Books like Carry Me Across the Water

4.5 stars. I loved this book. It's an intricately woven story deftly going back and forth in time and concurrently building suspense, telling the story of one man's life. Not a wasted word. Gorgeous writing. Wonderful characterization of August Kleinman, a 78 year of Jewish-German refugee who is both living and reviewing his life and past actions. I've known many such refugees in my life who have suffered, possibly hurt others, but survive with a special sense of humor as well as secrecy and are the essence of the word "mensch." I just finished this book and already miss Kleinman who became very real to me. I feel a deep sense of loss that I will never meet him again. Always a sign for me that I've read the work of a very talented writer.