel. But his first two wives die each leaving him with a child. He needs a mother for them so he sends for Helena, his old friend in Germany. Helena is in love with Stefan and takes his children and him and the US. She wants her own child and she gets that.

This is an immigrant family saga. The first generation, Stefan and Helena are torn between being German and Americans Their children have some problems but not of the same kind and the third generation is truly American. This all takes time so the story covers about 100 years of life in a an apartment complex in upstate Vermont. Everyone is dysfunctional except for Stefen and Helena who are simply trying to get along. The apartment is a major element in this novel.

Posted: Sat - July 28, 2007 at 01:15 AM        

©