PLEASE NOTE: This book may have an alternate cover. The following description is provided as a guide only and may contain text that doesn't specifically relate to this item. This quietly moving story of family - friendship - and love - by the author of Hanna's Daughters - has already become an international best-seller and will no doubt capture the hearts of American readers as well. Simon Larsson is a pensive andd thoughtful boy growing up i Sweden during World War II - fortunate to be safe within a remarkably loving and cohesive community. Half Jewish - he is being raised by his Scandinavian aunt and uncle - who adopted him as their own at birth. In a novel rich in mystical overtones - his adoptive parents take on truly archetypal dimensions. Karin's deep love and compassion is matched by Erik's understated strength and stoicism - and together they create a firm family base from which 11 year-old Simon can grow and dream. But Simon - who doesn't know the story of his birth and adoption - seems set apart from his Scandinavian world by his dark hair and olive complexion - and he often retreats into fantasies to alleviate his feelings of disconnection. When he befriends Isak Lentov - a young Jewish boy from Germany - their families become close in spite of the contrast between Isak's father's religious faith and the Larssons' strictly secular Swedish socialism. These two opposing viewpoints help form a unique framework for Simon and Isak as they come of age and work toward finding meaning in their lives - and as Fredriksson explores relations between fantasy - myth - and reality. -Synopsis - Simon is an ordinary boy growing up in Sweden; at least until World War II is declared; until he befriends the traumatised Jewish boy Isak; and until he learns that he is adopted. With his innocence forever lost - Simon must embark on a quest for self-hood that will be his salvation - or ruin.
