The Linden and the Oak
''Will you remember us after you cross the sea?In the New World you will become AmerychaneWe who stay in staryi krai will remember you until we die.But will you remember us?Z Bohom! Live well in Ameryka!Only, you were born a Rusyn,And a Rusyn you shall always be.''This sweeping epic novel spanning three generations of a Rusyn family is one of a kind. At a whopping 533 pages, this would make an excellent book for the beach this summer. Not only is it a page-turning, suspenseful novel, but by story's end, you'll have gleaned more than a modicum of the Rusyn language, as author Mark Wansa regularly includes snippets of Rusyn dialogue and phrases.Divided into 4 sections, each section opens with a short run of Scripture or liturgy, but that's not the only place you ll find such matter.The Linden and the Oakis a pastiche of a story replete with snatches of folk songs, poetry, Scripture and liturgy interspersed throughout.The saga begins when our 20-something hero, Vasyl Rusynko, returns from a 4-year stay in American (''Ameryka''). He is returning alone to his native Rusyn village of Stara Polyanka, much to everyone's surprise. Having never intended to stay in America permanently, Vasyl returns home in time for his sister's traditional three-day wedding celebration, only to be drafted into the Royal Hungarian Army shortly thereafter. Along with his brother, Andrii, brother-in-law, Vasko, and friend, Yurko, he is sent onto the Eastern front lines. The 2nd section of Linden depicts their harrowing and grueling four years away at war.Section 3 opens up on a brighter note. We get to know the main female characters then--Paraska and Yevka--all the while continuing to learn Ruthenian history and politics. The latter is espoused mainly through the character of Andrii, who today would be called a Rusyn nationalist. Andrii is tired of Magyar and Russian domination and advocates for Rusyn independence. When he gets up on his soapbox, Vasyl scolds him with ''We don t have time for such talk. There are crops to be harvested. Let people in the cities talk.''Section 3 was my personal favorite, as various Rusyn customs and superstitions are woven throughout the storyline. There is a blow-by-blow account when Yevka makes pysanky; Paraska is busy on her spinning wheel. The advent of childbirth is fraught with old Rusyn customs and superstitions: placing garlic around the newborn's neck will ''ward off the evil one.''Meanwhile, Andrii gently chides Paraska for her ''pagan superstitions.''There seem to be just as many superstitions with a christening ceremony as well. (For good luck, pass the baby through an open window into the waiting arms of the godmother). In homage to those villagers who have passed on, the survivors sing Panakhida, the memorial service for the dead.Section 4 depicts the harsh realities of those crossing the ocean in steerage to the new world, ''Ameryka.'' There are humorous moments as well like when our Rusyn family discovers plumbing, bananas, white bread and refrigerated milk. And the Epilogue to the story is most unusual indeed.By novel's end, it begs the question: so when will author, Mark Wansa, return to the blank page to begin a sequel toThe Linden and the Oak?''I ve got a few ideas,'' he confesses, but he is taking a much-needed breather, labored to research and write this book for the past nine years. The result: a splendid, pioneering work worthy of a literary prize. Wansa took great pains to portray a realist environment: the older, Julian calendar is used; our characters drink tea with linden blossoms and you ll note the realistic recurring use of villagers names. For instance, it seems like every other woman is named Mariya, while Petro is a common men's name....dip into this rich treasure of Rusyn culture... --Ginny Parobek,JednotaJuly. 2010