The title 'The Little Book' is the worst possible title for this because it is anything but. There is so much going on in this book it's mind-numbing in parts. First a bit of background. Selden Edwards spent more than 30 years writing this book. This is masterfully written, and lets face it, after 30 years it should be, right? Well, in some aspects sure, but in others it goes beyond that. This book really does just go beyond every expectation I had. It is a book of fiction rooted in history if you will. The historical events that do in fact take place in this book are amazing. Being the studious person I am, looked up each event after they were referenced in the book to find out if they were real or fictitious.
What I love about the book is that there are so many points of view going on in the book. And the characters are so well written that you know exactly who they are. It is written from a mothers point of view based on her son's journal which also has snippets from other sources in it as well. So there is first, second, and third person points of view. And the book is a sort of time travel also, but not really in the corny sort of way, that you look back and say...what was the point of that. It's more of the 'what came first the chicken or the egg?' Going back to the points of view. In school we learn certain things about world history and it is projected in certain ways, now you sort of get another but through others' points of view. The views are on Sigmund Freud, Karl Leuger (and if Handsome Karl is there then you know Adolf Hitler isn't far behind), and anti-semitism. And the views all come from the Jung Wien (young Vienna), which were a group of young adults who were looking at the world and questioning it. This was all happening at the turn-of-the-century Vienna in 1897. This time was considered "modern" culturalism.
In the book you sit in on a few of the Jung Wien's chat sessions at the Cafe Central at the 'heart' of Vienna. You get to see what some of the thought processes might have been at this time, what some of the conversations might have gone at this time. Some of the conversations even show where some of the hatred that started WWII stemmed from. At this time in Vienna music, art, and intellect were thriving. The Jewish community was thriving and the world was beginning to move toward a more progressive and introspective sort of fashion. The notions that this author takes to show the steps that Dr. Freud took to get where he was are amazing. The points of view that the author puts in place as to give a possible explanation as to why Hitler turned out the way he did are interesting. Incidentally Dr. Freud and Hitler sort of mix together in that fact, at least in this book. The explanation for some of Hitler's behavior's is attempted by Freudian-ism. With sexual abuse, hysterics, and submission on at least one parent's point of view coming into play. I find it more interesting to see the authors what if scenario. A lot of people have one...what if one thing in history had changed at just one moment, would things have been different? For example, if one were able to go back in history and stop a certain dictator-type from genocide would one do such a thing? Would one be able to look a child in the face and see all the future evil and do what one feels is necessary to stop the future horrors from playing out?
Now I did say that this book is a sort of time travel book. It starts out in 1988 and you jump around between Vienna 1897 and Boston and California between the years 1914 and 1988. You follow Wheeler Burden's life via bouncy ball effect until his demise time 2. The whole circle of life aspect comes into effect in this book. I didn't like how you never really do get a concrete explanation as to how these people end up time traveling. There is a 'will power' sort of explanation and a 'it's what's supposed to happen to make the future what it is" sort of thing too. But nothing that says, this is how I did it, more so this is why it happened.
Now were all the mastery comes into play is evident in the characters and how everything plays out. The ending was appropriate, a little disheartening, but what it should be. The ouroboros style of the story was enlightening and a bit Freudian too. Along with all the history there is also love. Love of country, love of self, love between a father and son, and love between man and woman. I also find it interesting how Dr. Freud is sort of a key player in helping a father and son to know eachother when they have so little time together, when Dr. Freud had certain views that were not all that flattering where a father-figure were concerned. I also loved how Wheeler not only praised Dr. Freud for his work, but also put it to work first hand. That is after all the greatest compliment, is it not? You see it all play out...the power of talk. That 'guide.' All in all I thought this book was great and I foresee myself putting it in the 'to be read again someday' section of things. Hope you enjoy!
