In the Land of the Living: A Novel
The pursuit of happiness in America has moved from being just an aspiration to a founding mythology. In Ratner’s novel, mythology is often a compelling but shackling inheritance. The narrative spans generations but focuses on Leo, the son of Isidore, whose success has taken on mythological proportions, and who was the son of the equally mythological Ezer, a Jewish immigrant, absusive father, and professional curmudgeon. Leo, like the men before him, lives in the shadow of his sire. When he embarks on a cross-country voyage with his brother, Leo broods on the fickleness of happiness that results in both tragedy and comedy (but mostly tragedy). Part rumination, part fairy tale, and part road narrative, Ratner’s book paints a picture of the terrible weight of history, self-created or otherwise, that presses down on future generations. The key lesson? It takes hard work to achieve happiness, but the true work lies in maintaining it. Ratner challenges his characters to rise to the occasion. Despite a stacked deck, the glimpses stolen are worth the read. --James Orbesen