The Deer Wedding

Simpson's sweeping second novel is a rumination on art and war that circles the lives of Dagmar, a 23-year-old punk rocker living in Zagreb; her mother, the journalist Ana Petric; and Antun Fiskovi, an artist living 50 years earlier and with whom they share a mysterious connection. Simpson mirrors the histories of her characters with the rage and despair of their war-ravaged country; in 1998 Ana attempts to reconnect with her daughter after being absent for most of her childhood due to the suicide of her husband. Meanwhile, in 1941, Antun struggles with his art and his parents' identity, and tries to find love. A revelation predictably connects Antun to Ana, transforming everyone. Simpson's slim novel is rich in historical detail, though labyrinthine in its complexity; place names, historical events, and Slavic cultural references can be overwhelming (research notes and a pronunciation guide are included). The timing of the two tales is crucial. 1941 marked the creation of independent Croatia; in 1998 Simpson traveled to a newly independent Croatia, just three years after the end of a bloody civil war. Her deft handling and authority creates a satisfying and compelling tale. (June)