Bertrand Court is a captivating novel told in story form, intertwining seventeen luminous narratives about the secrets of a cast of politicos, filmmakers, and housewives, all tied to a suburban Washington, DC, cul-de-sac. Linked through bloodlines and grocery lines, they respond to life’s bruises by grabbing power, sex, or the family silver. As they atone and forgive, they unmask the love and … the love and truth that hop white picket fences.
Michelle Brafman is the author of the novel Washing the Dead. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in Slate, Tablet, the Washington Post, Lilith, the the minnesota review, and elsewhere. She teaches fiction writing at the Johns Hopkins University MA in Writing Program and lives with her family in Glen Echo, Maryland.
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It was a little difficult to follow because of the way she moves from one character to another, but her characters are so real and believable. Her writing is exquisite.
I was interested in the form – a novel in stories. But each story was only marginally connected, through the location, and the whole was totally forgettable.
While it was interesting reading, the approach of telling separate stories meant it didn’t hang together for me. I’d have preferred a more cohesive overall story.
I found it somewhat confusing to keep characters straight as it jumped around . the character development was pretty good, The connection between the characters was tenuous at best. I didn’t think that living on the same street was quite enough. when the story ended I didn’t feel finished. I thought that it could have gone 1 more chapter to finish the link between characters
Great character descriptions. However it felt like a big build up and then….. nothing
I couldn’t get into this book. I did not finish
This book left way too many unanswered questions. When I got to the end, I wished I had never read it!!!
A bit convoluted at times, but a good story.
Found book to be very difficult to go through. Quit reading about half way through
Tedious, like your grandma’s endless neighborhood gossip.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it takes place in a neighborhood cul-de-sac and each chapter is in the voice of a different resident. They are primarily of the Jewish faith and I appreciated learning more about that religion during the story and dialog. It is a fairly convoluted plot, but interestingly interwoven, The only negative comment I have is that the author stopped the story too abruptly.
So confusing. Stupid ending. No idea what the book was even about when I finished it. What was the point?
This is a wonderful book. I always say I believe in only “2 degrees of separation”” vs. the usual 6, and Bertrand Court upholds my theory. Everyone is connected to everyone else or to someone connected to someone another knows — which I find to be how life works, if one delves into another’s social network to any extent. All the characters are entirely believable and realistic, from my experience, as well as unique and interesting. It’s truly well written and captivating.
I just couldn’t get through this book due to the way it was written.
This book was very enjoyable. I did have a bit of trouble at first with the shift between times at first.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters in it, I was sorry to leave Bertrand Court.
Very enjoyable reading
Enjoyable characters.
Bertrand Court is an unusual novel, in that it is episodic, covering a range of time periods, the points of view of several characters. This style took a bit of getting used to — and takes some effort on the part of the reader to keep everyone straight. Ultimately, however, the portrait of the extended Jewish family is sensitively rendered, with a raw authenticity that adds to the appeal.
I started reading but didn’t get far. Not my thing. Grew up in D.C. . . . not enamored of politics and anything related.