Title: The Book of Jonas
Author: Stephen Dau
First published March 1, 2012
258 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780399158452 (ISBN10: 0399158456)
Rating: 3.6
Overview
In Stephen Dau’s gripping debut novel, The Book of Jonas, readers are introduced to a young Muslim boy whose life is changed forever by an ill-fated military operation. After losing his family, Jonas is sent to America where he struggles to adapt to a new life with a foster family, school, and his first love.
As he begins to open up to a court-mandated counselor, Jonas reveals a shocking secret about the American soldier who saved his life that fateful night. When he meets the soldier’s mother, Rose, the truth about what really happened slowly comes to light, leading to a heart-wrenching conclusion that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.
Through spare and evocative prose, The Book of Jonas explores the weight of memory, the devastating choices made during war, and the impact foreign disasters have on our own lives. This is a rare and masterful novel from an exciting new writer to watch.
About the Author
Stephen Dau hails from Western Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh. He spent some time working in post-war reconstruction in the Balkans and international philanthropy in Washington DC before pursuing his passion for writing.
He went on to study creative writing at Johns Hopkins University and completed his MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. Dau’s work has been published in a number of esteemed publications, including The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, McSweeney’s, and MSNBC.
His debut novel, The Book of Jonas, is a must-read. Currently, he resides in Belgium.
Editoral Review
The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dau is a poignant and powerful novel that is sure to resonate with readers. Dau is a talented writer who expertly conveys his message through beautiful prose and impactful storytelling.
The novel is set in an unnamed Middle Eastern country that is embroiled in war, and follows the story of a young boy named Jonas, who is taken in by an American soldier after his family is killed in a bombing. At its core, The Book of Jonas is a story about loss, trauma, and the search for meaning in the face of tragedy.
Dau explores the psychological and emotional effects of war on both soldiers and civilians, and the complex relationships that develop between them. The novel is beautifully written, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the heart of the conflict.
Dau’s characters are multi-dimensional and compelling, each struggling to find their place in a world that has been torn apart. One of the strengths of The Book of Jonas is its honesty.
Dau does not shy away from the brutal realities of war, and the book can be difficult to read at times. However, the author finds moments of beauty and hope in the midst of the darkness, showing that even in the most dire of circumstances, there is still humanity to be found.
Another standout aspect of the novel is its exploration of the complexities of identity. Jonas, who is from a culture vastly different from that of the soldier who takes him in, grapples with questions of belonging and allegiance.
Dau handles these themes with sensitivity and nuance, creating a thought-provoking and moving narrative. While The Book of Jonas is a superbly crafted novel, it is not without its flaws.
The pacing can be slow at times, and some readers may find the ending unsatisfying. Additionally, the novel may feel overly bleak and heavy for some readers.
However, these flaws are minor in comparison to the overall impact of the novel. The Book of Jonas is a truly remarkable work, and one that deserves to be read by a wide audience.
It is a timely reminder of the cost of war, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Overall, I would highly recommend The Book of Jonas to anyone interested in literary fiction, war literature, or stories of resilience and survival.
While it is not a light read, it is a deeply affecting and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page. I give The Book of Jonas a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
