Review of The House of Spark
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Melissa Best
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Review of The House of Spark
[Following is a volunteer review of "The House of Spark" by Luminita Laflash.]
The House of Spark is set in Romania during the late 1950s. Occupied by the Soviet Union, its population was divided in their opinions of the Securitate, a police force that instilled fear in supporters and adversaries alike. The story centers around the college-aged couple of Virginia, a doctor in training, and Jenica, a philosophy major. Jenica’s best friend, Mircea, gifts him a pair of concert tickets to take Virginia on a date. Strangely, he never arrives at their planned meeting spot, and Virginia is left waiting. Moderately concerned, she calls Mircea before heading to check Jenica’s usual hangout spot. And thus, the hunt begins as Virginia, Mircea, and Doina (roommate and girlfriend, respectively) must piece together everything they can to find their friend. Throughout the novel, we follow their process of discreetly contacting roommates, professors, and family members. Meanwhile, they must not forget to avoid unwanted attention from the draconian Securitate.
Luminita Laflash does an excellent job of drawing her readers into the headspace of a Soviet-era Romanian. She pulls from elements of her family history throughout the story. Every step of the way, her characters move with calculated fear. The threat of persecution is imminent; churches have disappeared in parts of the country, and even owning the works of some authors can be considered a crime. Laflash deftly organizes her characters to instill this widespread fear: students, professors, and even family members have ties to the Communist regime. At times, there is a sense of utter hopelessness as all possible leads seem to come to a dead end.
While incredibly prevalent, consternation is not the only theme of this story. The determination and loyalty of Virginia, Mircea, and Doina to their friend Jenica shines in the most overwhelming moments. They test familial bonds while attempting to include Communist-affiliated relatives in the search. Not everyone provides their support when asked, nor is blood relation the determining factor in devotion to Jenica.
Laflash did a beautiful job writing this novel. It is not overly wordy or plain and has just enough Romanian terminology to create an immersive experience. I never grew bored while reading. Putting the book down was difficult, and being relatively short, I found this to be a quick yet exciting read. The House of Spark is sure to keep your attention without rushing too quickly through the plot.
I have nothing negative to say about the story, characters, or writing. I believe the book has been professionally edited. Also, despite its dangerous setting, there is no overly graphic, sexual, or religious content. With everything considered, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This book is suitable for a wide range of ages, and I would highly recommend it to anyone that has considered dipping their toes into historical fiction or mystery novels.
******
The House of Spark
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The House of Spark is set in Romania during the late 1950s. Occupied by the Soviet Union, its population was divided in their opinions of the Securitate, a police force that instilled fear in supporters and adversaries alike. The story centers around the college-aged couple of Virginia, a doctor in training, and Jenica, a philosophy major. Jenica’s best friend, Mircea, gifts him a pair of concert tickets to take Virginia on a date. Strangely, he never arrives at their planned meeting spot, and Virginia is left waiting. Moderately concerned, she calls Mircea before heading to check Jenica’s usual hangout spot. And thus, the hunt begins as Virginia, Mircea, and Doina (roommate and girlfriend, respectively) must piece together everything they can to find their friend. Throughout the novel, we follow their process of discreetly contacting roommates, professors, and family members. Meanwhile, they must not forget to avoid unwanted attention from the draconian Securitate.
Luminita Laflash does an excellent job of drawing her readers into the headspace of a Soviet-era Romanian. She pulls from elements of her family history throughout the story. Every step of the way, her characters move with calculated fear. The threat of persecution is imminent; churches have disappeared in parts of the country, and even owning the works of some authors can be considered a crime. Laflash deftly organizes her characters to instill this widespread fear: students, professors, and even family members have ties to the Communist regime. At times, there is a sense of utter hopelessness as all possible leads seem to come to a dead end.
While incredibly prevalent, consternation is not the only theme of this story. The determination and loyalty of Virginia, Mircea, and Doina to their friend Jenica shines in the most overwhelming moments. They test familial bonds while attempting to include Communist-affiliated relatives in the search. Not everyone provides their support when asked, nor is blood relation the determining factor in devotion to Jenica.
Laflash did a beautiful job writing this novel. It is not overly wordy or plain and has just enough Romanian terminology to create an immersive experience. I never grew bored while reading. Putting the book down was difficult, and being relatively short, I found this to be a quick yet exciting read. The House of Spark is sure to keep your attention without rushing too quickly through the plot.
I have nothing negative to say about the story, characters, or writing. I believe the book has been professionally edited. Also, despite its dangerous setting, there is no overly graphic, sexual, or religious content. With everything considered, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This book is suitable for a wide range of ages, and I would highly recommend it to anyone that has considered dipping their toes into historical fiction or mystery novels.
******
The House of Spark
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Chameleons by Martin Wyatt
