Bondoux, A. (2010). A time of miracles. (Y. Maudet, Trans.). New York, NY: Delacorte Press. (Original work published 2009). ISBN: 978-0-385-73922-1. 180 pp.
In this fictional account, Blaise Fortune, known as Koumaı̈l throughout most of his childhood, tells of his escape from the Caucasus of Russia with Gloria, the woman who raises him. The story occurs during the 1990s, a time of war between the Caucasus and Russia. Blaise provides details about the living conditions, hardships, people, and simple joys as he and Gloria try to survive by living in various regions of the Caucasus until it is decided that they must flee to the safety of peaceful France to have a chance at life.
Critical Analysis
This story is translated from the French. The setting is interesting because it takes place in a modern Europe with a war that is from recent history. This modern setting helps one to visualize how hard life is for Gloria and Blaise. However, my mind kept drifting trying to put the characters in an older historical setting, such as World War II, because it is challenging for me to visualize this happening in our modern world. I think this is subject to my experiences being limited to America’s way of life. Young adults with more exposure to world news and travel may be able to visualize the circumstances better than I.
The story develops slowly, which may make it difficult to get through. It takes some time to establish the background of how Blaise and Gloria come into each other’s lives, their characters, and the atmosphere of the war torn Caucasus. The story gains momentum in the last quarter of the book when Blaise makes it to France and tries to find Gloria and his mother. This is definitely a survival adventure story, and one should not expect thrills and adrenaline rushes.
Gloria and Blaise are the only two characters fully developed throughout the book. All other characters are vaguely portrayed and only serve to advance the happening of certain events. Blaise is a good and caring person throughout the book. He does not complain through the hardships and is considerate when it comes to helping Gloria take care of their needs. Gloria too is exceptional in character in how she cares and loves Blaise while taking all of their burdens on her own shoulders. Although the characters seem too perfect, they are extremely likable. Overall, it is a touching story of hardship and love where all the reader wants is for Blaise to find Gloria again and live happily with her in France.
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