Occasionally awkward, but often shining with quiet grace, these 10 interconnected stories by Zabytko (The Sky Unwashed) follow the childhood-to-young-adulthood trajectory of Luba Vovkovych, who lives with her Ukrainian immigrant parents in Chicago in the 1960s. In "Steve's Bar," Luba describes the local Ukrainian hangout, where the various neighborhood factions shrilly compete to be judged "most patriotic to the homeland that was lost forever" while coming to terms with their new country. In "My Black Valiant," Luba hopes to become more American herself, plotting to break free of her "DP Ukie" (Displaced Persons Ukrainian) status by changing her name to the more American Linda and buying a car that symbolizes freedom and the ability to flee her stifling culture. "The Last Boat" provides a vivid description of elderly Uncle Dutko and Auntie Olya and their past in the old country, deepening the reader's understanding of Luba's family history. The collection is sometimes brightened by startling, colorful prose: "I would've punched her stupid, soft face the way my mother punched down bread"; "The long scar across her chest glistened like braided satin." Less fresh is the collection's inevitable progression toward Luba's reconciliation of her American and Ukrainian selves. By the time we reach the last story, "John Mars, All-American," she has managed to accept her past while looking toward her future. The predictability of Zabytko's themes undermines the effectiveness of the collection, but her stories shimmer with the same hope and dreams that her characters possess in spades. Agent, Faye Bender. Author tour.
(Apr. 11)
