The Disappeared
Kim Echlin
December 2009
235 pages
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Yet another FTC disclosure: Yet another purchase. And one I will never regret.
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Publisher Comments:
A searing, fiercely beautiful love story for the ages, The Disappeared — already a best seller in Canada — traces one woman’s three-decades-long journey from the peaceful streets of Montreal to the humid, war-torn villages of Cambodia, as a brief love affair turns into a grand passion of loss, mourning, and remembrance, set against one of the most brutal genocides of the twentieth century.
When sixteen-year-old Anne Greves first meets Serey, a Cambodian student and musician forced by his family to leave his country during the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime, she never considers the consequences of their complicated romance. Swept up in the fury and infatuation of young love, Anne rebels against her father’s wishes and embraces her relationship with Serey in the smoky jazz clubs of Montreal and in his cramped yellow bedroom. But when the borders of Cambodia are reopened, Serey must risk his life to return home, alone, in search of his family.
A decade later, Anne will travel halfway around the world to find him, and to save their love from the same tragic forces that first brought them together. Written in tenacious, achingly tender prose, The Disappeared challenges our notions of how to both claim the past and move on after those we love vanish.
Part elegy, part love letter, part call to arms, this courageous novel is a soaring tribute to all those who have disappeared in the violent conflicts throughout history.
If you think this description sounds over the top, well, it’s not. This book is absolutely haunting. It’s both beautifully written and heartbreaking. And I’m not the only one who thinks so…My Friend Amy loved it, as well. I honestly cannot say enough about the writing. It’s so evocative and touching, and I’m not one to normally notice these things.
The book is written from Anne’s perspective, and it reads like a love letter to Serey.
You keep coming back to me in little bits of moving images, light on a winter wall. Come to the door, spirit I know, and I will stand and hold you. Come alive just one more time, let me feel your breath, Serey, let me hear your voice in song, let me wash away the pain. Come, and I will whisper your name to you one more time.
As Anne reflects back, she recounts the story of their love. But she also tells the story of Cambodia, its people, its culture and its history. And she talks of genocide.
The Khmer Rouge used words to kill the people. Touk chom nenh dork chenh kor min kat. Sam at kmang. They said these things over and over, To keep you is no benefit, to lose you is no loss. Cleanse the enemy.
These were phrases I had never studied.
And finally, Anne and Serey’s story is a tribute to both love and genocide. Not two things that normally go together, but Anne’s love for Serey will not die, and she refuses to let Serey and his life go unremembered. Thus, his story becomes the story of all victims of genocide, the disappeared of the title.
I do not understand the unfathomable love I feel for you. But I am in the place the old Gnostics call emptiness. If your face appeared around the doorway where I sit at his small desk, I would turn to you and say, Now I am awake.
The strangeness of my love for you is that it has made me dead in life and you alive in death. I am afraid you will disappear and no one will remember your name.
Please, read this book. It will break your heart, but you’ll forgive it because of the beauty of the writing and the things it makes you think.
Hi,
I’m glad that you enjoyed this novel – and happy that it is being noticed in the States! Great review.
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..Review: Even the Dogs =-.
I might be the only person in the world who hated this book.
Oh that makes me SO sad!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..An Open Question for Authors =-.
Sorry Amy
I just didn’t buy the love story. Couldn’t get around my dislike for Anne. She annoyed the living life out of me.
.-= Chrisbookarama´s last blog ..Looky-Looky! New Booky! =-.
It’s a B&N Discover pick too. I’ve always been satisfied by their picks.
I saw this promiently displayed at Barnes and Noble but the cover didn’t grab me. Your quotes and your praise, however, will make me look for this next time I’m at B and N (but I’m trying not to buy books for a while)!
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..Three Awesome Books by Danny Gregory =-.
I just bought this book – and I have no doubt I will also love it. thanks for the terrific review!
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Giveaway March 12th & 14th: Last Night In Montreal =-.
Wow, what a review! You’ve convinced me that I need to read this book.
Wow, this sounds really beautiful!
My goodness, this sounds like I would need a box of Kleenex beside me for the duration of the read! I went to Cambodia some time ago and when I got back, I got two books on Cambodia to read. I haven’t read either yet, but this post reminds me that I really need to!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: Cassandra at the Wedding =-.
I don’t usually buy books on one review alone, but this one did it! Thanks for the recommendation!
.-= Rebekah´s last blog ..Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall with Lynn Vincent / Review =-.
I’ve been looking for some good Canadian literature beyond Margaret Atwood. This sounds stunning. Thanks for the review!
.-= EL Fay´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday =-.
Your review has me breathless to read this book. I have to admit that I am curious about it being set during the Khmer Rouge. That is a time period which is fascinating but not typically used as a backdrop. I am definitely adding this to my wish list!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..I iz a sad blogger. =-.
Aww, so many heartbreaking books. Is it cry worthy? I’m always up for a cry.
.-= She´s last blog ..The Penelopiad – Margaret Atwood =-.
Well your review is really grabbing me and that cover is beautiful so if you say so I promise I will add it to my wishlist!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday – Mar. 1 – 6, 2010 =-.
This book is new to me but your review is convincing! I’m glad too because it is not something I would have picked up on the cover or synopsis alone.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Final Post: East of Eden =-.
This sounds like it would make a great film, as well.
The Reader
I’m a Bookworm
.-= The Reader´s last blog ..Margherita Dolcevita by Stefano Benni =-.
Well, jeez … I feel OBLIGATED to read it now!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Review: "How I Became A Famous Novelist" by Steve Hely =-.
This sounds quite good — I’ll keep it in mind.
.-= charley´s last blog ..Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan =-.
Just your review made me teary again. I loved this book!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..An Open Question for Authors =-.
The review is both breath taking and heart breaking. A story of what goes on wherever conflict exists. Thank you for a wonderful review.
This sounds wonderful. A new title for me! Thanks Jill!
.-= Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last blog ..Morning Meanderings… =-.
It sounds like a wonderful read, and I actually think I will put it on my list of interesting books one may purchase someday. Great review.
.-= Louise´s last blog ..Mudbound by Hillary Jordan =-.
You know, you just made me think that I don’t know if I’ve read any other Canadian book (in terms of author or setting) except for Anne of Green Gables. Hmm.
.-= Kari´s last blog ..Review: A Roman Holiday =-.
I do love me some books by Canadian authors. I’ll be adding this to my wish list!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Friday Finds March 26 =-.
I, too, loved this beautiful novel. You have captured it perfectly. Thanks for this.