Joan London (1) (1948–)

A few years ago I read Second Chances by Harriet Zaidman which takes place in Winnipeg during the 1950s polio epidemic. This book was mentioned as further reading as it takes place in Australia in a rehab hospital for children with polio. But it is so much more than just a story about polio and the writing is wonderful.

Frank Gold came to Australia with his parents from Hungary, all having survived the Nazis during the war. Australia wasn't their first choice but it is the first place that offered them a home away from the chaos of post-war Hungary. His mother, a concert pianist in Budapest, does not like Perth where they have been settled but his father has taken to the new life. When Frank contracted polio his mother saw it as a final curse and stopped playing the piano. Frank is twelve years old when he gets polio and initially he was in the adult hospital but after his friend, Sullivan, died it was felt that he would be better off with children so he is sent to The Golden Age. Sullivan was in an iron lung and Frank used to sit with him and they would talk about poetry. Transcribing Sullivan's poems and writing some of his own led Frank to decide that being a poet would be his life's vocation. Frank is the oldest patient in the Golden Age but he notices Elsa who is just a little younger and they are drawn together. Soon they try to find places to be alone together and, if that's not possible, to at least have private conversations. They are perhaps a little young to be "in love" but they definitely love each other. The author intersperses the story of Frank and Elsa with ruminations about other people connected with them so we learn about how Frank's mother was able to protect Frank when the Nazis were rounding up everyone of Jewish heritage. And we learn about Sister Olive Penny whose husband died early in the war and whose daughter has been placed with friends in order to attend school which leaves their relationship somewhat strained. Sister Penny is wonderful with the patients and always seems to be wherever someone is needed but she has to make do with a series of men for her own needs. The reader comes to care for each character in the book, even Elsa's jealous younger sister.

I was discussing this book with a friend who contracted polio when she was an infant. She thought the book was wonderfully written but she wondered if she felt that because of her own circumstances. I was able to reassure her that it was a book that would speak to a great many people as it did to myself. One review I read compared the author, favourable, to Alice Munro and I think that is an apt comparison. The Golden Age was written in 2014 and it doesn't appear that the author has published anything since which is a pity. There are some previous works, both short stories and novels, so I will have to look for those but, unfortunately, there don't appear to be any in my library system.… (plus d'informations)

Simple, yet powerful writing, this book surprised me. I was sure it was not going to fit my mood, I was right. And still, I could not put it down.

It is 1954. Frank Gold is 13 years old when he is diagnosed with Polio. Frank and his family are WWII Jewish immigrants from war torn Hungary. Elsa, a year younger, and a native Australian, meets Frank at The Golden Age Home where they are both being treated. The story encompasses more than their young love. London brings together a cast of characters, each with their own life stories. Everyone of them will grab hold of your heart and pull. Frank's parents, who are having difficulty acclimating to their new country. Elsa's mother, who has strived to be the perfect mother, now finding herself overwhelmed with her daughters illness. Then there are the nurses and other personnel at The Golden Age, each one touching Frank in a special way.

The end, I had a feeling, early on, that I was not going to like it. Thus 4 stars instead of 5. No reason though for you not to read it. Time well spent, with a superb writer and beautiful story.… (plus d'informations)