A Bend in the Stars by Rachel Barenbaum
Book Blurb:
In Russia, in the summer of 1914, as war with Germany looms and the Czar’s army tightens its grip on the local Jewish community, Miri Abramov and her brilliant physicist brother, Vanya, are facing an impossible decision. Since their parents drowned fleeing to America, Miri and Vanya have been raised by their babushka, a famous matchmaker who has taught them to protect themselves at all costs: to fight, to kill if necessary, and always to have an escape plan. But now, with fierce, headstrong Miri on the verge of becoming one of Russia’s only female surgeons, and Vanya hoping to solve the final puzzles of Einstein’s elusive theory of relativity, can they bear to leave the homeland that has given them so much? Before they have time to make their choice, war is declared and Vanya goes missing, along with Miri’s fiancé. Miri braves the firing squad to go looking for them both. As the eclipse that will change history darkens skies across Russia, not only the safety of Miri’s own family but the future of science itself hangs in the balance.
My Review: 4.5 stars
A Bend in the Stars was a fresh take on the Jews living in Russia as WW1 threatened their very existence. Barenbaum puts you in place and time as a family tries to escape Russia as the Czar’s army is killing Jews.
The most endearing grandmother and matchmaker raises her grandchildren Miri and Vanya. Both brilliant, Miri is a surgeon and her brother Vanya is a mathematician working on relativity. The three of them plan their escape. No book would be complete without a myriad of complications during that escape and this one is no different. Separation, trusting the wrong people, injury, poor communication, a budding romance, and Vanya’s relentless quest to see an eclipse are just some of their roadblocks.
This author can tell a story and keep you invested the entire time. I loved learning about the eclipse and its importance in understanding relativity. I had no idea how the term and concept came to be and this book gave me a good overview. Time actually could be its own character in the book. The concept that no one is living at the exact same time based on clocks and watches was presented. A few seconds off over time makes a difference in a day, a year and so on. Each section started with the Jewish calendar month and its meaning. I absolutely loved those reflections on time passing.
Additionally, I’ve read many books about women doctors and surgeons in the early 20th century and the toll it put on them to perform with perfection, just because they weren’t men. That aspect of the book was enjoyable and enlightening as we watch Miri grow to understand how her fiancé sees her, as a woman or a surgeon, but not both.
The author did a wonderful job at mixing fact with fiction. It had an unusual premise tucked inside its pages and I’m sorry I didn’t get to it sooner. Fans of historical fiction shouldn’t miss this one.
Quotes I liked:
Life and the universe are not written in stone. Gravity bends direction. Always keep your mind open.”
“Death will come again. They’ll blame us Jews. For war. For starvation. For cold. Haven’t I taught you? Hasn’t the past been loud enough?”
“Gravity bends space and light. The eclipse will prove it. And that proof, it will change everything.”
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