The Medusa Tree: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Tale of survival during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
Review: Secretly-pregnant Margot visits her aging grandmothers, two women who survived the Japanese WW11 occupation of Dutch Indonesia, one by withdrawing, the other by beating (literally) every man matched up against her--in tennis. Margot is looking for affirmation of family and by drawing out her grandmothers's stories, she finds it. A spare novel bursting with the fullness of three very unique women. Oma Fan's chapter is pure poetry and Gerda's retelling of her triumph over a Japanese commander is incredibly moving. A quick but powerful read. Highly recommended