The Heist with a Hitch

I know how much we all enjoy reading these simple, non-challenging novels that we have plenty of on our bookstore and library shelves. They are light and offer us a respite from our worries and troubles. While I have read and enjoyed many of these, I do think we deserve to be enlightened once in a while-you know, take the time to read a novel that just might shed some light on facts, ideas we seldom consider. Some of these novels may offer additonal invitations to us to question aspects of our beliefs and our spirituality. One such novel that practically called to me from the shelf, pleading "Please give me a try!" is the thoroughly enjoyable (though I do not claim it is an easy book to read) novel by Dara Horn's The World to Come. Wow. This is a book with a lot going for it! At the heart of the story is Ben, a depressed prodigy and recently divorced quiz show question writer. Attending a museum function, he comes in contact with a lovely Chagall painting that he nearly immediately steals. He also comes in contact with Erica, who seems wise to his thievery. Additonally, we have Sara, Ben's twin sister, a terrifically talented artist in her own right. At this point, you might say, this is enough for a livley novel, but, no, kind reader, that would be incorrect! We are invited to behold recent Chernobyl, Stalin's acts, Vietnam, a dandy introduction and acquaintance with Marc Chagall, a look into art and culture in nineteenth and twentieth century Russia, terrorism all woven into a wonderful tempting combo of fable-mystery-suspense-romance-historical fiction that questions and challenges the way we view the afterlife, as well as our lives on earth. At times frustrating, baffling and confounding, this novel is breathtaking. We are introduced to past, present and future in this intoxicating tale, breathtaking as it is amazing-do yourself a favor and please seek out this challenging novel.