2005 book 116

binnie kirshenbaum's an almost perfect moment
i remember reading a book of stories by kirshenbaum last year, and thinking some were excellent and some were sort of blah. it turns out that kirshenbaum is a much better novelist than a story-writer, because this book was somehow momentous. it's the story of a jewish girl named valentine growing up in brooklyn in the 70s--a jewish girl who looks just like the virgin mary. it's also the story of her mother, longing for the husband who left her many years ago, her mother's three best friends, and some of valentine's classmates and teachers. valentine, the hub for the book's activity, is somehow a cipher--the narrator of this book is not quite omniscient and seems as mystified by valentine (and teenagers in general) as the reader. and lest you think it's odd not to have much insight into the main character's thought process, go back and reread my second sentence, because this is an excellent book. plus i really like its cover (as seen here, although the colors aren't quite right).