A powerful story of love and hope

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer 

Julie Orringer’s stunning achievement in bringing to life the events and relationships between two Jewish families in Hungary over the war years is all the more remarkable for being a first novel. At 600 pages of detail about life, hope and struggle this is clearly a book that has been gestating for a good while. It was worth the effort.

The Invisible Bridge achieves the task of a great piece of art – illuminating the observer’s life as it unfolds on its own terms.

The streets of Hungary and Paris and the geographical and architectural landscapes within the book provide a structure and texture which acts as a framework for a story of complex personalities that evoke interest and empathy – even some of the less attractive characters.

Even through the inevitable descent into catastrophic events, The Invisible Bridge maintains a quiet detachment which allows the reader to stay alongside the protagonists without turning away from the horror.

The storytelling itself is captivating, with endless small surprises waiting like wrapped party gifts along the way. Even the love story at the heart of the book unfolds like pass the parcel, as layers of secrets are revealed. Indeed, secrecy is another theme of the novel, as are work and family relationships.

The main characters are strong, resilient and talented, and also loving, and generous. They have a sense of belonging to each other as well as to places.

If the book has a weakness it would be the relatively brief and neat ending. Perhaps Orringer is leaving open the door for another episode of the family saga. Somehow I don’t think so. That would be beneath her.

This is a book which is uplifting and human, warm with the small and intimate details of everyday life as well as the foreboding march of war. It should find its way onto prize shortlists, and very possibly win.