(originally posted on July 18, 2005)
There are so many reasons this book affected me so much: the absolute command Toronto-based writer Marche has over the story structure, which mixes academic jargon, email, marginalia and high emotion; the thoroughly modern love story between the title characters as they move from one-night stand to passionate affair to the slow wane of long-distance love; and Hannah's exploration of her Jewish identity, embracing a culture and religion she never knew before. Whatever it is, the book works and it bodes very well for a long-term career for this young writer.
