by Shelley Civkin Richmond Public Library

Stunning story collection

Sometimes there are scarcely enough words for the superlative. Especially for Natasha and other stories, a stunning new collection of short stories by a young Russian-Canadian author named David Bezmozgis.

To think that I was recently despairing that there were not enough un-put-downable books around. And then along came Natasha.

Every story in this collection reflects with candour and humour, the experiences of Russian-Jewish immigrants in Canada. Bezmozgis, with a keen eye for irony and truth, evokes the strain of families struggling in a new country.

Whether it’s the bittersweet triumph of a crummy but sustaining job, or crazy family superstitions, these stories have a ring of truth about them. Reading them, I wondered, more than once if this was really fictionalized biography, and not just fiction?

Himself a Russian immigrant to Canada, Bezmozgis writes with a maturity way beyond his 31 years. The story “Minyan,” in particular, struck a chord with me, and even brought me to tears. Sad yet sweet, it describes the goings on in a coveted Jewish seniors home, where attendance for prayer services presents problems. (By the way, a Minyan, in Judaism, is a group of 10 men needed for daily prayers.)

The grandson of one of the residents fills in at the services every Sabbath and says: “Most of the old Jews came because they were drawn by the nostalgia for ancient cadences, I came because I was drawn by the nostalgia for old Jews.”

Later, Herschel, one of the old men, watches as the grandfather and grandson play checkers. Bezmozgis writes: “He preferred chess, he said, but he had always liked that all the pieces in checkers looked the same. It appealed to his socialist sensibilities.” Sounds like my Russian grandfather.

In the title story, the 16-year-old narrator is awed by his new cousin, Natasha, and her mysterious personality. He says: “She was calibrated somewhere between resignation and joy.” You’ve got to love that description.

Throughout the collection, Bezmozgis uses cleverly dry humour, precise writing and perfect timing to etch out his stories, until each canvas is full and irresistible. You feel his remarkable ease with storytelling right from page one, and there is not an unnecessary or unremarkable word in the entire collection. For a young first-time novelist, Bezmozgis is incredibly skilled at not only drawing readers in, but also keeping them glued to the pages.

I enjoyed this collection of short stories more than any I’ve read since Emperor of the Air by Ethan Canin (which is one of my favourite books).

Bezmozgis is a superlative young writer who could hold his own with the best of them. Even if you aren’t a fan of short stories, I recommend you to try this one—it’s wonderful.

Shelley J. Civkin is the Communications Officer at the Richmond Public Library. For other popular reading suggestions, check out Richmond Public Library's Web site at www.yourlibrary.ca/goodbooks.