Published by Random House March 8, 2011
In time for Oscar season comes the touching story of Natalia Stefanovic (Elisha Cuthbert) and her grandfather (Sir Ian Mckellen). As a young girl, Natalia would follow her grandfather around on his daily errands while he regaled her with stories of The Tiger's Wife (Parminder Nagra) and the deathless man (Jude Law). Now a young doctor on a goodwill mission with her childhood friend Zora (Mila Kunis), Natalia must deal with the news of her grandfather's passing. A heartwarming tale that reminds us that the power of love transcends even death. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Tea Obreht comes The Tiger's Wife. Screenplay adapted by Kevin Askew.
So there isn't really a movie being made about this book but I'm pretty sure if there were I'd be right on at least one of the actors. Maybe they'd pick Ian Holm for the roll of the unnamed grandfather instead but damn it if they're going to not cast Jude Law as the deathless man.
You gotta give it to Tea Obreht, girl knows how to write a book. Spanning several decades, The Tiger's Wife weaves an intricate and detailed story. The story of Natalia's relationship with her grandfather, a Jungle Book loving old kook who befriended the wife of an escaped tiger and the nephew of Death himself. The "legends" her grandfather tells her have more truth to them than she had originally thought.
My favorite character in this book is Zora. She's sassy, smokes french cigarettes and makes no issue of the fact that she is nothing if not bad ass. She had t-shirts made after her cussing out the head of the genetics department (which I'll have for sale as soon as I get my online merch shop). The characters are so well thought out as are the central themes that Tea has you eating out of the palm of her hand by the second chapter.
If I had to find a downside to this book I would say Natalia sometimes goes overboard in describing what is going on around her. It's difficult as an author to find the balance between the right amount of exposition and going overboard. For the most part this isn't an issue but at least once I found myself going "Is this really necessary?" Overall a great book well worth the read.
9/10 for strong characters, beautifully described scenery and Zora, the most underutilized character in the whole book.
*Oh right, before I forget. There's this drink that is used a lot in the book. It's called rakija and I really really want to try it. If any of you know where I could get some please let me know.
Next week we will be reviewing The Power of Six. The second in the Lorien Legacies series by Pittacus Lore.
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