“Someone dies in this book”

should be the name of this blog.

The latest novel o' death, Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson, takes place near water. Trivial and monumental events are forgotten and picked up just as the rusty hair clip found on the deck at the novel's beginning.

Rather than detail these events, I will provide a short guide to the novel’s characters. If you decide to read the book, you’ll be less confused than I was. If you don’t, the character descriptions provide an intriguing synopsis anyway.

Miriam (Mimi) – The daughter of Adam Anker and Cecilia Hagg was raised with her father in New Zealand.

Adam Anker – Born in Krakow, the novel's narrator was raised in Sweden by Wanda Anker. After his daughter’s birth, Adam takes her to live in New Zealand where he works as a composer and teacher.

Clara Lipski Fried – Adam comes across a picture of Clara’s brother, Adam Lipski, in a War Memorial museum in New Zealand. Thinking Lipski is a relative, Adam contacts Clara. She gives him a picture of his mother and tells him he should meet with her friend Liebermann in Krakow.

Szymon Liebermann – A childhood friend of Clara, Liebermann lives in Krakow. His brother fled with her brother during the war. He introduces Adam to his chess partner Moishe. Later, Clara sends Liebermann an old bundle of letters that he passes along to Adam.

Moishe Spiewak – Moishe knew Adam’s mother and aunt before the war. He spent time in Lithuania with Lipski but then moved to New York and became an art dealer and finder of lost art for survivors. He helps Adam find his Krakow birthplace and comforts him as the truth of his birth is revealed.

Adam Lipski – Clara's brother was a talented violinist who fled Krakow during the war and was never heard from again.

Wanda Maisky Anker – Adam's mother raises him in Sweden after fleeing Poland.

Marta Maisky – Wanda’s sister is adored by Moishe but in love with Lipski. After Lipski leaves, Marta entrusts Clara with her love letters.

Ben Kaplan – Ben, a childhood acquaintance of Adam, is now a famous director who wants Adam to compose the score for his next film. A meeting with Ben gives Adam an excuse to return to Sweden where he reunites with Cecilia.

Cecilia Hagg – After a brief affair with Adam, she chooses her art over her daughter. She lives alone on an island in Sweden and narrates the later part of the novel.

Memories are unreliable. This statement rings true for the reader as well as the characters in Sonata. You may need to read this book twice before everything makes sense. But don’t worry. You’ll want to.