Waiting for Columbus
Thomas Trofimuk
August 2009
336 pages
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Hey FTC: I’m getting tired of saying this, but I bought this one, too
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I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooved this book. Loved it. Love, love, loved it. You know, the kind of book love where you want to gush and convince everyone else to read it because it was that awesome.
But I have no idea what to say, so bear with me as I ramble.
Columbus arrives at a Spanish mental hospital. The staff has no idea who he is, and since it’s modern times, he’s obviously not the real Columbus. But the patient is adamant…he’s Columbus. And he offers rambling tales to prove it. He dreams of voyages and talks about all the women he’s loved (isn’t that a song?), his quest for ships, the pool games he played with Ferdinand and how Isabella was hot for his bod.
The great (but confusing) thing about his stories is that they are set in modern times. Columbus tosses in references to tv, coffee, and his car. Although, of course, there is no mention of America, as he hasn’t been there yet. And while this might throw you at first, it makes perfect sense to Columbus, and before too long, it’ll make perfect sense to you, too…in that kind of way that it really doesn’t make sense but you have no problem going along with it because you’re just along for the ride.
So the staff at the mental hospital (especially Consuela, his nurse) is baffled. Who is this guy? What is he hiding, or hiding from? They don’t pressure him, though. They continue to let him tell his stories, until slowly, hints of the truth start to emerge. And the truth is amazing…not at all what I expected, but consistent with all of the stories that Columbus has told. The end makes perfect sense, and is absolutely haunting.
The best thing about this book is the things that will bug you throughout Columbus’s stories have a purpose. For me, it was the falling women. Columbus introduces all of the women in his life as falling at his feet. Literally. They trip, they fall, they make a reference to their “fucking shoes.” The first time it happened I thought, “why?” The second time, “again?” By the third time, I was all, “WTF does this mean?!?” And at the end, my reaction was “oh my.”
While the bulk of this novel is about Columbus and his entertaining stories, the end is what makes the book. But I can’t tell you about the end, because then I’d just destroy your reading journey. Let me just say it’s incredible. Moving. And awesomely done. You just have to have faith that everything will be explained, and sit back and enjoy the experience.
This book has been mentioned in a few places around the blogosphere (I first saw it on Rebecca’s blog…she loved it, too). But if you read the Amazon reviews (not something I usually do, but I was curious) they’re all over the place. But don’t listen to them. Listen to me. And Rebecca. This book is fantastic…fantastic as in “one of the best books I read this year” kind of fantastic. You should read it.
Wheeeeee! After all the gushing I’ve done about this book, I have to admit I was kind of nervous to click over and read your review. What if, somehow, in some awful twist of the universe, I’m the only one who liked this and everyone else thinks I’m crazy?
But I’m so thrilled to see that that’s not the case at all and that you loved this beautiful, confusing, phenomenal novel. Definitely one of my favorites of the year, also.
.-= Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog´s last blog ..My full-on confession of Christmas dorkitude… =-.
You’ve got me–although the book sounds very strange, my curiosity will win over with this one I am sure. After reading your review, as well as Rebecca’s, I feel like I have to read this book.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog =-.
Yes!! So glad that you loved this. It’s one of my top 3 of the year. And you did a masterful job of explaining it — I just stumble and say “trust me, read it.” Now I can just point people here and say, “what she said.”
.-= Ann Kingman´s last blog ..BOTNS Books Podcast #57: Wrap up some good fiction! =-.
So, how did you like it?
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume =-.
YES! I love this book too. What I’ve recently been in awe of, is that every person that I’ve recommended it to (in print or in audio) has loved it and come back to be and shared a detail that somehow captured their attention. It’s like a personal souvenir from the reading journey!
You’ve just got me totally intrigued to read this book, because I want to figure it out!
.-= Jeane´s last blog ..Raccoons =-.
Oh, I’m so glad to see you loved this book! It’s on my to-read list, most definitely…
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Jane-Emily by Patricia Clapp =-.
I’ve never heard of this author before but you’ve convinced me! Just added it to the wish list. Thanks!! The premise sounds VERY exciting, I can’t wait!
.-= claire´s last blog ..Slowness =-.
When you start a post with so many o’s, I am intrigued! Sounds like I must read it now…:)
.-= Kari´s last blog ..Winter Reading =-.
WOW—glowing review. I loved the cover from the start and now that i hear the stories are great, it’s a must read; thanks
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Library Loot 12-18-09 =-.
This has been on my radar since I read Rebecca’s review. I just added it to my wish list because of yours.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Roses =-.
Well, THAT is going straight onto my wish list. It sounds kind of similar to K-Pax, but better
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Blade Itself =-.
OK – I already wanted to read it. But now I want to read it sooner!!
.-= SuziQoregon´s last blog ..Uglies by Scott Westerfeld =-.
This sounds so good, Jill! Do you think my husband would notice if I steal the joint Borders gift card we got from my sister and buy this book?
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Christmas Came Early This Year =-.
I’m excited! I first heard of the book from Books on the Nightstand, podcasts and blog. You make me want to read it a lot more. *giddy*
.-= mee´s last blog ..Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith and Andrew Sachs (Audiobook/Podcasts) =-.
But did you like it?
Hehe.
I put it on my list after Rebecca’s gushing and now I have to move it up apparently.
.-= Ti´s last blog ..Friday Finds: The Hour Between =-.
I have to read this over my winter break now. What a great review!
.-= Vasilly´s last blog ..Two Christmas Books for Children =-.
I think this is one I might have to actually go out and buy. It sounds fascinating!
.-= Dreamybee´s last blog ..What You Helped Me Do =-.
All these comments are from women…what do people think about me getting this book for my dad to read? He loves reading history and historical fiction. I’d love any input!
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Review: Stepping On the Cracks (Mary Downing Hahn) =-.
OMG — this sounds wonderful. And it’s out on audio. I’ll be seeing if my library has this in one form or another.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Caribbean Black Bean Dinner =-.
Ahhhg, I want to read this SO SO SO MUCH! I read about it a coupla months ago before it was released in the US. I’m so happy to know it’s out now.
I’ll listen to you; I’ll listen to Rebecca. I’ll listen to Ann, too (even though you didn’t tell me to). Dutifully adding WAITING FOR COLUMBUS to my wish list!
.-= Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..Christmas Cooking: Magic Reindeer Food =-.
Adding to my wishlist. Sigh.
.-= debnance´s last blog ..TSS: A Few Grownup Reads (For a Change) =-.
I am going to read it. I have it on my Kindle already. Now I’m even more excited!!!!!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..2010 100+ Book Reading Challenge =-.
Now I’m going to have “To All the Girls I Loved Before,” stuck in my head. =/
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..My Year in Reading =-.
Great review! I hope I can do half so well. I’m feeling inadequate in the face of the task of reviewing this book. It was just so beautiful and moving and gorgeous.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking =-.
I was able to bookmooch this book after seeing this review (and not reading it entirely – which is why I’m here now, after finishing this book a few minutes ago)
I loved it, too. and I didn’t notice the shoes as much as you did, but DID catch the falling women recurrences. I loved all the characters and loved how it all came together – the clues were perfect along the way.
.-= Care´s last blog ..Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont =-.