Day After Night: Anita Diamant

I absolutely adored The Red Tent.  The lovely Erin (who is always my source for contemporary American fiction) lent it to me when we were nineteen.  I read it twice and then bought my own copy too.  This is sort of surprising to me.  It’s not the sort of thing I would expect myself to like.   Too earthy and mother goddessy, if I analyse it with my rational brain.  But nevertheless, I loved it so much, I’ve continued to read all Anita Diamant’s books even though every single of one them has disappointed me.   She never again has seemed to get the mix quite right.

Unfortunately, this book continued the trend.  That’s even sadder since the premise of the story is so intriguing.  This is based on the true story of an internment camp set up in 1945 on the borders of what would become Israel to prevent ‘illegal’ immigration.  It follows the experiences and history of four women from across Europe trapped in limbo on the edge of the promised land.  We studied Israel’s founding in sixth form, but it has got muddled up in my mind with the general post-war turmoil and I can’t remember anything about it.  So: potentially great author: check.  Potentially great material: check.

I feel let down though.  The characters are flat and lifeless: they are there to hold one opinion and express one emotion.  I guess the point was to show the diversity of  perspective; but it meant there was no room for any more complex feelings.  This is not one of those books where you know what is coming, but you hold your breath to see how it unfolds anyway.   I felt there was little suspense, and the action unfolded all too easily.   And there is that dreadful thing where characters MUST KNOW SOMETHING but have to talk about it anyway just to give the reader some information. 

It’s readable enough, and holds your attention.   And there is some interesting detail: though often I felt like I was being given the ABCs of Jewish tradition and culture.   This is a shame.  For a subject like this, I want more depth and substance than this book has to offer.  It shouldn’t be so undemanding and smooth. 

Read The Red Tent instead.