A Constellation of Vital Phenomena

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena (2013) by Anthony Marra. This book takes a look at Chechnya, specifically in the years 1994-2004, and what life was like for the inhabitants of this ravaged region during the two wars waged against Chechnya by Russia. At the beginning of the novel, Russian soldiers burn down the house and abduct the father of Havaa, an innocent eight-year-old girl. Also watching is Akhmed, who decides to take responsibility for the girl and take her under his protection. He takes her to a nearby hospital, where he convinces Sonja, the chief of surgery, to let the little girl hide out in the hospital. The novel then goes deep into the background of all the characters through the years, and explores the ways in which they are all connected. It's a difficult novel to read, covering as it does so many murders and torturings and the everyday ugliness of life in Chechnya. But in the end it is ultimately uplifting and rewarding to read. Grade: B+