DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD

by Olga Tokarczuk

What an absolutely lovely surprise I had reading this book!  Although it had been recommended to me by one of my all-time favorite people (thank you, Diana), when I read the flap copy, I was skeptical.  Set in a remote Polish mountain village, Drive Your Plow tells the story of recluse Janina Duszejko, part-time caretaker of houses, translator of William Blake, devoted astrologer and animal lover extraordinaire. Described as a thriller and a whodunit, I couldn’t imagine how it could possibly live up to its hype.

Well, I want to state emphatically that when someone you really like endorses a book, you should read it!  Drive Your Plow is unlike any other book I have ever read.  Thoughtful, eccentric, exotic and charming are all apt descriptions of this delightful book.  Just when I thought the author had gone too deep into describing Janina’s philosophy on humans and animals or astrological influences on our fate, she drew me back into the story with the macabre yet clever death of another resident of this small town. 

Tokarczuk’s writes in a clean,  spare fashion.  Her unusual story promises to fascinate you.  But what really makes this book memorable is her subtle exploration of ideas like:  Who do we listen to and why?  Are the prevailing “truths” always sane?  Is our justice system really just?  I highly recommend Drive Your Plow.  You will thank me – and Diana !  (Liz)