What a beautiful little story. I’m not sure who reviewed this one on here back for CBRV!, but whoever it was thank you. Enter an audible sale on Cassandra Campbell’s narration, and this was one of many snatched up. Ms. Campbell’s voice is wonderfully soothing for long car rides with the Little so we’ve been enjoying her quite a bit.
The Housekeeper and the Professor is the story of, well, it’s right there in the title. Our narrator and housekeeper begin the tale explaining how she came to be working for this man. The professor is a brilliant mathematical mind, but since a horrific car accident almost 20 years prior can not remember in short term memory longer than 80 minutes. Their relationship develops and comes to include her young son as well. Together they form a small family-like unit bonding over math and baseball.
And what a wonderful story it is. It’s quiet and gentle, and while not much happens overall it doesn’t have to. This isn’t a bing bang boom loud tale, but a smooth peaceful one that keeps your road rage in check. I really enjoyed Ms. Ogawa’s characterization of all three central players, and felt she did a great job rounding them all out, but giving each very distinctive traits. It left me a little teary at the end, but happy which was a nice change of pace for the more traditional “literature” I read these days.
Overall if you’re looking for a peaceful way to while away a few hours, I highly recommend this one. Especially if you have a soft spot for either math or baseball (I have it for both).
Amazing — this is the second recommendation for this book this week from trusted readers. I guess I need to get it now!